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Diamy Wang - Sexiness is In the Eye of the Beholder

On Nov. 11, the pop culture and entertainment Twitter account Pop Base asked who should win the title of PEOPLE Magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive,” which was to be officially announced the next day (PopBase, 2024). Despite the deluge of different replies and pictures of shirtless men, none of them were exactly expecting actor John Krasinski, perhaps best known for his role in The Office from 2005 to 2013.  The reaction was swift, with some saying it was “just lazy” to choose Krasinski, who had not been actively working on a high-profile project or promoting one in the past several years (ceejnsight, 2024). Apparently, the “Sexiest Man Alive” label wasn’t purely based on looks — although Twitter users had something to say about that as well.  “[T]hey could’ve chosen someone better ngl,” Twitter user @buffys wrote kindly under Pop Base’s announcement on Nov. 12.  The real question isn’t whether Glen Powell or Jonathan Bailey should have received the title instead, but rather th...
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Aitalia Sharpe - Victoria’s Secret: Newly Woke or Performative Facade

In its prime, Victoria’s Secret was the golden standard: their angels stood lean, tall, and flawless, intentionally setting an insurmountable bar of beauty. In the most recent fashion show on October 15, 2024, they featured a far more diverse repertoire of models than they have historically, but is it just a calculated move to save a brand that is failing in this changing society? Until the mid-2010s, Victoria’s Secret remained at the apex of its retail sector, but with growing external demands for inclusive promotion of female bodies, they soon faced backlash for the unrealistic and harmful conventions they spearheaded. The most recent show did feature plus-sized and trans models, yet the majority of models still exemplified the original Victoria’s Secret image. The few diverse bodies sprinkled throughout allowed the company to curate a false image of “wokeness”, allowing them to appear as rebranded while staying true to their structural norms. Victoria’s Secret attempted to twist the...

Emily Scolnick - New Romantics: In or Out?

 “Taylor Swift Has Arrived At Arrowhead 🔥.” “Why Fans Think Taylor Swift Made Cheeky Nod to Travis Kelce Anniversary During Eras Tour With Ed Sheeran.”  Since global superstar Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce made their relationship public in late September 2023, their mutual support of each other has been just that: public. Whether it’s Swift attending Chiefs games or Kelce joining Swift at various stops on her sold-out Eras Tour, the social media landscape has become obsessed with what can only be described as a power couple.  As a proud Swiftie who attended the Eras Tour during Swift’s (brief) relationship with Matty Healy of The 1975, I’d be lying if I said I haven’t occasionally been sucked into the frenzy of analyzing Swift’s next move or diving into her relationship history (Bailey, 2023). After all, my TikTok feed is constantly flooded with the latest paparazzi photos of her and Kelce or complex theories hinting at the status of her rela...

Maia Saks - What’s Missing in the Conversation About Tradwives and Raw Milk

“For breakfast the first thing I had was raw steak, I woke up craving this,” croons a soothing female voice, joining a faint chorus of birdsong to soundtrack a montage of bare feet strolling through grass and bright red meat glowing in the sun. “I had a second breakfast of raw cow’s milk and dates with coconut oil, these were so refreshing” (Ashley English, 2024). The video, posted on Instagram’s Reels, is the latest in user @byashleyenglish’s “What I Eat in a Day” series, in which the creator showcases her daily consumption habits to an audience of 122k followers with the help of lush visuals, glowy selfies, and captions about “listening to your intuition.” Other posts on English’s account warn against the dangers of artificial fabric (“your polyester leggings are poisoning you”), offer health-related affirmations (“I am a high vibrational being”), and advertise her exclusive training program designed for the “female physiology” (subscription required, link in bio). The dictate “live ...

Ella Ray - The Taylor Swift Effect Among the NFL: Can Celebrity Influence be Redirected?

In late 2023, pop icon Taylor Swift and NFL tight end Travis Kelce’s rumored relationship sent shockwaves through both entertainment and sports worlds. Almost overnight, Swift’s presence transformed NFL broadcasts into crossover events, sparking memes, social media debates, and a massive influx of new viewers, particularly young women. Dubbed “The Taylor Swift Effect,” this phenomenon highlights the unique intersection of celebrity culture, sports marketing, and audience demographics, illustrating how popular culture influences consumption patterns across industries.   Swift’s impact is a masterclass in influence: “Influence is about meeting people where they are and guiding them to where you want them to go” (Collins, 2023). Swift is a great example of just how strong celebrity influence can be. By stepping into the NFL’s domain, she also brought along new fans of the NFL, demonstrating how strategic celebrity partnerships can redefine industries and create lasting cultural s...

Cesar Murillo - Boho Chic’s Comeback to Mainstream & Social Media’s New Role in Fashion

 Chunky, layered jewelry and fringe blouses paired with leopard prints and tribal patterns have powered through the moodboards of influencers and fashion houses, in attempts to ride the wave of nostalgia accompanying the revival of ‘boho chic’. You’ve seen it on Kate Moss, Hailey Beiber, and the Olsen Twins – now, it’s being repackaged as part of the indie sleaze resurgence amongst teenagers and young adults. Bohemian style is often categorized by the aesthetics of a traveler, whose style is curated by the influences and artifacts that surround them. It requires an inclination of edginess, and as fashion designer Isabel Marant describes it, “boho is an attitude, a strength, and this power that comes from how you put things together” (Bobb, 2024).  However, with its current execution in fashion media, I question the authenticity of boho’s resurgence. What allows it to differentiate itself from the likes of being a trend, like the ‘clean girl aesthetic’, and an actual movement o...

Patrick Miller - It’s Time to Heart-Stop Romanticizing Real-World Struggles

 In recent years, queer-centered narratives and storylines have flourished greatly within mainstream media. One such instance of LGBTQ+ stories being placed in the spotlight is the Netflix program Heartstopper, based on the book series by Alice Oseman. Heartstopper highlights young LGBTQ+ relationships in a lighthearted, approachable manner, acting as both a form of education and entertainment for audiences of all ages – a kind of media that I would have truly appreciated growing up as a gay child. Despite the “sunshine and rainbows” lens that Heartstopper places on queer relationships, the series tackles situations that aren’t as light as well. This is where problems begin to arise… The show’s most recent season, which aired this October, follows 16-year-old protagonist Charlie Spring’s battle with a newly developed eating disorder. While this plotline had the potential to leave a meaningful impact on the show’s audience, I feel that the program’s approach to this sensitive topic ...

Kimberly Marti - Music as Political Expression in Puerto Rico: Bad Bunny’s Art as a Symbol of Resistance

For decades, artists and their music have been intertwined with politics, with many using their songs to address issues close to their hearts. They then become an anthem of resistance and a symbol of change. Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny is no stranger to speaking his mind and advocating for his political beliefs. Bad Bunny rose to fame in 2016 with his hit single ‘Diles.’ Since then, he has had several top charting albums and received three Grammy Awards. Born and raised in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, the artist has been vocal about government corruption on his island.  In 2019, he was a vital part of the ‘Ricky Renuncia Movement’ that urged Governor Ricardo Rosselló to resign, which he did in July of the same year. His resignation came after chat messages were leaked where the disgraced governor made not only homophobic, sexist, and misogynistic remarks but also included “decisions to withhold serious aid from Puerto Ricans affected by hurricanes Irma and Maria, making fun of victims...

Payton Handler - Philadelphia Eagles, Kamala Harris, and Extreme Fandoms

In today’s overly connected digital world, political campaigns have had to pivot from traditional strategies. Instead of just simple speeches and rallies, there is now more than ever an emphasis on branding, advertising, and imagery. Especially in the recent presidential election, use of social media platforms was prioritized and furthermore used as a method for capturing the attention of young voters. A recent controversy involving a counterfeit endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris by the Philadelphia Eagles shows how the blend of popular and political culture is not always as seamless as it may seem - especially when taking into consideration extreme fandoms.  Commonly, the Philadelphia Eagles fandom is believed to be one of the most dedicated and passionate fan bases in the NFL. Penny writes, “fan culture is febrile, volatile, and entirely unchill,” and elaborates by explaining how “the barriers between [creators and their audience] are breaking down” (Penny, 2019). Fando...

Bowie Gray - Memes Don't Win Votes

The recent 2024 election had a significant presence online, further establishing digital media's influence on society and democratic processes. In the months leading up to the election, candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris utilized TikTok to attract the attention of younger audiences. Trump and Harris each have two separate accounts: a campaign account and a "personal" account– seemingly referred to as personal, despite its management by a media team. Both candidates’ campaign TikTok accounts, @KamalaHQ and @teamtrump, have gained popularity by utilizing pop culture references and keeping up with the latest trends. These campaigns sparked controversial discussions online about a political candidate's presence on social media and whether publishing this content diminishes their authenticity and seriousness as a public figure. While these TikTok accounts successfully engage a young audience, they struggle to promote candidate’s messages, as their content tends to d...