Critical Theories of Popular Culture

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...

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...

 “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...

“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 ...

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...

 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...

 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 ...

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...

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...

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...

Chappel Roan dropped out of the sold-out All Things Go music festival on Friday, September 27th, the day before headlining. But did her fans lash out? No, they flooded her with love! This is because they support her taking care of her mental health, a fanbase switch in popular culture that must continue.  This outcome is shocking when we consider how celebrities have been treated historically. Graeme Turner in Approaching Celebrity Studies discusses the idea of celebrity as industry. He argues they become a product that “can be manufactured, marketed and traded – and not only by the promotions, publicity and media industries” (Turner, 2014, p. 14). The human is lost in the business, seen only as a commodity to churn out revenue. Considering only the productivity of a creator, canceling a sold-out show last minute would be inexcusable. But, fanbase culture has shifted in the way that they consider celebrity humanity. So, Roan’s fanbase sticking by her side despite the sudden break m...

 Left on a cliffhanger. That’s where Netflix viewers of Fate: The Winx Saga found themselves after the streamer abruptly canceled the show following its second season. For fans, the announcement wasn’t just disappointing – it felt like an unresolved chapter in a story they had invested deeply in – one that for many had started a lot earlier than 2021 when the live action adaptation first premiered. For a significant part of the fandom, the Winx represented a nostalgic childhood memory from Winx Club, the animated series that premiered on Nickelodeon in 2004 and ran for eight seasons. Fate: The Winx Saga, Netflix's live-action reimagining, brought that nostalgia into a grittier, more mature fantasy drama centered on Bloom, a teenage fairy navigating her powers and uncovering her mysterious past at the magical boarding school Alfea. Alongside her friends, she battles dark forces while exploring themes of identity, power, and friendship. While the live-action adaptation diverged signi...

The 2024 election results disappointed Harris supporters and Donald Trump opponents. What surprised me most was the shift in Latine voters. I didn’t need the news to dramatize this; my TikTok was flooded with videos of Latines expressing their disappointment. An example on the left reads: “Apparently, most of our generation 3 forgot everything our parents had to go through,” showing what many Latines would feel connected to. As a daughter of immigrants, this broke my heart. Sharing it with my Latina roommate, whose feed mirrored mine, we felt embarrassed by our generation's political shift. Over time, the videos became vengeful memes against the Latine Trump supporters, portraying the community as disconnected from its roots. But as I scrolled, I realized this couldn’t be the whole story—Latines for Harris existed too. Yes, as a Latina who doesn’t see Trump as an ally to the Latine or the immigrant community (valuable to the United States), it was disappointing to see 45% of Hispan...

My op-ed is about Tik Tok’s attempt to rebrand weight loss products as wellness. Their attempt includes verbiage to describe weight loss enhancers as “self-care, balance, better health”..etc.. These terms are often and most associated with products that augment appearance, specifically weight which in turn, create a toxic environment and unrealistic standards.  Scroll through TikTok and you are most likely to be bombarded by influencers marketing supplements that suppress appetite, decrease bloating, lower cortisol, or boost metabolism. They are marked under the topic of “self-care or “holistic health”. However, many of these supplements and trends are no different from the diet pills and fad products of previous decades that were under heat for encouraging unhealthy body standards resulting in insecurities.  The trick lies within TikTok’s nature of making these messages relatable or even “empowering”. Neoliberal approaches have exemplified how the term empowerment has lost it...