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A 26-year-old 'former phone addict' started a travel company to send millennials abroad without their phones

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selfie tourist monkey

  • Millennials are known for carrying a cell phone at all times — especially during travel.
  • Travel company Off the Grid wants to change that with its primary rule: no smartphones allowed.
  • Before each trip begins, millennials hand over the cell phone they brought and receive "dumb phones" that can't take photos or access the internet.
  • The goal is to encourage travelers of all ages to be more present in the moment on vacation.


For too many people, taking a vacation is more about finding the perfect photo than actually enjoying their new surroundings.

One travel company is trying to change that.

It's called Off the Grid, and it's tours have one major catch: no smartphones allowed.

The company is the brainchild of 26-year-old Zach Beattie, a self-described former phone addict who quit the tech industry in January to follow his passion for travel. The brand-new outfit offers tours of 24 to 30 people in six cities around the world. Its first two tours this summer, in Lisbon and Prague, are on track to sell out, Beattie said.

The format of the trips is simple. When you arrive at your destination, tour organizers give you a pouch to store your smartphone. In return you get a "dumb phone" that's only capable of making calls — not taking pictures or accessing the internet.

For the duration of the 10-day trips, Off the Grid plans accommodation, transportation, and occasional social events like night cruises and group dinners. There's plenty of solo travel time built in, during which you'll have to resist the urge to take a selfie, check your email, or look up online reviews of activities and restaurants.

"Searching for a place to eat at night when you have Yelp will give you a different experience than just wandering downtown and asking someone on the street where they like to eat," Beattie told Business Insider.

zach beattie off the grid

Research suggests people may be reaching a breaking point when it comes to smartphone addiction. A Baylor University study found that college students in the US spent as much as 10 hours a day on their phones, and the nonprofit Common Sense Media found that 50% of teenagers said they are addicted to their phones. Meanwhile, 52% of parents said they are trying to cut down on their device usage, the nonprofit found.

Beattie said he wants his tours to encourage people to be fully present in the moment — something people want, but have trouble committing to.

"It resonates with people because they know they need it. But then when you talk to people they're afraid they won't be able to do it, which is the ultimate sign that you're addicted to something," Beattie told Business Insider.

"Sometimes it takes a full group of people, or a reason to say I'm unplugging, versus just trying to do it cold turkey. And this trip gives you a reason. It helps you take that first step."

Although smartphones are forbidden during the tours, photography is still allowed. Guests can bring their own cameras, and each trip has a designated photographer who shares pictures with the group after the tour ends.

But as Beattie put it, "the ultimate challenge is to go on one of these without a camera and say, these experiences are just for me. I don't have to share them — I can just be here."

Holding off on social media posts isn't just beneficial to the traveler — their friends will probably appreciate it, too. A 2017 survey found that 73% of social media users find it annoying when they see other people's vacation photos online. Of the respondents who said they share their vacation photos, nearly half said they do it to update friends and family, although 21% said they do it simply to show off.

"A holiday is, for many, a time to switch off and have a rest, but it would seem that taking a break doesn't apply to social media," said Adam Beckett, an executive at Aviva, the insurance company that conducted the survey.

Beattie said the challenge of making it the full 10 days without a smartphone aligns with people's desire to push themselves outside their comfort zones when they are on vacation.

"Hopefully when you get home, you can say, 'There was this one time I lived without my phone for a full week, and it was fine. I survived. Everyone at work was fine,'" he said.

SEE ALSO: I've stayed in nearly 100 hostels on 4 continents — here are 9 red flags to look for before you unpack your suitcase

DON'T MISS: 13 of the best places to visit if you're planning a vacation in April

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: For $138,000 the Four Seasons will fly you in a private jet around the world


'A Wrinkle in Time' has a strong message for kids, but is plagued by a dragging story and lame special effects

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a wrinkle in time 2 disney

  • The latest adaptation of the Madeleine L'Engle novel directed by Ava DuVernay is an inspiring tale for children.
  • But with pacing issues and some underwhelming special effects it's not at the level of Disney stories we've become accustomed to.


On Friday, Disney goes for round two with Madeleine L’Engle’s 1960s novel, “A Wrinkle in Time.” In 2004, the studio released a made-for-TV adaptation that finally aired after two years of date changes and a recut. 14 years later, the studio has tapped Ava DuVernay (“Selma”) to take on the material.

Outside of both versions being highly inspirational for kids, these two adaptations could not be any different. DuVernay’s doesn’t feature a predominantly white cast and is fueled by special effects. However, the material is a challenge to make work for the screen, and that is clearly evident with the new movie.

“A Wrinkle in Time” looks at a family dealing with the sudden disappearance of their scientist father, Alex (Chris Pine), four years ago. His daughter, Meg (Storm Reid), struggles with understanding what happened and being bullied at school isn’t making things easier. Meg’s highly intelligent younger brother, Charles Wallace (Deric McCabe), tries to keep her hopes up while her mother (played by Gugu Mbatha-Raw) also tries to stay positive. But suddenly a strangely dressed woman named Mrs. Whatsit (Reese Witherspoon) shows up in their living room and with the help of her fellow astral travelers, Mrs. Who (Mindy Kaling) and Mrs. Which (Oprah Winfrey), tells Meg, Charles Wallace, and Meg’s friend Calvin (Levi Miller) that they can find Alex.

a wrinkle in time 3 disneyThe movie then becomes a trippy journey to another universe, where Alex has been captured by the evil “IT,” which feeds off of negativity. Meg must overcome her own issues with self-confidence to defeat the IT.

The elements created by L’Engle have all the makings of a strong fantasy movie, but DuVernay’s adaptation (written by Jeff Stockwell and “Frozen” writer/director Jennifer Lee) has major pacing issues. The scenes just drag on and seem to marvel at its special effects — which aren’t that strong to begin with — instead of moving the story forward.

At times the movie’s dramatic moments have the feeling of a cheesy Hallmark Channel movie rather than something that came from the most powerful movie studio in Hollywood. And Winfrey and Kaling look completely out of their element. Witherspoon carries the load a lot in the scenes featuring the three warrior travelers.

But there are some things that will make you chuckle (in fact, a lot if you watch this movie in an altered state of mind). Michael Peña's evil Red character features unique facial hair and at one point he collapses into multiple pieces. Our heroes encounter a cul-de-sac of zoned-out kids bouncing red balls in unison. And for a good stretch of the middle of the movie Winfrey’s character is a giant and Witherspoon’s character suddenly transforms into a big leaf that the kids ride on (for no clear reason).

The good thing about "A Wrinkle in Time" is it has an extremely powerful message for kids. It features a strong family structure, encourages you to love the qualities that make you unique, and has a diverse cast. At the very least, DuVernay delivers a story that will speak to all kinds of young people.

SEE ALSO: Bill Hader breaks down how "SNL" stage fright inspired his new HBO show about a hitman, and tells a funny Tom Cruise story

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: You can connect all 9 Best Picture Oscar nominees with actors they have in common — here's how

Inside the lavish lifestyles of people who made a fortune off cryptocurrencies

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Erik Finman

Since the creation of bitcoin in 2009, the world of cryptocurrency has seen plenty of drama: huge price increases are followed by sharp drops, all while believers and cynics clash over whether it has a future.

Still, nine years later, some people have managed to turn an impressive profit on cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, Ripple's XRP, and ether. Some of them are millionaires — perhaps even billionaires.

As these photos show, many of those who profited early from cryptocurrencies are young men. But while an estimated 71% of bitcoin owners are men, there's a concerted effort among many women in tech to engage more in cryptocurrencies and offer resources for women looking to break into the male-dominated culture surrounding it.

While many cryptocurrency investors lie low and avoid flaunting their earnings out of fear of being targeted, there are a few displays of wealth and luxury on Instagram, revealing the newly acquired affluence of the crypto nouveau riche.

Here's an inside look at the lavish lives of six men who made fortunes by investing in cryptocurrencies and showed it off on Instagram.

Daniel Colosi first invested in cryptocurrencies last year with a friend. He says his initial investment of $5,000 snowballed into $200,000 in just a few short months.

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Source: Daily Mail



Colosi says he expects his cryptocurrency investment will make him a millionaire by 2019.

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Colosi, a former construction worker, has used some of the cash he made though cryptocurrencies to travel the world. In January, he told the Daily Mail he planned to relocate to Thailand.

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Source: Daily Mail



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13 documentaries on Netflix that will make you smarter about politics

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north korea under the sun

If you feel like you want to binge on some Netflix documentaries but broaden your knowledge of politics at the same time, we've got you covered.

Netflix has an array of political documentary shows and films — many of which are among some of the best ever made.

The documentaries on the platform will sharpen your wit about everything from life inside North Korea and how President Donald Trump rose to power, to the politics of high-powered corporate greed and corruption.

Here are the 13 best documentaries about politics streaming on Netflix right now:

SEE ALSO: The 24 best science movies and shows streaming on Netflix that will make you smarter

DON'T MISS: Here are all the confirmed original shows coming to Netflix in 2018

"13th" (2016)

What it's about: At the end of the Civil War in 1865, the 13th amendment officially abolished slavery  — but there was a catch. People who had committed a crime could theoretically be enslaved as part of their punishment. "13th" is a stunning documentary that explores the implications of this in the modern American penal system, building on the work of scholars like Michelle Alexander who wrote the landmark book on modern-day segregation in the criminal justice system, "The New Jim Crow." "13th" paints a vivid and disturbing picture of modern American institutionalized racism, and does so with testimony from those who found themselves caught in the system.

Why you should see it: The film tackles a broad issue, but presents compelling details, stories, and historical examples that help drive its grim point home. Although institutional racism easily fades from the national discourse, "13th" is important simply because it reminds us of the struggle African Americans still face every day.



"Dirty Money" (2018)

What it's about: "Dirty Money" is a TV show all about corruption, corporate fraud, and the ways banks, companies, and individuals contribute to illicit activities around the world. From infamous pharmaceutical CEO Martin Shkreli's antics to bank-financed drug and terror operations, this documentary series dives into a number of high-profile and disturbing financial crimes.

Why you should see it: This series educates viewers about how US law makes white collar crime possible, but feels like an action movie. At a time when government and business ethics are under renewed scrutiny, "Dirty Money" is an important watch for anyone hoping to understand the vast world of institutional corruption.



"Get Me Roger Stone" (2017)

What it's about: On the surface, this film is about Roger Stone, Trump's former political adviser who left the campaign in 2015. But it's about so much more — Trump's rise to power, Washington's political culture, and America's pivot to a post-truth existence. "Get Me Roger Stone" features interviews with Stone himself, Trump's former campaign manager Paul Manafort, Fox News host Tucker Carlson, and many others. It offers a stunning look at how one man's career helped create Trump, the politician.

Why you should see it: This film is essential viewing if you hope to understand the transformative politics of the 2016 election and the central role Stone played in setting the stage for it. It is also wildly entertaining — Stone is a compelling if frustrating anti-hero, who lights up the screen with witty, cynical banter.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

These photos reveal why the 26-year-old organizer of disastrous Fyre Festival concert could spend 10 years in prison

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Fyre

  • Fyre Festival organizer Billy McFarland pleaded guilty to wire-fraud charges on Tuesday.
  • The 26-year-old was arrested in June 2017 after being accused of misleading investors who poured more than $1 million into Fyre Media.
  • McFarland admitted he defrauded 80 investors and a ticket broker out of more than $26 million.
  • Here's what the VIP festival was expected to be versus what it actually ended up being. 

The founder of the nightmarish Fyre Festival that left hundreds of attendees stranded in the Bahamas pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud on Tuesday.

26-year-old Billy McFarland admitted to defrauding a ticket broker and 80 investors in Fyre Media, a company that he founded and that was responsible for putting on the Fyre Festival. Prosecutors have alleged that McFarland used falsified documents to trick investors in a $26 million scheme.

McFarland may face eight to 10 years in prison plus a fine of up to $300,000, according to Bloomberg.

Fyre Festival promised to offer attendees a VIP experience when they set off to Great Exuma in the Bahamas. But the reality was very different: delayed flights, half-built huts to sleep in, and cold cheese sandwiches to eat. And that doesn't even include the disastrous trip home.

The luxury festival — tickets for which started at $1,200 — was advertised as two weekends in paradise, but it turned into a nightmare.

Take a look at festivalgoers' expectations compared with the reality they encountered.

And here's the full Fyre Festival promo video:

SEE ALSO: The founder of the doomed Fyre Festival could spend years in prison after pleading guilty to defrauding investors out of millions of dollars

The three-day party was supposed to be on a private beach on the island of Great Exuma in the Bahamas.



It was supposed to be over two weekends: April 28-30 and May 5-7.



A host of supermodels had promoted it on social media, including Hailey Baldwin, Emily Ratajkowski, and Bella Hadid.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The best hypothetical 'Bachelor' contestant would be a 36-year-old nurse from Atlanta named Jennifer, according to statistics

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Becca the bachelor

When you think of successful contestants on "The Bachelor," you might think of a blonde cheerleader named Lauren, from California, in her early twenties.

But you would be wrong.

While there are quite a lot of those who appear on the show and get pretty far, they are not the most likely candidate to win "The Bachelor."

That honor would go to Jennifer, 36, a nurse from Atlanta.

This is all according to Homes.com, which conducted an in-depth statistical breakdown to figure out who the perfect candidate on "The Bachelor" is, narrowing it down to age, city, and profession.

Along with figuring out the mostly likely candidate, the statistics reveal some other interesting information, like the average number roses received per name, profession, city, and state. For example, while the majority of contestants are in their twenties, the most successful contestants are in their thirties.

But other details aren't surprising, including the most common name for a contestant being Lauren (there were four Laurens on Arie Luyendyk Jr.'s season alone).

Here are some of the findings in the study:

SEE ALSO: Even former 'The Bachelor' contestants are slamming ABC for the manipulative way it handled Monday's finale

The most common contestant name: Lauren.

Close behind came Sarah, Ashley, Amber, and Jennifer. 



But Laurens aren't the mostly likely to get a rose.

That honor goes to Jennifers, who, on average, have 4.88 roses. Amandas are close behind with 4.25 roses. Laurens come in third, though, with an average of 3.

 



The city that brings the most contestants: Chicago.

Chicago is on top with 19 contestants, with Los Angeles far behind with 13. After that comes Dallas, with 12 candidates.

 

 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

A Harvard doctor shares the 3-ingredient breakfast she eats at work every morning

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IHOP All You Can Eat Pancakes 6

  • Most typical American breakfast foods — including cereal — are actually dessert.
  • Cereal, muffins, bagels, and pancakes are are full of refined carbohydrates but lack protein and fiber.
  • Eggs, berries, and nuts are all better options for the first meal of the day.


When Harvard physician Monique Tello looks at the typical American breakfast, she said, it makes her "want to cry."

"A bowl of cereal, or a bagel, or a piece of toast, or a muffin are all no different than a dessert," Tello wrote in a recent Harvard Health blog post.

Think about it — most blueberry muffins aren't much different from cupcakes, and pancakes are little more than fried dough with liquid sugar poured on top.

"Eating like this may be okay once in a while, but if you do so often, I guarantee these foods will make you sick, one way or another," Tello said.

Many American breakfast foods (like cereal, waffles, and pastries) are primarily made up of refined carbs— a type of unhealthy carbohydrate that gets rapidly turned into sugar in our bodies. And they lack two nourishing ingredients: protein and fiber. As a result, breakfast can be a nutritional disaster.

The solution is a meal that's high in protein to fuel our muscles and has plenty of fiber, which fills us up and regulates our digestion.

Here's what Tello eats: a combination of berries, Icelandic-style (high protein) yogurt, and a mix of nuts, seeds, and rolled oats.

doctor's breakfast fruit yogurt nuts

”I’m a working mom. I take the train into work. I need something quick, easy, and transportable. Plus, it needs to be budget-friendly, and must hold me over for a number of hours," Tello said.

So her breakfast is based around three simple ingredients:

  • Berries: Tello buys a mix of frozen raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries in bulk, since "fruit is frozen at the peak of freshness, so the quality and vitamin content can be better than what's in the produce aisle." Plus, she said, frozen fruit is cheaper than fresh and lasts longer. Berries are also high in fiber and pack key vitamins like A, C, and K.Tello fills a plastic container with the frozen fruit, and either lets it defrost overnight or sticks it in a microwave.
  • Nuts, seeds, and/or whole grains: Tello advises using the ingredients you prefer here, but she goes with unsalted nuts, toasted pepita seeds, and whole rolled oats, all of which are high in fiber and have some protein too.
  • Yogurt: Tello eats plain Siggi's, a brand of high-protein, low-sugar yogurt from Iceland. Other types of Greek plain yogurt have a similar nutritional profile.

To make her meal, she pours the nuts and seeds over the defrosted berries, and stirs the yogurt into the mixture.

"Don’t forget your spoon!" she said.

If you're not a fan of yogurt and berries, the nutritional profile of Tello's breakfast can be replicated in dozens of other forms. A couple of hard-boiled eggs and a piece of whole grain toast would work too; as would some turkey bacon and a whole wheat English muffin or a couple of tablespoons of no-sugar added peanut butter with sliced apples.

As long as your meal features whole grains (not refined ones) and good sources of protein, fiber, and some healthy fats, you're good to go. The combination of ingredients will fill you up and keep you fueled for hours.

SEE ALSO: Orange juice is the biggest con of your life

DON'T MISS: A doctor has a simple name for the type of food she says is driving the obesity epidemic

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: 5 'healthy' breakfast foods that have more sugar than a glazed donut

Once a bustling tourist attraction, the Dead Sea is rapidly disappearing — and its beaches are almost unrecognizable

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Avraham (L) sits near his makeshift camp as Bar (R) and a friend pour water into a container, on the shore of the Dead Sea, near Metzoke Dragot in the Israeli occupied West Bank, January 1, 2018.

  • The Dead Sea has long been a tourist attraction because of its high salt content and proximity to Israel, Jordan, and the West Bank.
  • However, sinkholes have wrecked havoc on its shores and the Dead Sea's shoreline continues to get smaller due to drought.
  • One beach, Metzoke Dragot, has remained occupied — not by tourists, but people who want to escape modern life and live without electricity. 

 

The Dead Sea is not what it once was. 

The destination, famous for its high salt content that's almost 10 times greater than the ocean, allows swimmers to stay afloat. The Dead Sea's waters have also attracted those seeking spiritual elevation, given its religious significance, bordering Israel, Jordan, and the West Bank.

However since the late 1980s, massive sink holes — some the size of a basketball court— have riddled the large lake's shore line, making it a dangerous place for any visitor. And, the rate at which sink holes are developing is increasing. In the 1990s, it was a few dozen a year, and in 2015 around 700 were reported.  

The sinkholes are caused by the Dead Sea's salty water receding — which is happening at a rate of about 3 feet per year. One cause of the receding is that the Dead Sea's natural water sources, which flow south through the Jordan River valley from Lebanon and Syria, have been diverted for both farming and drinking water. Mineral mining by Israeli and Jordanian potash producers account for further damage.

As the Dead Sea water recedes, fresh groundwater bubbles up, dissolving layers of salt in the land, which creates the large underground cavities. Israel's drought — now going into its fifth year — has also contributed.  

Now, abandoned resorts and old water parks sit on the shores of the Dead Sea. Many of its public beaches have closed. 

However there is one beach along the Dead Sea that stays continuously occupied by those who want to escape modern life. They're not tourists — they are there indefinitely. On Metzoke Dragot beach, they live in make-shift tents and camps, in one of Earth's lowest elevation points. 

Reuters photographer Ronen Zvulun recently visited and spoke with those living on the beach. See the photos, below.   

Metzoke Dragot beach is located in the northern part of the Dead Sea, which borders Israel, the occupied West Bank, and Jordan.



A man named Avraham sits at his makeshift camp — many of these homes or "zulas," which is Hebrew slang for a hangout, dot the Metzoke Dragot beach.



These "zulas" are mostly built with branches, tarp, and old sheets that provide cover from the sun.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 30 highest-paid tennis players of all time

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Roger Federer

  • Serena Williams is the highest-paid female tennis player with career winnings over $84 million.
  • Roger Federer is the highest-paid male tennis player with career winnings topping $115 million.
  • Both players will compete at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, this week.

 

Serena Williams and Roger Federer are the highest-paid female and male tennis players of all time — though there's a more than $31 million difference in their total career earnings.

This week, both players will compete at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California. Williams is returning to the Women's Tennis Association Tour for the first time since the 2017 Australian Open, which she won while pregnant. Williams took the rest of the year off to give birth to her daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr.

The men's and women's singles champions at the BNP Paribas Open will each be awarded $1,340,860. A $1 million bonus will go to any player who clinches both the singles and doubles titles, a feat accomplished only six times in tournament history.

That's a nice payday in and of itself, but most of the high-ranking players are also locked into endorsements with top sports and luxury brands, banking multiple times their on-court earnings in any given year.

Below, we take a look at the 30 highest-paid tennis players of all time, based on on-the-court winnings. While the list is skewed towards recent players, it's a mix of both men and women, as well as current players and all-time greats.

Data is from the ATP and WTA tours. Doubles and and mixed-doubles earnings are included in the career winnings, but are not included in the number of titles won.

SEE ALSO: 'I never touched it': Serena Williams tried to deposit her first million-dollar check in the bank drive-thru

DON'T MISS: This is everything tennis champion Serena Williams eats for breakfast, lunch, and dinner

30. Goran Ivanisevic — $19,878,007

Nationality: Croatian

Grand Slam titles: 1 (Wimbledon)

Overall titles: 22



29. Stefan Edberg — $20,630,941

Nationality:Swedish

Grand Slam titles: 6 (2 Australian, 2 Wimbledon, 2 U.S. Open)

Overall titles: 41



28. Andy Roddick — $20,640,030

Nationality: American

Grand Slam titles: 1 (U.S. Open)

Overall titles: 32



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

An vape pen created by Stanford graduates is taking over US high schools — and doctors are frightened

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JUUL In Hand Female Black Tank Small

  • The Juul vape pen, an e-cigarette that comes with a vaporizer and pre-filled containers of nicotine liquid, is soaring in popularity.
  • Young people appear to be especially drawn to the device, which is discrete enough to hide.
  • Juul is emphatic that its product is made to appeal to adults looking to switch from smoking to vaping.
  • But some of the same characteristics that make the Juul appealing to adults may also be attractive to teens.


Vaping is becoming increasingly popular, and now a vape pen that's small, discrete, and easy to use is taking over high schools — and the e-cig market.

The Juul (pronounced "jewel") appears to have a loyal and growing following among young people, who brag on social media about being able to sneak puffs in class or in the bathroom. But it's not just teens who are using it — the device represents a third of the market share of the total e-cig category, according to Nielsen data, meaning a large share of adults are also turning to the Juul.

Compared with smoking conventional cigarettes — a process that involves setting ablaze a handful of tobacco, tar, and toxic metals — vaping seems objectively healthier. Nothing is burned — only heated — and tobacco doesn't need to be involved at all.

But vaping still comes with health risks, and these risks may be especially worrisome for young people.

"The people that are marketing these new devices claim that their main focus is to reduce the risk of smokers, and I agree, vaping probably represents a reduction in risk from smoking," Ana Rule, a professor of environmental health and engineering at Johns Hopkins University and an author of a study on e-cigs and teens, told Business Insider. "But they fail to address the increased risk to this huge market they are creating among teenagers and young adults that never have smoked, and would have never even considered smoking."

'Juul'ing

JUUL In Hand Female Denim Jacket copy

Among teens, the Juul is not just a noun. It's also a verb.

Instagram and YouTube are full of videos of teens posting clips of themselves vaping, or "Juuling," in class and in front of teachers; a string of high schools along the East Coast has acknowledged "Juuling" in bathroom stalls as a widespread problem, and dozens of teachers report confiscating Juul devices disguised as Sharpies and other classroom items.

That runs counter to Juul's mission as a company, Ashley Gould, Juul's chief administrative officer, told Business Insider.

"Juul is a company that was started by smokers with an objective to switch smokers to non-combustible products," Gould said, adding that the company is vehemently opposed to anyone under 18 using their products and even has a number of campaigns aimed at addressing and curbing underage use.

Nicotine is a highly addictive substance — one analysis ranks it below heroin and cocaine but above barbiturates (anti-anxiety drugs) and alcohol. Some 85% of people who try to quit smoking on their own relapse.

Some evidence suggests that e-cigs may be helpful to adults who are looking to quit smoking. But research also suggests that vaping is an appealing habit to teens, and that those who pick up a vape pen are at a greater risk of smoking conventional cigarettes than those who never vape.

That means that while adults who pick up the Juul may be using it to quit, teens who use it may become addicted and eventually turn to traditional cigarettes.

Why vaping is so appealing to teens

marijuana vaporizer vaping vapeE-cigs have a handful of qualities besides highly addictive nicotine that may make them especially appealing to young people.

Unlike conventional cigarettes, which have a natural stop mechanism — they burn to the end — e-cigs can be re-filled and reused. Additionally, where cigarettes are highly noticeable and easily policed, e-cigs are discrete and sometimes odorless (or have a non-offensive smell). Vaping isn't universally banned in indoor and outdoor places.

The Juul is also sleek, small, colorful, and fairly affordable, at $35 for the pen and $16 for a four-pack of pre-filled cartridges (or "Juul pods").

But the device is different from most e-cigs in one key way: its nicotine.

Not only does the Juul have a higher nicotine concentration than other comparable devices (a Juul pod is 5% nicotine by volume; a Blu e-cig cartridge is 2.4%), it also uses a slightly different nicotine formula than most vape pens use.

Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, a professor of pediatrics at Stanford University who studies nicotine and recently published a review of Juul devices, said she found the product's high nicotine content "scary."

"It is much higher than what we're seeing in conventional e-cigs. It's a tremendous amount," Halpern-Felsher said.

Instead of straight liquid nicotine, otherwise known as "freebase," Juul uses a patented formula that combines nicotine with salt. The company says the nicotine-salt combination is similar to what's naturally found in the leaves of a tobacco plant; the end result is a stronger e-liquid that vaporizes more smoothly.

James Pauly, a pharmacologist at the University of Kentucky who studies nicotine, told Business Insider that he'd been reading a lot about Juul devices because their "concentration of nicotine is so high." He said the salt mixture likely makes the vapor less harsh, meaning it's easier to inhale more strongly for longer.

While an adult smoker might enjoy this aspect of the Juul experience, a teen who's never smoked might end up vaping a dangerous amount of nicotine in one sitting with no knowledge of how much they've consumed.

Other health concerns tied to vaping

Beyond nicotine addiction, several other health concerns about vaping are starting to emerge.

One study published last month found some of the same toxic metals in conventional cigarettes in e-cigs. Another found that at least some of those toxins appear to be making their way through vapers' bodies, as evidenced by a urine analysis run by researchers who randomly sampled nearly 100 people in the Bay Area who vape. And research presented recently at a large conference concluded that there was substantial evidence tying daily e-cig use to an increased risk of heart attack.

So although evidence may suggest that vaping is a healthier habit for adults looking to quit smoking, it is an entirely different issue when it comes to young adults.

"Vaping among teens is my (and most public health professionals) biggest worry," Rule said.

If you have questions or concerns for Juul related to underage vaping, you can email them at youthprevention@juul.com.

SEE ALSO: Scientists are beginning to learn how vaping impacts your health — and the results are troubling

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: The surprising reason why NASA hasn't sent humans to Mars yet

We flew Virgin America one final time before it goes away forever — here's what it was like (ALK)

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richard branson virgin america

  • Virgin America has been one of the best airlines in the US since its launch in 2007.
  • In 2016, Alaska Airlines acquired Virgin America for $2.6 billion.
  • Virgin America will merge into Alaska Airlines in April.
  • Business Insider took a roundtrip flight between Newark Liberty International and San Francisco to experience Virgin America one final time.

In August 2007, Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson launched the US wing of his aviation empire. With Virgin America, the charismatic billionaire wanted to bring the chic style and lighthearted fun of his brand to our nation's flying masses.

In the decade since its inception, Virgin America has become one of the best and most beloved airlines in North America. It took home the Travel & Leisure's award for best domestic airline 10 years in a row.

However, the airline's 10th anniversary passed last year without Sir Richard's traditional pomp and circumstance. That's because everyone knew that Virgin America would probably not be around long enough to celebrate its 11th birthday.

This isn't because VA was going bust. On the contrary, it is one of the most successful airline startups in recent history.

Instead, Virgin America had been acquired by Alaska Airlines in 2016 for $2.6 billion. Even though the airline's fans held out hope that it would be able to fly on using Virgin Group's branding, Alaska Airlines confirmed last October that two carriers would merge operations in April of this year.

In a statement to Business Insider, Alaska Airlines wrote:

"On April 25 we’ll integrate our passenger service systems, which means we will have one inventory of flights, one customer website (alaskaair.com), one mobile app, and only Alaska kiosks. Gates, ticketing, and check-in areas will all be Alaska-branded at the airport. It will take more time for us to update branding on the Airbus fleet, including the livery and the interiors, but in the meantime, we’ve started selling Virgin America’s Main Cabin Select seats as Premium Class for Airbus flights after April 24."

In fact, Virgin America's fleet of Airbus A320-family jets is already being repainted with Alaska Airlines livery.

So before Virgin America disappears into aviation history, we decided to take one final trip with the airline. Here's what we saw.

SEE ALSO: These are the 9 best airlines in America

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I arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport about an hour before my flight to San Francisco was set to depart. But with a powerful Nor'Easter storm bearing down on the Northeastern US, my flight was delayed.



Finally, it was time to board our Airbus A320.



Here's what it looks like during the day.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

What Tom Brady told his kids after his Super Bowl loss holds an important parenting lesson

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Tom Brady

  • Tom Brady used his Super Bowl loss a teachable moment for his kids.
  • The NFL quarterback said failure was an important life lesson.
  • Brady said hard work doesn't always mean success, and that's OK.


After the New England Patriots lost to The Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII, Tom Brady's kids were heartbroken.

"Benny was crying, Vivi was crying, and they were sad for me and sad for the Patriots," Brady said on an episode Tom Vs. Time, which Good Morning America aired in part.

But he looked to the loss as a teaching opportunity.

"But I just said to them, 'Look, this is a great lesson. We don't always win. We try our best and sometimes it doesn't go the way we want,'" he said.

Brady and supermodel wife Gisele Bundchen may have the right approach to parenting, according to psychologists and successful business people. 

Teachers, for example, increasingly follow the advice of Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck who said that students need to have a "growth mindset," and use failure as springboard for growth. 

And many hard-working entrepreneurs also believe failure begets success. "Shark Tank" investor Barbara Corcoran said she looks to invest in individuals who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds for that very reason.

"My bias toward the poor person coming up is they're usually hungrier. They're more injured. They have more to prove," Corcoran said on an episode of Business Insider's podcast, "Success! How I Did It. "So they've had a few bumpy endings and they're used to failure, and, my God, what's more important in building a business than failing?"

Losing at anything in life hurts. But the way parents deal with the aftermath of a failure can be a valuable teaching lesson for their kids.

SEE ALSO: Gisele Bundchen's actions after Tom Brady lost the Super Bowl hold an important lesson about how to treat your partner

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NOW WATCH: Tom Brady's personal trainer took me through the quarterback's intense workout — and it changed my life

How a 21-year-old Instagram star who makes $10,000 a month spends his money in a typical week

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  • For Business Insider's "Real Money" series, Andrew Kozlovski, a 21-year-old student at the University of Southern California,  shares a week of spending in Los Angeles, California.
  • Kozlovski runs his own business, which generates $6,000 to $10,000 a month, primarily driven by marketing on Instagram.
  • He usually eats at home and rarely parties, but this week he spent a lot of money on Ubers to capture social media content.

Andrew Kozlovski, a 21-year-old student at the University of Southern California, told Business Insider that his mother imparted on him a piece of financial wisdom that has been key to his success.

Worry less about saving money, she said, and focus on how to make more money.

Kozlovski took that advice to heart, starting a business at 19 selling nootropic supplements, primarily by marketing on social media.

Kozlovski built a social-media following selling a supplement called Brainz Power. Today, he has nearly a dozen accounts — with followers in the hundreds of thousands— where he posts aspirational content for budding entrepreneurs.

As a star swimmer in high school, Kozlovski had taken all kinds of natural supplements, so he started compiling a list of those said to boost cognitive performance. Then he found a lab near his hometown of Atlanta that was licensed by the Food and Drug Administration and willing to run a small order of pills combining the various supplements; he'd pay using the $500 he had saved up over the year.

While supplements are legal and many people swear by their effects, evidence about their benefits are murky, and US poison-control centers have received about 275,000 reports of people reacting badly to them over the past two decades. The supplements industry, estimated to be worth as much as $37 billion a year, is not regulated by the FDA.

Brainz Power generates around $6,000 to $10,000 per month, depending on sales. But that hardly means Kozlovski is balling out. He uses what he needs to pay his yearly living expenses and tuition to USC and invests the rest back into the business.

Outside of rent and tuition, Kozlovski's biggest expenses are equipment and transportation to create promotional content for Brainz Power. 

Here's a closer look at what he spent over the course of a recent week:

SEE ALSO: A day in the life of a 21-year-old who pays his college tuition through an Instagram business that makes up to $10,000 a month

Kozlovski's biggest monthly expenses are his tuition and rent. He's managed to pay for both by himself since he started Brainz Power at 19. "Every single dollar I make as an entrepreneur covers my tuition, living expenses, and everything else is invested back into the business," he said.

One of the biggest advantages of making money from Brainz Power is that Kozlovski is able to pay off his hefty tuition bill as he progresses through college, rather than taking on student loans and paying later. 

Kozlovski said the biggest thing he realized tracking his spending for the week was "how much more money I could be making if I didn’t have to pay $69,000 in tuition every year from what I earned in the business." 



Weekdays when Kozlovski is in class are pretty light on spending. His biggest expenses are on the weekends, when he frequently travels to Malibu, Santa Monica, or Hollywood to create Instagram content for Brainz Power.



While Kozlovski said he tries to eat at home as much as possible, sometimes he splurges for a night out with friends. On Saturday, he hit a Korean BBQ spot in downtown LA.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

McDonald's reveals a behind-the-scenes look at how it makes its new fresh-beef burgers (MCD)

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mcdonalds fresh beef

  • McDonald's is now making Quarter Pounder burgers with fresh — not frozen — beef. 
  • Each burger is prepared fresh to order — but McDonald's says that the change isn't slowing down the chain. 
  • Here's a step-by-step look into McDonald's kitchen and how exactly the fast-food burger gets made. 

 

On Tuesday, McDonald's announced it would begin making its Quarter Pounder burgers with fresh — not frozen — beef across the US by early May.

The change took McDonald's months of behind-the-scenes efforts. For fresh-beef burgers to work, McDonald's needs to clear certain safety and flavor benchmarks — and make sure the new burgers don't slow down the drive-thru by even a second. 

Complicating the process is the fact that each fresh-beef burger is prepared fresh after customers order. 

This week, McDonald's took members of the media into the kitchen of an Oak Brook, Illinois, location to show exactly how the fresh beef is prepared. 

Here's a step-by-step look at how McDonald's makes its new fresh-beef Quarter Pounders:

SEE ALSO: McDonald's just made a massive change to its burgers — here's the verdict

The first step to the new burger is fresh — not frozen — patties.

McDonald's workers are able to distinguish between the two due to the fresh-beef patties being stored in a blue box, in contrast to the standard white box used for frozen patties. 



McDonald's had to address major food-safety concerns that come with adding fresh beef to the menu. Workers have special blue gloves that they immediately discard after handling the patties.



Beyond the gloves, however, the burger preparation is pretty much identical.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

How long you can stay outside in extreme weather before getting frostbite

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nor'easter Massachusetts

  • A Nor'easter is set to deliver up to a foot of snow in parts of the East Coast on Wednesday.
  • Even though temperatures won't reach extreme cold, beware of the risk of frostbite and hypothermia.
  • The heavy, wet snow and driving wind are major risk factors. 

A winter storm is currently walloping the Northeast with wet, heavy snow and cold temperatures. 

The Nor'easter is expected to drop as much as 2 inches of snow per hour around New York and New Jersey, according to The National Weather Service, with up to a foot expected to fall by the time the storm peters out. The storm also delivered rare "thundersnow" on Wednesday afternoon.  

Even though the temperatures are mostly in the 30s, beware of the risk of hypothermia and frostbite, since simple temperature isn't the only thing that matters. Those forced to leave their homes should consider wind chill — the temperature it "feels like" outside based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin, according to the National Weather Service — as well as wetness. 

Fingers, toes, ear lobes, and the tip of the nose are the areas most susceptible to frostbite. Your body works hard to keep internal organs and your head warm, and sometimes extremities get left behind.

Usually, when parts of your body get too cold, they turn red and hurt. Symptoms of frostbite, however, include a loss of feeling and lack of color. Anyone showing signs of hypothermia or frostbite should seek medical attention immediately.

The chart below shows how long you can be exposed to certain temperatures before frostbite is likely to set in.

windchill temperature chart

For example, a temperature of 0 degrees Fahrenheit and a wind speed of 15 miles per hour creates a wind chill temperature of -19 degrees. Under these conditions, frostbite can occur in just 30 minutes. Although this winter storm is not likely to usher in such intense cold, the driving winds and wet snow can severely lower your body's temperature. 

The warning signs for hypothermia — when the body's temperature dips below 95 degrees Fahrenheit — include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and obvious exhaustion, according to the NWS.

Surprisingly, hypothermia can occur at any temperature lower than normal body temperature. Factors like body fat, age, alcohol consumption, and wetness can affect how long hypothermia takes to strike.

If you fall into water, the situation becomes drastically more dangerous. For example, in water 32.5 degrees Fahrenheit or colder, you might not survive more than 15 to 45 minutes. You'll undergo shock within the first two minutes and some functional disability before 30 minutes, according to the United States Coast Guard.

This chart from the Personal Floatation Device Manufacturers Association lays out the risks of spending too much time in cold water:

hypothermia temperatures

Christina Sterbenz wrote an earlier version of this post. 

SEE ALSO: This weekend, parts of the Northeast could be the coldest they've been in 'over two decades'

Join the conversation about this story »

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After over 10 years using Facebook and Twitter, I quit both — here's why (FB, TWTR)

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  • After over a decade using Facebook and Twitter, I'm done. I've deactivated my accounts.
  • Forget about "curating a social media presence"; I'm just wasting time.
  • My sentiment is far from unique — there's an ongoing backlash to social media that's a product of modern internet culture.
  • It's time to consider stopping.


There I am again, waking up 10 minutes later from a self-induced Twitter fugue. What was I even reading? Why am I so angry? What was the point?

Turns out there never was one. I’m done with social media. I’ve deactivated my Facebook and Twitter accounts, and I don’t intend to go back.

If you've spent any time using Twitter or Facebook in the last decade, you know exactly the experience I'm talking about.

You open Facebook/Twitter/Snapchat/Instagram/etc. on your device of choice, start idly scrolling through, and something strikes you. Maybe it's a politically-charged conversation between friends, or maybe it's an ongoing argument between people who are just famous enough to be highlighted on social media — but not famous enough to be doing something more important with their time. You dig in.

If it's a particularly entertaining argument, maybe you pseudo-participate by adding in an animated GIF of Michael Jackson eating popcorn. Or perhaps you prefer the one of Stephen Colbert? I prefer Michael.

Either way, you're "involved" — until you realize you're not, of course. And that none of this is important, or even really entertaining. What was the argument even about? Who cares?

This is the reality of using social media in 2018. Congratulations! You played yourself. 

Rather, you've been played just like I have so many times by social media use — convinced by your emotions to react to something on social media that almost certainly has no real impact on your life. It's intrinsic to how the whole system operates, from the foundational level of people wanting their social media posts to be seen. I better make this post interesting and engaging, lest no one likes it!

What you're really saying, of course, is "Pay attention to me." (I should know — it's what my whole career is based on.)

That you were taken in is not a coincidence: It's by design.

If you were just passively scrolling, finding little of interest, then social media feeds would be of little value. You might bounce off them and move to something else (like reading Business Insider!).

Instead, they're designed to draw you in and keep you interested.

facebook news feed explained

Twitter's move to a non-chronological timeline is a perfect example — the service is less useful as a result.

Twitter's chronological timeline was an excellent way of presenting the world as an ongoing stream of mass consciousness. Was it messy? Sure! Was it occasionally hard to navigate? Absolutely. 

But changing it to a non-chronological feed wasn't intended to fix those things — it was intended to surface content that might keep you more interested, and less likely to bounce off and check a different app. Nevermind the fact that it undercuts the entire premise of Twitter — as long as you're staying longer, that's what matters.

That the experience is worse is besides the point.

Facebook also changed its algorithm recently, in an attempt to "encourage meaningful interactions between people." The change? "Less public content like posts from businesses, brands, and media," Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg wrote back in January. Instead, you're more likely to see popular posts and photos from friends — statuses that they actually wrote.

Sounds pretty good! Fewer brands, more actual people!

Facebook

But the result is that posts from friends and family with the most comments seem to be the ones surfaced the most frequently by the Facebook algorithm.

And what gets a lot of comments on Facebook? Arguments! Posting a strong opinion is a great way to stay at the top of my news feed, as people issue their own strong responses to the original opinion. 

In other words, Facebook's attempt to breed "meaningful interaction" between its users has actually resulted in a more argumentative platform. 

What about self control?

Have you ever opened a new tab in your favorite internet browser and, without thinking, started typing in a social media service website? Or pulled your phone out with a specific purpose, only to have that purpose overshadowed by your muscle memory as it guides you to Twitter once again? 

I find myself putting away my phone, having not done what I set out to do, only to realize that I've not completed my task. I pulled out the phone again and got distracted by a new Facebook notification (or whatever it may be).

And then I sigh, and re-focus, and consider for the hundredth time whether I should just delete my social media accounts. Did I even learn anything from that brief social media aside? The answer is never yes. It was always a distraction, and it likely made me feel something I didn't want to feel: anger or sadness or frustration or, just as likely, disappointment in myself for being unable to simply focus on one task at a time.

Worse: The more I'm distracted by social media, the more likely I am to be distracted by it in the future. I've had to repeatedly fight the urge to open a new tab and check my Twitter replies while writing this. Seriously!

Smartphone

That's not just becuase I'm a flawed person, but because human beings repeat learned habits. It's hard to not go check social media because I've done it thousands of times before

The good news is that there's a simple solution to this problem: Stop using social media.

Not just putting your accounts on hiatus, but closing them. 

Facebook Deactivation

Solved.

SEE ALSO: Mark Zuckerberg just made a sweeping change to Facebook that will affect 2 billion people and tons of businesses

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11 signs someone is lying to you

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• The signs that someone is lying aren't always easy to decipher.

• And, unfortunately, there's no way to determine whether or not someone's being honest with 100% certainty.

• But there are some obvious signs that someone might be lying to you that you can watch out for.


How can you to tell if someone is lying to you? It's a question people have probably been asking themselves since lies were invented.

Research by Dr. Leanne ten Brinke, a forensic psychologist at the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley, and her collaborators, suggests that our instincts for judging liars are actually fairly strong — but our conscious minds sometimes fail us.

Luckily, there are signs we can look for when trying to detect a lie.

Dr. Lillian Glass, behavioral analyst, body language expert, and "The Body Language of Liars" author, said when trying to figure out if someone is lying, you first need to understand how the person normally acts.

With that in mind, here are some signs that someone is lying to you:

SEE ALSO: 15 signs your coworker is a psychopath

1. People who are lying tend to change their head position quickly

If you see someone suddenly make a head movement when you ask them a direct question, they may be lying to you about something.

"The head will be retracted or jerked back, bowed down, or cocked or tilted to the side," wrote Glass. 

This will often happen right before the person is expected to respond to a question.



2. Their breathing may also change

When someone is lying to you, they may begin to breathe heavily, Glass said. "It's a reflex action." 

When their breathing changes, their shoulders will rise and their voice may get shallow, she adds. “In essence, they are out of breath because their heart rate and blood flow change. Your body experiences these types of changes when you’re nervous and feeling tense — when you lie.” 



3. They tend to stand very still

It's common knowledge that people fidget when they get nervous, but Glass said that you should also watch out for people who are not moving at all.

"This may be a sign of the primitive neurological 'fight,' rather than the 'flight,' response, as the body positions and readies itself for possible confrontation," said Glass. "When you speak and engage in normal conversation, it is natural to move your body around in subtle, relaxed, and, for the most part, unconscious movements. So if you observe a rigid, catatonic stance devoid of movement, it is often a huge warning sign that something is off."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

APPLY NOW: Business Insider is hiring a paid politics editorial intern

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Business Insider's Politics vertical is looking for a paid intern in our Manhattan office. 

If you're already following legislation announcements, tuning in to Trump's meetings, and staying up on the latest that Congressional men and women are Tweeting about, this is the internship for you. 

As an intern at Business Insider, there's no getting coffee, filing, or making copies.

Our interns are an integral part of our team. Many of our current writers and editors started as interns.

BI Interns spend their time doing meaningful work: researching, writing, pitching and producing features -- even breaking news if the timing's right.

We're looking for the following: 

  • Excellent writing skills
  • Thorough understanding of political news and current events
  • Journalism background and interest in social media are a plus. 

Interns are encouraged to work full-time (40 hours a week) if their schedule allows. The internship runs for 6 months, with flexibility on start and end dates.

APPLY HERE with a resume and cover letter if this sounds like your dream internship, and specify why you're interested in covering politics. 

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A 26-year-old woman racked up $10,000 of debt after trying to become an 'Instagram star' — and it reveals a huge issue with the platform

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Lissette Calveiro

  • Millennials are spending thousands of dollars on crafting shots made for Instagram.
  • This week, the New York Post reported the story of 26-year-old Lissette Calveiro, who racked up $10,000 of debt while trying to become an Instagram star. 
  • Calveiro said that a lot of the travel she did "was strictly for Instagram."
  • This fake picture-perfect lifestyle isn't only crippling Instagram users financially — it's creating mental-health issues among other users. 

Some millennials are sinking thousands of dollars into crafting perfect Instagram photos. 

This week, the New York Post reported the story of 26-year-old Lissette Calveiro, who racked up $10,000 of debt trying to become an Instagram star. 

Calvario splurged on designer handbags, expensive clothes, and luxurious vacations while working low-salary jobs, including an internship in New York.

"I was shopping ... for clothes to take 'the perfect 'gram,'" she told the New York Post. "I was living above my means. I was living a lie and debt was looming over my head."

Calveiro said that a lot of the travel she did "was strictly for Instagram."

Honestly, just leave me here.

A post shared by Lissette Calveiro (@lissettecalv) on Feb 19, 2018 at 6:30pm PST on

Instagram has created a generation of consumers who are obsessed with making their lives look perfect and are spending thousands of dollars to do so.

For some, this leads to big payoffs — successful influencers can earn thousands of dollars on each post and can be even more influential than traditional celebrities. 

Famous Instagram-posting and travel-blogging duo Lauren Bullen and Jack Morris are an example of this. The 24- and 26-year-olds make a six-figure salary traveling the world together. In a recent interview with Cosmopolitan, Morris said he wouldn't post for less than $3,000 from a sponsor.

But for those who don't make it, the lifestyle can be financially crippling. 

"Nobody talks about [his or her] finances on Instagram," Calveiro told the Post. "It worries me how much I see girls care about image. I had a lot of opportunities to save. I could've invested that money in something."

Wider repercussions

The quest for that picture-perfect lifestyle isn't only pushing Instagram users into debt — it's also causing some broader cultural issues. 

A recent study done by the UK-based Royal Society for Public Health named Instagram the worst social media app for mental health. The survey of almost 1,500 Britons aged 14 to 24 found that young people were most likely to associate Instagram with negative mental well-being and feelings of inadequacy and anxiety.

"Social media has been described as more addictive than cigarettes and alcohol and is now so entrenched in the lives of young people that it is no longer possible to ignore it when talking about young people's mental health issues," Shirley Cramer, CEO of RSPH, said in a post on the organization's findings.

But Instagram isn't the only thing to blame, as the obsession with image dates back to before the app exploded in popularity.

A study published by the American Psychological Association, which looked at nine million young adults between the years 1966 and 2009, found that millennials cared much more about money and image than previous generations.  

"The proportion of students who said being wealthy was very important to them increased from 45% for baby boomers (surveyed between 1966 and 1978) to 70% for Generation Xers (surveyed between 1979 and 1999) and 75% for millennials (surveyed between 2000 and 2009)," the study said.

SEE ALSO: Millennials are dressing more like their parents — and it's terrible news for H&M and Forever 21

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These are the real faces behind every Disney princess

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Over the years, 17 women have lent their voices to bring Cinderella, Belle, Mulan, and the other Disney princesses to life.

The newest actress to join the roster is 17-year-old Hawaiian native Auli'i Cravalho, who voices Moana — though her character would insist she's the daughter of the chief, "not a princess."

Here's a little background on the leading ladies behind Disney's princesses.

SEE ALSO: 7 amazing Easter eggs you probably missed in Disney's 'Moana'

The original Disney princess, Snow White befriends small forest creatures and takes a long, curse-induced nap in Disney's 1937 seminal classic, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs."



In real life, Adriana Caselotti was a convent-educated teenager who beat out 150 actresses.

Source: New York Times



Walt Disney personally hired 18-year-old Caselotti for the role of Snow White in his first feature-length cartoon. She made $20 a day reading lines and singing for a total of $970.

Caselotti said her salary was less than what one of the actors who voiced a dwarf was paid.

After "Snow White," Caselotti sang opera, worked briefly in real estate and the stock market, and wrote a book on singing. Disney never used Caselotti as an actress or vocalist again.

 



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