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Melissa Fleur Afshar is a Newsweek reporter based in London, United Kingdom. Her current focus is on trending life stories and human-interest features on a variety of topics ranging from relationships, pets, and personal finances to health, work, travel, and family dynamics. She has covered current affairs, social issues, and lifestyle stories extensively. Melissa joined Newsweek in 2023 from Global's LBC and had previously worked at financial news publication WatersTechnology, tmrw Magazine, The Times and The Sunday Times, Greater London-based radio broadcaster Insanity Radio, and alongside other journalists or producers for research purposes. Since joining Newsweek, Melissa has been especially focused on covering under-reported women's health and social issues, and has spent a large part of her time researching the physical and mental impact of both the contraceptive pill and abusive relationships. Prior to that, Melissa had been specialized in reporting on financial technology and data news, political news, and current affairs. She has covered data management news from industry giants like Bloomberg and Symphony, alongside the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the U.K economy's 2022-pound sterling crash, multiple National Health Service (NHS) strikes, and the Mahsa Amini protests in Iran. A show that she produced and presented at the Greater London-based community radio station, Insanity Radio, was awarded 'Best Topical News Show' and the runner up award for 'Best New Radio Show' on the network. She is a graduate in MA History from Royal Holloway, University of London. Languages: English, Persian. You can get in touch with Melissa by emailing m.afshar@newsweek.com. You can follow her on X or Instagram at @melissafleura.
Life and Trends Reporter
Sabrina Carpenter's years-long fast from McDonald's has officially ended—at least according to some of her fans.
The pop singer and actress, who previously revealed she had never tried anything from the fast-food giant's menu, had been waiting for a significant achievement akin to "winning the Super Bowl" before digging in. Following her Grammy wins for Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Pop Vocal Album on February 2, the internet exploded with humorous speculation that she could now—after 25 years—finally indulge in a Big Mac or a McFlurry.
Carpenter had said during a 2024 interview with LADbible that McDonald's was off the table until she achieved the pinnacle of success in her career. The confession, which struck a chord with fans, resurfaced on social media after her recent Grammy win.
Fans on TikTok and Instagram saw this milestone as a cue for her long-awaited McDonald's meal.
"Sabrina Carpenter went 25 years of her life without eating McDonald's, waiting until she won a Grammy," wrote one Threads user, @skurtgangg, whose post garnered over 20,000 likes.
"Last night she won two," they added, referencing her dual wins.
The conversation quickly gained traction, with users sharing memes, GIFS, and their amused take on how Carpenter's first experience with McDonald's should unfold.
A lighthearted post by @taysversionx racked up 5.4 million views on TikTok, while another by @arianaeqs was viewed more than 1.6 million times.
"Help why is the search Sabrina Carpenter eating McDonald's," one user commented under the post by @arianaeqs.
While Carpenter herself has not publicly responded to the online frenzy, her 2024 comments to LADbible have become the centerpiece of her fan's jokes.
Newsweek reached out to Carpenter's publicist and manager for comment outside of regular working hours.
"I have never had McDonald's before in my whole life and I can't have this, I told myself I couldn't, I have a very specific goal that I need to reach before I have McDonald's," Carpenter told LADbible, adding that the goal had kept her focused and driven.
Her playful acknowledgment of McDonald's as a reward system resonated with many of her fans who saw it as a testament to her ambition, with some humorously imagining Carpenter sitting down at a McDonald's immediately after the Grammys.
The "Espresso" singer's Grammy wins mark a pivotal moment in her career, coming after a year of critical acclaim for her performances and recent album. But for the fans that have stuck with her since her days as a Disney child star, her victory is also a cultural milestone—one that has come with a side of fries.
Regardless of whether Carpenter makes her McDonald's debut public, her fans seem determined to enjoy the moment on her behalf.
As the banter continued, one user summed up the excitement with a simple message: "After this Sabrina will finally eat McDonald's."
English (US) ·