New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News
(Courtesy of Kaya Walker)
‘I got crucified’: Kaya Walker on her resignation from the College Republicans
(Kevin Wu for WSN)
How an NYU Law clinic is countering Trump’s attacks on climate policies
(Courtesy of Marin Driguez)
Beyond NYU: From aspiring scientist to award-winning reporter
(Danny Arensberg for WSN)
Professors sue Trump over crackdown on pro-Palestinian dissent
(Kevin Wu for WSN)
NYU Langone cardiologist recommends treatments to combat heart conditions
At least 2 NYU affiliates involved in organizations that promote anti-trans practices
At least 2 NYU affiliates involved in organizations that promote anti-trans practices
A cardboard sign taped to a metal barricade with the words “WE DO NOT ENGAGE WITH ZIONISTS! WE KEEP EACH OTHER SAFE!”
‘A chilling effect’: Conduct guidelines cast shadow of concern over faculty
A person wearing a keffiyeh is zip tied by a cop in protective gear.
Inside NYU’s 180-plus disciplinary cases against pro-Palestinian students and faculty
Students walking on NYU’s Abu Dhabi campus. (Sam Klein for WSN)
‘Extremely disturbing’: Concerns over academic freedom at NYU Abu Dhabi surface following policies restricting attire at graduation
A purple N.Y.U. flag hangs on a building.
A search firm failed to find misconduct allegations against NYU’s former athletics director. Here’s why.
Demonstrators on Transgender Day of Visibility rally in Washington Square Park, Monday, March 31, 2025, in New York. (Danny Arensberg for WSN)
Hundreds march across campus for trans rights
(Ryan Walker for WSN)
NYU joins task force to address safety concerns in Washington Square Park
(Alex Woodworth for WSN)
Hundreds protest ICE detainment of Mahmoud Khalil in Washington Square Park
(Courtesy of Philip Pantitanonta)
City Council candidates take on student questions at NYU Dems forum
(Alex Woodworth for WSN)
Over 1,000 rally for women’s rights in Washington Square Park
(Courtesy of Kaya Walker)
‘I got crucified’: Kaya Walker on her resignation from the College Republicans
(Kevin Wu for WSN)
How an NYU Law clinic is countering Trump’s attacks on climate policies
(Danny Arensberg for WSN)
Professors sue Trump over crackdown on pro-Palestinian dissent
(Kevin Wu for WSN)
NYU Langone cardiologist recommends treatments to combat heart conditions
Alec Kimmelman. (Courtesy of NYU Langone Health)
NYU Langone names new dean and CEO
(Kevin Wu for WSN)
NYU Langone treats Israeli soldiers with advanced prosthetics
(Alex Woodworth for WSN)
Hundreds protest ICE detainment of Mahmoud Khalil in Washington Square Park
(Kiran Komanduri for WSN)
NYU bars 20-plus law students from Bobst after pro-Palestinian sit-in
(Danny Arensberg for WSN)
Dozens protest onslaught of pro-Palestinian student suspensions
(Samson Tu for WSN)
Admin responds to nonprofit criticizing updated student conduct policy
(Danny Arensberg for WSN)
Professors sue Trump over crackdown on pro-Palestinian dissent
(Danny Arensberg for WSN)
Opinion: Trump’s mass deportations are immoral and illegal
(Alisia Houghtaling for WSN)
Letter from the Editor: In the age of Trump, student journalism is more vital than ever.
Lawyers at NYU Langone Health proposed changes to the medical center's DEI programs and policy statements online. (Kevin Wu for WSN)
Trump DEI rollbacks push NYU Langone to ditch terms like ‘marginalized’ or ‘diverse’
(Renee Yang for WSN)
NYU advises international students to stay in US following Trump travel ban
(Courtesy of Marin Driguez)
Beyond NYU: From aspiring scientist to award-winning reporter
(Courtesy of Elliot Greenfield)
Beyond NYU: Shaping the image of a top luxury brand
(Courtesy of Aneesa Sheikh)
Beyond NYU: Merging music and advocacy
(Courtesy of Chris Maguire)
Beyond NYU: A Gallatin alum’s journey to crafting Etsy
(Courtesy photo by Elise Swain)
Beyond NYU: Pursuing public service from Gallatin to City Council
(Manasa Gudavalli for WSN)
Editorial: NYU must protect its international community’s right to free speech
President Donald Trump addresses the press outside of the courtroom during his New York civil fraud case in New York City on Oct. 17, 2023. (Jason Alpert-Wisnia for WSN)
Opinion: How to protect your mental health under a new Trump era
(Sidney Snider for WSN)
Opinion: The importance of critically consuming social media
(Danny Arensberg for WSN)
Opinion: Trump’s mass deportations are immoral and illegal
(Alisia Houghtaling for WSN)
Letter from the Editor: In the age of Trump, student journalism is more vital than ever.
(Manasa Gudavalli for WSN)
Editorial: NYU must protect its international community’s right to free speech
(Kyra Reilley for WSN)
Editorial: NYU, step up
Editorial: NYU’s disciplinary measures against students are reckless and reactive
Editorial: NYU’s disciplinary measures against students are reckless and reactive
An illustration of a collage of different scenes, such as a war zone, the face of prime minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu and a person holding a sign that says "BANS OFF OUR BODIES."
Editorial: Reflect. Recharge. Then get to work.
An illustration of a balancing weight scale with a box on each side. One says “LOCAL VOTE” and the other says “FEDERAL VOTE.”
Editorial: Think globally, vote locally
Protesters holding hands amidst a crowd waving a Palestinian flag and holding signs that say “CEASEFIRE NOW LET GAZA LIVE!"
Guest Essay: NYU AAUP condemns detention of Mahmoud Khalil
(Jake Capriotti for WSN)
Guest Essay: The call for a reparations committee
(Kiara Mujica for WSN)
Guest Essay: At NYU, we cannot afford to be passive in the face of fascism.
(Krish Dev for WSN)
Guest Essay: NYU is right to suspend students for rule violations
(Alex Woodworth for WSN)
Guest Essay: In protest of NYU Langone
(Alisia Houghtaling for WSN)
Letter from the Editor: In the age of Trump, student journalism is more vital than ever.
(Alisia Houghtaling for WSN)
Letter from the Editor: A reflection on WSN’s mission
(Alisia Houghtaling for WSN)
Letter from the Editor: Welcome to the Washington Square News
Letter from the editor: On reflection
Letter from the editor: On reflection
Letter from the editor: On celebration
Letter from the editor: On celebration
An illustration of a white postcard with a red stamp in the top right corner. On the postcard are the words “letter to the editor” in a cursive style. Behind the postcard is a closed gray envelope.
Letter to the Editor: Silver School dean on the case for a tuition-free social work education
An illustration of a white postcard with a red stamp in the top right corner. On the postcard are the words “letter to the editor” in a cursive style. Behind the postcard is a closed gray envelope.
Letter to the Editor: Wasserman Center director on the Handshake job search platform
An illustration of a white postcard with a red stamp in the top right corner. On the postcard are the words “letter to the editor” in a cursive style. Behind the postcard is a closed gray envelope.
Letter to the Editor: CWS director on suicide response and mental health resources
An illustration of a white postcard with a red stamp in the top right corner. On the postcard are the words “letter to the editor” in a cursive style. Behind the postcard is a closed gray envelope.
Letter to the Editor: NYU remains committed to NYU Tel Aviv
An illustration of a white postcard with a red stamp in the top right corner. On the postcard are the words “letter to the editor” in a cursive style. Behind the postcard is a closed gray envelope.
Letter to the Editor: An open letter to President Hamilton
A four panel illustration of four different people drawn in a monochrome purple pallet.
Off-Third: NYU released their shortlist for consultants on ‘institutional restraint.’ You won’t believe who’s on it.
An illustration of a poster on a utility pole with a woman in the center with a question mark over her face. Above are the words “LINDA MILLS” and below are the words “Lookalike Contest.”
Off-Third: Linda Mills lookalike contest brings new crowd to Gould Plaza
A portrait of Eric Adams wearing a gray suit, white collared shirt and navy blue printed tie. He stands in front of a royal blue background and an American flag on a floor stand.
Off-Third: Eric Adams and Rudy Giuliani compete to be NYC’s most disgraced mayor
An illustration of a person with binoculars staring in awe at a woman wearing dark sunglasses and red lipstick.
Off-Third: How to stalk campus celebrities
An image of a N.Y.U. flag, with the color purple edited into pink.
Off-Third: NYU changes branding to save misled patients
(Akshay Prabhushankar for WSN)
Off Topic: We must protect our libraries’ federal funding
(Alexandra Chan for WSN)
Off Topic: The disastrous new direction of the EPA
Two blue N.Y.C. Emergency Rescue Kit bags with two packages of 4mg Narcan Nasal Spray in front.
Off Topic: Patent abuse is to blame for the price of prescription drugs
(Kiara Mujica for WSN)
Off Topic: The alt-right is lying about free speech
Off Topic: DeepSeek’s arrival is a wakeup call for AI regulation
Off Topic: DeepSeek’s arrival is a wakeup call for AI regulation
An illustration of a woman screaming and text that reads “STAFF RANTS.”
Staff Rants: Post-election feelings
An illustration of a black megaphone that reads ‘STAFF RANTS’ in white letters. There are black and white lines coming out of the megaphone. The background is red.
Staff Rants: Springing in and out of spring
An illustration of a black megaphone that reads ‘STAFF RANTS’ in white letters. There are black and white lines coming out of the megaphone. The background is red.
Staff Rants: New beginnings or old complaints?
An illustration of a megaphone with the phrase “Staff Rants” written on it. The megaphone wears a red Santa hat and the background is white with blue snowflakes.
Staff Rants: Holiday Overload
An illustration of a purple and orange megaphone that reads ‘STAFF RANTS’ in green letters. There are purple and green lines coming out of the megaphone. The background is black.
Staff Rants: Spooky season
(Sidney Snider for WSN)
Here’s what you need to know from spring break in NYU Athletics
(Sidney Snider for WSN)
In the Huddle: A conversation with two-time national swimmer of the year Kaley McIntyre
(Courtesy of NYU Athletics)
Women’s basketball storms into a second consecutive national title
(Kiran Komanduri for WSN)
A season-long look into the record-breaking NYU women’s basketball team
Benny Bautista, a senior in the NYU School of Professional Studies and co-captain of the wrestling team, in Washington Square Park. (Sidney Snider for WSN)
‘Just like another wrestling match’: Benny Bautista’s fight against brain cancer
(Kyra Reilley for WSN)
Basketball teams advance to Final Four, track & field close out indoor season and other news
(Kyra Reilley for WSN)
Basketball teams advance to Sweet 16, softball opening weekend and other news
(Kyra Reilley for WSN)
Women’s basketball ends season undefeated, wrestling and diving regionals and other news
(Kyra Reilley for WSN)
Basketball teams win UAA Championships, baseball and tennis seasons begin and other news
Swimming and wrestling dominate the UAA, track & field shatters records and other news
Swimming and wrestling dominate the UAA, track & field shatters records and other news
(Sidney Snider for WSN)
In the Huddle: A conversation with two-time national swimmer of the year Kaley McIntyre
(Sidney Snider for WSN)
In the Huddle: MK Fahey on the women’s basketball team’s monumental season
(Sidney Snider for WSN)
In the Huddle: A sit-down with baseball player Aidan Pawlak
(Sidney Snider for WSN)
In the Huddle: Tristan How on his basketball career and this year’s historic season
(Sidney Snider for WSN)
In the Huddle: Yam Yau shares his hockey history
(Alisia Houghtaling for WSN)
Out of Bounds: Major sports news out of Australia, California and London
(Alisia Houghtaling for WSN)
Out of Bounds: Major sports news out of the Czech Republic, France and Italy
(Alisia Houghtaling for WSN)
Out of Bounds: Major sports news out of Los Angeles, Madrid and Shanghai
(Alisia Houghtaling for WSN)
Out of Bounds: Major sports news out of Spain, France and Argentina
(Alisia Houghtaling for WSN)
Out of Bounds: Major sports news out of the UK, Washington, D.C. and Italy
(Kaleo Zhu for WSN)
These star-studded fashion brands are here to stay
(Kiran Komanduri for WSN)
What’s happening to St. Marks?
(Mikaylah Du and Kyra Reilley for WSN)
Give your bag a makeover with these 4 charms for spring
Eli Lane performs his monologue as the character Zak in the play “The Ball.” (Ivy Chan for WSN)
At the Fresh Fruit Festival, NYU students bring gay to the stage
(Dani Biondi for WSN)
Out with the old, in with the glizzy
(Kaleo Zhu for WSN)
These star-studded fashion brands are here to stay
(Mikaylah Du and Kyra Reilley for WSN)
Give your bag a makeover with these 4 charms for spring
(Allina Xiao for WSN)
5 overrated viral beauty products to scroll past
(Daniel Yee for WSN)
Step into spring with these 7 sneakers
(Kiara Mujica and Kyra Reilley for WSN)
Styling green this St. Patrick’s Day
(Dani Biondi for WSN)
Out with the old, in with the glizzy
(Lauren Ng for WSN)
New eats near NYU: A vegan robot fast food chain reborn as a sandwich deli
(Lisa Zhu for WSN)
These Japanese teahouses near NYU stay true to matcha traditions
Owner Miro Uskokovic. (Mariana Arboleda for WSN)
Hani’s Bakery and Cafe is a love letter to Serbian roots
A chef at Moody Tongue Pizza prepares pizza for a table. (Ivy Chan for WSN)
New eats near NYU: The intersection of beer, pizza and raw fish
(Kiran Komanduri for WSN)
What’s happening to St. Marks?
Eli Lane performs his monologue as the character Zak in the play “The Ball.” (Ivy Chan for WSN)
At the Fresh Fruit Festival, NYU students bring gay to the stage
(Lisa Zhu for WSN)
These Japanese teahouses near NYU stay true to matcha traditions
(Srividhya Chandramouleeswaran for WSN)
What I didn’t say in my Common App essay
(Kiran Komanduri for WSN)
The NYU student bringing Rajasthani fashion to New York City
(Iris Bell for WSN)
Ranked: NYU merch
(Henry Bayha and Allina Xiao for WSN)
Ranked: Subway stations near NYU
A collage of various N.Y.U.-specific illustrations in green and blue.
Ranked: NYU lore
An illustration of an oven roasted turkey against a light purple background.
Ranked: Thanksgiving foods
An illustration of a taco fighting french fries boxing in a ring.
Ranked: Fast food near campus
(Julia Smerling for WSN)
Norma Kamali invents and reinvents herself at NYFW
Frederick Anderson brings gothic glamour to Paradise Club
Frederick Anderson brings gothic glamour to Paradise Club
(Levi Langley for WSN)
Global Fashion Collective highlights 3 East Asian designers at NYFW
(Sidney Snider for WSN)
Global Fashion Collective flaunts the abundance of spring at NYFW
(Alex Woodworth for WSN)
Global Fashion Collective toys with heritage, nostalgia and the cosmos
(Courtesy of Aidan Zamiri)
Review: With Wallows, ‘More’ is better
(Alex Woodworth for WSN)
The Brooklyn Museum reflects on 200 years and embraces change
(AnMei Deck for WSN)
NYU Vocollision on quarterfinals and family ties
Eli Lane performs his monologue as the character Zak in the play “The Ball.” (Ivy Chan for WSN)
At the Fresh Fruit Festival, NYU students bring gay to the stage
(Courtesy of Disney)
Review: ‘Snow White’ fails to charm viewers
(Charlotte Nichols for WSN)
5 books written by Irish authors
(Allina Xiao for WSN)
Books beyond Bobst: A gory dystopian novel, an eccentric love story and more
(Mehr Kotval for WSN)
5 books to kick off Women’s History Month
(Charlotte Nichols for WSN)
4 books to read in celebration of Black History Month
4 LGBTQ+ novels Trump doesn’t want you to read
4 LGBTQ+ novels Trump doesn’t want you to read
(Courtesy of Disney)
Review: ‘Snow White’ fails to charm viewers
(Courtesy of Warner Bros)
Review: ‘The Alto Knights’ is not worth your time
Photo by ©Myaskovsky: Courtesy of NYU Photo Bureau
Martin Scorsese Virtual Production Center earns LEED Platinum certification
(Courtesy of IMDb)
Review: ‘Opus’ is a great watch — and nothing more than that
(Courtesy of IMDb)
Review: ‘Black Bag’ turns the audience into the ultimate voyeur
(Courtesy of Aidan Zamiri)
Review: With Wallows, ‘More’ is better
(AnMei Deck for WSN)
NYU Vocollision on quarterfinals and family ties
(Courtesy of Pak Bae)
Review: Japanese Breakfast’s newest album is not just ‘For Melancholy Brunettes’
(Courtesy of Wojciech Pędzich)
Playboi Carti’s 30-track opus shapes the future of Atlanta trap
(Courtesy of Flower Up & Rosie Sco)
Review: Divorce’s debut album is worth the wait
Eli Lane performs his monologue as the character Zak in the play “The Ball.” (Ivy Chan for WSN)
At the Fresh Fruit Festival, NYU students bring gay to the stage
(Courtesy of James Leynse)
Review: ‘Amerikin’ offers a wild subversion of the American Dream
(Courtesy of Andy Henderson)
Review: Passionate music takes center stage at ‘Buena Vista Social Club’
(Gabriel Vasconcellos for WSN)
Review: Heart and hilarity take center stage in The Classical Studio’s ‘Twelfth Night’
(Courtesy of the Brooklyn Academy of Music)
Review: ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ brings new life to the drama genre
(Alex Woodworth for WSN)
The Brooklyn Museum reflects on 200 years and embraces change
(Kiran Komanduri for WSN)
4 Central Park monuments and the historical women behind them
(Kaleo Zhu for WSN)
Review: This American sound artist’s exhibition bridges auditory divides
(Erwin Chen for WSN)
Review: The Met presents the everyday surrealism of Florida
(AnMei Deck for WSN)
Review: 80WSE’s political exhibition leaves viewers asking for more
(Alisia Houghtaling for WSN)
Spring break adventures
Ivy Chan, Kiara Mujica, Ethan Li, and Krish Dev.
On the Street: Food
(Kiran Komanduri for WSN)
A season-long look into the record-breaking NYU women’s basketball team
Children exchanging “Gulal,” colorful powder used for Holi. (Anna Prenowitz for WSN)
In photos: Holi at the Seaport Museum
(Kaleo Zhu for WSN)
In photos: St. Patrick’s Day Parade
(Allina Xiao for WSN)
Cartoon: The commuter life
NYU Dining Halls: Farm-to-Table Eats!
NYU Dining Halls: Farm-to-Table Eats!
Cartoon: An ode to Albert
Cartoon: An ode to Albert
In the panel titled Tisch, a girl with long braided hair, alternative clothing and round glasses types on a computer with sheets of paper flying around her. Her eyes are swirls and her expression is panicked as she says, “Sorry, I can't go out tonight, I have a 73-page play due tomorrow!” In the panel titled Stern, a man with short dark hair and rectangular glasses wears a suit saying, “Sorry, I can't go out tonight, I have 500+ LinkedIn connections due tomorrow…” He holds a phone with a symbol of people and the number 500 while people shake hands in the background. In the panel titled Gallatin, a boy with wavy brown hair and goggles holds ropes while saying, “Sorry, I can't go out tonight, I have to weave a basket underwater tomorrow.” Another dialogue line reads “Yeah, that’s my concentration…” next to drawings of fish and baskets. In the panel titled Steinhardt, a girl with curly blonde hair and freckles stares at a phone while various electronic devices are scattered in the background including a phone with a caller ID saying “Kiara & Allina.” In a dialogue bubble she says, “Sorry, I can't go out tonight, I have to communicate tomorrow.” In the panel titled Tandon a boy with round glasses, a puffer vest, a quarter-zip sweater and dyed purple hair says, “Sorry, I can't go out tonight, I have a robot due tomorrow!” Behind him is a robot holding a sandwich on a plate saying “YUMMY,” a laptop on a desk displaying “Chat G.P.T.” and a blackboard with various diagrams in white chalk. In the panel titled C.A.S. is a girl wearing a white lab coat and goggles over a pink shirt and saying, “Sorry, I can't go out tonight, I have to write an essay on bird migration in Ancient Greece due tomorrow!” She holds an open book while plucking a leaf off of an overhead branch with forceps, facing away from a desk where a beaker of green liquid overflows.
Cartoon: NYU during finals is just so … unique
In a grayscale comic, a person works at a desk in front of a computer next to a window showing a city in ruins with a fallen sign saying “TECH INDUSTRY.” In the bottom right corner is a thought bubble that says, “Why can’t I find an internship?”
Cartoon: Your major in computer science has been declared
Ivy Chan, Kiara Mujica, Ethan Li, and Krish Dev.
On the Street: Food
(Krish Dev, Kyra Reilley, Suditi Sircar, and Isaac Wheatley)
On the Street: Framing
(Krish Dev, AnMei Deck, Julia Smerling, John Zhang for. WSN)
On the Street: Solitude
(Julia Smerling, AnMei Deck, Alisia Houghtaling and Alex Woodworth for WSN)
On the Street: Love
(Anna Baird-Hassell, Alex Woodworth, Isabel Albors, and Rachel Ning for WSN)
On the Street: Winter break
(Alisia Houghtaling for WSN)
Spring break adventures
(Kiran Komanduri for WSN)
A season-long look into the record-breaking NYU women’s basketball team
Children exchanging “Gulal,” colorful powder used for Holi. (Anna Prenowitz for WSN)
In photos: Holi at the Seaport Museum
(Kaleo Zhu for WSN)
In photos: St. Patrick’s Day Parade
(Julia Smerling for WSN)
In photos: Game on!
SLAM! at NYU celebrates the art of spoken word
SLAM! at NYU celebrates the art of spoken word
Mou Theatre brings together Mandarin-speaking theater enthusiasts at NYU
Mou Theatre brings together Mandarin-speaking theater enthusiasts at NYU
A woman hanging a Turkish flag on a curtain by a window at N.Y.U.'s Kimmel Center. Outside of the window is a red building.
Turkish NYU students commemorate 85 years since the death of republic founder
Barks in Tompkins Square Park: Annual Halloween Dog Parade returns
Barks in Tompkins Square Park: Annual Halloween Dog Parade returns
Rob Benevides applies a white wig to an actor wearing a prosthetic costume face.
An inside look at the art and design process of behind-the-scenes artists
The Housing Guide | Under the Arch Magazine
The Housing Guide | Under the Arch Magazine
The Music Issue | Under the Arch Magazine
The Music Issue | Under the Arch Magazine
The Sports Issue | Under the Arch Magazine
The Sports Issue | Under the Arch Magazine
An illustration of Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump, over a blue and red background.
The Election Issue | Under the Arch Magazine
Six models wearing all black, walking down a runway in a single-file line.
The Fashion Issue | Under the Arch Magazine
SPONSORED: How to find your best college fit
SPONSORED: Navigating mental health as a student: How Mid City TMS can support you
SPONSORED: How do I sublet my apartment this summer?
New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News
New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News
A man with black hair winces in the dark.

The case against ‘Whiplash’

We made a huge mistake giving this guy an Oscar.
Andre Garcia, Contributing Writer • February 20, 2023

Nowadays, film discourse exists in a precarious space. From the film discussion side of Twitter, to YouTube video essays, to Letterboxd discussions, people tend to get evangelical...

The arts desk is back with some recommendations of singles you may have missed this week. (Staff Illustration by Charlie Dodge)

Weekly Radio Roundup: Final Edition of the Semester

The most exciting tunes as you get ready to let loose in the summertime.
Vanessa Handy, Alexandra Bentzien, Alexandra Chan, Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer and Ethan Zack • May 7, 2020

The end is near and the statement isn’t necessarily foreboding. The end suggests the completion of finals and the freedom to wander the streets freely for the first time in months....

Ryan Gosling in "First Man."

‘First Man’ Is a Personal NASA Story

Daniel Devine, Contributing Writer • October 17, 2018
Damien Chazelle's newest film "First Man" takes the leap into space and brings the audience along for liftoff.
Ryan Gosling in "First Man." (Courtesy of Universal Pictures)

The ‘First Man’ Controversy: When Does Patriotism Become Propaganda?

Taylor Stout, Staff Writer • October 9, 2018
The controversy surrounding "First Man" and the planting of the American flag on the moon begs the question: when does patriotism turn into propaganda?
Left to right: Melissa Benoist as Nicole and Miles Teller as Andrew/ Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics

Lead actors shine in psychological drama

Zack Grullon, Staff Writer • October 8, 2014
"Whiplash" skillfully mounts tension through its lead performances