Ashnikko

Weedkiller

(Parlophone Records)

Ashnikko has proven she’s an artist you need to know with her debut album Weedkiller. The album is filled with certified club bangers featuring her signature sound (somewhere between Grimes and M.I.A.) as well as mid-tempo, introspective tracks that demonstrate she’s an artist with range. The album is also unapologetically queer, with songs such as “Super Soaker (ft. Daniela Lalita),” an incredibly fun dance track that needs to be played at Pride this June. Album closer “Dying Star (ft. Ethel Cain)” is the collab of Gen Z’s dreams—its charming melody and sweet lyricism make it a must for your summer playlist. – emily lauletta

Kara Jackson

Why Does the Earth Give Us People to Love?

(September)

Kara Jackson’s debut album tells stories to hear again. A former National Youth Po-

et Laureate, her lyrics are a dauntless, beautiful strata of humanity’s head and heart with sharp, tender details of the everyday. Jackson’s folk shines with inspiration from her family’s Southern roots, as on “curtains,” a gorgeous melancholy ride toward the sunset as the credits roll. The song “dickhead blues” opens sparsely with Jackson’s low, velvety voice and transitions through strings, jazz drums, and chimes before building in- to layers of swooning, swelling vocals. And it all feels so right together. Why Does will leave you feeling, laughing, and relistening. – carlee mcmanus

Draag

Dark Fire Heresy

(Self-Released/Anxiety Blanket Records)

Draag’s debut album is a trippy testament to healing and an occasional ode to vengeance. The L.A.-based shoegaze collective prismatically blends synth-rich layers of rosy dream-pop, warped tape samples, and outpouring catharsis. Vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Jessica Huang says Dark Fire Heresy came to fruition upon learning “how many still struggle with religious trauma and how similar our experiences are.” Sonically, it tickles the eardrums wide awake and gracefully rattles the nerves. Bound by formerly forbidden flashbacks and shared pangs of nostalgia, the DIY quintet’s experimental cleansing cascades in slow motion, ultimately possessing the room like a sentient strobe light for the eternally spiraling soul. – rachel reed

Top photo by Kara Jackson, Ashnikko, and Draag

From debut directors Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman and produced by and starring Ben Platt, the movie is a mockumentary-style record of a summer at a slightly slipshod theater camp in upstate New York called AdirondACTS. After the beloved director falls into a coma, her son—a comically straight financial vlogger—steps in to find the camp close to foreclosure and tries to set it right before he fully understands why it’s worth preserving.It’s through his confused eyes that the audience sees how wonderfully strange—and more importantly, safe—the camp is for the children who attend.

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Half-campy comedy, half-earnest paean to difference, the film hits a few false notes, especially when the threat of a neighboring corporate camp looms cartoonishly villainous compared to the unacknowledged legislative threats of the real world and the precarity of trying to nurture kids and teens who have chosen to measure their lives in the adult world of the theater. Still, it’s hard to fault this film about safe spaces for being something of an Eden. Platt always wanted to go to theater camp himself, and it’s a treat to be in the audience for this fantasy.

The film hits theaters today!

Photo Credit: Romona Rosales; Top to Bottom: Lucy Dacus, Julie Baker, and Phoebe Bridgers. Gucci Pants; Dr. Martens Shoes; Trench and Top Hat: Stylist’s own.

THE ANNALS OF music history are filled with bands whose feuds are as famous as their biggest hits: Smashing Pumpkins, the Beatles, Guns N’ Roses, and a thousand more. boygenius (the name is stylized in all lowercase) has only been around since 2018, but it’s safe to say those in its ranks will never find themselves on a list of musicians who are also mortal enemies. The supergroup—which consists of Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker, and Lucy Dacus—blows right past “getting along fine” into the realm of something that resembles true love.

When the trio Zooms in from Los Angeles for our inter- view, the three women are not just sharing a chat window— they’re sharing an antique-looking four-poster bed, feet tucked under them like they’re gearing up for a slumber party rather than their millionth press obligation of the week.

“I have actually never examined why we like each other,” says Bridgers, 28, when asked about their friendship. “And I don’t really want to. It was like hitting it off with somebody at a bar who’s not hard to talk to. You’re like, ‘Oh, alright, I wanna hang out with this person forever.’”

Their tale began in 2016, when Baker, 27, and Dacus, 28, became acquainted after sharing a bill in Washington, D.C. Both women had just released successful solo albums— Sprained Ankle for Baker and No Burden for Dacus—which were both hailed for their sharp, introspective lyrics that gave fans an immediate sense of intimacy with the artists.

Bridgers, meanwhile, was generating buzz after opening for Conor Oberst, and in late 2017, she released her own critically acclaimed debut, Stranger in the Alps. By that point, she’d met Baker, but the pair didn’t join forces with Dacus until 2018, when they found out they’d be sharing a triple bill together. They thought it would be fun to record a single as a group to promote the tour, but they found they couldn’t stop there—and boygenius was born.

One song became several, and in October 2018, they released their six-track EP under their new band name, which they chose as a play on the idea that mediocre male musicians get tons of praise for less than exemplary work. Their subsequent tour—which featured mini solo sets from all three, followed by all the songs from their EP that they performed together while wearing fancy jackets designed in the famous Western “Nudie Suit” style—is now the stuff of legend. If you were lucky enough to be at one of those few shows, then you likely remember the experience as something transcendent—and the band does, too.

“When we left the tour in 2018, I was like, ‘No way we don’t make music together again. We’re gonna do this again for sure,’” Baker recalls before Bridgers jumps in to say she was the lone skeptic in the crew. “They knew that, but I didn’t know that,” Bridgers explains. “I was like, ‘Well, that was a beautiful part of my life and it’s over.’”

For several years, though, it looked to fans like Bridgers was right. All of the women continued their solo careers after boygenius, but Bridgers in particular rose to a new level of fame. She released her second album, Punisher, in 2020, eventually becoming a person even your dad has heard of thanks in part to her viral guitar-smashing moment on Saturday Night Live. Also in 2020, she founded her own record label, Saddest Factory, which has become home to indie-pop ingenues Muna and the avant-rock act Sloppy Jane. The day we spoke, she made a surprise appearance—in the same NASA hoodie she wore during our interview—at a SZA concert attended by Justin Timberlake and Jennifer Lopez, and days later, she attended the iHeartRadio Music Awards, where she presented Taylor Swift with the Innovator Award.

Baker and Dacus, meanwhile, dropped Little Oblivions and Home Video, respectively, in 2021, scoring high-profile gigs at places like the Newport Folk Festival, and for Baker, as one third of the Wild Hearts tour with Sharon Van Etten and Angel Olsen. The members of boygenius teamed up again for a few of Dacus’ and Baker’s solo tracks, but a full-blown reunion was looking unlikely, especially after Bridgers landed a slot opening for some of the dates on Swift’s Eras tour.

“When we left the tour in 2018, I was like, ‘No way we don’t make music together again. We’re gonna do this again for sure,” Baker recalls.

Behind the scenes, however, the wheels were in motion. Like everybody else on the planet in 2020, the band was stuck in varying degrees of coronavirus lockdown for much of the year, unable to tour (and in Bridgers’ case, unable to participate in anything resembling a normal press cycle for Punisher). “I feel like it would have taken us eight years to make something if it hadn’t been for COVID,” Bridgers says. “COVID, for me at least, cleared the slate. I was supposed to do so much fucking work in 2020, and I still did, virtually, but my evenings were left to stare at my hands and think about what I wanted for my life, and it was to see my friends.”

Bridgers channeled that pent-up energy into songwriting, and she began dropping songs into Baker’s and Dacus’ inboxes, starting with “Emily I’m Sorry.” Within months, they had a shared Google Drive of new material and were well on their way to finishing what would become their debut fulllength, the record, which came out in March on Interscope and is the basis for the band’s huge spring and summer tour through North America and Europe.

Photo Credit: Romona Rosales; Top Row: Shirt and Tie: Stylist’s own; Jewelry: Model’s own; 2nd Row: Tyler McGillivary Top; Third Row: Joomi Lim Chocker; Sweater: Stylist’s own.

Photo Credit: Romona Rosales; Freak City Girls Shirts; Flip Flops: Stylist’s own.

The album has more bells and whistles than any of their previous work, and it’s the first major-label release for any of them. It was recorded at Rick Rubin’s Shangri-La studio in Malibu, and Kristen Stewart directed a short film promoting it that features three of their songs. It seems clear already that the record will surely end up on many “Best of 2023” lists, but in another world, it—and boygenius—might not have existed at all. Before the trio got to know each other, Bridgers was annoyed that people kept comparing their music because of some perceived connection between young female artists who write emotionally devastating lyrics. “Everybody was sending me Julien’s album and being like, ‘You’re gonna fucking love this and you’ll love this person, they’re exactly like you.’ And I was like, ‘Fuck you,’” she explains, adding that she was “resistant” to the notion that their music was similar. “It was all older white men be- ing like, ‘You’re gonna love this chick music.’ That’s the way I interpreted it. But it was actually so much sweeter than that. They were correct. I thought I was being profiled, and actually I was being known.”

Even now, their work gets lumped into an amorphous subgenre known as “sad girl music,” which is chiefly characterized by plaintive vocals, raw lyrics, and a fair amount of heartbreak. The term can be pejorative or complimentary depending on who’s using it, but either way, the members of boygenius are tired of being pigeonholed. Their band name is harmony, and lyrical vulnerability can’t be punk rock. This is perhaps one reason they were so delighted to work with Stewart—a world-class actor who spent years convincing the public
she was capable of making serious art—on the band’s short film. “We love Kristen,” says Dacus. “She put her whole essence into [directing] this. We care a lot—she cared so much more. She texted all of us all the time about minor details. She would go to sleep and wake up thinking about it.”

Stewart was also generous about sharing her acting expertise with her subjects, who cold-emailed her to ask if she’d be interested in directing their project. “Kristen is underrated, I think,” Bridgers says of the Oscar nominee. “It was so nice to be held by somebody who knows how humiliating it is to be in front of a camera.”

Like Stewart, boygenius isn’t afraid to speak out about issues that affect them and their fans. Each member of the trio is determined to use their growing platform for good, as evidenced by the way they’ve spoken out against various horrific developments in American politics. When the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade leaked in May 2022, Bridgers took to social media to share her own abortion story and encouraged her fans and followers to donate to abortion funds in states with already-diminished access to reproductive health care. “I had an abortion in October of last year while I was on tour,” she tweeted. “I went to Planned Parenthood where they gave me the abortion pill. It was easy. Everyone deserves that kind of access.”

Days before our conversation, Baker participated in Love Rising, a Nashville benefit concert organized in part
by Brandi Carlile to benefit LGBTQIA+ organizations after the Tennessee state government passed anti-drag and anti-trans bills. Baker, who like both of her bandmates identifies as queer, knows that other states would be less hostile to her identity, but she feels an obligation to make Tennessee— where she was born and raised and now lives—safer for her friends and neighbors. “I felt like it was important because a lot of the folks who played were Tennessee residents,” she says of Love Rising. “I stayed [in Tennessee] because I wanted to invest in making the place where I grew up—that informed all of my cultural sensibilities—[better]. I wanted to stay in Tennessee because that’s where my family is—my family as in the people who are related to me by blood, and also that’s where my chosen family is, the people I grew up playing music with in college and the entire queer community in Nashville and Memphis. I feel beholden to them to stay and work on cultivating something safer and more empowering for the queer community there.”

“Everybody was sending me Julien’s album and being like, ‘You’ll love this person, they’re exactly like you,’ And I was like, ‘Fuck you,’” Bridgers explains. “But they were correct. I thought I was being profiled, and actually I was being known.”

Dacus, who in 2021 wrote a beautiful essay about coming out for Oprah Daily, notes that having grown up in Virginia she, too, knows the importance of expanding your worldview within your own community. “I used to think terrible things,” she recalls. “I used to be in church thinking abortion was bad, and I don’t anymore, and that’s because of people having patience with me and probably having to hear a message over and over. Now I try to fundraise for abortions as often as I can.” (In 2021, she donated all proceeds from her Texas shows to local abortion funds after the state’s SB 8 law effectively banned the procedure.)

The band members’ willingness to share these kinds of personal stories in interviews and in their lyrics is part of the reason their fan base has grown exponentially over the past few years, especially among young women and LGBTQIA+ listeners. After the trio got matching wrist tattoos of a tooth (visible on the record’s cover) in a nod to their song “Bite the Hand,” their fans started doing it, too, and you can find countless photos online of homemade replicas of their 2018 tour jackets. It’s not unlike the devotion you see for artists like Taylor Swift or K-pop bands, only the idols in question are singing about battling opioid addiction (Baker) or their tumultuous relationship with their late father (Bridgers).

Bridgers, Baker, and Dacus absolutely love it when they see teen girls being escorted to their shows by their mid- dle-aged dads, a setup more commonly seen at, say, a Justin Bieber concert. “That breaks my heart and fills my soul,” says Dacus, who describes a Bruce Springsteen show she recently attended with her own father as “the third best night” of her life—surpassed only by the days her BFFs Baker and Bridgers were born. Bridgers agrees, adding that she loves seeing the way that these fathers allow their kids to lead. “Yeah, the dad with an armful of merch standing, like, 50 feet behind the five teenagers he brought to the show is [my favorite],” she says. “That’s, like, letting her decide what is cool in a way. Because my dad was like, ‘Do you wanna see Stevie Ray Vaughan?’ I was like, ‘No.’ But I was kind of forced to do that for him and be like, ‘It’s pretty cool guitar.’ I’m grateful for a lot of that [now], you know, like [learning about] Neil Young and shit. But, like, taking me to a concert that I wanted to see? Unheard of. So, it’s special to see it.”

The flip side of this intimacy with fans, though, is that some of their admirers—not all of them, boygenius is quick to clarify—interpret this as a green light for behavior that ranges from worrying to stalkerish. “I don’t love being idolized,” Dacus says. “Adoration isn’t really love. We’ve talked about people who have our faces as their Twitter profile pictures who are also mean. That’s adoration, but it’s not love. Not like I’m needing love, either. I would like respect.”

Baker has noticed fans coming up to Dacus and Bridgers on the street and touching them without permission, while she deals more with strangers throwing their darkest traumas at her unsolicited. Especially since the 2015 release of Baker’s gorgeously raw solo album Sprained Ankle, whose title track begins, “Wish I could write songs about anything other than death.” “There’s a type of guy who will come up to me and say, ‘Hey, just wanna let you know your music means a lot to me,’ and then he will tell me about his failed suicide attempts,” she explains. “And I’ll be like, ‘Yeah, I wrote music about that. But I’m buying a breakfast burrito.’ For a long time, I struggled with this because I was like, ‘It’s my duty as a performer in this world to inhabit that space for you,’ to be like, ‘Yeah, man, more than one person on Earth wants to kill themselves sometimes.’ That’s a fine thing, but it’s not the locale where that’s appropriate.”

Bridgers shares an upsetting story about a man in a car slowing down next to her as she walked around Nashville. He wanted to tell her his name was Scott, like her 2017 song “Scott Street,” but no woman alive would have initially assumed that man’s intentions were pure. “I was like, ‘OK, you just fucking terrified me,’” she says. “Never find out where we live and go there. Never send fan mail to my home if my address somehow ends up on the Internet again.”

As the most high-profile member of the group, Bridgers, an L.A. native who still lives in that area, also has to contend with a different kind of unwanted attention: paparazzi. Their interest in her stemmed in part from her relationship with Paul Mescal, star of Normal People and Aftersun. The duo kept their romance mostly private after going Instagram official in December of 2021, but fans speculated they were engaged before they split sometime in 2022. More recently, she’s been spotted with comedian Bo Burnham, leading observers—and the tabloids—to assume they’re dating. (boygenius declined to answer questions about their personal lives, but Bridgers told Rolling Stone in January that she is not engaged.)

The only relationship Bridgers is willing to discuss is the one she shares with her pug, Maxine, who makes occasional appearances in the photos she shares on social media. “She does this thing where she’ll snake up by me in the middle of the night to cuddle into my armpit, and then we roll over like a couple in the morning,” Bridgers says. Her bandmates light up, too, when Bridgers mentions Maxine, with Dacus saying she feels like the pup remembers her even when they don’t see each other for a while because she lives in Philadelphia. “I feel chosen by Maxine,” she says. “I think everyone feels like they’re her special little friend.”

Baker, for her part, has a dog named Beans, who has appeared on her merch and got a credit on Dacus’ last album. “Beans gives nothing, and I absolutely love it,” says Baker, who lives in Tennessee with her partner, Mariah Schneider. “My dog doesn’t give a fuck about me. My dog is trying to get her needs met.”

The women’s friendship—pet love included—is as much a part of their appeal as their music. It’s delightful to watch them finish each other’s sentences and burst into laughter at their inside jokes, cracking themselves up when they think they’ve said something too pretentious. When they hear this story is coming out in June, they ask if it’s related to Pride Month before launching into a riff on which month is “Shame Month.” (The consensus is something in winter, perhaps December or January.) Unsurprisingly, they’re super supportive of one another’s solo endeavors as well; Baker and Dacus assure me that they’ll be in the audience for at least one of Bridgers’ dates with Swift.

“There are reasons that it makes sense,” Dacus says of the trio’s deep connection to one another. “We have a lot of shared experiences, we have a lot of shared ideals and perspectives, and we have similar tastes. There are other people who I meet where all of that is true, too, but they’re not these guys.” Ultimately, what boygenius shares is a once-in-a-universe kind of love—and we’re all just lucky to be able to listen in.

“I don’t love being idolized,” Dacus says.

“Adoration isn’t really love.”

Photo Credit: Romona Rosales; Trenchcoat, Socks, Garters, Shoes: Stylist’s own.

Top Image: Photo Credit: Romona Rosales, Styling by Linsey Hartman; Makeup by Amber Dreadon; Hair by Dita Vushaj; Animal Crackers Neck Collars; Ties: Stylist’s own.

While the duo (made up of Blair Tramel and Connor Cummins) has been putting out music since 2020, Super Sn​õ​õ​per is the perfect culmination of their work so far, and a sneak peak into everything the band is capable of for the future. Blair Tramel’s vocals are remnant of that iconic 90s riot grrrl era, but of course, in her own unique style. Tramel’s voice isn’t the only similarity the duo shares with riot grrrl, their melodies reflect that unpolished-in-the-best-way sound that many punk bands tout. It should also be noted that this sound is entirely intentional, as Cummins and Tramel clearly demonstrate a mastery over their instruments. The duo are also excellent lyricists, with songs such as “Pod” addressing societal ills with lines such as “Who see’s society’s infection?” This is also Sn​õ​õper’s first official full-length album, and given that they’ve already knocked it out of the park with album one, we can’t imagine how they can go up from here (but we know they will).

Super Sn​õ​õ​per provides an exciting listen from start to finish, and it also provides the perfect soundtrack for screaming into your pillow or going to one of those garages where you can pay to smash things against walls. (You know what we’re talking about, right?). The album fills a noise-rock sized hole that seems to have been missing (or at the least, uncommon) from this decade of music. Fans of Le Tigre, Mommy Long Legs, and Hole will surely find a track they love on Super Sn​õ​õ​per.

This album definitely gets a 4 boob rating!

Be sure to listen to Super Sn​õ​õ​per when it drops on July 14th.

Photo by Monica Murray courtesy of the band

To celebrate the release of the new live-action Barbie movie starring Margot Robbie, we’re serving up big Barbiecore energy. The film follows Robbie (Barbie) after she gets banished from Barbieland for not being the perfect doll, so she packs all of her stylish outfits and heads off to the human world in search of happiness. Channel your own inner Barbie and play dress-up with these fun-in-the-sun picks.

POLAROID 600 MALIBU BARBIE INSTANT FILM CAMERA, $169, retrospekt.com.

DREAM HOUSE DRESS, $158, michelinepitt.com.

’80S LEOTARD, $50, etsy.com/shop/OneofakindcreatFinds.

MINI LOLLY SHOES IN PINK AND YELLOW, $399, fluevog.com.

SELF LOVE HEART HOOPS, $27, lechicmiami.store.

MALIBU BARBIE MOXI ROLLER SKATES IN TRUE BLUE, $349, moxiskates.com.

Top photo by Warner Bros. Pictures

Each section of the book goes through the four respective relationships of these remarkable women and gives multiple examples of their influence rubbing off on the guys. Personally I would love an entire book just about Anita, as to me she is the most complex and decadent of the four, but as a whole, the book makes its case firmly; these women helped the Stones create their bad boy personas that they became known for. It’s a lot of fun looking back at the fascinating 60s and 70s London music scene, (the book contains great photos) and this release clearly shows that even when women were powerful, intimidating, and deeply talented, their stories get delegated to just the “girlfriends,” yet their lives were just as, if not more interesting than the boys’!

Parachute Women, (Hachette Books)

(left to right) Marianne, Brian Jones, Anita, unknown. 1967 (Getty Images)

Marsha Hunt with her and Mick’s daughter Karis in 1972 (Getty Images)

Mick and Bianca on their wedding day 1972 (Getty Images)

Top Image: Anita and Keith in Cannes. 1967 (Getty Images)

All images courtesy of Hachette/ Getty Images

“Because I was shot, I’ve been turned into some kind of villain, and he’s the victim. This has messed up my whole life. This whole situation in the industry is like a big boys’ club.”

–Megan Thee Stallion’s testimony in the assault trial of Tory Lanez

“This is what happens when you don’t recycle your pizza boxes.” –Greta Thunberg on Twitter trolling Andrew Tate after his arrest in Romania.

“The whole point of being creative is that you’re tapping into a time of reflecting society back to itself that it might not even be aware that it needs yet. That’s what the artist’s gift is.” –Danai Gurira in The Cut

“It’s been really healing for me to hear how many people have been affected by [my film Everything Everywhere All At Once]. So many daughters and mothers have been coming to me crying, saying, ‘I saw myself in the movie,’ or, ‘My relationship with my mother is just like that.’” -Stephanie Hsu In The New York Times

“I’m not a victim, and I’m not the damsel in distress. I’ve made my choices in my life. Some obviously were made for me, but I’ve always been able to find myself again.” –Pamela Anderson in Variety

Good News: 96 percent of women working in tech say their friends and families supported their choice to pursue careers in IT fields.

Bad News: 90 percent of women in tech have experienced microaggressions at work, and nearly 66 percent say they have been treated differently than their male colleagues.

STATS:

27: The percentage of 50-year-old women in Japan who never had children—the highest number in the developed world.

7000: The number of New York City nurses who walked off their jobs and went on strike in January 2023, advocating for safer working conditions, shorter hours, and more reasonable patient loads.

24: The percentage of U.S. employers’ bereavement leave policies that allow workers to take time off after having a miscarriage or a failed in vitro fertilization.

75: The percentage of surveyed Americans who say they are concerned that people who have abortions could be charged with a felony or go to jail.

PHOTOS: (GRETA THUNBERG) RAPH_PH, CC BY 2.0 VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS; (PAMELA ANDERSON ) 9EKIERAM1, CC BY-SA 3.0, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS; (MEGAN THEE STALLION) VALERIE

ALBERT, CC BY-SA 4.0 VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS, Nurse Photo by Rusty Watson on Unsplash, Silhouette Photo by Denis Oliveira on Unsplash

John Waters is one of the most iconic film makers and mustache wearers of all time. The man that brought us Divine eating dog shit in Pink Flamingos and gave us Ricki Lake doing The Roach in HairsprayI. He often cast the same actors, known as the Dreamlanders and has famously filmed all of his movies in his beloved Baltimore. He has been called “The Prince of Puke”, “The Sultan of Sleaze”, “The Baron of Bad Taste”, and “The Pope of Trash,” and he is a filthy lil punk lover at heart. He has been hosting the Mosswood Meltdown festival for 7 years and is at it again this year. We chatted with him to discuss punk shows, banning drag and reading buttholes.

Callie Watts: How are you doing!

John Waters: I’m alright! I’m alright, here in Provincetown.

CW: Oh! Is it smoggy there?

JW: You know, I haven’t even looked outside; I’ve been working so hard. I never notice the weather unless it stops me. Gore Vidal once said ‘No one ever asks me about the weather, I’m too smart.’ which really made me laugh, it was such a snobby thing to say. I always feel sorry for doormen in buildings because everytime every person they know that lives in that building walks out they say ‘nice day!’ or ‘it’s raining!’ or something about the weather. It must be torture to talk about the weather if you’re a doorman, but you have to act nice about it.

CW: But this is a weird weather though, it’s like, yellow out. [this was during the Canadian wildfires]

JW: Oh I saw! I’m in Provincetown, I’m not in New York, so it’s weird because I’m way further north than you are, it’s foggy out but there’s no— I saw what New York looks like; you know, the end of the world, the Red Death or something. I get why you asked now, it looks like a horror movie.

CW: It’s not surprising to me that you’re involved with the music festival, given your spectacular albums and taste in music.

JW: Punk rock! They’re my people. this is the seventh year I’ve done it. It’s a group of people that I really like because they hate everybody in the world except themselves, and I find that kind of endearing. People say ‘oh, what’s that like? Is it crazy?’ I say, ‘no it’s almost more of a loving festival than Woodstock but everyone just pretends they’re angry and crazy.’ But they get along. It’s from ages 12 to 90. I mean, I’ve seen 80-year old drag queens gogo dancing. It’s pretty good. Really ample people stage diving, but they got a little heavier as they got older, and people drop ‘em.”

Punk rock! It’s a group of people that I really like because they hate everybody in the world except themselves, and I find that kind of endearing.

CW: Oh, I’ve definitely been dropped and I’m not even heavy.

JW: I’ve always said, ‘one year, I’m gonna stage dive.” But I have to have it so planned; it would really be shocking if I just ran off and jumped in while I was introducing one of the groups so maybe one year I’ll do it. Maybe I’ll do it when I’m 80.

CW: I saw Grace Jones do that two years ago, and… shirt off. She hit her face with the microphone…

JW: I know right, she’s great. She’d definitely do that.

CW: Her mouth was bleeding and I was like ‘there she goes… Tits akimbo, floating past us, in the sea covered in blood.’ It was epic.

JW: Grace has always been punk in a way, even though she was crazy disco, she was everything, but she was always a punk at heart. She still does shows that are great, she didn’t even have to reinvent herself. A lot of the punk people who are headliners, they never have to reinvent themselves. But they’re not ‘oldies but goodies.’ It never seemed sad to me when I see the punk rock people that [Mosswood] gets, and some of them haven’t performed in 10, 15 years…

CW: Bratmobile!

CW: Is there anyone that you’re particularly excited about for this festival?

JW: I like that it’s all women, almost completely this year. I love angry women, you know. And angry women, nobody hits on them, but they’ll hit you! So I think it’s gonna be a good year. And I just watch the crowd the whole time I’m there, that’s what’s really interesting to me. But I’ve seen some great shows there, so I’m definitely looking forward to it.

CW: So are we ever gonna get another album? Because we would listen in the BUST office, every year on repeat on the holidays, A Date With John Waters and A John Waters Christmas.

JW: Not that kind of album, but I had two grammy nominations! Make Trouble, which was my commencement speech. And then I did one last year called Prayer to Pasolini where I recorded at the murder site where Pasolini was murdered, and I pray and speak in tongues. That’s out and this year I had a record too, it was called It’s In The Book. I covered a novelty song that’s on Sub Pop records, it sold out right away and they just finally got it back in print. So I have records! 45s! I have a brown 45. And a gold one.

CW: How did I miss these? I love this.

JW: Yeah, so I have records out still! Now, the other ones I did were either soundtrack albums or they were, you know, my picks where I curated music.

CW: How did you develop your taste for music? Who were yoru influences?

JW: Well I grew up in Baltimore, which was the South. So it was country music, and rockabilly. It was mostly black music; rhythm and blues. I saw James Brown at the Royal when I was in high school, and I met him 40 years later in Bloomingdales of all places. And I said ‘I got beat up when I went to see you the first time, but it was worth it!’

CW: We like to ask people what kind of pop culture they’re into, what they’re watching.

JW: Well, I guess the way that this generation is rebelling more than anything than even my generation has a handle on is the trans/non-binary thing. It seems like every person’s child that I know is trapped in the wrong body, which I find delightful. It’s weird because now all the liberals are saying ‘just be gay,’ which is the opposite of when I was growing up. So I think now, that’s probably the new rebellion that is the most different for this generation. That is definitely the signature rebellion.

CW: I wanted to ask you about how you felt about all these drag bans.

JW: Well that’s the thing, just people being against drag, like that helps. Remember Anita Bryant? She made the whole gay movement start! So whenever somebody tries to ban something that’s already been accepted, like gay marriage or drag queens (made totally acceptable to Middle America by RuPaul, which, great work he did for that.) You can’t go backwards. It just strengthens them because people can make fun of you, you look like an idiot. To me, if you ban my book I’d be happy. Because then it’s in the front of the bookstore in a special ‘banned books’ section.

CW: And that’s how you’ve always felt about your movies too.

JW: Yeah it helps! It helps. If you hate something, shut up about it because then nobody will notice it.

CW: I was trying to show someone Pink Flamingos, they had never seen it, which I was appalled by. You can’t find that streaming online anywhere.

JW: Pink Flamingos got picked this year by the National Film Registry as a great American film by the Library of Congress. Even I think that’s crazy. And Pink Flamingos is worse if you watch it today than it was when it came out because of political correctness. But you know what? It’s joyous. I make fun of things I love, not of what I hate. And I’m not mean spirited. Unless it’s about Trump. You can find them all on the Criterion channel. They have Pink Flamingos, they have Polyester; I think you can find them pretty easy through Criterion. They have beautiful versions of Multiple Maniacs, Pink Flamingos, Polyester, and Female Trouble. They did beautifully restored versions of them. Serial Mom came out with another company, a beautiful 4K version of it. Cry Baby’s coming out again soon in another beautiful version. So they keep coming out in different prints and making them look better and better.

CW: Speaking of television and drag, have you watched Dragula?

JW: No, I haven’t seen that. I think the drag queens today, they’re all cool, they’re all hip. And I think that is Divine’s influence. When we were young, drag queens were so square. But today, they all have an attitude. I still think my favorite drag name is Urethra Franklin. It’s really a good one. I’m more obsessed with drag kings, and lots of drag kings ask me to sign their mastectomy scars. I have not signed bottom surgery yet, and I’m hoping that happens this year at Mosswood Meltdown.

CW: I started doing ball readings, where I read peoples balls like palm readings.

JW: Oh god, That’s different than, like, the cock book that Brigid Berlin did in the 60s. Or the Plaster Caster where they made casts of everyone’s penis, but that’s like teabagging leaves!

CW: I have a little box, and I make them sit it in the box.

JW: Well that’s good! How did you learn how to read balls?

CW: Well I knew how to read palms, and I figured ‘if i can read the palms, i can read those too.’

JW: Well it is a little more intimate; maybe you’ll find a little more secrets down there.

JW: How do you do it for women?

CW: I read their areolas. Otherwise, I’d have to get way up in there.

JW: Oh, okay. Well you can read everybody’s asshole.

CW: What I’d need for that is like a jewelers eye.

JW: Yeah, like a proctology kit.

CW: Well I will see you at Mosswood and maybe I will be reading balls.

JW: Alright. I’ll say hi, I’ll see ya. I’m walking around there.

We absolutely can not wait to hit Mosswood Meltdown this weekend. Head on over to their site to check out the whole line up!

Photo Credit For Both Images: Greg Gorman

Check out our previous interview with John Waters from 2016 here and 2000 here.

The original riot grrrl Brat pack is back! Bratmobile is set to play their first public show in 20 years at Mosswood Meltdown (hosted by John Waters- Check out our most recent interview with The Pope of Trash here) in Oakland on July 2nd. This is a ‘90s riot grrrl dream!!!

The line up will include the original vocalist Allison Wolfe and drummer Molly Neuman along with Audrey Marrs on keys, Marty Key on bass and Rose Melberg will be sitting in for original guitarist Erin Smith – who can’t join the reunion due to scheduling conflicts.

Bratmobile formed in 1991 when Wolfe and Neuman met at the University of Oregon and were later joined by Smith. The trio went on to become one of the original riot grrrl bands alongside Bikini Kill, Heavens to Betsy and other feminist punk bands of the ‘90s. We spoke with Wolfe and Neuman about the reunion, how feminism has evolved and what it was like touring in the ‘90s.

Callie: How did this epic reunion come about?

Allison: Well, the Mosswood Meltdown festival organizers have been asking us to play for several years in a row. And it didn’t really make sense for a while because Molly lived in New York, and I lived out here in LA. But since then, Molly’s moved to L.A., and we hang out a lot more now.

Molly: I mean we are in a different phase of life then we were in 20 years ago for sure. And I think it is important to me, and one of the things we have talked about a lot during this process, is it is important to see women in all phases of life having fun, being creative, celebrating themselves and being on stage. And I think that there is some certain anxiety about it. It’s almost like the way we started the band, if we don’t do it, nobody’s gonna do it. So let’s just do it. It’s also in the wake of some of these really horrible realities that we’re all experiencing. An antidote, you know, like that feels reasonable for us to be able to have.

C: Yeah, yeah. I mean, it’s like, we’re right back where you were in feminism in regards to abortion and…

A: Oh, no, we’re worse. In some ways. It’s worse.

M: We were born before Roe was decided, and now we’re living through it being taken away. Like, that’s fucked up.

C: BUST is turning 30. We just had our 30th anniversary issue come out. Bratmobile started in ‘91, BUST was ‘93. I know my feminism has changed a lot through the years. And I was wondering how your feminism has changed, if at all? How do you view the landscape of where feminism is at?

A: I think people change in certain ways, but then also, you’re kind of always who you always were, so I don’t know, I think it’s more like the landscape changes and the dialogue changes and things like that, whatever the circumstances are and what’s going on. That’s what changes, you know. I think a lot of things are being discussed more in the, I don’t want to say mainstream, but it’s just become more of the larger conversation now, due to social media and things like that.

M: I think we didn’t have the same conversation around intersectionality. I think we had the values of fighting racism, specifically, or the language and ideas. But I don’t think we had that kind of clarity that we should do it together. And, you know, certainly fighting for trans rights wasn’t part of the active conversation. When, when we were starting out, and obviously, the critical need for it is so important. I guess, I would say, personally, my feminism, I don’t think has changed, specifically, but we’ve expanded the way to apply that. And, and that certainly has evolved and it continues to with every painful new issue that we’re presented with.

Photo Credit: Pat Graham 1999

A: Riot grrrl was very gendered in conversation. Like, gender binary, and it wasn’t, something intentional, you know like “let’s leave trans people out”. I think we felt like it was us girls against boys, you know, looking back you can see how gendered the language was and how now you’re like, oh, well, that might exclude, or potentially alienate and be failing a lot of these people.

C: You had previously discussed how the media at the time was trying to take control of your own narrative. Has the way women are portrayed in the media now changed since then?

A: I think a lot of times back then the writers and editors didn’t get it. Or even if the writer did, the editor had so much control and would be like, well, where’s the conflict here? We have got to pit these girls against each other. I don’t really see as much of that happening, and not as much tokenization either, where it’s like, “Well, we already have that one girl band covered in this issue”. Also, their insistence on calling every woman in music in the ‘90s a riot grrrl, you know, then having all these other women mad at us because [they did not label themselves as that]. One thing about the media is that we didn’t necessarily feel like there was a need for [doing press] at first because the whole point of riot grrrl was, quote, unquote, taking over the means of production, to represent ourselves, right? That would be through fanzines, lyrics, all this kind of stuff, our voice on stage. We didn’t really see at the time how the press could get people to our shows or sell our records. It had been all word of mouth. I felt like they were really “defanging” and “declawing” our message.

C: I wanted to ask if you had any crazy or just memorable stories from the early days?

M: One show I missed was probably something I’ll regret for the rest of my life, which is when Babes in Toyland played in Seattle and Allison, and like a bunch of girls went up there. And there’s like a really great photo that you have, of you and Kat and all of the girls that went to the show. And like, you know, I’ve been thinking about that band a lot lately. And, the fact that I was like, whatever the fact that I had something better to do and then get to the show, I’ll regret that.

A: Yeah, that was great. Yeah, that is a great photo like Kat, surrounded by riot grrrls. I don’t know if she thought it was great. [laughs]

M: They were a band that got lumped into it, without wanting to be. They had their own identity and deservedly so.

A: That first tour in 1992 was kind of amazing. I was able to book it all from landline. Back then if you didn’t have a booking agent, so you’re booking the whole thing yourself. You get some kind of printout from the record label luckily, a potential people to contact. And then when you got off tour your whole thing was you were really supposed to report back to K Records or Kill Rock Stars or both? What’s changed? Like now who’s booking there? Or did they change their number. The whole trick is to call in the middle of the day when they had a day job, because then if you could get them to call you back on their dime in the evening, that saves money. And I confirmed all the shows by sending out a postcard to each place. You didn’t know at the time where you’re going to be staying necessarily. So then you had to call ahead the day of or day before to get directions to the next place. And you had to write them out by hand.

C: You essentially started a rumor that you were a band before you even played together?

M: Oh, yeah, we were a band in theory for quite a while before doing it.

C: And then it started with a zine essentially.

M: Yeah, Girl Germs. Yeah. Yeah.

C: All of a sudden, you were part of the birth of a movement. And at what point did you realize you were doing something so important?

A: Well, I felt like it was kind of right away. Even though we were kind of mostly talk for a while. I think we knew it was important. Grunge was huge in the Northwest at the time, we knew we’re up against some kind of long-haired sexism. And we also had Bikini Kill. We were in Eugene, Oregon, at university together. That’s where Molly and I met. But we would go up to Olympia, my hometown, on weekends, Once a month or so. And we would hang out with people like Tobi Vail and Kathleen Hanna, and they were super politicized and interested in community-building within the “punk girl scene” or getting a punk girl scene together really.

M: We were craving seeing women in music in some form, right.? Whether it was on a record or on stage. And for me that was the real impetus of “we’ve just got to do this”. Because there just needs to be more and there was no limit on trying. It was like, well, it’s literally better than nothing.

A: You have to kind of create or be part of the culture, you want to see. What you want and the community you want to be part of. And don’t just let someone Co-opt anything that you’ve ever been a part of, and then sell it back to you at some high price in some way.

We are highkey losing our shit over here for this reunion and the entire line up. Dust off your old fanzines and head over to Mosswood Meltdown to grab tickets asap because this festival is going to be soooo Cool Schmool.

Check out our previous interview with Allison in 20216 here and her interview with Liz Phair from 2018 here.

Top Image: courtesy of the artist

An incredible actor, dancer, and singer, Irene Cara—who died on November 25 at age 63—was the voice behind two of the most indelible movie theme songs of the 1980s. Think you know why her legacy is “gonna live forever”? Then take the quiz!

Irene Cara Escalera was born on March 18, 1959, in _______.

a. New York, NY

b. San Juan, Puerto Rico

c. Havana, Cuba

d. Topeka, Kansas

A performer since age 5, Irene finally hit it big in the 1980 film Fame, for which she both sang the hugely popular title song and played the starring role of _____.

a. Chi Chi Valenti

b. Boom Boom Mancini

c. Meow Meow Madden

d. Coco Hernandez

Irene won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for this film, becoming the first Black-Hispanic woman to win an Oscar in a non-acting category.

a. Fame

b. Flashdance

c. Sparkle

d. Killing ‘em Softly

In 1999, Irene formed an all-female band called _______.

a. Hot Chocolate

b. Hot Tamales

c. Hot Caramel

d. Hot 4 Teacher

Complete the following Irene quote: “I’m a woman with a mission. I’ve learned to believe in myself, my vision, and to do things the way I want them done. I don’t mean to sound immodest, but I never had any doubt that I’d be __________.

a. a feminist

b. successful

c. famous

d. happy

Give Irene Cara Her Flowers!

Answer Key:1.a, 2.d, 3.b, 4.c, 5.b

PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS; PUBLIC DOMAIN

At some point, especially during the last few years, we have all imagined moving into a cottage in the woods and getting away from everyone else. The reality, though, is a bit more nightmarish for Laura, the main character in Kathryn Bromwich’s enthralling debut novel, At the Edge of the Woods. Living alone on the outskirts of an Italian village where she is decidedly an outsider, Laura is a woman fleeing a wealthy and abusive French husband, who would rather see her dead than be denied an heir. And, aside from a waiter whom she takes as a lover, the villagers soon see her as a strega (witch) and plot to drive her out. The forest, however, has its own intentions, claiming Laura for its own as she finds her own uncanny strength within its depths. Through lush and sinuous prose, the novel similarly puts readers under its own spell. It demands that you reach out to others, no matter how isolated they are, and insist that they read what is sure to be an instant classic.

–RUFUS HICKOK

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Moby Dyke: An Obsessive Quest to Track Down the Last Remaining Lesbian Bars in America By Krista Burton (Simon and Schuster)

When Krista Burton was deep in the throes of pandemic lockdown, she realized there was nothing she missed more than “the feeling of being in a packed, sweaty dyke bar.” That moment of longing served as the catalyst for her first book, Moby Dyke, in which Burton sets off on an epic quest. You see, there are less than 20 lesbian bars left in the United States, and she’s on a mission to visit them all. Burton’s cross-country trek takes her from Wild Side West in San Francisco to the Cubbyhole in N.Y.C. and all the gayplaces in-between (including a pit-stop at the Pearl Bar in Houston for Dildo Races). Along the way, she learns how each spot survived the “dyke bar apocalypse.” The book is a celebration of these places that have long served as safe havens for the lesbian community. But Burton’s stories about her own life also shine—she brings the introspective and observational humor that made her blog, Effing Dykes, so popular. Moby Dyke will make you want to get a dildo charged up and go off to the races. –MARIE LODI

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Boys Weekend By Mattie Lubchansky (Pantheon)

Boys Weekend is a graphic novel centered on Sammie, a newly-out trans femme. When their best friend from college, Adam, announces his upcoming nuptials and invites them to a bachelor party on a lawless, futuristic, Vegas-like island, Sammie feels obligated to attend. Despite being out to Adam and his tech bro friends, they still find Sammie’s gender identity confusing, often making them the butt of jokes or asking idiotic questions. Meanwhile, Sammie suspects something nefarious is afoot once they notice that their trip coincides with a conference for a suspiciously cultish organization. While a horror story about gender identity might not seem like an obvious fit, it actually is symbolic of the price one must pay for societal conformity. The tech bros at the center of the story seem representative of those cishet men who hold tightly to archaic gender norms—even when they lead to their own suffering. Author Mattie Lubchansky cleverly spins horror tropes to send up toxic masculinity and tech bro culture. They also cast a critical eye at the systems that continue to enforce a strict gender binary. Boys Weekend is compelling and hilarious with plenty of food for thought. –ADRIENNE URBANSKI

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SARAH MILLICAN

Why we love her: This British comic has been honing her overtly feminist, observational comedy craft since 2004, but her latest tour, Bobby Dazzler, really helped her level up in the U.S. this past spring. “I stopped buying women’s magazines a few months ago. It just feels like there’s nothing there for me. Why would I buy anything where the only time I ever see anybody who looks like me is underneath the word, ‘Before’”?

JENNY ZIGRINO

Why we love her: Whether she’s breaking down dating while fat or dishing about balls and bidets, Zigrino’s hot takes are pure hilarity. Checkout her special, Jen-Z, on Comedy Central’s YouTube page. Choice quote: [On a partner who thought she’d had an orgasm because she was wet.] “Dude, soup is wet, but just because it is on the stove,that doesn’t mean it is done cooking. Get back in there, chef.”

KARINDA DOBBINS

Why we love her: Dobbins takes audiences on an aspirational “trap yoga” journey, digs into lesbian weddings, and sends up hiking while Black. Find her comedy album, Black & Blue, wherever you stream. Choice quote: “We’re never going to have common sense gun laws so we’re going to have to make a smart gun with a psychiatrist Siri [in it who will] ask you a few questions before you are allowed to fire. ‘Do you live in your mother’s basement? Have you ever written a manifesto? Are you a white male aged 19 to 95? Is this the most intimate conversation you have ever had with a woman?’”

MAE MARTIN

Why we love them: Raised by hippies, this Canadian Comic breaks down the gender spectrum and calls out stand ups who just don’t get it. Find their special, SAP, on Netflix.

Choice quote: [Reflecting on a conversation with their dad about the night they were conceived.] “‘Yes, I remember it well,’ he said. ‘The moonlight shone over your mother’s bottom.’ I now know the position I was conceived in. I am horrified. No one wants to be conceived doggystyle. It is so bleak. You want to be conceived face-to-face, eye contact at the moment of ejaculation—not, like, biting the pillow.”

IRENE TU

Why we love her: This self-proclaimed “Beethoven of Cumming” will have you doubled over, even when she’s talking about eating babies or her favorite dictator. Her album, We’re Done Now, is available on iTunes. Choice quote: “Usually I go to the ladies room, but whenever I go in there, someone will always look at me, and then the sign, and then back at me as if I can’t read—drawings. We all saw the little triangle, that is a skirt, I know. I have worn a triangle before.”

PHOTOS: (SARAH MILLICAN) MATT CROCKETT; (IRENE TU) MATT MISISCO; (KARINDA DOBBINS) JENNIFER GRAHAM PHOTOGRAPHY; (JENNY ZIGRINO) STEPHAN JAHANSHAHI; (MAE MARTIN) JOSEPH SINCLAIR.

Though Montañez’s claims have since been contested, the controversy does not diminish the joy of Longoria’s film. It’s a story of an immigrant’s triumph in a society where the odds are always systemically stacked against him. Thanks to his grit and ingenuity, Richard (Jesse Garcia) finds a way to make some banging snack dust, with loving scrutiny and support from his rock of a wife, Judy (the excellent Annie Gonzalez).

Flamin’ Hot is a feel-good, rags-to-riches film that takes leaps of logic and glosses over nuances—the usual stuff of films where things work out for white American entrepreneurs—but this time, it’s an erstwhile drug dealer from a community stereotyped for its laziness who’s setting the record straight. The American snack industry would probably be much less profitable without the likes of Richard. Like Longoria’s documentary La Guerra Civil, Flamin’ Hot is a celebration of American barrios, Mexican immigrants, and the ways they make the country more and more delicious every day.

Top photo by Flamin’ Hot Searchlight Pictures

But as heartwarming as that sounds, the movie is more in the vein of The Sweetest Thing and Bridesmaids than The Joy Luck Club, the 1993 film based on Amy Tan’s bestseller about four Chinese-American women and their mothers. Lim, 47, says that when she was writing Joy Ride with her co-writers, Cherry Chevapravatdumrong and Teresa Hsiao, the working title was “Joy Fuck Club.” It was a saucy wink towards the first major studio film with an all Asian-American, mostly female cast.

But there are no tiger moms in Joy Ride. The movie is rife with raunch; the members of Lim’s character’s squad find themselves in one outrageous scenario after another, including a chaotic threesome, drug smuggling, and one shocking K-pop rendition of Cardi B’s “WAP.” These types of shenanigans are something never seen before in a film with four Asian women/non-binary leads. “Each one of these characters is inspired by ourselves and our friends,” says Lim. “But we also have a couple of friends who have stories that are actually nastier than what we could put into the movie.”Growing up in Malaysia, the idea of working in Hollywood was something Lim never considered. “You might as well have said you wanted to be an astronaut,” she says. “It just wasn’t in our vernacular.”

Lim’s parents, who had worked in advertising, thought she could be a copywriter. It wasn’t until she attended Emerson College in Boston that she realized working in show business was an option. “That was the first time I thought, ‘I’m in a country where young people feel like this is something that’s a possibility,’” she recalls. “‘And if it’s a possibility for them, why not me?’”

After graduating, Lim moved to L.A., where she still lives, eventually writing and producing shows like One Tree Hill, Life Unexpected, and Private Practice. Since then, Lim’s played a pivotal role in bringing Asian-centered stories to the big screen. She co-wrote 2018’s blockbuster hit, Crazy Rich Asians, famously turning down the sequel due to a massive pay disparity between herself and the film’s white male screenwriter. In 2021, she penned Raya and the Last Dragon, which featured the first Southeast Asian Disney princess. But Lim hopes Joy Ride ends up being “one brick in the road” on the journey towards normalizing Asian stories that resonate with everybody.“Our mothers and grandmothers went through so much so we could be here, living our best, ridiculous, messy, thirsty lives,” Lim says. “It’s not about proving ourselves to anyone other than ourselves. And it’s not about struggling to survive. We’re finding joy and reveling in our own messiness, just like in any other white guy’s R-rated comedy.”

Hair & Makeup: Tiffany Lee, Photographed by Kelsey Wagner

Kid Sistr consists of Becca Webster on drums, Sabel on guitar and vocals, and Sara Keden on bass and vocals. Sara and Becca met as children while playing music together at an after-school program. Later while at the University of Miami, Sara met Sabel and the two booked a hometown show with Becca. Immediately, they realized they had found something special and continued to book hometown shows during college breaks.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kid Sistr took to TikTok where they performed covers of songs and gained a cult following.

“Around that time we started using social media as a tool to reach more people… We were posting on TikTok funny short clips, and we did this series covering songs from movies that we really liked… to show our personalities,” Becca said.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, they released their first original songs together. Their lighthearted and welcoming personality as a band continues to shine both on social media and on the road; they distinguish themselves by giving away friendship bracelets with phrases like “ur mom” on them to fans. Taking fan interaction from social media comments to interacting with them on tour has been “really, really exciting,” Sara explained.

Kid Sistr pulls a lot of their inspiration from their move to Los Angeles from the East Coast two years ago, and being “very online,” said Becca. Sabel said that her own inspiration came from finding a talented musical community at college. In the bleak days of the pandemic, it is easy to see how their energetic sound drove fans desperate for lightheartedness and connection to their music.

As for the name Kid Sistr, it comes from the oldest-sister role that bonds the three band members. “We want to be like a big sister figure to any other young kids that want to get into music or are intimidated by it. I feel like growing up as the oldest sister, you take on that role at the beginning. We’re all very close with our siblings,” said Sabel. “It’s just down to the core of who we are because didn’t have the older sister to say, ‘you can do this.’”

Becca added, “In terms of our songwriting and storytelling, I feel like that aspect is really important… As eldest sisters, you take on this role where you’re experiencing everything first and you’re setting examples…You are able to help your younger siblings through it.” They are simultaneously the role models who normalize all the awkward parts of growing up, and the indescribably cool girls— with shimmering makeup, patterned clothes, and bright-colored Instagram feeds— we all would have looked up to.

“We try to tell stories with our songs and express feelings and desires, and various emotions that come with being women in this world. Really, it’s for all of the young people so they can feel a little less alone,” Becca explained, and for them to “have a big sister.”

Their debut single, Little Sister Song, seems to sum up their identity. The song serves as a letter to their little sisters about being between childhood and adulthood. The lyrics state, “She walks like a woman and talks like a little girl,” which touches on the often dark realities that exist between these phases and the impact of the world’s perception on them. They often poke fun at these serious themes, while simultaneously acknowledging the gravity of the reality needed to share these sentiments and their reactions. They normalize the part of change that must be grappled with in all of its pitfalls and glory. It paints a realistic portrait of their identities and their relationships (especially with their own sisters), all while reminding us how much fun we can have relishing in womanhood.

“I was thinking a lot about representation… I like to trick myself sometimes and pretend and step away from the politics of it all,” Sara said.

“I can pinpoint the point in my childhood and adolescence where I saw myself represented, and I remember those to this day. [For example,] being 10 years old seeing a girl play guitar. I remember those moments,” Sara said. “I think it’s a great privilege to be part of the lineage of women creating, and queer women creating.”

“We’re definitely in a vulnerable spot being all women,” Becca said, “But at the same time I’ve had so many musical experiences where I was the only girl in the room and those were so uncomfortable for me. I felt like I couldn’t really be myself and I had to put on this weird masculine front.”

Kid Sistr discussed with BUST the inevitability of always getting asked about being women in music and the double standard that men are not forced to discuss their gender alongside their talent.

“​​Now, I do feel [that] I love getting that question because it’s very important to acknowledge it. It is more of a rare occurrence. Women in music are the minority,” said Sabel. “We are acknowledging it, and we’re talking about it, because it’s important and cool.”

Regarding representation, BUST asked Kid Sistr about having to step into the role of being a figure for others to look up to while simply trying to do what they love.

“Really, we’re just three girls having fun doing stuff,” Sara told BUST. “But the reality is that they are forced to be the representation that is so desperately needed of women in the musical world.” We also discussed not having the choice of wanting to serve as a representation of women in the musical world but still having to act upon that role.

“I think for me, it’s very liberating,” Becca responded. “I feel like I spent a lot of my childhood and adolescence as a musician covering up that fact and trying to fight it. And trying to make myself fit into these very male spaces, especially as an instrumentalist. Especially as a drummer… I feel like I kind of was always trying to hide that part of myself. Now, being able to talk about that has made me feel a lot more comfortable and feel like I’ve been able to kind of express my femininity even while tearing up the drum kit. There’s a duality there. But I really, really love and really value that.”

Another important element is their humor. On X-Tape, their latest song, they were able to “build a complete world around” the song with its accompanying music video, according to Sara. They poke fun at the traditional classroom setting and instead teach a sex-positive sex-ed class in the video, to lyrics that state “I’m just a girl and I’ll do what I want.” This matches their merchandise, where they sell birth control cases with “Kid Sistr <3’s Safe Sex” written on the front.

From the Kid Sistr Store.

As an independent band, they are “working girls,” and have huge dreams for what’s to come next. They do not appear to be limiting themselves to a singular identity or genre anytime soon, as slower song “Dallas” and their punk-inspired vocals on “X-Tape” prove their vast range of ability.

Sabel said, “We have big aspirations and we love music, and love writing. We’re definitely not going to slow down.” They use humor, irony, and joy to discuss huge themes such as humanity, misogyny, friendship, queerness, and even more. These layers are evident in their willingness to experiment and venture into the unpredictable and unknown. So keep an eye out for Kid Sistr, either on their current tour or along for the ride on social media. Be sure to stream their songs as they redefine the musical universe and maybe even invent their own.

Top photo by Emily Entz.

The controversial series is centered around the young, rising, Britney-esque popstar Jocelyn (Lily-Rose Depp) and, typical of a Levinson production, includes lots of sex, drugs, and out-of-pocket material directed against women. In the first scene, Jocelyn is being photographed and told to make faces for different concepts: doe eyes, laughing, pure sex, vulnerable, and emotional. This was already an indication of how the women are going to be depicted in the show.

Jocelyn, after losing her mother, is said to have gone through a psychotic break which immediately labeled her as a fragile character around her staff. Her managers describe her as a “young, beautiful, and damaged icon”, and when a horrifying scandal breaks out over the internet, everyone is worried about how she is going to react.

The way that mental illness gets exploited and romanticized through the show’s concept is offsetting to watch and to listen to (explicitly referring to the “mental illness is sexy” line…sigh).

Jocelyn’s character is focused on the vulnerability of women in the music industry rather than promoting their resilience. There is the floating idea that unattainable women, like Jocelyn, won’t have sex with men unless the woman is mentally ill. Jocelyn’s image needs to be a tease for men that can’t have her and an idol for women who want to be her. However, Jocelyn’s target audience is also geared towards tween, middle-school-aged girls. The Live Nation representative in charge of Jocelyn’s upcoming tour (Eli Roth) shows up and says how his 13-year-old daughter showed him the viral picture of Jocelyn with cum on her face.

Even though Levinson denied the rumors, with her image, her mental illness, and her target audience, Jocelyn seems to be a forced character trying to represent the rise and fall of Britney Spears.

Tesfaye comes into the picture as Tedros, a popular owner of a hot downtown L.A. club, and is shown in the teasers as this self-help guru/cult leader. His character immediately puts an uneasy feeling in viewers (with or without the rattail) and is expected to brainwash Jocelyn as she prepares for her tour. When Jocelyn’s best friend says that he seems “kind of rapey”, Jocelyn’s response was “I kinda like that about him.” The writing that Levinson gives to his female characters only puts them in a position to promote harmful and dangerous expectations about sex. Having a beautiful, young woman talk about how she is turned on by rape culture only gives men who watch the show more leverage about what they believe girls want. Soon after, Jocelyn is seen masturbating in her room and choking herself in order to have an orgasm.

In multiple interviews, Lily-Rose Depp mentions that she actually enjoys working on The Idol. The 23-year-old model and daughter of Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis actually lives a life that is quite the opposite of who she plays on screen. “My parents protected my brother [Jack] and me from [fame] as much as possible,” she tells ELLE. Depp does not own Twitter and only uses her Instagram to promote her upcoming brand events. She explains how she likes to stay out of the social media spotlight, but her role as Jocelyn has given her a reason to think about how aware the public eye is — and how hungry they are for something like a cum-shot scandal.

Even though the show is turning heads with negative reviews, HBO is sure that the ratings will start to skyrocket on Max as they expected with Euphoria, which has won 28 awards and is the second-most-watched show in HBO history. With a total of 913,000 viewers for The Idol’s first episode, trends in past HBO hit shows have created high (possibly unattainable) hopes for the growth of The Idol’s viewership.

The Idol is scheduled to release 5 more episodes on Max every Sunday at 9 p.m. ET. The newest one, “Double Fantasy”, is out now.

Top photo by The Idol on Max.

Erykah Badu—the queen of neo-soul and arguably one of the coolest women on the planet—is hitting the road this summer on a 25-city tour starting June 11. Can’t wait to see her go on and on (and on and on)? Go to unfollowmetour.com to find out if she’s hitting a town near you.

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2. The Blackening

Photo Credit: Glen Wilson

Co-written by Tracy Oliver (who previously brought us Girls Trip), this horror/ comedy flick follows seven Black friends who go away for a weekend in the woods where there’s a killer on the loose. They can’t all die first, so they rank their Blackness and use their knowledge of horror movie tropes to survive. Piss your pants laughing when it comes to theaters June 16.

3. TLC Forever on Lifetime

Photo Credit: Dennis Leupold

Which one are you? Crazy, Sexy, or Cool? Follow the drama and tragedy that came with fame for TLC’s Left Eye, Chili, and T-Boz as they become one of the most iconic girl groups of the ’90s in this Lifetime documentary airing June 3.

4. Survival of the Thickest on Netflix

Photo Credit: Winnie Au

Michelle Buteau stars in this Netflix series based on her autobiography. Written and produced by Buteau, the show, which hits the small screen July 13, follows her as she goes through a breakup, gets her styling career off the ground, and plunges back into the dating pool with help from her two besties.

5. Ahsoka on Disney+

Photo Credit: LUCASFILMS

Star Wars fans first met Rosario Dawson’s character, Ahsoka, in the second season of The Mandalorian, and now she’s back in her own series premiering in August on Disney+. The story follows the former Jedi knight as she tries to save the galaxy. Fingers crossed we get another Lizzo and Baby Yoda moment!

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6. I Inside the Old Year Dying by PJ Harvey

Photo Credit: Steve Gullick

Indie-rock goddess PJ Harvey is bringing her spooky vibes, unique voice, and harrowing lyrics back to the mic with her 10th studio album, I Inside the Old Year Dying. Bask in her melancholy magic when it drops July 7 on Partisan Records.

7. The Story of Art Without Men by Katy Hessel

For as long as humans have been making art, there have been women artists. Yet, until recently, they were glaringly excluded from history. This bothered Katy Hessel, so in 2015, she launched the IG account @thegreatwomenartists and then a podcast of the same name. Now, her new book from W.W. Norton & Company is continuing this important work by digging up all the forgotten women who mastered their crafts and finally giving them their due.

A teaser of the book debuts on her podcast: Listen now

8. Mosswood Meltdown featuring Bratmobile and John Waters

Wow, wow, wow! The legendary riot grrrl band Bratmobile is reuniting after 20 years at the Mosswood Meltdown festival in Oakland hosted by John Waters. The lineup also includes BUST faves Le Tigre, the Rondelles, and Gravy Train!!!!, so grab tickets for the July 1 and 2 dates asap at mosswoodmeltdown.com.

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9. Pageboy: A Memoir by Elliot Page

The Umbrella Academy star is speaking his truth. This memoir, out June 6 from Flatiron Books, takes readers from Elliot Page’s breakout role in Juno to being forced into the Hollywood starlet mold to his transition—allowing him to finally navigate Tinseltown on his own terms.

10. “It’s Pablo-matic: Picasso According to Hannah Gadsby”

Photo Credit: Ben King

Hannah Gadsby shot to fame with her groundbreaking one-woman show, Nanette, and now she’s sticking it to the man. Well, one man in particular—Pablo Picasso. Opening at the Brooklyn Museum on June 2, this exhibit, co-curated by Gadsby, will feature works by Picasso alongside those by feminist artists, including the Guerrilla Girls and Cindy Sherman, and plenty of pointed commentary.

Check out Hannah Gadsby introducing “It’s Pablo-matic” on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/brooklynmuseum/hannah-gadsby-picasso-introduction?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Top Image: Photo Credit: Fred Yonet

BUST has been a home for many incredible stories over the years, and has held a special place in the hearts of many over the decades. (If you’re feeling sentimental, check out this retrospective we did for our 25th anniversary, where readers share their favorite moments about the magazine.) As time passes and the social landscape changes, BUST has continued to publish fresh and innovative features on the coolest feminists of today.

BUST, like boygenius, was formed independently by a trio of badass women. BUST started out as a homemade zine in 1993. The first few issues were photocopied, stapled together, and distributed by its three founders, Laurie Henzel, Debbie Stoller, and Marcela Karp.

In those 30 years, we’ve created a bi-annual craft fair, published several books, and have had over 10,000 subscribers as of 2018. For our 30th anniversary issue, we decided to celebrate with boygenuis, the indie-rock supergroup that’s taking the world by storm.

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boygenius is composed of indie-rock singer Julien Baker, viral folk sensation Phoebe Bridgers, and singer-songwriter Lucy Dacus. In our summer issue, released on June 1st, the trio discussed their rise to being one of the most influential feminist supergroups of the modern age. The members of the band talk with BUST about their blooming friendship, their (sometimes rabid) fanbase, and Kristen Stewart, who directed the band’s short film. They also discuss their debut studio album, The Record, which was released earlier this year on March 31st.

Dacus and Baker had previously been acquainted since they both performed together in Washington DC back in 2016, but after performing on the same bill in 2018, all three women got together to record a promotional single for the tour. They decided that they were having too much fun to stop, and later that year, they released their first official EP as boygenius. How did they land on their unique and discordant name? How did the COVID-19 epidemic affect their success? How do they feel about their adoring fans? And who the hell is Maxine? You’ll just have to pick up our newest issue to find out!

But boygenius isn’t the only thing we’re highlighting this summer. Here are some other cool things to look out for in the 2023 Summer issue.

Check out our feature on Malaysian film producer and screenwriter, Adele Lim. Lim talks with us about her new R-rated comedy, Joy Ride, which came out June 7th. Joy Ride is the first major studio film with an all Asian-American (and predominantly female) cast. The film is raunchy, delightful, and diverse. Lim was open with BUST about the real-life inspiration behind Joy Ride, Asian-American representation in media, and her lengthy list of credits (including Disney’s Raja and The Last Dragon, and Crazy Rich Asians). “We’re finding joy and reveling in our own messiness, just like any other white guy’s R-rated comedy.” Succinct, substantial, and chock-full of intersectional feminism, Adele Lim’s feature is a must-read.

But that’s not all the intersectionality we have to offer; check out the other pieces on writer and activist Rachel Cargle, and our feature on comedian and “cat daddy” Marc Maron.

Photo Credit: Elizabeth Caren

This issue is also full of fun treats for those long hot summer days, like our recipe for grilled peaches, and DIY Balboa Bars. The only thing better than enjoying a cool homemade treat on a hot summer day is looking cool while you do it. Take a look through our ‘Looksee’ feature, where we list all the things we’re into this season, like this cutely packaged sunscreen, these size inclusive swimsuits, and unique sunnies to shield your eyes from the sun’s rays. There’s more cool attire featured throughout; our Get The Look section highlights several Malibu Barbie-themed accessories, like these Moxi roller skates, and this vintage polaroid film camera. But we’re just as comprehensive about our fashion coverage as we are with our anthropology.

This summer’s issue is also full of cool cultural pieces and historical topics, like the extensive feature on the lives of women in the rural mountains of Tibet. The story, written by Eleanor Moseman, details Moseman’s time spent with Tibetan villager Jamyang Tsomo and her family. It covers Tsomos daily chores, which include tending to yaks, harvesting barley, and looking after her family. Jamyang Tsomo’s story is a phenomenal glance into the lesser covered fierce women of the modern world. And she’s not the only cool cultural feature we have. This Summer’s issue also has an inside scoop on “one of the Middle Ages most fascinating figures,” visionary St. Hildegard of Bingen, written by noted historian Dr. Eleanor Janega.

So if you haven’t subscribed already, you’re definitely missing out. There’s something so special about receiving a physical print publication in the mail. It’s nostalgic, and reminiscent of the simpler bittersweet days of adolescence. Relieve the days of reading horoscopes aloud to your bestie and skimming the pages of a magazine for cute summer accessories. Alternatively, indulge your curiosity for knowledge by checking out our features on the historic town of Dublin, or the origins of Midsummer (the Scandinavian Pagan tradition, not the Ari Aster film!) And of course, as always, there’s way more!

We here at BUST are proud to provide a platform for everything; and our digital articles are no different. From updates on the new Barbie Movie, to abortion rights, and from Taylor Swift & Ice Spice collaborations, to coverage on an all girls robotics team in Afghanistan, there’s always an exciting online feature for you. Sounds enticing? Keep an eye out for us on your news feed, as well as on your local newsstands. Here’s to another 30 years. And 30 more after that!

Subscribe now to get your hands on this 30th Anniversary issue!

Top Image: Photo Credit: Ramona Rosales

One of those additions includes establishing a coordinator to “lead the charge” against banning books in schools who will serve under the Department of Education. While it appears this role is still in the planning stages (and therefore vague) their overall role seems to be educating schools on the emotional, intellectual, and societal harm that book bans cause.

This, of course, comes after the rise in book bannings that the country has seen over the past few years. In fact, the amount of banned books in US schools has increased by 30% just over the last year. According to President Biden’s domestic policy advisor Neera Tanden who spoke on the issue on a call with reporters, The Biden administration’s approach to this role is to consider the fact that the growing number of book bannings “may violate federal civil laws if they create a hostile environment for students.”

Banning books is a social justice issue, especially when we consider that many of the books that have been banned include queer characters. Specifically, according to PEN America’s Index of School Book Bans, more than 25% of books that have been banned by US schools either include queer themes or characters. Per PEN, “within this category, 68 are books that include transgender characters, which is 8% of all books banned.” It is also important to note that 30% of banned books in this country include themes of race and/or racism.

Some of the most banned books in the country include Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe, Flamer by Mike Curato, and The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison.

The creation of this new role was the main story of Biden’s new plan, however, he also introduced other protections to the LGBTQ+ community including:

• “a community safety program from the Department of Homeland Security to work with LGBTQI+ community centers, clinics and small businesses like restaurants and bars to provide training for bomb threats, active shooters and cyber threats
• an advisory for mental health care providers from Health and Human Services to help provide evidence-based care for transgender youth
• regulations to protect LGBTQI+ kids in foster care and place them in safe and appropriate homes”

While change seems to come very slowly in this country, these new measures definitely show promise. A public declaration of how the federal government intends to protect the LGBTQ+ people in this country is critically important given the increase in violence against LGBTQ+ communities.

Top photo: kazuend on Unsplash

The single’s repetitous melody is an excellent back up to Violet’s saccharine-sweet vocals, building gently, keeping tempo, creating tension until Violet’s explosion of “my god! my god”! (This song is about sex, folks!) MY GOD! has all the elements of a hit pop single: an inescapable ear worm of a melody; catchy, sexy and easy-to-belt-out lyrics, and a nice and healthy dose of queer joy.

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Violet spoke with Flood Magazine about her inspiration for the song.

“I saw a TikTok video posted by a queer woman,” she shared, “where she said, ‘When you have sex with a girl who’s only been with men before it can really be a sexual awakening because for the first time she’s thinking, what does sex look like to me if i’m not absolutely prioritizing my partner’s pleasure over mine—or sometimes at the cost of mine?’ It made me think about how heterosexual women have so often been conditioned to prioritize a man’s pleasure to the point of being out of touch with their own desire. What would that look like to honor your desire? It was a whole awakening for me.”

Violet’s not-so-subtle lyrics celebrate the euphoria of prioritizing your pleasure, but it’s more than just great sex– it can often be a spiritual experience as well. Violet’s cheeky play on religious regalia in her photos (and upcoming music video) and her frisky devotional lyrics prove that sexual joy is truly a transcendent experience.

Two hearts electric and eager/one touch and I’m a believer,/ you got me coming all undone/ baby, I’m confessing/ like how you undressing/ it could be a blessing/ if we do it ri-i-i-i-ght. If you keep it up imma see the light/ open up the gates to my paradise/ like MY GOD! MY GOD!

Tessa’s last album Bad Ideas came out in 2019 and several songs on that LP including Crush, I Like The Idea of You, and Bad Ideas encompass similar topics. Violet is not afraid to unabashedly ask for what she wants, speak openly about what turns her on, and be all around a sex-positive role model.

Not only are these messages still salient four years after their release, her sound is just as fresh and dialed in as it was when her last album came out. Violet has a tangible grasp on what works in the digital space– her messages are thoughtful and clear, her hooks are fetching and the overall production has all the elements of virality.

MY GOD! comes fresh off the last single, YES MOM, which became a viral TikTok sensation. Recognize these lyrics?

Bet you’ve been a fan of me/ See me in your fantasies / Everything I got, I got working for me so/ Eat that, peep that, I’m the one to beat, yeah (yeah)/ I’m the one to beat, yeah/ I’m the one to beat, yeah

MY GOD! will be released in its totality on July 14, and Tessa Violet will be hitting the road on a nation-wide tour shortly after. Check out her dates to see if she’s coming to a town near you!

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Top photo: by Sarah Pardini, courtesy of Tessa Violet

This upcoming live NYC concert will feature a full band. Ms. Danilova is an exciting and powerful performer. I can attest to this having seen her live a several times and highly reccomend attedning this upcoiming show. It’s gonna be a hot one! 

For more information about both video and live show please visit zolajesus.com and Le Poisson Rouge’s website, lpr.com.

Photo credit: Shervin Lainez

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Featuring some of our fave queers including Roxane Gay, Carrie Brownstein, Jane Lynch and many others, this fictional auditory adventure brings the “strange world of semi-suburban sapphics seeking out a deviant existence in the shadows of decent society,” to life through a series of episodes available on Audible.

The story starts in June of 1987, Ronald Reagan is president, the Iran-Contra hearings are all over the news, it’s “ten years before Ellen, five years before the founding of the lesbian avengers,” and while some of the references may be a little old school, the concerns, the controversies, the political climate (unfortunately) and the emotions are all still incredible relevant for modern queer audiences.

The main character Mo, who is voiced by the acclaimed Carrie Brownstein, starts the series off by looking for love (or maybe, just a little fun) while exploring vulnerability. In the era of Reaganism, her “hypersensitive moral compass” has caused some friction between her and her peers. She knows that queer is more than just an orientation, it’s a basis of intersectional liberation from poverty, war, racism, and capitalism, but can’t turn off the lecture when her friends just want to have fun. “If you think assimilation is liberation, you’re either delusional or a sell out,” Mo says to her friends during the Pride Parade.

“When I was young and freshly out, I pored over my paperback copies of ‘Dykes to Watch Out For,’ dreaming that I would one day get to live in a world as progressive, funny, sexy, and frankly dykey as the incredible community Alison created,” said Madeleine George, who wrote the adapted script. “Spending time immersed in this world has been like getting to move into my dream world. To hear the beloved characters brought to life by this gang of superstars has been too good to be true.”

Dykes to Watch Out For ran from 1983-2008 in Funny Times and various lesbian newspapers and online. According to the New York Times, Bechdel herself has called the strip “half op-ed column and half endless, serialized Victorian novel.” Full of cultural reflection, social commentary and political references, the strip built a semi-fictional world for lesbians to engage in, reflecting the everyday conversations that were happening in queer circles. Bechdel, who is also known for her books Fun Home, Are You My Mother, and The Secret to Superhuman Strength has spent decades capturing her iteration of the queer experience, sharing it with eager audiences from across the country.

Dykes to Watch Out For by Alison Bechdel

She is also the creator of the Bechdel Test, a media evaluation method that analyzes how well a work of fiction represents women characters. The criteria includes: at least two women are featured, these women talk to each other, and they discuss something other than a man. That’s it– just three small objectives that a surprising number of films, books and television shows completely miss.

“I am blown away by this podcast; it’s such a great gift to hear the characters and their world come to audio life, talking and kvetching and playing softball and going to marches,” said Bechdel in a press release. “Often when I was drawing the comic strip I would wish it could have the extra dimension of a soundtrack – and now it does. The podcast is set back in the day, 1987, which makes it a fun history lesson, but at the same time, it’s a completely contemporary-feeling romp. I’m absolutely speechless and fortunately these actors have plenty to say, and they do so with dykey aplomb.”

All episodes of Dykes to Watch Out For are now available on Audible!

Top Photo is a screen grab from “Jane Lynch and the Iconic Cast of ‘Dykes To Watch Out for’ in Conversation” from the official Audible Youtube channel

1.) Join a Queer Book Club (Or start your own!)

Literature has been a powerful part of queer history since its inception. Sapphic authors, like Eva Kotchever and Radclyffe Hall, were both persecuted for their literary works, which contained overt lesbian themes. For a wonderfully chill and bookish Pride celebration, host a book club to honor one of these infamous queer writers. We suggest Hall’s most controversial novel, The Well of Loneliness, which was the subject of obscenity trials in both the US and UK. You can also join a queer book club, like Sapphic Lit, which is a literary pop-up held in over 55 countries. Sapphic Lit is hosting events all over the globe for Pride month this year, including pop-up bookstores and book swaps. Check out their full list of events here.

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2.) Have A Queer Movie Night

Whether you’re looking for a quiet night in with your favorite queer rom-com, or a fun interactive night out with your peers, LGBTQIA+ cinema is a unique way to celebrate Pride this year. Organizations like The Bush Cinema Club, New York City’s Dyke Cinema Club, and Toronto’s Queer Cinema Club host monthly intimate screenings of queer films. The screenings are small, seating only around 50-100 people. They’re sometimes even held in private West Village lofts, or barely known dive bars. The events are usually accompanied by themed refreshments, and the occasional aphrodisiac popcorn. Annual film festivals like the Queer Vision Festival in the UK are also holding screenings of independent queer films all throughout Pride month. Can’t make it to Toronto, New York, or Great Britain? Audience participation isn’t the only way to get involved: you can also donate your time to any local queer-owned cinema organization. You can even hold your own private cinema screenings with your friends, and include some fun treats of your own. Check out volunteer opportunities for The Bush Films here, and check out our list of sapphic movies written by women here!

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3.) Go To A Silent Disco

When you’re queer, dancing is a revolutionary act of defiance. Throwing on some Jessie Ware tunes and letting loose is a great way to get down this Pride season. It’s no secret that Disco served as a safe haven for queer individuals, both out and closeted. Disco also provided a platform for queer people of color, something that remains few and far between to this day. But long gone are the days of sweat-stained velour and Studio 54. And because roughly 60% of all LGBTQIA+ individuals experience anxiety, a packed room full of blaring music might be the last place you want to be this Pride. Luckily, there’s a loophole. Silent discos have been cropping up, and they’re a great way to experience a fun night out ​​— without all the overwhelm. For a small fee, attendees rent a pair of headphones with several “music channels” that can be switched over the duration of the party. Most silent disco events are operated by Silent Events. The rental company crafted the multisensory experience as an alternative to the loud, anxiety-inducing environment that clubs and concerts foster. It’s a low pressure way to enjoy cool, queer tunes with friends. You can check out their nation-wide list of upcoming events here.

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4.) Start a Riot

Pride wouldn’t exist without riots. The first Pride parade was a riot. If it weren’t for Marsha P. Johnson throwing the first brick at the Stonewall Inn (and the infamous riots that ensued afterwards,) it’s hard to believe that we’d have the agency that we do today. Maybe don’t put yourself in danger of being arrested, but see what local protests or grassroots movements are going on in your area. New York City’s Queer Liberation March would be a great start, as they initially organized to reclaim Pride from corporations by honoring the initial intent of the Stonewall Riots. And if you can’t make it out to the East Coast, QLM offers livestreams of all their events. Additionally, the website pridefinder.com is a marvelous multipurpose resource for finding a myriad of queer events, parties and protests alike. It’s global, and even includes a list of welcoming queer cities across the world. Check out their list of upcoming event pride events for 2023 here.

5.) Support Your Local LGBTQIA+ Historical Site

Museums with queer exhibits, going on LGBTQIA+ historical walks, and speaking with elder queers in your community are all great ways to immerse yourself in the more historical aspects of Pride this summer. There are plenty of amazing museums across the world that are full of rich archival history, like the Leslie-Lohman Museum, nestled in the streets of NYC’s SoHo. The museum houses a small gift shop, a private event space, and a collection that spans over 300 years. But you don’t have to be in the city of the Stonewall Riots to explore the historical significance of the event; There’s a whole museum dedicated to the Stonewall Riots in Fort Lauderdale, of all places. The Stonewall National Museum & Archive was initially a small queer library that has since grown into a museum that hosts movie nights, tours, and fundraisers for the local LGBTQIA+ community. They even have a digital collection if you can’t make it in person. There’s also the ONE Archives in Los Angeles, California, which is known to be “the oldest active LGBTQ organization in the United States,” and hosts the Circa Queer History Festival every pride month. To find a comprehensive list of LGBTQIA+ historical museums across the world, check out this travel list.

Whether it’s supporting queer-owned artists, flipping through a book, or watching a campy queer flick with your friends, we hope you find some informative, eccentric, and innovative ways to honor your LGBTQIA+ community this summer. Don’t be afraid to break tradition!

Top Photo Credit: Norbu Gyachung via Unsplash

Centered around the sex lives of four high-profile women living in Manhattan, Sex and the City, created by Darren Star and co-produced by Sarah Jessica Parker (Carrie Bradshaw herself), ended up with 94 episodes over a six-season run, 2 movies, 2 television spin-offs, 18 awards, and too-many-to-count high fashion props chosen by the award-winning stylist, Patricia Field.

SATC celebrated its 25th anniversary on Tuesday, and the cast found creative ways to commemorate the milestone.

Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, and even Kim Cattrall showed small tokens of appreciation for their legendary roles through social media.

Kristin Davis, who plays Park Avenue princess Charlotte York-Goldenblatt, wrote on Instagram: “It is impossible to believe it has been 25 years! I consider myself the luckiest person in the world to be a part of this story that connects so many of us together. It has and continues to be a JOY!”

Cynthia Nixon, a.k.a. Miranda Hobbes, Esq., also shared a nostalgic piece on Instagram with photos of herself from season one of SATC and a recent photoshoot taken during the filming of And Just Like That…Part of the caption reads: “How it started how it’s going for Miranda Hobbes ”

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As well as a recent photo of her and Davis captioned, “Here’s to 25 years of incredible friendship!”

And Sarah Jessica Parker who plays the quintessential New York City columnist and renowned shoe-a-holic, Carrie Bradshaw, shared her own memorable moment by posting a photo of her signature gold “Carrie” necklace saying, “It’s our silver anniversary but the memories will always be gold.”

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And even though Kim Cattrall is still keeping her distance from the show, our mother Samantha Jones still acknowledged the occasion by liking a tweet posted by the original author of the series, Candace Bushnell, as well as a fan-made appreciation tweet for Sam Jones.

The rest of the cast decided to show the hit series some love as well.

The official Instagram account for And Just Like That… made a “25 years of fabulous” post captioning the clips of the youthful and smiling quartet with: “And here’s to more fabulous years to come.”

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In a video posted by HBO, Nixon, Parker, and Davis thanked all the fans for showing love and gratitude to them and the show for all these years. “We just want to say thank you for supporting us because that’s how come we’ve been able to do it for so long,” Davis said while hand-in-hand with Parker.

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And Mario Cantone, who plays ours and Charlotte’s favorite wedding planner Anthony, also shared the trailer to And Just Like That… to celebrate “a happy 25” for SATC.

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The second season of the latest spin-off And Just Like That… will premiere on June 22 exclusively on Max and will continue to follow the provocative, gossip-filled lives of Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte (and this time with a word from Samantha).

Top photo by Martamenchini, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

“Maintaining the ‘kid-ness’ was paramount,” Gerwig told Architectural Digest. “I wanted the pinks to be very bright, and everything to be almost too much.”

Rosco was founded in 1910 and has collaborated with Hollywood producers for over a century. They provide sciencic paints, fog machines, color filters, lighting systems and other products that help to build the environment of a film. They have won four Academy Awards and one Emmy Award for their innovative products and techniques. But Roscoe leaders share that the Barbie production wasn’t the only reason they ran out of the hue.

The production designers were challenged to bring the Barbie Dreamworld to life on a set. According to AD, Gerwig used the phrase “authentic artificiality” to serve as a goal post when designing the world, which was built on set in England.

“There are no walls and no doors,” Gerwig told AD. “Dreamhouses assume that you never have anything you wish was private—there is no place to hide.” And the team created this illusion largely by hand, hand-painting the backdrop rather than CGI to capture the sky and the San Jacinto Mountains.

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Lauren Proud, Vice President of Global Marketing at Rosco, told the Los Angeles Times that there were multiple circumstances that led to the Barbie production using up the entire reserve of the specific shade of pink, including supply chain challenges that arose during the pandemic and the Texas deep freeze of early 2021 that damaged a lot of materials that were used to create the paint, meaning the company was already short in supply.

“There was this shortage,” Proud told The Los Angeles Times. “And then we gave them everything we could– I don’t know if they can claim credit.” In another statement, she said, “they used as much paint as we had.”

Well we’re just tickled pink by this news! See all the beautiful sets in action for the release of the Barbie movie on July 21!

Top photo: screenshot of the Barbie Main Trailer from Warner Bros. Pictures Youtube

DEFINING WHAT “HOME” means for herself, and finding homes for underrepresented creative work, are both recurring themes in Tessa Thompson’s life. The 39-year-old actor is literally building a home (her first) in Los Angeles (her hometown). She’s also continuing to establish herself as a producer through her company, Viva Maude Productions, where she’s developing projects by folks who audiences don’t usually see—and stories that affirm through real representation rather than by adhering to the politics of respectability. And now, with her latest big-screen blockbuster, Creed III (out March 3), Thompson is returning to the eight-year-old Rocky-spinoff franchise that helped make her a household name. “It feels like coming home,” she tells me.

When I catch up with Thompson on Zoom, she’s not quite settled into the new digs she shares with her dog, Coltrane. The Internet is a little wonky and there are various people coming in and out—making deliveries and placing things. “It’s still kind of a work in progress,” she says of the home she purchased in the early days of the pandemic but was only recently able to begin fully renovating due to work and waiting for permits. But Thompson—fresh-faced and glowing with her waist-length braids half up in a top knot—doesn’t seem at all stressed about the process. Her vibe is extremely chill. “This home has been such a pleasure to build,” she says. And it’s been more than that. “It’s basically a gut renovation, so every inch of the house is an extension of things that were once ideas in conversations and then suddenly on paper, and then blueprints. I think the past couple of years have been, for me, about creating the architecture, not just for this place that I’m currently in, but of this company that I’m building. It’s been nice to have this outward reminder of what’s possible—that we can have ideas and make things. I’ve always kind of known that, but it’s been crystallized in a way with this process of having this home.”

Building the home of her dreams in Los Angeles is particularly significant to Thompson. Born and raised in the city, she grew up in apartments with her mother and sister and spent her school vacations in New York with her dad and his kids from his second marriage, a sister and brother. (“We’re a deeply blended family, I suppose. For me, it feels quite normal,” she says.) Since taking off in the mid-aughts with the beloved TV shows Veronica Mars (in 2005 and 2006) and Grey’s Anatomy (in 2006), and then with such notable movies as Mississippi Damned (2009), For Colored Girls (2010), and Dear White People (2014), Thompson’s career has sent her all over the world. “Because of my line of work, I’ve been so nomadic,” she explains. “I’m based where the work is, and that changes. It has sometimes served me well to not have a concrete home to miss when I’m away. I’m totally a millennial—this idea of renting someplace and having something that’s yours but also not yours didn’t really bother me.” Over the last couple of years, though, Thompson has spent more time in her hometown than anywhere else, and much of her scattered family is now finding its way to the West Coast as well. “Almost all of my family is in L.A. now,” she says. “It’s the first time in my life where that’s been the case. It’s been really incredible to put down roots in a city that I already feel rooted to and also to get to really build something.”

Thompson, whose father is a musician, grew up destined to be an artist. “Everyone in my family makes something,” she says. As evidence, she holds up a ceramic bowl made by her mother, who also draws and hand-makes jewelry. “When I first started thinking around being a creative person in pursuit of a career—watching my parents, and really everyone in my family—I always thought of it as something you just sort of do. My family feels intensely creative. I was raised with the idea that there’s no one way to do that ‘right’ or ‘successfully.’”

Rodarte Dress and Sweater; Lillian Shalom Ring; Necklaces: Thompson’s Own.

Anonlychild Jacket, Skirt, Leggings, and Top; Giambattista Valli Shoes; Socks: Stylist’s Own

Freedom to create isn’t the only privilege Thompson was afforded by way of her bohemian upbringing. She’s also felt free to be herself in other ways. In 2018, the typically private star shared with multiple media outlets that she is attracted to both men and women. “I hadn’t thought about it as ‘coming out,’” explains Thompson, who’s been romantically linked to Janelle Monáe and left curious tongues wagging when photographed getting close to Taika Waititi and Rita Ora. “It wasn’t a deliberate effort, but there’s something powerful about seeing some part of yourself reflected in the media. In that way, I think the more that we tell our stories, and the less afraid we are to be honest about who we are and who we love, the more we help other people do the same thing. I’m really lucky in the sense that I grew up inside of a community and inside of a family where it’s not been hard for me to do that. But I acknowledge that for so many people, it is really hard, and that’s not to be taken lightly. If being able to talk authentically about who I am helps other people do the same, then I’m grateful for it.”

Although Thompson performed in several school plays, pursuing a career in acting wasn’t a given. “Growing up in Los Angeles, something about proximity to [the industry] made me sort of take the idea for granted and not consider it seriously,” she says of making it in Hollywood. “It makes total sense to me that people come to L.A. from different parts of the world with this dream—and maybe I would have been one of those people had I not grown up in L.A.”

Now Thompson—who, before embarking on her Hollywood career at 22, studied cultural anthropology at Santa Monica College and wondered if there was “more important work” that she might enjoy—seems to have not just found, but also created, the perfect career for herself. Not a stereotypical scene-stealer, Thompson has become known for performances that are often understated—neither boisterous nor loud, but imbued with an ineffable allure that makes it impossible not to focus on her extremely expressive face when she’s on screen. Her diverse résumé includes standout roles as a civil rights hero (Selma, 2014) and a villainous robot (Westworld, 2016 to 2022). And she’s as acclaimed for her work in blockbusters like Marvel’s Thor films (2017 to 2022) as she is for indies like Sorry to Bother You (2018) and Little Woods (2018).

“I want to do things that excite me and scare me and also things that are fun,” says Thompson when asked how she chooses her projects. “I like to take risks, and I feel really varied in terms of my interests. I have seen so many folks in the course of their careers be able to traverse really varied spaces, but I just don’t know if that opportunity has been afforded to talent of color in the same way.”

In Creed III, she returns as Bianca, one of her most beloved characters, the girlfriend-now-wife of the franchise’s titular Adonis Creed, played by her close friend Michael B. Jordan, who makes his directorial debut with this third installment.

“I just love making these movies,” says Thompson. “It always feels like a homecoming. Over the eight years that we’ve been working on this series of films, there’s a familiarity that has been established, particularly between me and Mike. We have such a shorthand. We both have grown so much since the first time around. With Mike at the helm, it was so exciting to see someone I love so much actualize something that’s been a dream—and then see him do it so well.”

Adding to the familial vibe on set is the fact that much of the crew has worked on all three films. “You get to see everyone’s growth,” says Thompson. “Over the years, many of them have had families and there’s something that feels really special and rarefied about that. You typically have that in television, but not so much in the movie-making process.” The third installment also adds Lovecraft Country’s Jonathan Majors, who Thompson calls “a chameleon and fantastic actor,” to the mix as Adonis’ childhood friend-turned-rival. “These movies are, of course, very masculine in that they are about dudes fighting,” says Thompson, “but there’s so much at the heart of the film that is actually unpacking the toxicity of masculinity.”

Along those same lines, as a producer, Thompson says multidimensional characters who defy stereotypes always dominate the stories she wants to tell. “With a project like Passing, for instance, there was this fundamental idea at the core of that film that none of us fit squarely into the boxes that we sometimes try to stuff ourselves inside,” says Thompson of the 2021 film, adapted from the 1929 novel by Nella Larsen, which she both starred in and produced. A story about two Black women friends who lose touch and then reconnect in New York where one of them is pretending to be white, Passing earned Thompson a BAFTA nomination for her performance and a reputation as a producer who is unafraid to tackle challenging material. “It really strikes to the heart of something that I think is doubly true for some of us, depending on our particulars,” she says of that film. “In Hollywood, there are these very small boxes that we have been given to exist inside.”

Since creating her own production company in 2021, Thompson has announced planned adaptations of three more books—Nnedi Okorafor’s Afrofuturist novel Who Fears Death; short story collection and National Book Award finalist The Secret Lives of Church Ladies, by Deesha Philyaw; and Luster, a sexy, yearning novel about a young woman who becomes entangled in an older couple’s marriage. “You know when you read something, or you see something, and it feels like it’s yours? It feels like it’s speaking right to you, personally?” Thompson asks. “But then you have conversations with other people and you realize you’re in this community of people who are thinking and feeling the same way?” Thompson says this is true of Luster, a book notable for its main character, who is both imperfect, and at times, unlikable, a freedom rarely afforded to Black women protagonists. “Luster felt like an important story that should be told, but not in a medicinal way,” explains Thompson. “It’s not political, it’s just delicious.”

If not political, deliciousness on its own can certainly feel liberating. “I want us to be seen, not as a monolith, but for all the things that we can be,” says Thompson about Black representation on screen. “That’s been an aim of mine personally. The altruistic reason is that I want to be able to advocate for my community. And my less altruistic reason is it’s just more interesting and more fun that way. Both reasons—the altruistic one and the less altruistic one—keep me inspired to chart that course. I ask myself a lot, ‘Where have we not been before?’ And that’s not just about Black women, necessarily; it’s thinking around all the pockets of folks who maybe haven’t gotten the opportunity to be seen in really varied ways in media and in popular storytelling, and just thinking, ‘How do we get us there?’”

It seems inevitable that as a natural-born artist, Thompson will expand even further beyond acting and producing as her passions continue to develop. “I’ve been working on an adaptation of my own,” she reveals. “I have thought about writing and directing for a while and I’ve even written stuff that I just never showed anybody because it was more an exercise for myself. I’ve been really waiting for something to strike me—something that I could adapt that felt like I had skin in the game, where there’s something fundamental about myself that I also get to explore in the piece. I’m really excited that I feel like I have found that thing. It’s really been a gift.”

Though she’s mum on specifics, we can expect the work to be consistent with her overarching philosophy: “The thing that has become a real aim in the work that I do,” says Thompson, “in whatever my small contribution is to Hollywood or film iconography—I want to expand the way that a woman like me is perceived.”

Simone Rocha Dress; Paris Georgia Jacket; Balmain Shoes; Lillian Shalom Ring; Necklaces: Thompson’s Own.

Top Image: COLLINA STRADA DRESS; NECKLACES: THOMPSON’S OWN

BY SABRINA FORD

PHOTOGRAPHED BY Phylicia J. L. Munn

Styling by Wayman + Micah // Makeup by Nina Park

Hair by Lacy Redway // Nails by Zola Ganzorigt

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Ramsey, who uses they/them pronouns, admitted that their decision to submit as an actress for this year’s Emmys came after a lot of deliberation, and some discomfort. “The categories at the moment feel extremely gendered with the language around them,” they said. And while they’re “uncomfortable” fitting into either a male or female lead-acting nomination, they decided to move forward in the female category because they deserve to see their hard work honored.

“I don’t want the limitations in terms of the language in the categories to be a reason that nonbinary actors like me can’t be celebrated,” Ramsey explained to Vanity Fair. “And it can open up a conversation about how it feels—as long as I’m aware of the fact that it’s not ideal, but also that finding alternatives is really complex.”

This is not a new discussion, Ramsey is the latest non-binary celebrity to voice concerns about the gendered categories of awards ceremonies. A few weeks ago, Liv Hewson of Yellowjackets withdrew their Emmy nomination because there are no categories for non-binary performers.

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“There’s no place for me in the acting categories,” Hewson told Variety. “It would be inaccurate for me to submit myself as an actress. It neither makes sense for me to be lumped in with the boys. It’s quite straightforward and not that loaded. I can’t submit myself for this because there’s no space for me.”

This movement seems to be in the zeitgeist. As more performers come forward and demand non-gendered categories, the pressure builds for institutions including the Academy Awards, The Emmys, The Tonys, and other arts and culture award ceremonies. According to Vanity Fair, celebrities like Emma Corrin (The Crown) and Asia Kate Dillon Billions, Orange Is the New Black) are calling for non-gendered performance categories.

And it really makes sense. Outside of lead and supporting performers, generally, award categories are not gendered. Academy Award categories like Best Costume Design, Best Production Design, and Best Director are not gendered– they simply celebrate the best talent. The only gendered categories in the Tonys are Best Actor/Actress in a Musical or Play and Best Featured Actor/Actress in a Musical or Play. There are 28 non-gendered Tony awards.

It’s possible that there was a time where these gendered categories helped to ensure that women were not being consistently snubbed. And it’s true that in non-gendered categories, men continue to dominate, while women are continually either excluded, or not awarded. In fact, according to a study by Medium, only 16% of ALL nominees since the beginning of the Academy Awards have been women– this number includes nominees for “best actress” and “best supporting actress.” Lack of recognition continues to be an issue for women. How can these institutions ensure women are represented without forcing non-binary performers to succumb to gendered nominations?

According to Vanity Fair, “The Film Academy is said to be researching the matter while allowing nominees to request gender-neutral wording on their awards; the Tonys more seriously considering imminent gender-neutral adjustments; and the Television Academy emphasizing the new option to adjust the language on an Emmy trophy or nomination certificate, from actor or actress to performer.”

“Eliminating two of the acting awards doesn’t sound like a movement in that direction,” said Josh Welsh, President of Film Independent to Vanity Fair. “Award shows generally don’t want to lose acting categories. People are most excited about actors.”

While it would seem like a major change for these legacy institutions, the solution likely lies in expansion, not elimination. While this year’s awards season may go on as it always has, sooner or later these powerhouse institutions will have to come forward with a solution.

We have to agree with Liv Hewson here– “I very gently and respectfully ask that people get their gears turning a little.”

Top photo: courtesy of HBO

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Arlo Parks

British musician Arlo Parks already has grammy-noms under her belt from her debut album Collapsed in Sunbeams. The bisexual artist JUST released her sophomore album, My Soft Machine on May 31 (stay tuned for a BUST review)! “My queer identity has always made its way into my music because it’s who I am,” Parks told The Pink News. “I remember the first time I heard somebody singing a song about being queer and using pronouns that I felt I could apply to love stories that I had been through, then also wanting to give that back to people. A big part of encouraging people is making them feel less alone.”

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girl in red

Norwegian indie pop singer Marie Ulven Ringheim aka girl in red, has reached cult-status for young lesbians and other WLW. The artist, who originally identified as gay, now calls herself queer, an umbrella term that not only encapsulates the identities of LGBTQ+ people, but also represents the spirit of the community too. “I think having all this queer art and music and movies and photography and paintings, it’s so important and all that shit is gonna help this world move towards a better place,” Ringheim told Gay Times. “Seeing all these girls and boys making them gay tunes, I’m just like, ‘Yaaas!’” girl in red’s biggest hit (so far) is her song I Wanna Be Your Girlfriend, a tune chocked full of young and eager longing: “I don’t want to be your friend, I want to kiss your lips. I want to kiss you until I lose my breath.”

Brittany Howard

The Alabama Shakes frontwoman with an impressive solo career and some ethereal vocals, Brittany Howard, didn’t become fully aware of her lesbian identity until her mid-twenties, according to The Independent. Howard grew up in the religious south, a place with no representation of who she was: a young Black queer girl. While talking about a same-sex crush in her song Georgia, she told Vulture: “When I was younger, I wish I had a song like that. To be represented by someone who thinks more like me, rather than being represented by these giant images in the media, like, ‘This is what it looks like to be gay…’ I don’t look anything like that.”

Syd

Musician Syd (formerly Syd tha Kyd) has had a long career in music, though she just entered her thirties. The musician started turning heads at age 16 when she was a part of the collective Odd Future with artists like Tyler, the Creator, Earl Sweatshirt, and Frank Ocean, then went on to start her own band The Internet. Syd, who is gay, tries to balance bringing her queerness to the forefront of her public image. “ I’ve always made it a point to just be gay,” she told The Guardian. “It was just like: ‘Look, there’s a girl in the video with me. What else do I need to say?’” Syd is a frequent collaborator with Kehlani, another gay artist with impeccable vocals check out their beautiful vocal blending on the song Birthday.

Rina Sawayama

The gorgeous and talented Rina Sawayama has had a jam-packed career, as a triple-threat: actress, musician and model. Her 2018 track Cherry exploded on the scene and was a song that openly discussed her pansexual sexuality. “I guess people find bisexuality harder to identify with,” Rina told Gay Times. “Gay male culture is very strongly represented, and lesbian culture is represented too, but bisexual culture is still in a formative stage where people are still learning to own it and making it what it is. I know it makes me sound really old school, but pansexual is a new word for me,” she says. “I grew up identifying as bisexual, because even maybe four or five years ago the language just wasn’t there, I don’t think. It’s such a new thing, so I’ve been getting used to my new identity.”

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Top photo: screenshot of “Lipstick Lover” Music Video from the official Janelle Monáe YouTube Channel.

Alongside the most beautiful rendition of Part of Your World, the Grammy-nominated R&B singer managed to perfectly juggle regality as one of the princesses of the sea, as well as being a young girl just trying to find her place in the world.

One of the distinctions that made Bailey’s version of Ariel so unique is her hairーand the importance of keeping her identity through it.

Camille Friend, the head hairstylist of the movie who worked her magic behind the scenes, revealed that around six figures were spent on Bailey’s hair transformation.

“I’m not guesstimating, but we probably spent at least $150,000 because we had to redo it and take it out,” Friend told Variety last week. The hair guru also explained that for Bailey, keeping her natural hair was very important to her. Friend, who has been Oscar-nominated for her excellent styling choices in movies such as Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, explained that after meeting Bailey’s family, she saw her vision for Ariel.

“I went to meet with Halle’s family. Her mother is spiritual, and they’re a kind family. I started to understand who she was and why the natural hair element was important to keep.”

According to Friend, Ariel’s signature “candy apple red” color was never in the question since Bailey is not a cartoon. The stylist wanted to use a shade of red that complimented the young actress’ skin tone and eyes. Four different shades were wrapped around this princess’ natural locsーand it looked amazing.

When it came down to Ariel’s iconic hair flip, the budding actress admitted that it took an entire day to perfect it. In a promotional trailer released about two months ago, she revealed the act almost “broke her neck.”

“That scene was so fun to do. It was definitely hard, though, because my hair was really, really heavy. I have my locs, which are my favorite thing. I’ve had my locs since I was 5. It feels like wool when it’s wet. So it gets heavier. It kind of almost doubles the weight when they’re heavy,” she explained in an interview.

And after watching the magical moment reveal itself on the big screen, it’s safe to say her hard work paid off.

As the first Black princess in a Disney live-action, Bailey also talked about how this has been a life-changing role for her.

“It just makes me cry,” she shared with E! News. “The fact that all these little Black and Brown babies are going to be able to feel like they’re being represented is really special to me. I know that if I had that when I was younger, it would have changed a whole lot for me and my perspective on who I am as an individual.”

Friend’s vision of trading in a wig for Bailey’s long locs marked a significant moment for the representation of Black heritage and solidified the importance of the younger generation being able to see themselves and their own features on-screen early on. The film not only lets children but also adults who were robbed of that experience witness the most beloved mermaid fairytale in a fresh, innovative way.

Top photo by The Little Mermaid on Youtube

Posted on TikTok by Movie Maniacs, the video clip, which was originally taken in 2015, captured Rodriguez giving her opinion on minorities playing superheroes roles. “Because of this whole, like, ‘minorities in Hollywood’ thing… stop stealing all the white people superheroes,” she said in the paparazzi-captured video. “Make up your own, you know what I’m saying, like what’s up with that.”

Since the circulation of this clip, many people are having mixed feelings about Rodriguez’s opinion. Considering that there are 12 movies total in the Fast & Furious franchise, some are finding a large sense of irony in her words. Those agreeing with her, however, say that her words are being taken out of context, and that Rodriguez is advocating for not only more originality in the superhero world, but also better representation of minorities.

When the video was originally released, Rodriguez set the record straight as to what her words truly meant in a Facebook video post, “I stuck my foot in my mouth once again. I said people should stop trying to steal white people superheroes. And I guess it got taken out of context, because a lot of people got offended,” she began, apologizing for her habit of “speaking without a filter”.

She went on to state that instead of forming new ideas, Hollywood enforces having minorities fit into already existing stories rather than creating new roles and franchises that can better represent their culture. “I’m just saying that the different cultures from around the world that aren’t Hollywood – Latin, black, asian, and so on and so forth, are considered ‘minorities’ because there aren’t a lot of writers representing them,” Rodriguez said, stating that this should become a priority.

The three-minute video response cleared up a lot of questions as to what Rodriguez truly meant, and she ended her statement by stating: “It’s time to stop. Stop trying to take what’s already there and fit a culture into it. I think it’s time for us to write our own mythology and our own story – every culture. So that’s what I meant. And I’m sorry if it came off rude or stupid, that’s not what I meant. Cheers.”

Having the full picture of Rodriguez’s words, and also taking into consideration that her opinion was provided to us in 2015 – her words are ahead of her time. It wasn’t until three years later that one of Marvel Studios gems, Black Panther, was released representing the black community and African culture. More recently, Marvel represented the Asian community in 2021 with the release of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings; moreover, Rodriguez had a point.

The Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves actress has been a large advocate for more representation of minorities and women in the movie world. In a 2016 interview with CBS News, she discussed how Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign would be opening a door for the feminist movement to enter Hollywood. “The symbolism behind a woman leading the country is so powerful,” said Rodriguez, “I promise you if Hillary Clinton becomes president, Hollywood is going to be all over the feminist movement,” and she proceeded to explain how despite how sad it is that women have to wait for an opportunity like this, it is still an opportunity at the end of the day.

While this video circulates around once again, it’s not only important to remember the importance of ensuring that celebrities’ words aren’t being taken out of context, but also that Michelle Rodriguez is a supporter of minorities in Hollywood. Her words have truth behind them, and hopefully it can be another wake-up call for Hollywood to bring more originality that better represents minority cultures.

Top image: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Specifically, she asked, “How is Lizzo still THIS fat when she’s constantly moving this much on stage?! I wonder what she must be eating.” Ugh. Barf. Other people then decided to chime in on an issue they know nothing about and debate whether or not being fat was a part of Lizzo’s ‘brand.’ How can your body be your brand??”

Lizzo saw these comments, because even though some people seem to think differently, Twitter is a publicsocial media platform. The singer responded by stating, “Y’all really need to touch grass… I’m not trying to BE fat. I’m not trying to BE smaller. I’m literally just trying to live and be healthy. This is what my body looks like even when I’m eating super clean and working out! Y’all speak on shit y’all know NOTHING ABOUT and I’m starting to get heated.” While her statement was perfect, it’s annoying she still has to comment on this kind of awful behavior at all.

Lizzo went on to state, “ALSO: to the people who haven’t had an original thought or fresh air in years… BEING FAT ISN’T MY ‘BRAND.’ BEING FAT MY BODY LOOKS [LIKE]. THAT’S IT. THAT’S ALL. My ‘brand’ is FEEL GOOD MUSIC. My ‘brand’ is CHAMPIONING ALL PEOPLE. My ‘brand’ is BLACK GIRL LIBERATION.” Once again, an incredible statement by Lizzo that we wish she didn’t have to make.

Recent hateful comments about her body have also made Lizzo speak up about her hesitancy to continue in the music industry. The singer stated, “Y’all don’t know how close I be to giving up on everyone and quitting and enjoying my money and my man on a FUCKING FARM…” While we’d be devastated to see her go, we can’t blame her for wanting a more quiet life away from people who feel that they have the right to comment on another person’s body.

Thankfully, many fans have come to Lizzo’s defense. With one fan tweeting, “It’s ridiculous that Lizzo has to login everyday and see think pieces about her body. She’s performing a sold out tour, serving face, on a tv show every other night. Instead of talking about her success, people are constantly trying to steal her light.”

Another fan summed up this issue perfectly, stating, “I wish y’all would just be honest and say what really bothers y’all about Lizzo. She makes you feel bad because you’ve lived your whole life attaching yourself worth to thinness and to see her live bold and talented in a big Black body bothers you.”

While we hope Lizzo doesn’t quit music, we also fully support the icon in whatever decision will lead her to the happiest life. After all the joy she’s created for us, she deserves to feel the same joy in return!

Top photo: Screen grab from Lizzo – Tina Turner Tribute & Like a Girl – Phoenix, AZ 5/24 from Garrett Harer on YouTube

According to Good Morning America, HBO has confirmed that Samantha Jones will indeed be featured in the second season of And Just Like That…. In the beginning of season one, we learned that Samantha Jones moved to London to continue her career as a publicist. We also found out that Samantha and Carrie had a falling out.

“I told her because of what the book business is now, it just didn’t make sense for me to keep her on as a publicist. She said fine. Then she fired me as a friend,” said Carrie in an episode to explain the character’s absence. The spin-off series has received mixed reviews, but no matter how nostalgic it is to get the gang back together, it just isn’t the same without the show’s (arguably) most beloved character.

At the end of season one, Carrie was in Paris and we see her having a text conversation with Samantha. “Want to talk?,” Carrie texted Samantha. “Soon,” she responded. Carrie then went on to ask if the following night would work to meet for a cocktail and reconnect.

However, it seems like they won’t be meeting for that drink after all, they will reconnect via a telephone call. According to Variety, Kim will “appear in one scene” that she filmed in March without speaking to any of her former co-stars, including Sarah Jessica Parker. Variety states that Sex and the City costume designer Patricia Field styled Samantha for the scene, and we cannot wait to see how incredible she looks in her new life.

While we’re bummed we won’t get to see the gang back together on our screens, we’re happy enough that the Sex and the City universe will once again be complete, even if it’s just for a minute!

PS: If you’re missing Kim Cattrall like we are, check out this unforgettable vintage video of her scatting over the upright bass:

Top photo: Canadian Film Centre from Toronto, Canada, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Eilish isn’t happy with the comments she’s receiving as she transitions from her baggy t-shirts and basketball shorts to a more feminine-punk style. Eilish began the clapbacks in a series of Instagram stories by stating the following: “I spent the first 5 years of my career getting absolutely OBLITERATED by you fools for being boy ish and dressing how i did & constantly being told i’d be hotter if i acted like a woman.” She calls out those accusing her of being a “sellout” for her change of style, calling them “bozos”.

Billie via her Instagram story! pic.twitter.com/n62AQyr8ar

— Billie Eilish Tours (@billieeilishtrs) May 27, 2023

The Grammy-winning singer has openly expressed the reasons as to why she selects certain aesthetics. In a 2019 Calvin Klein campaign, she explains that she donned her old baggy style to avoid comments and attention about her body, “I never want the world to know everything about me. I mean that’s why I wear big, baggy clothes. Nobody can have an opinion because they haven’t seen what’s underneath.”

But as Eilish spiced up her style, hate still came into her life. Just one year after the Calvin Klein ad, paparazzi captured the singer in a more form-fitting (yet comfy) outfit that revealed her figure. This resulted in an abundance of sexualized commentary about her body, and Eilish responded to them by reposting on her Instagram a TikTok by Chizi Duru in which the blogger asks for society to normalize real bodies, “Guts are normal; they’re normal. Boobs sag, especially after breastfeeding. Instagram isn’t real.” And this is only one of the many times that Eilish had to defend herself and stand her ground.

That same year, the “Bad Guy” singer posted a short film titled “NOT MY RESPONSIBILITY” which she also utilized to kick-off her shows during her 2020 Where Do We Go World Tour. The empowering video shows Eilish removing her staple oversized zip-up to reveal her figure, saying “We make assumptions about people based on their size. We decide who they are. We decide what they’re worth.”

She ends the video with a series of rhetorical questions, asking “If I wear more, if I wear less, who decides what that makes me? What that means? Is my value based only on your perception? Or is your opinion of me not my responsibility?” This eloquent short-film transcended Eilish further into her search for authenticity and expression through her fashion.

But calling the critics a bunch of “bozos” wasn’t all that the singer wanted (and needed) to say. Eilish continued on to give us a little “fun fact” saying, “did you know that women are multifaceted!!!!!??? shocking right?? believe it or not women could be interested in multiple things.” Say it louder for the people in the back, girlfriend!

Stating that femininity doesn’t equal weakness, Eilish voiced her opinion of self-expression, “totally unheard of and insane to want to express yourself differently at different times.” If Billie wants to wear an oversized tee, then let her. If she wants to wear a dress, then let her. She can rock it all, and that doesn’t make her a “sellout.”

We’ve seen Billie transcend many different styles over the years, from her neon-green hair roots to her iconic blonde girl era and to many, many more – her self-expression through her looks is one-of-a-kind (and never a miss). And while it may be draining to do this repeatedly, we are proud to see Billie dismissing the haters and setting her boundaries. Needless to say, she slays in anything she wears.

Top image: Screen grab from “Billie Eilish – NOT MY RESPONSIBILITY” on YouTube

Never Have I Ever Season 4 – Available June 8

Netflix’s most popular coming-of-age series is set for its fourth and final season starting June 8. Follow Devi (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) around for the last time as she navigates through her confusing, sometimes cringe, but heartstopping moments in Mindy Kaling’s fan-favorite high school rom-com.

Amy Schumer: Emergency Contact – Available June 13

The Emmy award-winning comedian returns on June 13 with a new stand-up special coming to Netflix. Schumer intends on getting real about life after 40 which includes postpartum sex, secret insecurities, and discovering her “widow’s hump.” The self-produced show marks the third Netflix special under Schumer’s belt and is a highly anticipated act from one of Hollywood’s most unhinged icons.

Black Mirror Season 6 – Available June 15

Be prepared to escape reality on June 15 as Black Mirror finally releases its newest season exclusively on Netflix. This must-watch consists of five new psyche-thrilling adventures. Even creator Charlie Brooker said he “surprised himself” this time around. With a show full of recognizable talents including Salma Hayek, Ben Barnes, and even Michael Cera, Season 6 is sure to not disappoint.

Grown-ish Season 6 – Available June 28

Hulu’s Emmy-nominated spinoff is also set for part one of its final season to air on Freeform and Hulu on June 28. The college-based comedy will pick back up on the Cal U crew including Zoey (Yara Shahidi) and the rest of the Johnson family as they explore the pillars of every good tv show — sex, drugs, and long-distance relationships.

And Just Like That… Season 2 – Available June 22

HBO’s exclusive sequel featuring the iconic Sex and The City gals is back for another season (and still without our queen Samantha). Much like the original, the show still follows Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte through their lives as high-powered women in their 50s living in a Gen-Z-coded Manhattan. Tune in for new flings and lots of fashion inspo with another juicy season of And Just Like That… premiering on Max.

Check out a full list of what’s coming to Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and other streaming services all this June.

Top photo by Never Have I Ever on Netflix.

In real life, Catherine the Great was born Princess Sophie of Prussia in 1729 and managed to eventually steal the throne, becoming the longest-ruling empress of an entirely different country to which she had no actual claim. Hulu’s The Great toys with the historical details of this incredible tale, but there are a few things they pull straight from the history books. Here are five fascinating facts about Catherine the Great that The Great gets right:

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She really did stage a coup and usurp her husband’s throne.

The real Catherine the Great did indeed successfully stage a bloodless coup and steal the throne from her husband Peter III. This is the major plotline of The Great’s first season, where the audience watches Catherine realize her husband is a certified idiot, and that she is much better suited as leader of Russia.

In real life, Peter III held his seat as Emperor for only six months before abdicating the throne to Catherine. Peter suspiciously died in jail eight days after the coup due to what was ruled a “hemorrhoidal colic,” but his sudden death birthed rumors of assassination. There is no proof Catherine knew about any plot to murder the former emperor.

Catherine the Great was known for her dedication to the arts, sciences, and philosophy.

The real empress’ own art collection was so expansive that it eventually became what is now the second largest art museum in the world, the State Hermitage Museum. During her reign, Catherine also commissioned many artistic and cultural projects, campaigned for a new and improved education system, and even kept in touch with the famous philosopher Voltaire. She also founded elementary schools, libraries, and other educational institutions. She was known at the time and remembered by historians as an enlightened leader.

The Great uses this fact often, as we see Fanning’s Catherine meeting resistance from nobles and advisors over her progressive ideals—especially her plans to abolish serfdom.

She inoculated herself with smallpox and encouraged the Russian people to do the same

Catherine was known to be an early proponent of inoculation against smallpox, just like viewers see in episode seven of the first season of The Great.

The real empress and her son were some of the first people in Russia to be inoculated against the disease, which involved making an incision on the arm and placing small amounts of smallpox pustules into the open wound. This exposes the person to the virus so their bodies can fight it off later. Her willingness to undergo the inoculation before the public was respected by many and likely inspired more Russians to get themselves inoculated, too.

Catherine the Great by Fedor Rokotov via Wikimedia Commons

There really was a rumor about her and a *ahem* horse, but it wasn’t quite how the show made it look.

Much like today, slut shaming was many peoples’ weapon of choice when attempting to discredit a powerful woman in the 18th century, and Catherine the Great was not immune. This was made even more complicated by the fact that Catherine, like just about every male ruler known in human history, was known for the many lovers she had throughout her life.

While there were tons of rumors about her sexual life throughout her reign, the one most prominently featured in The Great is the rumor that she had sex with a horse. We see Elle Fanning’s Catherine begrudgingly deal with this gossip during her efforts to seize the throne.

The real-life version of this rumor is that this sex act actually was the cause of her death, but it is just that: a rumor and an attempt to discredit the legacy of a formidable and influential woman. In actuality, Catherine died from a stroke in 1796.

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She kind of invented the roller coaster?

In season two of The Great, Catherine hosts a science competition to symbolically and literally bring innovation and modernity to Russia. An early version of a roller coaster is presented during the competition, which resonates with the true origin story of the now popular amusement park ride.

In 18th century Russia, large ice slides that people would ride down in sleds were a major attraction. In 1784, the real Catherine the Great decided to build a wooden track with grooves and carts with fitted wheels, thus making the roller coaster possible without the icy Russian winter. She even had one built at her summer palace.

Catherine the Great lived a life larger than fiction. As one of history’s greatest rulers, and the longest-ruling empress of Russia, she is largely responsible for solidifying her country as a major, modern world power. Hulu’s The Great authentically captures all the grandeur of Catherine’s story with a modern twist. All seasons—including season three—are out now on Hulu! Huzzah!

Top Image Christopher Raphael/HULU

H.E.R

Grammy-award winner H.E.R aka Gabriella Samiento Wilson started her musical career incredibly young. The multi-instrumentalist was only 10 years old when she performed live on the Today show, playing the piano and singing Alicia Keys’ If I Ain’t Got You, demonstrating her rich vocal chops and setting the stage for what would later become a full-fledged musical career.

H.E.R is a Black and Filipina American, who was recently on the cover of Vogue Philippines, talking about her family’s history, favorite Filipino foods, and how she tries to connect to her culture in unique ways. While reprising the role of Belle for the live-taped performance of Beauty and the Beast (alongside Josh Groban and Rita Moreno) she paid tribute to her Filipino heritage by having an artist write out the name “Belle” on her costume, using the Filipino pre-colonial writing system called Baybayin.

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Japanese Breakfast

Indie-pop sensation Michelle Zauner, aka Japanese Breakfast, took the music world by storm with the release of her debut studio album Psychopomp. The Korean-American artist has not only gained critical acclaim for her music (she won Record of the Year at last year’s Libera Awards for Jubilee), she also penned the #1 New York Times Bestseller memoir Crying in H Mart, chronicling her experiences growing up in a Korean-American household, the death of her mother and the “reckoning with her identity that brought her to reclaim the gifts of taste, language, and history her mother had given her.” The incredible dream-pop artist is going on tour this summer, so check out her website to see if she’s performing near you!

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Olivia Rodrigo

Disney-darling and queen of teenage angst, Olivia Rodrigo, has made herself a household name over the past few years. The Filipina-American musician has won over 60 awards across the country for her music and is only just beginning. Her debut album Sour is the longest-running debut album in the Billboard 200 Top 10 in this century! Not only is she a songwriting prodigy, she’s also an inspiration for other young Asian American girls looking for more representation in their media. “I sometimes get DMs from little girls being like, ‘I’ve never seen someone who looked like me in your position,'” Rodrigo shared in an interview with VMagazine “And I’m literally going to cry, like just thinking about it. I feel like I grew up never seeing that.”

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Hoku

Hoku, born Hoku Christian Ho, is the soundtrack of every 2000s girl’s stroll down memory lane. The Native Hawaiian pop singer was responsible for some of the era’s most persistent ear-worms including her debut single, Another Dumb Blonde, that was released in 2000 and was the theme song to the Snow Day.

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Hoku’s most iconic tune Perfect Day was the introduction song on Legally Blonde, it was the background to Elle Woods getting ready, the start of one of the most important films in cinematic history. While her singing career was short lived, her impact lives on!

Jay Som

Bedroom-pop baby Melina Mae Cortez Duterte aka Jay Som rose from her DIY roots into stardom after the release of Everybody Works in 2017. The daughter of Filipino immigrants, Jay Som cites her culture and family history as an influence on her music. “I am Filipino-American, both of my parents moved from the Philippines to live here. I grew up in a very obviously Filipino household with those cultural customs because my mom is just like that,” she told She Shreds, “I was supportive because I knew they understood their position in the US, like everything wasn’t going to be handed to them, they knew they had to work hard and they did work very hard when I was growing up. At a young age I really understood that, it definitely tied into my views of music.” Jay Som’s dreamy vocals are always backed by a dreamy mix of electric and slide guitarlayerd with other sparse elements that create her addicting cinematic soundscapes.

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Raja Kumari

Raja Kumari, born Svetha Yallapragada Rao, is an Indian-American rapper and classical dancer, trained in Kuchipudi, Kathak, and Bharatanatyam styles. After discovering the Fugees’ album The Score in fifth grade, the world of hip hop opened up to her. By the age of 14, she was a recognized freestyle MC and has blossomed an incredible career in the years since. She has collaborated with musicians such as Fall Out Boy, T.I., Gwen Stefani, Fifth Harmony as well as solo career. In 2020, her single Attention Everybody was released, where she performs in her native language, Telugu. And if that wasn’t incredible enough, last year she started her own independent record label, Godmother Records.

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Karen O

It’s hard to get more iconic than Karen O, the Korean-American lead vocalists of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Born in Seoul, Karen O moved to New Jersey and later attended Oberlin College and NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she and her future bandmates formed the band that would go on to be colleagues with legends such as The Strokes, The White Stripes, and other aughts garage/post-punk revivalists. With hits from every album including Heads Will Roll, Maps, Gold Lion and Date With the Night, Karen O is responsible for some of the era’s most memorable tunes.

While interviewing Japanese Breakfast for Interview Magazine, Karen O stated, “There was no one out there I could relate to in that specific way. There were definitely a few mega inspirations and influences, and I was trying to think of some who aren’t white, because the entertainment and music industry is highly populated by white folks. I remember seeing Kazu Makino, from Blonde Redhead perform, just whipping herself across the stage, and I felt this envy, like, ‘Man, I want to be able to do that.’ There were no Korean or Korean-American rockers I could turn to, but there were a few Japanese girls, like in Cibo Matto, that were pretty awesome. But what really drove me towards music was the misfit mentality.”

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Hayley Kiyoko

Lesbian queen Hayley Kiyoko, started her career off strong– with pop-star Vitamin C asking her to join an all-girls singing group, The Stunners. That band created a number of songs, including Let’s Hear it for the Boy which was featured on the iCarly soundtrack. After an impressive stint in acting, the Japanese-American singer released her debut EP A Belle to Remember, kicking off her solo musical career. Hit singles including Girls Like Girls, Demons, Cherry, and What I Need has cemented her role as a pop star.

“Growing up biracial — my mom’s Japanese Canadian and my dad’s Caucasian — it took a long time for me to really connect and embrace my Asian heritage,” Kiyoko told PEOPLE. “I was never white enough, I was never Asian enough, but I also was never straight enough. For most of my adolescence, my sexuality kind of took over my struggle with fitting into society, and then as I was able to learn and accept myself, later in life, I started to unpack my culture and my roots.”

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Raveena

The hypnotizing Raveena released her second album Asha’s Awakening last year, a concept album from the perspective of a Punjabi space princess. The album received a lot of critical and mass acclaim– with Eric Torres from Pitchfork describing her sound as “like slipping beneath a down blanket at the end of the night.” Raveena’s parents are Indian Punjabi immigrants who moved to Connecticut to raise their family. Raveena’s ethereal vocals are so stunningly crisp, her recordings sound like they’re being played right in the room with you. Just last year, she became the first Indian woman to play at Coachella, stating “absolutely nuts that it took that long for an Indian to be invited to play there.”

“I hope I can push the ways in which South Asian artists are received in the West,” said Reveena in an interview with SheThePeople. “ We are sensual, beautiful, and talented and have so much to offer in high art spaces. Our art is truly magnificent and so many of us need more chances to shine on the world stage. I hope I can be a small part of that eventual cultural shift.”

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Mitski

Mitski Miyawaki, known by her mononym Mitski, is a Japanese and American singer-songwriter that has climbed the ranks in the last decade. After releasing her first two albums while studying at the SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music, she graduated, moved to the city and released her third album Bury Me at Makeout Creek on Double Double Whammy records in 2014. That album, and the next album Puberty 2, garnered critical acclaim from around the world. Just last year she won “Best Live Performer” at the AIM Independent Music Awards. While talking to Dead Oceans, she reflected on feeling “half Japanese, half American but not fully either” – an idea she confronts on the clever ‘Your Best American Girl’ – a super-sized punk-rock hit created to deconstruct and poke fun at that genre’s surplus of white males. “I wanted to use those white-American-guy stereotypes as a Japanese girl who can’t fit in, who can never be an American girl,” she explained.

Stream These and Other Incredible Asian and Pacific Islander Musicians Below

Top photo:Ebru Yildiz via Pitch Perfect PR

But it wouldn’t be a celebrity tell-all without a bit of drama. According to Page Six, production of the book has been put on hold indefinitely. Some of the more raw stories might paint certain A-list celebrities in an unflattering light, which has caused them to send “strongly worded legal letters” to the book’s publisher, Simon & Schuster.

“Britney is brutally honest in the book — there are a lot of nervous A-listers,” a source told the US Sun reporters. “There’s a fair amount of throwing people under the bus, [as well as] talking about past relationships, some of whom will be revealed for the first time ever.”

We can already think of several individuals who would object to a Britney Spears tell-all. First and foremost, The entire Spears family. Perhaps Justin Timberlake, Kevin Federline, Christina Agulera, P!nk, Colin Ferrel and plenty of other notable names would also be vehemently opposed to a Britney-lead exposé.

However, last week, Britney shared that she has reunited with her mother after three years, and that they have begun to make things right.

“My sweet mama showed up at my door step yesterday after 3 years … it’s been such a long time … with family there’s always things that need to be worked out … but time heals all wounds !!! And after being able to communicate what I’ve held in for an extremely long time, I feel so blessed we were able to try to make things RIGHT !!! I love you so much !!! Psss… I’m so blessed we can have coffee together after 14 years !!! Let’s go shopping afterwards !!!”

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We’ve been following Britney’s journey for years, and look forward to learning the perspective that’s been hidden for years— her own. Maybe this part of her new journey will be the happy ending for the book, and for the singer herself.

“Britney wants this to be her moment to set the record straight,” the source shared.

The original release date was supposed to be this past February, but the legal letters, amongst other delays, have pushed the release date back to the Fall of this year. Regardless of when it will be released, I think it’s safe to say the world is ready to hear Britney’s side of the story.

Top Image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rhysadams/, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Swift made the announcement on her official Twitter page on May, 24th. In just over 24 hours, the post had nearly 60 million views. This is one of the many recent developments for Swift, who is currently on the road for massively popular eras tour, and planning to release a re-recorded version of her earlier album Speak Now on June 7th. But there’s a huge elephant in the room; Taylor Swift’s alleged new beau, Matt Healy has had a nasty track record of problematic offenses, including a situation regarding some disparaging things said about Ice Spice. And many are starting to speculate that Swift’s cacophonous collaboration with the rapper is a performative attempt at damage control.

Matt Healy is the lead singer for the popular indie group The 1975. If you were on Tumblr circa 2014, then you’re probably familiar with the band, as they were a pinnacle in the soft grunge/post-hipster aesthetic that was popular at the time. And now many are speculating that he and Swift are an item. Although the two haven’t outright confirmed their relationship, both have made appearances on each other’s tours, with Taylor appearing onstage at the 1975’s UK tour this January.

But Healy has been in hot water for numerous problematic comments over the years, and his podcast appearance on the Adam Friedland Show this past January definitely didn’t do any favors for his already questionable public image. The contents of the episode became the subject of some murky controversy that is only now reentering the pop culture stratosphere as a result of Swift’s collaboration with the Ice Spice as well as Swift’s budding potential relationship with Healy.

The remarks made were so offensive, that both Apple and Spotify pulled the episode from their platforms. When discussing Healy’s attempt to “slide into the DMs” of rapper Ice Spice, hosts Adam and Nick stated that she “sounded like a chubby Chinese lady” and an “Inuit Spice Girl.” whilst simultaneously mocking Asian accents.

Healy even made a half-hearted public apology to the rapper earlier this year while on stage performing with the 1975 for their tour, where he stated that he was “kind of a bit sorry if i offended you”.

The Internet has been clamoring over the podcast appearance for months, but could the controversy merely be a result of misinformation? The comments are undoubtedly explicitly racist. All members of the podcast, ironically are not, are punching down; using their platform to spread derogatory remarks about people of color. That being said, there’s quite a bit of controversy surrounding not only what was said, but who said it. When listening to the episode (which is still available on Youtube), it’s apparent that the tasteless and racially motivated comments regarding Ice Spice weren’t actually made by Healy. Although he did find it humorous — and enthusiastically participated in the conversation — the most offensive parts of the show were spearheaded by the hosts, Nick Mullen and Adam Friedland. The hosts of the show thrive on the use of “ironic offensiveness,” which many have argued contributes to the same problematic behaviors they are aiming to criticize.

It’s also pretty par for the course. The Adam Friedland Show thrives off of its association with the “dirtbag left” socio-political movement. People have criticized the show extensively; there are even petitions to get the show removed. It’s full of vapid lowbrow half-attempts at sophomoric comedy, which is unsurprising, considering the fact that the show was originally called “C**Town”. The most liked comment on the episode featuring Matt Healy reads: “This is one of the tamest episodes of [this podcast].” which is saying quite a lot, since the episode also contained references to Japanese concentration camps and hardcore torture porn (which Healy admitted to watching, and describes the girls as “getting absolutely brutalized”). As a result, many people are questioning Healy’s association with the podcast, and ergo, Swift’s association with Healy. And in light of this new, seemingly random collaboration with Ice Spice many are starting to re-evaluate the authenticity of Swift’s activism, since she’s never once collaborated with a woman of color.

Although there is merit to the level of cultural insensitivity and brash vulgarity displayed by both parties, to vilify Healy, and thus Swift for this would be misguided. It would be much more apt to do so for the problematic things Healy has actually said, because this certainly isn’t the first time he’s been under fire for his offensive comments. In 2019, he faced an outpour of backlash for the islamophobic and anti-theistic rhetoric he voiced in an interview for Brut, where he states: “You can’t criticize Islam as a set of ideas… because you’re inherently criticizing people. But that’s a problem with society because Islamophobia does exist, people are bigoted. But what that really is is thick, bigoted people not liking brown people. Whereas I love people, I love brown people. I just don’t know when I’m allowed to be offended. Religious people are always allowed to be offended…”

Although it’s not Swift’s responsibility to account for a man’s disparaging comments, many are still dubious about what this could all mean for her fanbase. Many Swifties are finding it hard to believe that Swift is associating with Healy at all, much less dating him. Others are speculating that Swift is using Ice Spice for what might be a transparent attempt at damage control. Regardless of if it’s a PR stunt or not, the unexpected collaboration is on everyone’s mind.

And since this Ice Spice-Taylor Swift collab has only been out for a day, it’ll be interesting to see how this Healy-Spice-Swift drama will all unfold.

First, it’s been revealed who will be featured on the films’ soundtrack. And the star-studded list of contributing musicians has made us even more certain that Barbie will deliver. Some of the artists listed include Charli XCX, Haim, Lizzo, PinkPantheress, and Tame Impala. You can pre-order the album (along with 8 options of colored vinyl!) here.

Dua Lipa also dropped the first single from the Barbie soundtrack on Thursday, which coincided with the film’s first full length trailer. The tune, “Dance the Night” is sparkly and upbeat, which perfectly matches the aesthetic of the trailer. The song also came with an accompanying music video, which features Dua Lipa and her dancers dressed as disco balls. There was even an appearance by the film’s director, Greta Gerwig.

Rappers Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice are set to join forces with 90s hyperpop group Aqua to put their own spin on the iconic (and aptly named) song “Barbie Girl.” Given how legendary the duo’s last collab was on “Princess Diana (Remix),” we’re sure their take on “Barbie Girl” will quickly become the song of the summer. Not to mention, Mattel originally sued Aqua (and lost) for “Barbie Girl” when it originally came out in 1997. so the fact that Aqua is now returning on the official Barbie soundtrack is pretty iconic in it’s own right

The new trailer proves that we’re in for a fun, fabulous, and potentially existential ride with Barbie. The film is inspired by the journey girls go through once they hit adolescence; Margot Robbie, who plays the titular doll, stated, “They’re funny and brash and confident, and then they just—stop. All of a sudden, she thinks, ‘Oh, I’m not good enough’.”

Barbie has been the center of myriad feminist debates since her debut in 1959. While some see Barbie as a feminist icon given her design as a woman who can do any profession she imagines (from astronaut to President), others see her as a contribution to a harmful beauty standard. It appears that Barbie is ready to address both sides of this debate, all while providing us with plenty of outrageous and heartfelt moments (and Ryan Gosling as Ken) along the way.

The powerful film, directed by David Greenwald, focuses on the story of five incredibly talented high school girls from Herat, Afghanistan who prove that working hard is sometimes not enough for women in a country where men dictate the rules. Courage, ambition, and optimism for the future of Afghanistan helped to encourage Fatemah Qaderyan, Lida Azizi, Somaya Faruqi, Kawsar Roshan, and Saghar Salehi into becoming the most famous all-girls robotics team.

The story of The Dreamers began five years ago at Mehri Herawi High School in Herat. The girls realized their passion for science and technology, and after becoming finalists in a province-wide exam, the Afghan Girls Robotics Team was born.

After getting their Visas denied twice with Donald Trump spewing his executive action on new measures to “keep radical Islamic terrorists out of the United States”, the team’s persistence gained the attention of the entire world.

“We’re not terrorists who Americans should be afraid of,” Fatemah said. “We just want to show our abilities.”

Eventually, they boarded a plane heading to the States to participate in their first overseas competition. The doors to opportunity were held wide open for them after that. They had become the faces of resilience after their Visa battle and proved to the world how talented they are by winning silver at their first international robotics competition. Over 500 girls in Afghanistan signed up to join the robotics team after their return.

Their new fame gained the team invitations to compete in many other countries including Mexico and Dubai. During competitions, they created prototypes of robots that could pick up plastic colored balls to represent cleaning debris from the ocean and met tons of influential icons, including Anousheh Ansar, the first Muslim woman to visit outer space. However, the girls and their families worried more about their safety back home.

“It’s important to remember that when these girls were born, women were not allowed to get an education in Afghanistan,” said former California Representative Susan Davis.

The majority of Afghanistan citizens still hold onto preconceived notions about women and their role in society which offered some cruel and upsetting feedback that these teenage girls had to endure. With fear, doubt, and grief surrounding their everyday lives, The Dreamers continued to pursue their goal of creating a better future for their country through the power of technology.

However, Taliban supporters were definitely not rooting for these women in S.T.E.M. no matter how gifted or hardworking they proved to be. After they reclaimed Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban ended up banning girls over the age of 12 from going to school, erasing almost 20 years of progress toward women’s rights in an instant.

The film provides a visceral feeling of watching a hopeful generation starting to grow in a developing nation before chaos completely shatters their dreams.

The Islamic fundamentalist group seized control over the Afghan military and deemed The Dreamers as infidels. They decided the girls should be killed and have been searching for each of them. As a result, the girls were forced to escape their homes and live abroad with their locations undisclosed to protect their safety.

“We know things are difficult. Don’t lose hope. We’ll raise our voices on your behalf, and fight for your freedom” is the last message The Dreamers sent out for all of the girls and women that are currently living under Taliban rule in Afghanistan. Even though the documentary does not offer a traditional happy ending, the journey of The Afghan Girls Robotics Team should be shared everywhere in order to emphasize courage among all women and shine a hopeful light on the next generation in Afghanistan.

On Wednesday, May 24th, Turner’s official Instagram page announced her death with a tribute post, stating the following, “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tina Turner. With her music and her boundless passion for life, she enchanted millions of fans around the world and inspired the stars of tomorrow. Today we say goodbye to a dear friend who leaves us all her greatest work: her music. All our heartfelt compassion goes out to her family. Tina, we will miss you dearly.”

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The two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and 12-time Grammy winning artist passed away peacefully in her home near Zurich, Switzerland after publicly battling several health issues, including intestinal cancer, a stroke, and kidney failure.

Born Anna Mae Bullock in Nutbush, Tennessee in 1939 to a poor family, her parents split and she was raised by her grandmother. Turner spent her teenage years immersing herself in the music scene, mainly performing at Club Manhattan, where she eventually met Ike Turner in the 50s. Together, they became known as the Ike and Tina Turner Revue, performing together for nearly 15 years and achieving great hits such as “River Deep – Mountain High” and “Proud Mary.” In 1969, they also toured as the opening act for The Rolling Stones. The couple got married in 1962, but the relationship was tumultuous, leading to Turner slowly building her solo career after she disbanded in 1976 from Ike’s constant, violent abuse. This inspired her iconic comeback during the 80s with the release of her album Private Dancer, exploding her back into the music industry with hits like “What’s Love Got to Do with It.”

Turner embarked on her solo journey during the late 70s amidst the sexist and racist industry that she was determined to prove wrong. She was the first female black artist to be on the cover of Rolling Stones and in 1975, she played the role of “Acid Queen” in the award winning musical film Tommy. In 1981, an interview with People Magazine marked the first time Turner ever openly discussed her abusive relationship with Ike Turner.

In 1986, Turner published the powerful autobiography, I, Tina, where she extensively described the abuse she suffered during her 16-year marriage with Ike. Since then, Turner not only became one of the most valued musicians of her time, but she also created a much-needed platform for saving survivors of domestic abuse.

Over the years, Turner had been candid about her battle with mental health issues, which included a suicide attempt in 1968. She was also transparent about her struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the abusive marriage. In recent years, along with her health issues, she hd faced even more tragedy, including the deaths of two of her four sons in 2018 and 2022. In 2021, Turner bid her final farewell to her fans with the release of HBO’s documentary TINA, where she vulnerably explores her life, recounting her harrowing past, and entering a more quiet chapter of her life.

With her strong voice and fierce attitude, Turner created a long-lasting legacy for herself as a musical heroine, winning awards like the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a Guinness World Record Award for the largest paying audience during her 1988 tour. Turner has inspired millions through her extravagant life and numerous talents, and she will forever be recognized as one of the world’s most loved and cherished musicians. To honor and remember her legendary reputation and vitality, here are ten of our favorite Tina Turner songs to play on repeat to bid her a loving farewell.

“All I Can Do Is Cry”

“Proud Mary”

“Private Dancer”

“What’s Love Got to Do with It”

“We Don’t Need Another Hero”

“Typical Male”

“The Best”

“I Don’t Wanna Lose You”

“I Don’t Wanna Fight”

“It’s Only Rock ‘N’ Roll (But I Like It)” feat. Lisa Fischer

No one can deny that Tina Turner established one of the most powerful and inspiring legacies in not only the music industry, but across the world. It’s hard to say goodbye to the “Queen of Rock n’ Roll”, but her music and story will further live on as we cherish all of her accomplishments.

She Altered The State of Pop Music With Her 1981 Album, Nightclubbing.

Nightclubbing was one of those rare albums that defined an era.Its addictiv melodies and avant-garde visuals were unlike anything  that had ever been seen before. Pitchfork stated that Nightclubbing is “a record that further cemented her iconic status in pop culture.” And we have to agree. Jones is still active in the music scene; in fact, she was included as a feature on Beyoncé’s song “MOVE” for her 2022 album Renaissance.

Her Subversive and Androgynous Style

Grace Jones is much more than an incredible performer, she’s also a style icon. In fact, She influenced the cross-dressing movement of the 1980s. As stated by The New York Times, “her predatory, androgynous style subverted notions of race and gender.” This couldn’t be more true. Some of her most iconic looks include a blue and red jumpsuit (with matching red glasses of course) which she wore to a book release party for Madonna in 1992, and a bustier made to look like a woman’s chest which she wore at a performance in Amsterdam in 1981. Many of your favorite stars such as Lady Gaga and Rihanna have also been influenced by Jones’ unique and trendsetting style.

#OTD Grace Jones (May 19, 1948) Jamaican-American model, singer/songwriter, producer, actress. Jones influenced the cross-dressing movement of the 1980s & has been an inspiration for many artists including Annie Lennox, Lady Gaga, Rihanna & Solange.

Sexuality#History pic.twitter.com/5mdLekaKJO

— Jazz the Professor (@LikeButta3) May 19, 2023

She Had her Own Exhibit at the Museum of African Diaspora in San Francisco

The exhibit in question was titled The Grace Jones Project, and it ran from April to September. The Grace Jones Project was “a collection of more than 20 contemporary artworks interspersed with vintage album covers, videos of her performances, and wall text detailing Jones’s global influence.” The exhibit also showcased work by artists who had been influenced by Jones over the years. Most of the art pieces dealt with the themes of Black identity, queerness, and how these idnetities intersect with art and self expression. 

She’s a Knight

It’s true! Jones has obtained Knighthood status via the Order of Jamaica. Not only this, but she received the honor in style. As stated in an article written about the event, “As she glided up to the platform where Governor General Sir Patrick Allen stood waiting for her, her wide brimmed hat and A-shaped dress stood out.” Iconic.

happy 75th birthday to the iconic Grace Jones, who i just found out has knighthood with the Order of Jamaica. i see you, sista secret agent, i see you. pic.twitter.com/IEq33rBFnG

— upfromsumdirt (@upfromsumdirt) May 19, 2023

She’s Served as Inspiration for Multiple Superheroes

It’s been rumored that the creator of the X-Men character Rogue asked an illustrator to design the heroine in Jones’ likeness. Unfortunately, the illustrator then just drew a white character with a flattop. *Sigh*. That being said, apparently the first iterations of the X Men character Dazzler also had some character design inspo from Jones. 

Wow, Grace Jones really inspired a lot of comic book artists. https://t.co/Zwxa3wISDJ https://t.co/Sz64IhU4au pic.twitter.com/8jOttFEJZH

— Craig Seymour, Black gay music critic (@craigspoplife) May 11, 2023

She’s Always Taken a Progressive Stance on Gender Expression 

In a 1984 interview with Interview Magazine, Jones stated “The future is no sex. You can be a boy, a girl, whatever you want.” The quote was in reference to the fact that she often presents in an androgynous fashion. This also wasn’t the only time Jones commented on gender issues and gender fluidity, in a 2018 interview with W Magazine, Jones stated “I think the men that embrace their female side are the stronger men.” Clearly, Jones has been progressive and open-minded on gender for years now (and continues to be) which we love to see.

“The future is no sex. You can be a boy, a girl, whatever you want.”

Grace Jones, 1984 im „Interview Magazine“ pic.twitter.com/XIdPuLEFTv

— Rolf Saxer (@rolf_saxer) May 11, 2023

Her Hula-Hooping Act She Does at Her Shows

One thing Grace Jones has never been not, is boring. Ever. At her headlining performance for 2015’s Afropunk, Jones appeared on stage donning a tribal print that was designed for her by artist Keith Haring. During her grand finale, Jones performed her song, “Slave to the Rhythm” while both topless and hula-hooping. It was truly a sight to behold. Performers take note: there is no excuse for a boring performance, especially when Grace Jones literally hula-hooped for over three minutes straight while singing! (AND she does this at many of her shows!)

Grace Jones has truly had a legendary first 75 years. We’re wishing her a very happy birthday, and we can’t wait to see what she has in store for the future!

Top photo credit: Gary Friedman, Los Angeles Times, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Tiktok sensation and everyone’s favorite Indian auntie Zarna Garg’s first ever hour-long special, was just released on May 16 through Amazon Prime. In the special, titled Zarna Garg: One in a Billion, she discusses topics like  motherhood, the life of an immigrant, and how being one in a million isn’t all that special when you’re from a country with a population of over one billion.  

@zarnagarg IT’S LIVE!!!!! Please take a moment to watch the special in full, and leave an honest review on IMBD! It would really mean the world to me! I think you’ll definitely enjoy the special, so share with everybody you know! Can’t wait for you to see it!!! #zarna #zarnagarg #indianlife #india #comedy #jokes #family #kids #womenincomedy #browncomedy #aapi #aapiheritagemonth #mothersday #mothersday2023 #standupcomedy ♬ original sound – Zarnagarg

 Zarna Garg’s path to stardom seems like it was right out of a fairy tale. The quippy comic moved from the Indian city of Mumbai to the suburban American city of Akron, Ohio. Garg made the life-changing move as a teenager in an effort to avoid an arranged marriage, which was organized by her father after her mother’s death. Her life and career developed somewhat traditionally; she went to undergrad at the University of Akron, then law school, and became a lawyer. She met her husband through a personal ad she published, had three children, and soon became a stay-at-home mother. Despite having her life path pretty much laid out for her, raising children and living in New York, fate had its own plans. 

@primevideo She’s got a point, though #ZarnaGarg #OneInABillion #PrimeVideo #OneInABillionPV #HotTakesOnly #apahm #apahm23pv #apahmpv ♬ original sound – Prime Video

Though Garg has been in the States for decades, she still sees things from a different perspective. “You know when you’re outside this country looking at life in here, everything looks so much more fun,” Garg says in her special. “Like people frolicking in hot tubs, jacuzzis, bubble baths! In India, you get water in a bucket. There’s buckets in America too, but they’re filled with fried chicken! A shower doesn’t stop here until you stop it. People fill gallons of drinkable water in a bathtub, and just sit in it, because they’re sad.”

Garg’s natural comedy chops were developed in her own household; her children encouraged her to pursue comedy, and without them, she may have never developed an actual set. Garg performed her first open mic in New York City back in 2018, and it was the first step of many that would develop her one-of-a-kind comedy career. When Garg took to social media in 2020, she immediately found an eager audience. Her comedy translated so well to social media, and she grew her following significantly; she now has 15.6 million likes on her TikTok channel! 

Garg didn’t  get her own special just because of her social media fame. She’s also taking the traditional route to comedy stardom. According to her rep, Garg has performed up to 15 times a week at the Comedy Cellar in New York, cutting her teeth on new material in front of an ever-changing crowd. 

If you’re looking for your next laugh, check out Zarna Garg’s comedy special, Zarna Garg: One in a Billion, is now available on Amazon Prime.

Top photo: screen grab from Zarna Garg’s instagram

Bloody Mary

The legend of the Bloody Mary game derives from three possible sources. One source is Queen Mary I of England, or “Blood Mary.” She got that moniker the hard-won way, ordering hundreds of Protestants burned at the stake. At first, she was only trying to scare them. You know…a little “look what happens to the neighbors when you don’t practice Catholicism” sort of lesson. But the bloodshed only made Protestants ornerier and more determined to practice their religion. Her half-sister, Elizabeth I, was later forced to clean up the mess and keep a tense peace.

Mary Tudor, 1554; Antonis Mor, Public Domain, Via Wikimedia Commons

Another possible source is the equally tragic Mary, Queen of Scots—cousin of Elizabeth I. Mary was foolish enough to lay claim to the English crown while it was still sitting firmly on Elizabeth’s head. Mary’s second husband, her cousin Henry Stewart, along with Protestant nobles, stabbed Mary’s Catholic secretary 56 times. Mary was then allegedly involved in Stewart’s murder. After Mary was forced to abdicate her throne to her infant son after being abducted by her next husband, James Hepburn, who was a suspect in Stewart’s murder, she fled to seek sanctuary with Elizabeth I. Elizabeth then had her arrested rather than offer her sanctuary. Elizabeth imprisoned her for 18 years. Mary got bored, plotted to overthrow and assassinate Elizabeth, and was executed for treason.

The third source might be the most probable since it was, according to local legend, directly tied to witchcraft. In the 1860s, Mary Worth led a reverse underground railroad north of Chicago. Mary would lure unsuspecting runaway enslaved people to her home under false pretenses and then collect her bounty once she sent them back to enslavement in the South. Rumors abounded that Mary was practicing the dark arts, and worse—using herbal medicines, sacrificing animals, and torturing and killing enslaved people for rituals. The townsfolk eventually grew tired of her machinations and lynched her. Other accounts claim she was burned alive. However, there’s not a single newspaper record of a woman burned alive as a witch during this time, and that is the kind of story that makes the local paper. But whether she’s Bloody Mary, Mary Worth, Mary Whales, or someone else, the real reason for the appearance of her spooky apparition isn’t due to spirits, but science—the Troxler effect.

The Troxler effect is an optical illusion in which fixating on one portion of an image for an extended time causes it to fade or distort. The phenomenon happens because our brains have adapted to filter out unnecessary information. In one study, researchers tested the Troxler effect by having participants stare into a mirror in dim lighting for 10 minutes. About 66 percent of participants saw their faces deform, 28 percent saw an unknown person, and 48 percent saw monsters in the mirror.

Those results would make any self-conscious teen think twice before taking another bathroom selfie.

Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board

This game begins with the cheery exercise of choosing someone to die. The chosen corpse lies on the floor, prone, encircled by each of her friends. Each girl then puts two fingers under the supposed dead girl and tries to lift her with only delicate fingers. Chanting helps. The one I remember goes like this:

“She’s looking pale.
She’s looking worse.
She’s dying.
She’s dead.
Light as a feather, stiff as a board.”

It’s a pretty morose game. Unsurprisingly, it has an equally dark past. In 1665, diarist Samuel Pepys witnessed the ritual enacted during a plague outbreak. He described one instance where four little girls each placed one finger under a boy pretending to be dead. The girls each whispered into each other’s ears and then levitated the boy with each of their four tiny fingers.

Still from The Craft depicting the game Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board, 1996; Maximum Film/Alam

Of course, Pepys believed it was a parlor trick, but the real magic was in physics. If the person playing dead stayed still enough, their body weight would be evenly distributed between the people lifting. For example, with an 80-pound boy, the girls would only have to lift 20 pounds with each of their fingers—close to the weight of most childrens’ backpacks today.

Although young girls are not exactly known for their grip strength, fingers are stronger than they appear. Steve Keeler (U.K.) holds the world record for lifting with one finger—129.50 kg (285.49 lb). And strongman Louis Cyr could lift 500 pounds with one finger.

Physics aside, the game must have also assuaged fears during plague outbreaks. Although we have few records of how children responded to plague deaths, we can imagine that making a pretend dead person levitate off the ground must have felt empowering during such a powerless period. And who needs drugs or alcohol when you can levitate your friends?

Ouija Board

Communing with the dead didn’t die with spiritualism’s raps and knocking. It just took on a more utilitarian spin. No one wanted to sit around a table waiting for spirits to knock out a Morse code message. Even 19th-century people had better things to do. Seeing an untapped market for convening with the dead quicker, Charles Kennard started the Kennard Novelty Company with investor Elijah Bond, a local attorney, Col. Washington Bowie, and medium Helen Peters. Unfortunately, the crew ran into some snafus when trying to patent their new “talking board” invention.

Now, we have all been to that sleepover where everyone accuses the other person of moving the planchette—the pointer thingy that picks the letters. Well, Kennard had the same problem. To prove that the Ouija board worked, he had to demo it to the chief patent officer.

Legend has it that no one knew the chief patent officer’s name but the helpful spirit who spelled it out. And that was proof enough that their “toy or game” was the real deal.
On February 10, 1891, the Kennard Novelty Company was awarded a patent for the first Ouija board.

Vintage illustration depicting Ouija board players

For another century, the Ouija board was good, old-fashioned fun for the whole family. It provided comfort to those who had lost loved ones and a way for bored teens to turn
ghosts into pen pals. All that changed in 1973, however, with the movie release that would give teens nightmares during sleepovers for generations—The Exorcist.

In this movie, a young girl named Regan becomes possessed by a demon after innocently playing with her Ouija board. A lot of levitating and head spinning follows. Suddenly, this child’s toy was not so childish. The devil had come to collect and turn America’s toy into a talisman of evil.

Today, Ouija boards continue to terrify us because they work. But it’s not spirits making the planchette move. It’s the ideomotor effect—our unconscious, involuntary physical movements. When you ask the board questions, your hand moves the planchette to spell out the answers in words, numbers, yes, or no. (Or, if you have a grumpy spirit,
“goodbye.”) Your brain isn’t aware of these movements. In other words, when we think about an action, our hand follows that action.

These involuntary movements make the Ouija board work best for kids. When a subject believes the planchette is moving by itself, it is more moveable. Consequently, as the board begins to spell out the first letters of a word, our minds fill in the rest, and the hand follows. Our subconscious often gives the answer we most hope for or fear.

In essence, the Ouija board predicts our anxiety levels. And those levels are often high at your typical sleepover. But aside from anxiety levels, Ouija also taps into a part of our brains we often ignore—our intuition. In one study, blindfolded participants were asked trivia questions. In one round, they answered questions without help from their spirit guides. In the next round, the participants used Ouija to answer the questions. During the study, the blindfolded participants believed their teammate was moving the planchette with them when they were moving it themselves. The researchers found the participants got more questions right when using the Ouija board than when not.

So, when sleepless girls across America huddled around Ouija boards asking questions about their futures, the Ouija probably gave them better answers than their friends ever could. Or perhaps the board game gave them the answers friends could not speak out loud.

Top photo: Dialog Center Images, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Tabitha Soren Interviewing Liz Phair 

MTV News was the perfect intersection between music and hard-hitting journalism. Their extensive coverage of independent, underground artists via innovative interviews helped usher in a wave of new artists into the mainstream. One of our favorite instances of this is Tabitha Soren’s interview with grungy DIY singer-songwriter Liz Phair, for her 1993 album Exile In Guyville. Most interviews at the time took place in quiet, professionally lit rooms, but this one took place in the chaotic land of Luna Park. While laying on the beaches of Coney Island in New York City, the two explore what it means to be a woman in the 90’s. In between lounging on the sand and riding rickety roller coasters, Soren and Phair discuss feminism, sexuality, losing your virginity, and the raw content of Phair’s self-distributed debut album. This is monumental; MTV News saw the importance in covering a feminist-centered artist that wrote realistic (and thus subversive) lyrics about sex, heartbreak, and the limitations of the patriarchy. When Soren asks, “Do you consider yourself a feminist? Post-feminist? Post-post feminist?” Phair promptly responds, “If labels matter I consider myself all of the above; all I care about is that women have a better life in the near future. That includes everything: legal, social, emotional, sexual… It’s all part of it.” 

Madonna Rocks The Vote

Rock The Vote is a non-profit political organization that aims to increase awareness about issues in youth culture via political action like voting and protesting (they even founded the first ever telephone voter’s registration system!).  According to their mission statement, the organization was created by Virgin Music executives Jeff Ayeroff, Beverly Lund, and Jordan Harris in an effort to advocate against censorship in popular music. It has since grown into a massive grassroots movement that has maintained its popularity since its inception. Rock The Vote’s first ever partnership was with MTV, and with a little help from Madonna draped in almost nothing but an American Flag, they aired their first PSA in 1990. 

“Dr King, Malcolm X, freedom of speech is as good as sex! …Don’t give up your freedom of speech, the power of the people is in our reach!” Madonna says, before “de-flagging” to reveal a scandalous red lingerie set. This was incredibly powerful imagery at the time, as Madonna was often mocked for being outspoken about sex and politics. A couple years later she would be eviscerated in the press for her album Erotica, and the accompanying book Sex. Voter turnout was a topic that was rarely ever applied to younger demographics before Rock The Vote, but with the aid of these PSAs, along with MTV News, Rock The Vote managed to involve generations of young adults to go out and vote. Madonna even reshared the 30-year old video during the 2020 election season, with the hashtags #vote2020, and #nationalvoterregistrationday. 

#Vote2020 leading up to Election Day and #NationalVoterRegistrationDay https://t.co/WWWEeqezoJ#jose #luis pic.twitter.com/Q8wwlLhawq

— Madonna (@Madonna) September 22, 2020

MTV News Unfiltered

MTV News Presents: MTV Unfiltered (often shortened to ...MTV Unfiltered, or …Unfiltered) was a reality news series hosted by MTV News anchors Serena Altschul and Alison Stewart, and has been described as a DIY approach to local news. The short-lived show was a news segment program that featured a series of calls, video clips, and interviews from real-life teens, and offered news coverage for small-town, community based issues. …MTV Unfiltered shone a light on issues major news networks weren’t covering, like oppressive dress codes, LGBTQIA+ cruising, getting cancer, celibacy, and suicide. One such segment started with a daring phone call; a Penn State college student demanded something be done about the sexist hazing traditions on campus, stating: “I absolutely believe that this is institutionalized sexual harassment on the part of the university’s administration.” 

MTV News Presents: MTV Unfiltered was groundbreakingly revolutionary for its time, and was pivotal in showcasing real-life issues that young women and teens everywhere were struggling with, and it’s all the more proof that MTV was always for and about youth culture. MTV News gave many important topics —including feminism— a larger platform through ...Unfiltered, and we think that’s pretty badass. Check out this archival clip uploaded by Jess Weiner, the Penn State student who contacted MTV about sexual harassment on her college’s campus. 

The “Choose or Lose“ Campaign 

In 1992, MTV launched a now-defunct political news campaign designed to encourage youth participation in democracy, called Choose or Lose. This was different from Rock The Vote, which was initially focused on eradicating censorship limitations. Choose or Lose was a recurring news special hosted by MTV News for several election years up until 2012, when the network decided to ditch the slogan in an effort to more accurately reflect the increased cynicism within youth culture. But in its heyday, the Choose Or Lose special was hosted by former MTV News anchor Tabitha Soren, and through specials, conferences, and mobile organizations, the campaign encouraged youth voter registration turn-out. Through these televised specials, young people were often encouraged to ask politicians questions, including Senator John Kerry. 

One of the more notable moments was the Enough is Enough special’s interview with Bill Clinton, which went on to make headlines in news outlets like Time Magazine, and the Chicago Tribune. Many have argued that MTV secured the youth vote for Clinton’s presidency, including the Baltimore Sun in 1992. Even Soren speculates that MTV’s Choose or Lose Campaign widened access to media regarding the political landscape while setting the foundations for the current cultural climate in her 2016 article for the New York Times, titled Hilary Clinton and the Ghosts of MTV.  Check out this #ThrowbackThursday post Tabitha Soren shared the night before election day in 2018. One comment on the post, which praises the MTV News’ correspondents for their impact on youth culture, reads “Y’all indoctrinated me as a 9 year old [into thinking] that voting was cool, sexy, queer-adjacent, and somehow related to liking Nirvana and REM. Job well done.”

Although it’s difficult to see past MTV’s current non-stop bombardment of Ridiculousness and Teen Mom reruns, the channel used to serve as a launchpad for progressive and cutting edge entertainment. Women’s rights were a hot-button issue that MTV News made an effort to cover, and these clips are essential in preserving the history of third-wave feminism. MTV News made a point to uplift unheard voices through political campaigns, PSAs, and the overall power of music, and even though we’re sad to see them go, their legacy will always remain. 

Top Photo Credit: Screenshot from Madonna’s Twitter: Rock The Vote PSA, circa 1990.

The prestigious Cannes Film Festival started this past Wednesday, and a jury media conference with Brie Larson has been sparking up conversations. The Oscar-winning actress was involved in a tense exchange with a journalist after being asked if she would be seeing the premiere of Johnny Depp’s new film, Jeanne Du Barry.

The journalist asked Larson, who is an outspoken advocate for Time’s Up and the #MeToo movements, for her opinion on Depp’s film opening the Cannes festival, and if she was planning to watch it. Larson seemed taken aback, responding with “You’re asking me that? I’m sorry, I don’t understand the correlation or why me specifically.”

Brie Larson was surprised to be asked about Johnny Depp’s opening film: “You’re asking me that? I’m sorry, I don’t understand the correlation or why me specifically.” https://t.co/5Ec2S23051 #Cannes pic.twitter.com/QPfO1Yb4qS

— Variety (@Variety) May 16, 2023

The journalist tried to explain his question by referring to the infamous John C. Depp, II vs. Amber Laura Heard case that were held from April 11 to June 1 in Fairfax County, VA. The case ruled against Heard, and in favor of Depp’s defamation allegations against her.

After describing the case as “very well-played out in American and national media,” the journalist refers to the controversy of Depp’s film being chosen to open the film festival, and that he was merely curious about the Marvel actress’ opinions on the film. 

“Well, you’ll see, I guess, if I’ll see it, and I don’t know how I’ll feel about it if I do,” responded Larson, trying to avoid going into detail about Depp’s 2022 case. Depp’s film, while opening the festival, is not playing in competition. So, as a Cannes juror, Larson is not required to view it. 

The twitter video, released on Variety’s account, has reached almost 15 million views in one day, and the comments highly supported the actress’ evasive answers. Captain Marvel News responded to the video, “Absolutely correct! Perfect answer to an unnecessary question.” 

Absolutely correct! Perfect answer to an unnecessary question.

— Captain Marvel News (@CaptMarvelNews) May 16, 2023

Other commenters were infuriated by the journalist’s question, feeling that it was an attempt to catch her off guard and paint her in a bad light. One user, @Particles343, tweeted “Lets drag this innocent woman Brie Larson into an argument that has nothing to do with her to sell article clicks. That’s all the reporter did. I love Captain Marvel don’t f that up for me.” 

Another user, @queenfeyree, commented “she was like that has nothing to do with me and i can respect that, such a good answer. like talk about something else maybe like films she’s doing atm.” Let’s talk about her upcoming The Marvels movie coming up in November.  

Lets drag this innocent woman Brie Larson into an argument that has nothing to do with her to sell article clicks. That’s all that reporter did.

I love Captain Marvel don’t f that up for me.

— Particles ? (@Particles343) May 17, 2023

she was like that has nothing to do with me and i can respect that, such a good answer. like talk about something else maybe like the films she’s doing atm

— feyre’s gf ? (@queenfeyree) May 16, 2023

Cannes is one of the most highly-anticipated festivals in the movie world, and Larson’s position as a juror is thrilling for her career. We hope to see her answer more relevant questions throughout the week, or continue to gracefully pivot away from unnecessary ones.

Top image: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

When it comes to writing, half of the struggle boils down to capturing the right “voice.” Do you sound smart? Approachable? Hilarious?

Samantha Irby is one of those rare writers who has conquered all three categories, gaining an impressive following over the past decade with laugh-out-loud essays that make you think, “this person is really funny and not at all afraid to talk about poop.” When I call her at home in Kalamazoo, MI, I ask Irby, 42, what it’s like to be the kind of author who is so relatable, people would love to call her a friend. “I wish I could be everyone’s friend,” says Irby, “but then they’d realize how bad I am at texting back and they’d be, like, ‘Let’s just keep this relationship on the page.’”

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by samantha irby (@bitchesgottaeat)

It all started in 2009, when she created her Myspace blog, “Bitches Gotta Eat” (the now-iconic story is that she did it to impress a dude). Her writing snowballed in popularity, leading to her 2013 debut essay collection, Meaty, which introduced readers to a few major facets of Irby’s identity, including her battle with Crohn’s disease and the loss of her parents at 18. But these struggles are secondary to Irby’s most defining characteristic: the fact that she can find humor in almost anything.

In the years since Meaty, Irby published three more books, the most recent of which, Wow, No Thank You, shot to the top of the New York Times bestseller list as soon as it was published in 2020—and there’s every reason to believe her newest book, Quietly Hostile (Vintage Books), will do the same when it’s released on May 16th. But the last few years have seen not just her publishing career level up, but her personal life as well.

Irby married her wife, Kirsten Jennings, in 2016, and they set up a household with Jennings’ two teenage kids and a “lesbian amount of pets,” as Irby puts it, including a dog named Abe and four cats. She also made major career strides as a TV writer/producer, racking up credits on Shrill, Work in Progress, And Just Like That…, and Tuca & Bertie.

Meanwhile, “Bitches Gotta Eat” was upgraded into a Substack newsletter, which she describes as “Judge Mathis recaps + occasional sad garbage.” Through it all, Irby has continued to write about what she knows best—from public bathroom mishaps to delving deep into The Real Housewives universe. “Life is so short,” she says. “I just have to do what I can to make myself feel good. And if I tell people and they think I’m a moron, then fine, I don’t care. I’m not reading the ‘smart’ book.”

As a consummate over-sharer, Irby is a magnet for similar types of revelations from her fans. So, it should come as no surprise that strangers often want to tell her about their diarrhea and other deeply personal trials—and she welcomes it all. “Any time someone is honest about a thing they’re struggling with, I feel something unlock within myself,” says Irby. “Like, ‘OK, I don’t have to act like I have it all together. I don’t have to grit my teeth and just tough it out.’ If I can provide that for someone, that makes me happy.”

Her latest collection of confessional essays captures the ways in which the author dealt with the challenges of the last three years, from domestic squabbles to grappling with an unprecedented global health crisis. And compared to her other books, Irby says that Quietly Hostile stands apart as a chronicle of a very strange and specific time. “A feral maniac wrote it,” she says. “A person who didn’t say hello to anyone who didn’t live in her house for a year wrote a book. I hope it resonates with people.”

Top photo by: Ted Beranis 

Stewart, who is best known for her dining and lifestyle brands, has worked as a model since the age of thirteen. According to a Vanity Fair interview, Stewart worked as an in-store model for Bonwit Teller department store, and modeled in television commercials for Clairol, Lifebuoy soap, and Tareyton cigarettes. And while she developed a career unrelated to her modeling, she clearly has had the chops since birth! 

Stewart shared a photo of the cover on her instagram saying, “I am so thrilled to be on the cover of the @SI_Swimsuit issue! My motto has always been: ‘when you’re through changing, you’re through,’ so I thought, why not be up for this opportunity of a lifetime? I hope this cover inspires you to challenge yourself to try new things, no matter what stage of life you are in. Changing, evolving, and being fearless – those are all very good things, indeed.”

 

 

 

 

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Sports Illustrated recorded a behind-the-scenes video with Stewart, talking about her experience on set and her feelings about the historic cover photo. “Usually I’m motivated by pay,” said Stewart in the video (a truly iconic line– us too, Martha!) “But this time I was motivated by showing people that a woman my age can still look good, feel good, and be good.” 

The cover shoot was photographed back in January. Stewart was photographed by artist Ruven Afanador in the Dominican Republic, and had about ten outfit changes.

“When I heard that I was going to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated swimsuit, I thought, ‘oh that’s pretty good,’” Stewart said. “I’m going to be the oldest ever on the cover of Sports Illustrated. I don’t think about age very much, but I thought this was kind of historic, and that I better look really good!” 

I don’t think there can be any more proof– women do not suddenly stop being hot after age 40. Age, wisdom, success, and a life full of adventure sure looks good!

Top photo: Photos of Martha Stewart, screengrabs from the Martha Stewart instagram, photographed by Ruven Afanador. Background photo: Leonardo Rossatti via Pexels.

Is It Right?
2020 Manhattan.
The sirens are omnipresent. Every five minutes, sometimes less.
Is It Right?
Our neighbors wheeled out to the ambulances, some of them not even making it and dying in the street.
Is It Right?
And us, stuck in the apartment.
The virus takes us, swarms us, shifts the very foundations I thought I knew best.
The fever lasts 51 days.
The trauma longer.
Is It Right?
When the thermometer finally reads 98.6 the world is still shut down. There is abject panic, a kind I have never known before and hope to never know again. There are also life saving grants, a vision of a new life in Europe, a kernel of hope.
(All of those things can be true together, after all)
Is It Right?
Trauma.
It shifts us, shapes us, changes us.
Makes us into an ever changing mosaic, a composite of the pieces we keep putting back together.
Is It Right?
2021 Amsterdam.
We live here now, healing one beautiful bike ride at a time.
I continue a song I started in Manhattan, based on a simple question.
Is It Right?
The song comes quickly. I lean into the question, grow with the acknowledgment of uncertainty.
Is It Right?
2021 Giverny.
2022 Manhattan.
With the song’s music video I try to honor the disorienting, isolating and ultimately empowering experience of it all.
Is It Right?
The gauzy safety I found in Europe.
The gorgeous shocking clarity of my beloved New York City’s skyline.
The dizzying disorientation of those two together.
Is It Right?
For this I bring in Dutch director Lyon Pol and one of my oldest friends, Joseph DiGiovanna, a brilliant artist who among many other things deals with long COVID to this day.
Is It Right?
2023 Los Angeles.
May rings in Mental Health Awareness Month.
Do I have any answers?
Is It Right?
(What is right, after all?)
I am grateful to be alive and still considering.
Is It Right?
I shift, grow, expand.
Center my own mental health without seeking an arbitrary finish line.
Is It Right?
I know better than to rely on rigid concepts like “right” or “wrong” now.
Know better than to look for answers.
I treasure, instead, the ability to question.

Photo by Janette Beckman

It’s hard to believe that the 90s were only 10 years ago…

Because they’re not. 30 years have passed since 1993! 

It’s been three whole decades since the rise of oversized flannel shirts, Doc Martens, the premiere of The X-Files, the inauguration of Bill Clinton, and the original launch of TY’s Beanie Babies. It’s also been about 30 years since we here at BUST began operations, and we’ve come a long way since that very first issue, (which was xeroxed and stapled together; can you believe it?!) In order to celebrate 30 years of publication, here are 7 feminist albums that are also celebrating their 30th birthday with us this year. Beware: some of the records on this list may surprise you!

Liz Phair – Exile In Guyville

Many know Liz Phair as the singer of the melodic and lovey-dovey pop song, “Why Can’t I?”, which makes sense considering the song was Phair’s only charting Top 40 Hit. But before hitting pop radio airwaves with boppy love songs, Liz Phair was a grungy lo-fi artist who wrote angsty songs about sex, isolation, and yearing on cassette tapes she passed out like candy on Halloween. Exile In Guyville is the debut studio album from the indie-rock singer-songwriter, who previously released cassettes under the pseudonym “Girly-Sound” (the Girly-Sound Tapes have since gained a massive underground cult following.) Exile In Guyville, which was a song-by-song response to the Rolling Stone’s Exile on Main St. has received tons of underground critical acclaim; publications Spin and the Village Voice: Jazz & Pop Critics Poll both named it the “Best Album of 1993,” and Rolling Stone ranked Exile In Guyville as 56th on their list for the “Greatest Albums of All Time.” Songs like “Fuck and Run” explore themes of craving intimacy through lyrics that oscillate between brash vulgarity and poetic vulnerability. Liz Phair’s music has had a major impact on third-wave feminism, and her song “Batmobile” was featured in the 1996-2000 riot grrrl documentary Dirty Girls. Just as recently as 2017, the aforementioned song “Fuck and Run” went viral after Phair performed it at a Planned Parenthood rally in 2017.

Björk – Debut

Icelandic experimental artist Björk changed the music industry forever with her 1993 debut album, aptly titled Debut. Before this, she had been part of the ‘80s band The Sugarcubes, but it was this solo album that really allowed her to make her mark. The album explores a variety of genres, including psychedelic rock, alternative dance, shoe-gaze, art pop, and electronic house. Debut ranked 31st on LGBTQIA+ magazine Out’s “Greatest, Gayest Albums of All Time,” and the hit single “Human Behavior” received a Grammy nomination for the “Best Video of The Year.” Despite paving the way for female noise artists and defying gender roles in her performances, Björk has had an up-and-down relationship with the feminist movement. In a 1996 issue of BUST, when asked if she was a feminist, she claimed that “feminists really… bore me to death.” She’s since expressed full support of feminism in recent years. That being said, Debut was the first in a long line of successes for Björk, who has since earned numerous accolades, awards, and even her own retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art in 2015. 

Janet Jackson – janet.

Janet (often stylized as janet.,) is the fifth R&B album from musician Janet Jackson. At the time of the sultry album’s release in 1993, Jackson had only recently switched record labels, and her new contract with Virgin Records made her the highest paid artist in the industry at the time. The album is a deeply erotic, experimental, and sophisticated masterpiece that focuses primarily on women’s sensuality paired with experiences of rage, lust, voyeurism, and longing. The album’s lyrics were primarily written by Jackson, who has claimed that janet. is her most personal album ever. Maturely romantic jams like “That’s The Way Love Goes” work in harmony with intense electro-rock dance songs like “If.” The album expertly showcases Jackson’s range, and reinvented her pop stardom image into that of an international sex symbol. It’s been speculated that the audacious sensuality displayed by Jackson in this era is responsible for an influx of sexual liberation within young women during the mid-90s. The infamous cover for both her issue of Rolling Stone and for her self-titled album features Jackson topless, with her breasts being held up by an obscured man (who was her then-husband at the time.) The cover stirred up major controversy, mainly amongst her deeply religious family members. But Janet Jackson’s bold embrace of black women’s sexuality was monumental activism in the 1990s; as she stated in the accompanying interview for her 1993 Rolling Stone Cover, “For me, sex has become a celebration; a joyful part of the creative process… You could say I’ve entered a happy phase of sexuality… Listening to my new record, [i think that] people intuitively understand the change in me.” 

Nirvana – In Utero

Nirvana is mostly known for bringing the grimiest underground movement of the 90s to the forefront of pop culture. Their hit 1991 song “Smells Like Teen Spirit” changed both the music and fashion industry for good. Happily, Nirvana has always been an outspokenly feminist band, and their 1993 album In Utero exemplifies that best. Tobi Valli of Bikini Kill was Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain’s close friend and partner before his relationship with Courtney Love. He was also good friends with Kathleen Hanna, who inspired the title for “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” Valli was even the subject of the song “About A Girl,” which explores the complicated nuance of love and relationships from a humanistic (and thus subversive) standpoint. The emotional vulnerability and personal connection with the subject of the song was unusual for rock stars at the time, who usually expressed more misogynistic views. In Utero also features the song political anti-assault “R*** Me,” of which Cobain has had to clarify the intention numerous times: “…Having to resort to doing something like that is almost embarrassing… People didn’t understand the songs ‘About A Girl’ or ‘Polly’… So I decided to write this in a way that’s so blunt and obvious that no one can deny it.”

In 1992, Nirvana performed a benefit concert for the Opposition to Measure 9 (which was a bill that called for the cessation of the “promotion of homosexuality”), which the band publicly denounced. Stating, “Nirvana wants to do their part to end bigotry and narrow-mindedness everywhere.” They also turned down the opportunity to perform with Guns N’ Roses on their “Use Your Illusion” tour. When asked why, Cobain stated the following: “Those people are total sexist jerks, and the reason we’re playing this show is to fight homophobia in a real small way. [Axl Rose] is a fucking sexist and a racist and a homophobe, and you can’t be on his side and on our side.” This would be the last studio album Nirvana would ever record before the death of Cobain one year later, in April of 1994.

Ani DiFranco – Puddle Dive

Anti-corporate queen Ani DiFranco has been a mainstay in the underground alternative scene since she created her independent record label, Righteous Babe Records, in 1990. DiFranco is a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and an outspoken anti-consumerist activist. In 1993, long before her Grammy nomination for “Shy” and right around the release of BUST’s first ever issue, she released her fourth studio album titled Puddle Dive. The folk-rock album channels the bleakness of touring through the country and dives into DiFranco’s relationships on the road. The album embodies a twangy and upbeat sound, which is contrasted with poetry-beat lyrics that express disquietude, rage, and contemplation. This is best exemplified in the song “Blood In The Boardroom”, which recounts her experience with unexpectedly getting her period at an uppity boardroom meeting. “It ain’t no hassle, it ain’t no mess/Right now it’s the only power/That I possess/These businessmen got the money…/But I can make life/ I can make breath/Sitting in the boardroom/The I’m-so-bored room/I didn’t really have much to say… So I just left a big brown bloodstain. On their white chair.”

PJ Harvey – Rid Of Me

This dynamic album from punk blues singer-songwriter PJ Harvey took the world by storm nearly 30 years ago. The album features outstandingly raw and grungy hits like “Man-Size,” which explores themes of toxic masculinity and Harvey’s desire to be “set free” of girlhood. The album is characterized by askew time signatures and heavy guitar riffs, which are accompanied by Harvey’s primal and ethereal vocals. Simon Reynolds for The Guardian has said that he was “immediately struck by how thunder-quakingly Led Zep the drums [in Rid of Me] sounded.” When asked by BUST in 2004 if she was a feminist, Harvey responded by saying “I mean, it doesn’t cross my mind. I certainly don’t think in terms of gender when I’m writing songs.” PJ Harvey collaborated with another artist on this list; she and Björk joined forces to perform a haunting cover of “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction” at the 1994 Brit Awards.  

Four Non-Blondes – Bigger, Better, Faster, More!

Bigger, Better, Faster, More! Is the only album ever released by the 90s alternative-rock band, Four Non-Blondes. The album was home to their biggest hit, “What’s Up?” and the song was even listed on Harper Bazaar’s 53 Greatest Feminist Anthems of All Time. That’s no surprise, considering that the lead singer of Four Non Blondes, Linda Perry, is an outspoken feminist and a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. She even created her own record label, We Are Hear, which has signed popular artists like Imogen Heap, Dorothy, and Natasha Beddingfield. Perry has also been inducted into the “Songwriters Hall of Fame”, and has been nominated for 5 Grammys. Although many have written off the band as a one-hit wonder, real ones know that the impact of both Linda Perry and the Four Non-Blondes remains pertinent today. 

It’s been a wonderful 30 years. Here’s to (at least) 30 more.

Top Photo Credit: Mick Haupt via Unsplash

After five long years without a new music release, fans of Janelle Monáe will be pleased to hear that the actress and singer is finally back in the recording studio. The “Pynk” singer just released her newest single and dropped a video to go along with it. “Lipstick Lover” is the second single off of Monáe’s newly announced upcoming album, The Age of Pleasure, which is set to be released on June 9th. 

The single feels like what summer would sound like if it was a song. Monáe is the queen of blending elements of funk, R&B, and disco to create pop perfection, which is exactly what she did on “Lipstick Lover.” Its’ message of queer joy and catchy refrain make this a must-add to your Pride 2023 playlist. 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Janelle “Jane” Monáe (@janellemonae)

The video is as vibrant as the single. Directed by Alan Ferguson and Monáe herself, it follows Monáe as she navigates through an exuberant (and delightfully gay) summer pool party. The song and video also explore themes of both community and self-love, in all definitions of the term. These are not new motifs for Monáe, who has been consistently honest and wonderfully experimental in her music over the course of her career. Her 2018 album Dirty Computer featured songs that explored queerness, community, and self-love, similarly to “Lipstick Lover.” Though the production, instrumentals, and general vibe of the album’s first two singles (the first of which being “Float”) introduce new musical elements that lead us to believe that The Age of Pleasure will be something we’ve never heard before.

Monáe has clearly stayed busy since the release of Dirty Computer. She’s appeared in several blockbuster films including Glass Onion and Antebellum, and she’s consistently been one of the best dressed at the Met Gala for the past few years. That being said, we’re so excited to see Monáe returning to music. Her joyful, quirky, and sweet melodies truly make her an important and distinctive queer voice in the music industry.

Top photo: Screen grab from “Janelle Monáe – Lipstick Lover [Official Music Video]” from @janellemonae on YouTube

Spooky season is going to come a little bit early this year with the release of Emma Stone’s (La La Land, Superbad, Cruella) upcoming film, Poor Things, on September 8. The trailer, which was released last night from Searchlight Pictures, features a recently deceased Bella Baxter, played by Stone, who was brought back to life by an eccentric and god-playing doctor, Archibald McCandless, played by Willem Dafoe (The Lighthouse, Boondock Saints, The Northman). In a gnarly change from Frankenstein, this monster wasn’t just resurrected– her brain was replaced with that of her unborn child.

The trailer shows a pale, dark-haired Stone in an aesthetically surreal Victorian-era environment, seemingly enjoying life as it was her first time through. “I am finding being alive fascinating,” she says in the trailer, right before a shot of her spitting out her food and slapping her love interest, Duncan Wedderburn, (played by Mark Ruffalo) across the face. 

The film is based off of a 1992 book of the same name written by Scottish author Alasdair James Gray. It’s apt that Gray is a Scottish writer, because the plot is heavily influenced by Mary Shelley, the English author of Frankenstein, which is said to be the first-ever science-fiction novel. 

Screengrab from the Official Teaser of “Poor Things,” from the Searchlight Pictures Youtube.

The film isn’t just filled with visual intrigue– it also has a feminist edge. The book, and likely the film, gives narrative control back to the woman, letting her tell her own story. For example, after hearing Dr. McCandless’ side of things. Baxter, in spite of being literally created for companionship, breaks out of expectations and forges her own life, even if it is a strange one.

An overtly feminist spin on the Frankenstein tale is apt, as Mary Shelly was the daughter of Mary Wollstonecraft. Wollstonecraft, who was also a writer, died giving birth to Shelley. She was deeply feminist, and even wrote a book that later became the foundation of the Women’s Rights movement called A Vindication of the Rights of Woman. The themes of birth, death, motherhood and the patriarchy were alive in Shelley’s Frankenstein, and Wollstonecraft’s messages seem to be honored in this Frankenstein spinoff.

Screengrab from the Official Teaser of “Poor Things,” from the Searchlight Pictures Youtube.

The adaptation was written by Tony McNamara, and helmed by beloved Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos (The Lobster, Dog Tooth, The Killing of a Sacred Deer). This will be the second time Stone and Lanthimos team up– they worked together on the 2018 film, The Favorite, another Victorian-era dark comedy. 

Other knockout actors involved in the film include Jerrod Carmichael as Harry Astley, Ramy Youssef as Max McCandless, Christopher Abbott as Sir Aubrey de la Pole Blessington, Margaret Qualley and Kathryn Hunter. 

We are marking our calendars for this one! Poor Things will be in theaters on September 8. 

Top photo: Screengrab from the Official Teaser of “Poor Things,” from the Searchlight Pictures Youtube.

Lana Del Rey gave fans a treat on Wednesday with the music video release of “Candy Necklace” featuring Jon Batiste. The 10-minute greyscale video showcased a very glamorous Del Rey as she transformed into some of Hollywood’s most famous female icons, including Marilyn Monroe, Veronica Lake, and Elizabeth Short (known as ‘Black Dahlia’).

“Candy Necklace” is featured on Lana Del Rey’s ninth studio album Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd.  While this isn’t the first time Del Rey has paid homage to classic Hollywood, this music video features a personal touch as we watch her go from blonde to brunette, from pearls to diamonds. 

The video starts with a natural and excited Del Rey on her way to Los Angeles, symbolizing the start of her career. By the end of the video, she returns to film on the same set, but her appearance is completely different, including the car she’s in, the necklace she wears, and the fact that her career ends up killing her. 

In her first tribute scene, she wears a classy, Marilyn-coded look with a short, blonde wig to tie it all together. She is shown to be comfortable around the cameras, and she’s no longer in pearls. She’s accepted Hollywood, and based on the flashy diamonds around her neck, Hollywood has accepted her as well. She says to her team “I don’t know how to not be a robot…it’s not working anymore for me” as she is seen on different cameras putting on a show and having fun. The juxtaposition of the scene was a direct tribute to Monroe and could even be attributed to the starlet’s last interview with Life Magazine in 1962.

In the video, Del Rey describes just exactly what the message behind the music video is, saying, “all these women who change their name, change their hair like me—it’s like they all fell into these different snake holes—the whole point is how you learn from that and not fall into your own thing.”

The behind the scene shots of her as Veronica Lake are among some of the best. At this point, Del Rey is no longer a timid, people-pleaser in the industry. She flips the camera off and yells at the staff to “get out of the shot”. She’s bold, glamorous, and holds the perfect amount of “Hollywood-spoiled”. She becomes the object of the male gaze and then comes the perfect transition to the Black Dahlia which foreshadows Del Rey’s death at the end of the video. Surrounded by the bright camera flashes from the swarm of reporters, Jon Batiste is shown grimacing at the casket referencing Black Dahlia’s mutilated death. 

All of these women that Hollywood created and destroyed were perfectly reflected through Del Rey and caught beautifully on camera by director Rich Lee. The video ends with an artistic shot of an actual candy necklace, diamonds, and pearls falling into a pool of blood. Del Rey is seen on the Hollywood Walk of Fame where she gets her own star. Cameras are still surrounding her, and she smiles with the crowd, but her neck is bare which symbolizes her death. The video fades into color and represents her name continuing to live on in the present—like Monroe, Lake, and Black Dahlia.

Top photo by Lana Del Rey on Youtube. 

There’s no denying Doja Cat is an icon. From consistently pushing the boundaries of fashion, to dropping some of the most anthem-worthy tracks of the 2020s, Doja has earned her place in the limelight. But unlike other mega-celebrities, Doja is online; communicating with her fans and, dare we say, sometimes being a bit of an internet troll. 

 

 

 

 

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On Tuesday, Doja took to the internet to announce the name of her new album. But the title reveal isn’t what makes her string of tweets so memorable– she also told her fans that her two latest albums were just “mediocre pop” that she made to profit, and that all her fans were fooled. 

“Planet Her and Hot Pink were cash-grabs and yall fell for it,” she penned on Twitter. “Now I can go disappear somewhere and touch grass with my loved ones on an island while yall weep for mediocre pop.”  

planet her and hot pink were cash-grabs and yall fell for it. now i can go disappear somewhere and touch grass with my loved ones on an island while yall weep for mediocre pop.

— DOJA CAT (@DojaCat) May 9, 2023

After tweeting about her last two albums, she shared that fans were wrong about the title of her upcoming album. “It’s not called hEllMoUth either it’s called ‘First of All‘ and yes I’m announcing the album title right now,” she tweeted.

its not called hEllMoUth either its called “First of All” and yes I’m announcing the album title right now.

— DOJA CAT (@DojaCat) May 9, 2023

Some fans didn’t care, and just wanted her to quickly drop the album, while others were still reeling about her “mediocre pop” comments, hoping that she was trolling about that assessment.

i am not letting my granny out until you drop it pic.twitter.com/3ZYusp95vJ

— alex (@greedyforlove) May 9, 2023

Now, Doja is feeding off the feedback and haters. Just hours ago, she returned to twitter to let her fans know she’s reading through everyone’s comments. 

“Everyone so angyyyyyyyyyyy MUUUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHHA,” she tweeted. Following up with “My stage name is no longer doja cat its Emcee Flapchunks the 3rd and youll address me as such” 

everyone so angyyyyyyyyyyy MUUUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHHA

— DOJA CAT (@DojaCat) May 11, 2023

My stage name is no longer doja cat its Emcee Flapchunks the 3rd and youll address me as such

— DOJA CAT (@DojaCat) May 11, 2023

This isn’t the first time Doja took to social media to share her goofy and unfiltered thoughts with the world, or even just to play a little trick on her audiences. Not even a month ago, Doja went on Instagram Live to “preview” her new album, where she played one second snippets. As fans rolled into the live, and asked her to hear more, she went on Youtube to just play a bunch of random beats and songs, laughing while reading comments. A lot of her fans got in on the joke, asking her to freestyle or laughing with her, but others not so much. “Bro, are you okay?” one instagram user asked. 

Doja’s candor and presence on social media leaves her vulnerable to lots of negativity, bad takes, and unwanted feedback about her music, her talent and her choices. While Doja is rolling with the punches, it may be the haters that fuel some of her more troll-like takes– or at least that’s what we’re hoping, because we’re big fans. 

Hot Pink and Planet Her were both award winning albums that had several viral singles including Get Into It (Yuh), Kiss Me More, and Ain’t Shit from Planet Her and Say So and Like That from Hot Pink. Maybe Doja is just trolling for more exposure, but Doja says that these albums were mediocre– well, we’re excited to see what could possibly come next. 

Top photo: screengrab from Doja Cat’s Instagram

Calling all 90s and 2000s babies! The sequel for Freaky Friday is officially in the works. Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis are ready to swap bodies again 20 years after the iconic remake hit theaters. 

Both Lohan and Curtis reunited this week for an interview with The New York Times, where they discussed their fortune cookie-cursed roles for Disney’s remake of the original 1976 comedy, based off of the 1972 Mary Rodgers novel of the same name. The two actresses have been hinting about their interest in reprising their iconic roles, and Disney has now confirmed that a sequel is in the early works, with Elyse Hollander writing the screenplay.

The 2003 hit followed Anna (Lohan), an Avril Lavigne-inspired, punk-esque teenager, and her mother Tess (Curtis) as they entered the tumbling phase of teenagehood. The film became one of the most iconic teen films of the early 2000s, and some of the most memorable scenes continue to replay in our heads. Remember when Jamie Lee was rocking out on the guitar? That lives in our heads rent free. 

While promoting her 2022 horror film Halloween Ends, Curtis told the New York Times she’s received endless questions about a potential Freaky Friday sequel, “Something really touched a chord. When I came back, I called my friends at Disney and said, ‘It feels like there’s a movie to be made.’”

“Jamie and I are both open to that, so we’re leaving it in the hands that be,” added Lohan during the interview. “We would only make something that people would absolutely adore.” We would adore seeing anything that involves our icons.

Fans of the movie and the actresses are buzzing with excitement. One fan by the username @xcinemilfs tweeted, “FREAKY FRIDAY SEQUEL WITH JAMIE LEE CURTIS AND LINDSAY LOHAN COMING BACK WAS JUST CONFIRMED LETS GOOOOOO.” The attached dancing video is exactly how we looked when the news came out. 

FREAKY FRIDAY SEQUEL WITH JAMIE LEE CURTIS AND LINDSAY LOHAN COMING BACK WAS JUST CONFIRMED LETS GOOOOOO pic.twitter.com/IxIE3JeEHW

— storm (@xcinemilfs) May 11, 2023

https://twitter.com/xcinemilfs/status/1656501969446645766

Another user by the name @tinisavage posted a video of Lohan’s character rocking out with her band to the song, “Take me Away,” which made the film even more notorious, captioning “lindsay lohan you will always be famous.” Don’t mind us while we jam out to this banger. 

lindsay lohan you will always be famous pic.twitter.com/r7PXeh5L3Z

— ??‍ (@tinisavage) May 11, 2023

Lindsay and Jamie have kept in touch over the years, and that thrills us to know that we get to see them reprise their roles. And hopefully we get to see them jam out in front of an audience one more time.

Top image: Screen grab from “Freaky Friday – Take me Away (Official Music Video) ft. Lindsay Lohan” on Youtube

Dolly Parton made a promise that she would “earn” her place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame after her induction, and gee golly, she meant it. Her first-ever rock album, Rockstar, is officially on its way, and the tracklist will surely turn you into a rock fan, if you’re not already.

Joined by some of the most legendary rock musicians, Rockstar will include 9 original tracks and 21 rock anthems being reborn, and it’s going to rock our socks out when it’s released on November 17. 

“I’m so excited to finally present my first Rock and Roll album, Rockstar!” Dolly shared in a statement. “I am very honored and privileged to have worked with some of the greatest iconic singers and musicians of all time and to be able to sing all of the iconic songs throughout the album was a joy beyond measure. I hope everybody enjoys the album as much as I’ve enjoyed putting it together!” 

 

 

 

 

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After her initial request to be removed from the 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominations, and later humbly accepting the induction, it’s clear that Dolly has been working from 9-5 (and overtime) to give us an all-new version of the country singer/songwriter. 

But Dolly Parton can never let go of her glamorous, star-striking moves and…who could ever turn down the Dolly Parton? She asked for a Beatles reunion. She got it. She wants Lizzo to play the flute on “Stairway to Heaven”? You bet that she got that request. If Dolly wants to rock, she is going to rock hard, and the tracklist speaks for itself. 

Rockstar tracklist:

1. “Rockstar” (special guest Richie Sambora)
2. “World on Fire”
3. “Every Breath You Take” (feat. Sting)
4. “Open Arms” (feat. Steve Perry)
5. “Magic Man” (feat. Ann Wilson with special guest Howard Leese)
6. “Long As I Can See The Light” (feat. John Fogerty)
7. “Either Or” (feat. Kid Rock)
8. “I Want You Back” (feat. Steven Tyler with special guest Warren Haynes)
9. “What Has Rock and Roll Ever Done For You” (feat. Stevie Nicks with special guest Waddy Wachtel)
10. “Purple Rain”
11. “Baby, I Love Your Way” (feat. Peter Frampton)
12. “I Hate Myself For Loving You” (feat. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts)
13. “Night Moves” (feat. Chris Stapleton)
14. “Wrecking Ball” (feat. Miley Cyrus)
15. “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” (feat. P!nk & Brandi Carlile)
16. “Keep On Loving You” (feat. Kevin Cronin)
17. “Heart of Glass” (feat. Debbie Harry)
18. “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” (feat. Elton John)
19. “Tried to Rock and Roll Me” (feat. Melissa Etheridge)
20. “Stairway to Heaven” (feat. Lizzo and Sasha Flute)
21. “We Are The Champions”
22. “Bygones” (feat. Rob Halford with special guests Nikki Sixx and John 5)
23. “My Blue Tears” (feat. Simon Le Bon)
24. “What’s Up?” (feat. Linda Perry)
25. “You’re No Good” (feat. Emmylou Harris and Sheryl Crow)
26. “Heartbreaker” (feat. Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo)
27. “Bittersweet” (feat. Michael McDonald)
28. “I Dreamed About Elvis” (feat. Ronnie McDowell with special guest The Jordanaires)
29. “Let It Be” (feat. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr with special guests Peter Frampton and Mick Fleetwood)
30. “Free Bird” (feat. Ronnie Van Zant with special guests Gary Rossington, Artemis Pyle and The Artimus Pyle Band)

November seems eons away after seeing all of these legendary musicians join forces with Dolly, but luckily we’re getting a little preview this week. The lead original track “World on Fire” is available on all streaming platforms May 11, coinciding with a world premiere performance of the song at the Academy of Country Music Awards (which she is also hosting! Again, she’s working overtime.) 

“This is a song I felt very inspired to write,” said Dolly in her statement. “I think it speaks about everything and to everyone this day and time. I hope it is something that will touch you and maybe touch enough people to want to make a change for the better.”

 

 

 

 

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Dolly Parton is the most iconic as they come, and her new album is a rebirth for several of the rock hits that shaped our musical generation. Now available for pre-order, Rockstar is going to send us back to those black leather, smoky cigarette days, and what better way to celebrate the fall season with some classic rock on our stereos. 

Top image: Curtis Hilbun, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Good news for fans of everything spooky: Beetlejuice 2 is finally happening, The news rolling in about the film is getting us so excited, we want to say “Beetlejuice” three times just to make the sequel arrive sooner. Not only is Michael Keaton returning to his famous title role, but it’s been confirmed that Tim Burton is returning to direct as well.

Of course, one of the best parts of the original Beetlejuice was all of the iconic women who were in it. Catherine O’Hara, Geena Davis, AND Winona Ryder? Truly a win for goth girls everywhere.

Although there hasn’t been any word on O’hara or Davis returning (we haven’t given up hope yet!) Ryder is set to return as the famous Lydia Deetz, and *drumroll please* everyone’s new favorite Scream Queen and Wednesday Addams herself, Jenna Ortega, is slated to play Lydia Deetz’s daughter. We couldn’t think of a more perfect casting. No plot details have been shared about the film, other than that it takes place years after the original. 

Fans are justifiably very excited about the new casting announcement, with one fan tweeting, “You couldn’t have built a better actor in a lab to be Lydia Deetz’s daughter in a “Beetlejuice” sequel than Jenna Ortega” True. 

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Another fan tweeted, #Beetlejuice2 is coming out September 6, 2024 with Keaton, Ryder, & Burton returning! Jenna Ortega will play Lydia Deetz’s daughter. Perfect casting! This is how you do a legacy sequel / requel!” Couldn’t have said it better ourselves. 

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The film is set to be released on September 6th, 2024, just in time for spooky season!

Top photo: Screen grab from “Jenna Ortega Is Reportedly Joining Beetlejuice 2! | E! News” from @enews on YouTube

If you (somehow) haven’t heard, The Writer’s Guild of America (WGA) is on strike, demanding better wages, more writers per show, shorter contracts and other conditions that can ensure television and film writers are fairly treated in the era of streaming, according to the Associated Press. The WGA isn’t just an association, it’s a union. And like all good unions, it uses the process of collective bargaining to negotiate better terms for union members. The guild has nearly 12,000 members, all writers who have not been compensated fairly and are demanding change, including redrawing how residuals work for shows in streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Disney, etc. Like the strikes in 2007 which lasted 100 days, this movement isn’t likely to go away any time soon. Here are ten celebrity women who are speaking out, joining the protests or otherwise supporting the writers strike.

Alex Borstein

Actress and comedian Alex Borstein (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Family Guy, Mad TV) has joined the strikes in Burbank, California to help the WGA leverage a new negotiation. Why is she striking? She told Deadline Hollywood: “I’m striking because writers have to get paid. You’re out of your freaking mind if you think you can make a show that isn’t written by a seasoned, professional writer. And the only way a person can become a seasoned, professional writer is if you pay them. Television is garbage without writers. I’m a proud television writer, I’m an actor too, but I’d say I’m a writer first, so let’s fucking do this.” Borstein also used the phrase “will slay for fair play,” which we hope will become the motto of this strike. 

WHY I’M STRIKING: “You’re out of your freaking minds if you think you can make a show that’s not written by a seasoned, professional writer…” – Alex Borstein, WGA, outside Walt Disney Studios in Burbank today pic.twitter.com/nD1Ng1Kw9t

— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) May 4, 2023

Quinta Brunson

“It girl” writer and actress, Quinta Brunson, showed her support for the writers’ strike by both joining the protest and speaking out on the red carpet. During the Met Gala she talked with The Associated Press about the impending writers’ strike. “I’m a member of WGA,” said Brunson. “I support them–us– getting what we need. No one wants a strike, but I hope we’re able to rectify this, whatever that means.” The actress later joined the protest, holding a sign that read “AI can’t write Tariq’s raps,” a reference to her show Abbott Elementary. 

Jennifer Coolidge 

Actress, comedian, and outright ICON, Jennifer Coolidge, voiced her support for the Writers Guild of America during her own acceptance speech when she won the “Comedic Genius” award at the 2023 MTV Movie and TV Awards. “Almost all great comedy starts with great writers, and as a proud member of SAG, I stand here before you tonight side-by-side with my sisters and brothers from the WGA, who are fighting for the rights of artists everywhere,” she said while accepting her award. “I think of the words of Shakespeare where he once said, ‘The play is the thing.’ Well, I don’t want to put words in his mouth or anything, but I think what he really meant was “it’s everything.” 

Thank YOU, @JENCOOLIDGE ??? Welcome to the Comedic Genius Award Club! #MTVAwards pic.twitter.com/CLH78d1bP3

— Movie & TV Awards (@MTVAwards) May 8, 2023

Mindy Kailing 

Backed by the opulence of the Met Gala, writer and actress Mindy Kaling (The Office, The Mindy Project, Late Night) talked to the folks at Variety about the writers strike. When asked if she had a plan for the strike, she said, “I’m reading all my emails from the guild, and I’ll do my part no matter what.” A few days later, she was found joining the picked line in Los Angeles in support of the Writer’s Guild. We’re so happy to see she lived up to her promise at the Met Gala! 

Shonda Rhimes

Where would modern television be without prodigy screenwriter, producer and author Shonda Rhimes? Responsible for breakout hits including Scandal, Grey’s Anatomy, Inventing Anna, and Bridgerton, Rhimes knows what it takes to bring an idea to life. ON May 3, Rhimes won BAFTA’s highest honor, a “Special Award” that recognizes her lifetime achievements and her several contributions to the television industry, Rhimes shared her support of the strike. “I really wish that we didn’t have to be on strike, and I feel the pain of the people who are dealing with the strike, but for me, for writers to get paid for what they do in a fair way is far more important. To have someone devalue art, it’s bad enough as it is right now– that’s happening everywhere. But for writers to not be able to make a living wage while making a television show or making a movie is a problem.” 

In the midst of the WGA strike, showrunner Shonda Rhimes is showing her support for writers #THRNews pic.twitter.com/P2yoUg3YsB

— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) May 4, 2023

Cynthia Nixon

The Sex and the City actress who also ran for Governor of New York, Cynthia Nixon, showed up to share her voice in the New York strikes. Nixon told Hollywood Reporter, “[The 2007 strikes] were long strikes, I think that is one reason everybody is pouring onto the picket line to try and make as much noise as possible right at the beginning,” she explained. “We’re here, we’re not going to be broken. No one is budging. We’ve got to negotiate.” Nixon also took to social media to make sure the message is spreading. “I stand with the WGA,” she wrote on her instagram post. “Without writers there would be no tv or film– they deserve a fair contract now!” 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Cynthia Nixon (@cynthiaenixon)

Aidy Bryant

The brilliant SNL alum Aidy Bryant joined the Writers Guild strike in New York. She shared a photo on her instagram, holding a picket sign that reads “fair contract.” She wrote in her caption, “WGA Strong in NYC! I love my unions! And thanks to all the NYC bus drivers who honked in support, those honks had me JUICED!” As a result of the writer’s strike, Bryant’s former show, Saturday Night Live, announced that the show is (temporarily) canceled due to the strikes, and they will be airing repeat episodes until further notice. 

 

 

 

 

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Olivia Wilde

Outside of her role in pop culture drama, Olivia Wilde has directed some very memorable films in the last few years including Don’t Worry Darling and Booksmart. During last week’s Met Gala, she shared her support of the WGA and unions in general. “I support the writers and I think it will affect all of us, people in the industry and people beyond the industry,” Wilde told Variety. “But I think we need to stand up for our rights. I support unions, and they spent a lot of time thinking about what they deserve. I wish it didn’t have to come to this.” 

Illana Glazer

It’s no surprise that Broad City babe Illana Glazer joined the picket line in support of the Writers Guild. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Glazer had projects in the works that are now being paused until writer’s demands are met. She said, “We need living wages, our basic needs met, and the writing portion of TV and film has been squeezed and squeezed and squeezed over the last few years and it really shouldn’t be surprising to the big studios that the human beings who are creating this content, who are the beating hearts and minds of this art and content, want to be treated with basic dignity.” She also brought up the hypocrisy of the situation, and how this issue ladders up to larger, global issues. “For us to be creating formula based on stories already told deepens the systems of oppression that brought us here to fight today. This is conservatism, and it’s really directly related to the global threat of facism we’re seeing.”

 

 

 

 

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Natasha Lyonne

Longtime feminist actress and writer Natasha Lyonne (Poker Face, Russian Doll, Orange is the New Black, But I’m a Cheerleader) showed up to the Paramount offices in Los Angeles to join the protests. In further support of the Writers Guild, Lyonne reposted a hilarious speech about ChatGPT and the need for writers that she made during the Time 100 Gala last year. Hate to say it’s even more relevant today! Check out the amusing speech below:

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Natasha Lyonne (@nlyonne)

Want to Show Your Support? 

If you’re interested in supporting the Writers Guild of America, there are several ways to do so. If you’re in Los Angeles or New York, you can physically join the picket line and strike with the writers themselves. You can also show your support on social media (here is WGA’s social media toolkit) and speak out to your own audience. If you wish to support monetarily, you can donate to the Entertainment Community Fund. 

Top photos: screen grabs from Aidy Bryant’s and Cynthia Nixon’s instagram.

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour is in full swing, and Cities are Competing to Make the Grandest Gesture as she arrives. What better way to keep track of the celebrations than by ranking them from the best to the lamest in a numbered list.

1. Tampa, Florida

Tampa didn’t play around. The mayor of the city, Jane Castor, made Swift the Mayor for a day, as well as presented her with a key to the city. In a one minute video for the star, Castor stated, “We know Glendale changed its name, Arlington made a street sign, and Vegas illuminated their Gateway Arches, but here in Tampa, we’ve got a reputation to uphold,” Castor said of the stunts pulled by other cities to make the “Eras” stops a little more special. “We want to go bigger. So I want to present you with a key to the city.” The mayor (Castor, not Swift) stated towards the end of the video, “Mayor Swift has a nice ring to it,” and we couldn’t agree more.

2. Glendale, Arizona 

Swift started her tour in Glendale, Arizona, and adorably, the city “renamed” themselves for Swift’s arrival to “Swift City.” While this was a sweet gesture, little did they know that they would now set a precedent for every city to follow. Glendale was really the OG in this hilarious competition, and having a city named after you, even if it was temporary, is a very warm welcome.

 3. Arlington, Texas

Swift’s next stop was Arlington, Texas, where she played three shows at the AT&T Stadium. Arlington truly went all out. The city had Swift-themed festivities going on all weekend, renamed a street to Taylor Swift Way, and, to top it all off, they gave Swift a key to the city. Given that there were multiple parts to this gift, our very scientific calculations place Arlington at number three.

 4. Nashville, Tennessee

Not only did Nashville Mayor, John Cooper, proclaim May 5-7, Swift’s performance dates, as “Taylor Swift Homecoming Weekend,” (Swift grew up in Nashville), but he also decreed a bench to the “Cardigan”-singer. The bench sits in Nashivlle’s famous Centennial Park, a reference to her song “Invisible String,” which also features the lyrics  “Green was the color of the grass where I used to read at Centennial Park.” Maybe not the grandest gesture, but it’s super endearing given Swift’s connection to the city.

Nashville has installed a bench in Centennial Park in honor of Taylor Swift, with lyrics from her track ‘invisible string.’

“For Taylor Swift, a bench for you to read on at Centennial Park.” pic.twitter.com/RRtcKUjThc

— Pop Base (@PopBase) May 4, 2023

5. Houston, Texas

Swift then traveled back to Texas for her Houston shows, and Houston was prepared for her. Harris County Judge, Lina Hidalgo, informed the public that NRG Stadium, where Swift was performing, would be renamed to NRG Stadium (Taylor’s Version) during the weekend she was performing. Banners and signs with the stadium’s new name were hung at the entrances. A very cute gesture, but a tad lackluster compared to some of the other cities. Isn’t everything supposed to be bigger in Texas?

thank you taylor swift for scheduling a concert in houston just for my birthday !! pic.twitter.com/MMqD2uBFMN

— Megan Menchaca (@meganmmenchaca) April 23, 2023

 6. Las Vegas, Nevada

After her opening shows in Glendale, Swift made her way to Las Vegas, Nevada, to play two nights at the Allegiant Stadium. In honor of Swift’s presence in the city, Vegas lit up their iconic Gateway Arches ahead of both of her shows. The arches’ colors were specially chosen to represent the popstars 10 albums. While this was a super cute move, the celebration unfortunately looked a little lame in comparison to some of the other city’s presentations.

Las Vegas will light up their Gateway Arches in Taylor Swift eras colors every night until she performs in the city on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/ojZEObZGgJ

— Pop Base (@PopBase) March 23, 2023

Top photo: Screen grab from “Taylor Swift invited to be honorary Tampa mayor ahead of tour stop | ANC” from @ANCAlerts on YouTube

Iconic actress Carrie Fisher was finally honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, six years after her death in 2016. Fisher’s daughter, Billie Lourd, alongside Fisher’s Star Wars co-star Mark Hamill, Billie’s father Bryan Lourd, and J.J. Abrams were in attendance, alongside hundreds of Star Wars fans, all there to honor the late actress. 

The ceremony took place on Thursday, May 4, the un-official Star Wars holiday due to some fun word play– “May the Fourth be With You” is a variation on “May the Force be With You,” Obi-Wan Kenobi’s seminal phrase. 

The actress was best known for her role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars series, including all three of the original films, a reprise in The Force Awakens (2015) and The Last Jedi (2017). The Rise of Skywalker (2019) was filmed posthumously, and utilized previously unreleased footage to include Princess Leia’s character. 

“No one will ever be as hot or as cool as Princess Leia,” said Lourd in her speech. “Leia is more than just a character. She’s a feeling. She is strength. She is grace. She is wit. She is femininity at its finest. She knows what she wants and gets it. She doesn’t need anyone to rescue her because she rescues herself and even rescues the rescuers. And no one could have played her like my mother.”

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the ceremony took place near the El Capitan Theatre. The star was the 2,754th addition to The Walk Of Fame, and was placed just a few feet away from Mark Hamill’s, across the street from Fisher’s starlet mother, Debbie Reynolds. Lourd was wearing a dress with her mother’s image on the skirt, and even donned a Star Wars-themed manicure. 

 

 

 

 

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During the ceremony, Lourd explained how she developed interest in the Star Wars series a little late in life, considering her mother played a lead role. It wasn’t until adolescence that she watched the film after realizing that her classmates and peers loved her mom’s character. Now six years after Fischer’s death, she is carrying the torch for her mother by continuing to share the joy of the Star Wars films with the world.  “I feel so lucky that even though they won’t get to meet my mom, they will get to know a piece of her through Leia,” said Lourd. 

Over the past several years Lourd has taken up the family business. She played the role of Lieutenant Connix in The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker. She’s also become known for her roles in Scream Queens, as well as American Horror Story. 

“My mom used to say you weren’t actually famous until you became a Pez dispenser,” said Lourde in her acceptance speech. “Well, people eat candy out of her neck every day. I say you aren’t actually famous until you get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. My mom is a double-whammy — a Pez dispenser and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame now. Mama, you’ve made it.”

Top photos: From Billie Lourd’s Instagram 

(Note the above image was generated by feeding the headline of this article into Canva’s AI text-to-image generator)

In a not-so-surprising turn of events, futuristic synth-pop musician and Elon Musk’s ex, Grimes, is releasing an AI-powered music app. In a string of tweets, the self-proclaimed “A.I. Popstar for the Martian Ministry of Propaganda,” unveiled new software called Elf.Tech, where users can create songs using her voice. The songs that users make are completely “without penalty” and are safe for commercial use.  

I’ll split 50% royalties on any successful AI generated song that uses my voice. Same deal as I would with any artist i collab with. Feel free to use my voice without penalty. I have no label and no legal bindings. pic.twitter.com/KIY60B5uqt

— ?????? (@Grimezsz) April 24, 2023

The singer, who just parted ways with her label, Columbia Records, said “I’ll split 50% royalties on any successful AI generated song that uses my voice,” in a tweet. “Same deal as I would with any artist I collab with. Feel free to use my voice without penalty.  I have no label and no legal bindings.”

5 – we ask for 50% splits on master recording royalties in exchange for a grimes feat and distribution. There’s a *small* chance we can organize getting you publishing $ as well but we can’t guarantee this yet. But I hope we can!! Would be cool.

— ?????? (@Grimezsz) April 30, 2023

Elf.Tech was released following the controversial viral AI-generated song,
Heart on My Sleeve that featured the voices of The Weeknd and Drake. Though the song was taken off streaming platforms, the issue still lingers: How is AI-generated art going to be regulated? Who owns the copyright? Who owns the IP? How can you stop a speeding train? 

Several artists have come out against the use of AI-generated art, stating that the works, whether they be videos, voice clips, songs, illustrations, etc, are created using an amalgamation of existing artwork that were utilized without permission or compensation. Not only are these works created using unpaid art, they also create works in a real person’s likeness, profiting off of an actual human being without being legally obligated to compensate that person. 

I know people have been using AI of my voice to have fun, make my characters cuss or do other out of pocket things, etc. This is all done without my consent and it does feel extremely weird. If you see clips out there, please know it’s without my permission. Thank you.

— Cristina Vee Valenzuela (@CristinaVee) February 13, 2023

Grimes, however, is trying to get ahead of the machine through this new app. “I think it’s cool to be fused with a machine and I like the idea of open sourcing all art and killing copyright,” said Grimes in a tweet. “I’m just curious what even happens and interested in being a guinea pig.” 

Though copyright and compensation may not be a big concern for Grimes, it doesn’t mean that this technology won’t rob working artists of their likeness, and in ways, their autonomy. Cherie Hu, Founder of Water & Music, told Complex Magazine, “The concept at the core of why creative AI could be so disruptive is that the friction between having an idea, and manifesting that idea in the form of a creative work, has essentially gone down to zero. Barriers in distributing music have already been collapsing, with anyone now able to list their music on streaming services for free. To see the same barriers collapsing in the creative process means that the playing field of who can be an “artist,” in the sense of being an active participant in the music economy, will continue to increase dramatically.”

Elf.Tech users can either record directly in the app, or upload audio that will then be fused with Grimes’ likeness. The file can be registered with Grimes as the main, secondary, or a featured artist. Each AI-generated song that features her voice will ensure she has 50% royalty splits of the master recording, that can be released on platforms or used in commercial use, such as in a television show or commercial. 

Alongside Elf.Tech’s launch, Grimes announced two new AI-themed songs, “Music For Machines” and “I Wanna Be Software,” that will be released in the near future. And while the musician may be embracing the way of the machines, we’re not yet convinced. 

The trailer for Director Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two was just released and the world of Arrakis is expanding with some familiar faces: actors Florence Pugh (Midsommer, Little Women, Don’t Worry Darling), Austin Butler (Elvis, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, The Dead Don’t Die), and Léa Seydoux (No Time To Die, The French Dispatch, Blue is the Warmest Color) have all joined the cast, filling out the world of Dune and adding intrigue to an already complex plotline.

Dune is an epic sci-fi fantasy with an ecological message written in the 1960s by novelist Frank Herbert. It takes place on a desert planet called Arrakis that is ravished by famine, systemic inequalities and a failing government (sound familiar?) and is colonized by the Atreides family and crew. Factions clash as the Freman (people native to the planet Arrakis), fight for their freedom and autonomy. Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), despite being a member of the colonizing family, switches sides to fight alongside the Freman as he falls in love with native Chani (played by Zendaya). 

Dune: Part One starred Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Oscar Issac, Stellen Skarsgård, and Jason Momoa and was released in September of 2021. The film took on the first half of Herbert’s novel, and surpassed opening weekend profits, bringing in $41 million on opening weekend through just over 4,000 theaters. Reception was overall quite high, despite it’s nearly three hour run time, especially for fans of the novel who were eager to see a successful rendition after David Lynch’s panned Dune adaptation, and the failed adaptation attempt from Chilean-French director Alejandro Jodorowsky in the 1970s.

Now, two years after the release of Dune: Part One, Warner Bros. Pictures shared the trailer of Dune: Part Two, which is set to be released on November 3. Florence Pugh is introduced in the trailer, portraying Princess Irulan, a dominant character in the Dune series. The Princess plays an integral role in Paul Atreides’ hero’s journey. We see Irulan investigating the “fall” of the Atreides family, wondering if her family was involved in a plot against them. 

“In the shadows of Arrakis lies many secrets, but the darkest of them all may remain, the end of house Atreides,” Pugh voices in the trailer.

In addition to Pugh’s new major character, the trailer shows a growing connection between Paul (Chalamet) and Chani (Zendaya), a classic Montague and Capulet story, with Chani being a native member of the Fremen, and Paul being the son of a colonist who was sent to occupy Arrakis. The duo have a great and natural connection, developing an environment of love and hope in the otherwise bleak background of the sandy and arid Arrakis.

While Pugh is the most prominent of the new characters, we also get to see glimpses of Seydoux and Butler in the trailer. Seydoux plays Margot Fenring who is part of a secretive matriarchal order called Bene Gesserit, aka The Sisterhood, who have developed some pretty wild abilities including sexual imprinting, sexual seduction, control of her body chemistry and more.

We also see a disturbing glimpse of a bald Austin Butler, playing Feyd-Rautha, a power-hungry villain who is posed to be the antithesis of Paul Atreides. 

In a world full of questionable remakes and less-than-stellar adaptations, sci-fi fans are pretty excited about what director Denis Villeneuve is doing with Frank Herbert’s epic story. 

While we don’t know where the future lies for our friends on Arrakis, we’re excited to see this saga expand with some of our favorite actors. Dune: Part Two will be released in theaters on November 3. 

All photos from the official Dune: Part Two Trailer from the Warner Bros. Pictures Youtube Channel

Comedian Dulcé Sloan is taking over as guest host this week on The Daily Show. Sloan is the fourth of the five Daily Show Correspondents’ that will be guest hosting while the program looks to secure a new permanent host.

Sloan started off her first show with the killer one liner, “I’m nervous…that I might crush this too hard” and then dove right into the show’s first segment, “Headlines.” Sloan covered a variety of topics, starting with professional basketball player Brittney Griner’s return to the United States. Griner has stated that she has decided to not travel for basketball anymore given the horrors she experienced after traveling to Russia for basketball and ending up in Russian prison. Apparently, people are upset that Griner has made the decision to cease traveling, and to those people, Sloan matter-of-factly-stated, “I know people are saying, “how could she never travel again?” And those people, are white.”

Sloan also tackled the controversy surrounding the new Netflix show Queen Cleopatra, and the decision to portray Cleopatra as a Black woman. Many people are arguing that Cleopatra was of Greek descent and was not of African descent. Sloan gifted us with two hilarious statements on this issue, first stating, “I didn’t hear you complaining when all of those Mummy movies were coming out” and then ending the conversation with “You can have Cleopatra, but then we get Jesus.” Obsessed.

Sloan ended her debut episode with an interview with drag legend (and winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 15) Sasha Colby. Colby’s win was historic in multiple ways, as not only was she the first trans woman to win the show, but she was also the first Hawaiian queen to compete and take the crown. The two didn’t shy away from Colby’s legendary status, with Colby chiming in that she’s “mother” (she is) and the two joking about the “drag delusion” the other season 15 queens developed in thinking they could beat Colby. We love the energy.

Colby also gave an excellent response to Sloan’s question as to how her Hawaiian culture intersects with her transness, mentioning how gender fluidity is deeply embedded in many Indigenous cultures. She additionally discussed how she wants to be an example of a happy trans person in the media, and how the attack on trans bodies and the attack on reproductive justice are struggles that are intertwined. The whole convo was an example of true feminist solidarity.

Finally, Sloan was given her own drag name, Dulcé Colby, and it’s a name that sums up Sloan’s comedic genius and status as, dare we say, “mother.”

Be sure to check out the rest of Dulcé Sloan’s episodes of The Daily Show this week, airing on Comedy Central at 11 PM EST.

Top photo: Courtesy of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show

Renowned for expertly capturing the essence of the Regency era, Golda Rosheuvel has been celebrated for her elegant portrayal of Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz on Bridgerton, Netflix’s record-breaking historical-romance series executive produced by Shonda Rhimes. When I catch up with her on vacation in Cyprus on Zoom, it’s a gorgeous day, and Rosheuvel, 53, is adorned in a chic black turban, radiating the same magnetic presence she commands on screen.

Not long before our chat, it was announced that an eight-episode limited series, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, would be premiering in the spring of 2023 on Netflix, depicting the young monarch’s ascension and putting Rosheuvel’s character front and center. It was a shrewd move by producers, possibly capitalizing on the public’s interest in the British monarchy’s current power couple, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Like Meghan Markle, the real Queen Charlotte was also a multiethnic woman who married into the British royal family—a direct descendent from Margarita de Castro y Sousa, a Black branch of the Portuguese royal house.

Genealogical research into Charlotte’s origins only helped heighten the attention already surrounding Rosheuvel’s portrayal of Queen Charlotte since Bridgerton premiered in 2020. The London-based actor, who now resides with her partner—playwright Shireen Mula—connects her childhood growing up in Guyana and the U.K. with a Guyanese priest father and a white British mother to her ability to resonate with audiences across cultures. “I’m a human being born to a beautiful white woman and a beautiful Black man, and to represent my biracial heritage is something that I’m proud of,” she says. “Coming from two human beings from different backgrounds is not talked about much.” Rosheuvel describes her upbringing as “one of music, storytelling, having lots of people over for dinner, and listening to my parents and their friends talk with laughter and language.” She goes on to explain that her vibrant, diverse community and home life enabled “a very easy transition into acting.” “Between ‘Action’ and ‘Cut’ is the most magical place for me,” she continues. “It feels so natural, alive, unique, and intimate.”

“Between ‘Action’ and ‘Cut’ is the most magical place for me. It feels so natural, alive, unique, and intimate.”

For Rosheuvel, sometimes life truly imitates art, even when her character lived two centuries ago. She says that her mother’s very genteel British background gave her deep insight into her role on Bridgerton. “I was brought up on afternoon teas and horseback riding and being dragged around England to visit manor houses, which is incredible now because that’s where we film,” she says. “Having that knowledge while playing a woman embroiled in this English countryside atmosphere and sensibility is thrilling. It’s great to celebrate that side of my heritage.”

“I was brought up on afternoon teas and horseback riding and being dragged around England to visit manor houses.”

Although her passion for acting began with her school’s drama productions, Rosheuvel’s versatile talents as a teen also included a wide range of sports, namely hockey, netball, swimming, and javelin. Now, she says, she’s grateful for her sporty background, since the strength she developed helps her manage the giant wigs she wears, sometimes for over 10 hours at a time, to play Queen Charlotte. “One of the wigs on Queen Charlotte broke the heaviness record,” she reveals. “There’s a beautiful story to that, so I won’t give too much away, but watch out for it.”

Photo by Chantel King. Stylist: Georgia Medley; Makeup: Kenneth Soh; Hair: Dionne Smith

Before she wraps up our chat to enjoy her holiday, Rosheuvel shares how, despite once being told by a director never to come out as LGBTQ+, she’s always stayed committed to preserving her authenticity. “To be able to stand and believe in yourself, even if it’s scary, is important,” she tells me. “Especially in the world we’re living in now—being authentic, truthful, kind, and generous to yourself will be reflected in your decisions.”

Top photo by Chantel King. Stylist: Georgia Medley; Makeup: Kenneth Soh; Hair: Dionne Smith

As Lesbian Visibility Week comes to a close, we’re reminded that sapphic representation needs to be way more prevalent in our society. More often than not, our identities are fully mishandled. Relationships between queer women are often depicted as overly sexualized. Other times, queer women are written in service to a heterosexual man’s fantasy, like in the infamous Blue Is The Warmest Color or in David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive. Luckily the landscape is changing, and it has been for some time. So crack open a “Tall Girl” from this lesbian-owned brewery: here are several movies that feature accurate portrayals of sapphic relationships. And as a bonus? They’re all written, created, and/or directed by lesbian, transgender, and non-binary people. As always, make sure to check the website Doesthedogdie.com if you’d like to be mindful of triggers.

The Aggressives (2005)

Lesbian Visibility Week is an important step forward, but conversations about intersectionality within the queer community need to be more prevalent. The 2005 documentary The Aggressives serves to explore the unspoken struggles of queerness and gender identity within the Black community. The title of the film comes from the popular African-American Vernacular term: “AG”, which is used to describe a masculine or “butch” lesbian or non-binary person. The film follows several masculine presenting queer women, non-binary people, trans-men, and their partners over the course of 5 years. The film documents the often untold narratives of queer women of color, and how the added marginalization of those identities has an effect on the LGBTQ community as a whole. The Aggressives gives us a much needed look into the world of the Queer Black/Latinx ball scene, as well as detailing the level of community in popular cruising spots like the Christoper Street Piers. It’s sharp, raw, and just as provocative as it is informative. And it’s got a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. 

All Over Me (1997)

All Over Me is an internationally award-winning indie film written and directed by sisters Alex and Sylvia Sichel. The film takes place during New York City’s riot grrrl scene, and follows the journey of a teenage musician grappling with her sexual identity. The film is a brutally accurate representation of raw sapphic heartbreak, queer culture in 90s New York, and the complexity of teenage love. All Over Me stars two familiar faces: Leisha Hailey from Showtime’s The L Word, and Alison Folland from the 1999 Brandon Teena biopic Boys Don’t Cry. The gritty shots of Tompkins Square Park pair perfectly with the soundtrack, which is laden with well-known riot grrrl musicians. With songs from Ani DiFranco, Sleater-Kinney, and Babes In Toyland, it’s clear that this film was made for us, by us. That’s not all: the film won the Teddy Award for Best Feature Film in 1997, as well as winning the Grand Jury Prize at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival, and the award for Outstanding Film at the GLAAD Media Award in 1998. If you watch any film this week, let it be this one. The film is as hopeful as it is gut-wrenching, so just make sure you have a box of tissues handy. 

Jennifer’s Body (2009)

Jennifer’s Body is a 2009 comedy-horror created by Karyn Katsuma and Juno director (and former Bust cover star!) Diablo Cody. Starring Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfried, the film follows the deteriorating friendship between two best friends after a traumatic incident changes them both. Despite (and perhaps because of) its realistic depiction of female adolescence, Jennifer’s Body was eviscerated by audiences upon its initial release. It has since become a bonafide cult classic, with many people (me included) defining the film as their queer awakening. It even had a limited 35mm re-release in 2022 as a part of Roxy Cinema’s “Woman As Witch” series. Jennifer’s Body is a subversive and unexpected sleeper hit with themes of female revenge and a perfectly crafted 00s “emo” soundtrack. It’s spooky, nostalgic, canonically queer-coded, and it’s the perfect film to watch after a long night at your favorite lesbian bar. *see below.*

The Lesbian Bar Project (2022)

How many lesbian bars do you think are left in the United States, 100? 50? Try less than 20. The Lesbian Bar Project is both a documentary and a campaign created by Erica Rose and Elina Street. The Lesbian Bar Project seeks to rectify the lack of sapphic spaces by supporting and unifying those that are left, and features lesbian safe havens like Wildrose in Seattle, Gossip Grill in California, and all three of NYC’s lesbian bars: Cubbyhole, Gingers, and Henrietta Hudsons. One bar, named Herz, was predominantly featured in the documentary and has already since closed down. The film is impactful, and the organization is making a valiant effort to save our spaces; The Lesbian Bar Project has raised over 100,000$ to date, donating all the proceeds to the lesbian bars that are left.

But I’m A Cheerleader! (1999)

You can’t have a lesbian movie list without this 1999 arthouse classic. But, I’m A Cheerleader! is the textbook definition of camp, slow burns, and happy endings. Natasha Lyonne stars as Megan, an average teenage girl who is accused by her friends and family of “being a homosexual,” in what may be the most hilarious intervention scene of film history. (Her mother calls Megan’s posters of Melissa Etheridge “gay iconography.”)  Megan has her world turned upside down when she’s then sent to a gender conversion therapy camp run by RuPaul. Seriously. Things seem to be getting worse (or better?) when she meets the brash and elusive Graham, played by gay icon Clea Duvall. The film even received a standing ovation when it premiered at the San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival in 1999. With monochromatic pastel houses, tongue-in-cheek punchlines, and poignant social commentary, But, I’m A Cheerleader! is quintessential queer girl cinema.

Bound (1996)

Bound is the directorial debut by LGBTQ+ icons The Wachowskis. The film also stars Jennifer Tilly (who you may know better as Chucky’s Tiffany Valentine), and Showgirls’ Gina Gershon. Bound is a high-intensity crime drama that grossed over 7 million dollars at the box office. The movie follows a passionate Bonnie-and-Bonnie love affair in the midst of a high-intensity mob robbery, and every scene will have your heart racing for one reason or another. Bound has been hailed as one of the first films to center a lesbian relationship, without homosexuality being central to the progression of the plot. A lot of care went into making this film the lesbian cinematic masterpiece it is today; the Wachowskis recruited sex-positive feminist, author, and intimacy coordinator, Susie Bright. And her work paid off. Bound has been hailed as one of the most refreshingly accurate film portrayals of lesbian intimacy. But do our lovebirds make it out alive? You’ll just have to watch and find out!

Top Photo Credit: Screenshot from But I’m A Cheerleader! Directors Cut Trailer, Lionsgate FIlms

The trailer opens with a shot of the Capitol, but not as we’ve seen it before. Songbirds is set years before Katniss Everdeen volunteered in place of her sister for the 74th Hunger Games. To be exact, the book and film follow the events leading up to the 10th annual Hunger Games. The trailer does a good job of letting audiences know that this is a Capitol we don’t know yet, as the city’s aesthetic and its technology seems to be inspired by the 1950s. 

The film follows a young Coriolanus Snow (played by Tom Blythe) as he is assigned to train a new tribute from District 12 for the annual fight to the death. That tribute is Lucy Gray Baird, played by West Side Story’s Rachel Zegler. Zegler makes her entrance in the trailer by bowing to the audience, imitating a pose Jennifer Lawrence did in the first Hunger Games movie. (Though of course, technically Zegler’s character would have done it first.)

We also get our first glimpse of queen Viola Davis as Dr. Valumnia Gaul, the original head gamemaker, the person who designs all of the deadly and malicious tricks and weapons used in the arena. Euphoria’s Hunter Schafer also stars as Tigris, President Snow’s cousin, and a fan favorite character from the books that didn’t get much screen time in the original Hunger Games franchise.

The trailer ends with a voiceover of Donald Sutherland’s original President Snow, speaking the iconic line, “It’s the things we love most that destroy us” followed by the famous Hunger Games whistle.

The fact that we get Viola Davis, Rachel Zegler, and Hunter Schafer in the same movie is enough to make us bolt the theaters on November 17, the fact that the movie in question is Hunger Games film is just an added bonus.

Top photo: Screen grab from “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023) Official Trailer” from @LionsgateMovies on YouTube

Liv Hewson, 27, the nonbinary actor who plays young Van Palmer in Showtime’s Yellowjackets, announced that they are withdrawing their submission for the Primetime Emmy Awards Ceremony in a recent interview with Variety. Hewson was originally set to campaign for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, but pulled their submission simply because there are no non-gendered category nonbinary actors.

“There’s no place for me in the acting categories,” Hewson said. “It would be inaccurate for me to submit myself as an actress. It neither makes sense for me to be lumped in with the boys. It’s quite straightforward and not that loaded. I can’t submit myself for this because there’s no space for me.” 

Hewson had top surgery in between filming the first and second season of Yellowjackets. Their coworkers, who are said to be incredibly encouraging, are supporting Hewson as they discuss their decision to withdraw. It’s got us all thinking: maybe it’s time for award ceremonies to update their programming. 

“It’s worth talking about,” Hewson stated. “And I very gently and respectfully ask that people get their gears turning a little.”

At the end of March, Yellowjacket’s Emmy campaigns were announced, with plenty of hopefuls in the hit Showtime series. Actresses Sophie Nélisse, Melanie Lynskey, Tawny Cypress and Juliette Lewis are campaigning for Lead Actress in a Drama award. Cristinia Ricci is once again seeking a nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama for her role as Misty. A variety of other supporting actors were going for noms as well– including Lauren Ambrose, who plays the adult version of Van Palmer, Liv Hewson’s character. 

Hewson, along with several LGBTQ activists, believe that the performance arts awards should not be gendered. Especially when non-acting awards, like Outstanding Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Original Song are not awarded through gendered categories. 

“There is an implied fatalism there, which suggests that we’ve all agreed that equality is impossible. And that’s sad,” said Hewson. “We’re not going to start awarding ‘Best Female and Male Director,’ or ‘Female or Male Cinematographer’ because we all understand that implicitly would be insulting. You can keep things as they are right now — I just won’t be participating.”

Top photo from the Season 2 trailer of ‘Yellowjackets’ by Showtime

A coming-of-age story centering on the titular Margaret’s struggles to adapt both to sixth grade in a new school and to life inside her rapidly changing body, the film relies on wonderful little moments—first kisses, first bras, first periods—rather than on a traditional dramatic arc to deliver its slice of pubescent life.

By retaining the novel’s original time and place—New Jersey circa 1970—Craig’s script deftly highlights the ways in which so many quintessential girlhood rites of passage have been altered or possibly even erased by the advent of the Internet, social media, and cell phones.

A formidable supporting cast anchors this blast from the past, with Rachel McAdams delivering a warm, Gilmore Girls-style performance as Margaret’s artsy mom, and Kathy Bates channeling her inner yenta as the hilariously outspoken Jewish grandma.

But of course, the film would be nothing without a riveting Margaret, and Abby Ryder Fortson—who was only 13 when filming began and was previously best known for playing Paul Rudd’s daughter in Ant-Man—knocks this iconic role out of the park.

Her big, expressive eyes and pensive body language poignantly telegraph so much of Margaret’s inner world to the audience that it’s impossible not to root for her as she tiptoes her way, awkwardly yet beautifully, toward adulthood.

Top photo: Rachel McAdams and Abby Ryder Fortson. Photo by: Dana Hawley 

Sex And The City is one of many examples of media that was considered progressive for its time, but has since become dated and problematic. It’s clear from the season two trailer of And Just Like That… that the spinoff is no different. Sex And The City is known for very many things: fabulous outfits, quippy one liners, and the infamous “Carrie run.”  The new reboot of the series, And Just Like That… continues the legacy of the notorious HBO hit, with Carrie and (some) of her friends taking on new storylines, new relationships, and new Prada bags. 

But there is one glaringly obvious problem. Both Sex & The City and And Just Like That… have been constantly criticized for their lack of diversity, as well as for their mishandling of storylines that involve people of color. By looking at the season two trailer for And Just Like That…, it’s clear that the show is trying to rectify its actions in the worst way possible: with performative activism and virtue signaling. This has many people asking the question: how do you diversify a cast without contributing to tokenism?

The trailer was released Wednesday April 26. Shortly after the drop, Twitter was ablaze with criticism. This tweet from writer and producer B.A. Parker pointed out the strange dynamics of the trailer, which features several, seemingly random women of color. These women, who rarely speak, essentially serve the purpose of “yes men” to Carrie and her friends. (One of the first and only lines spoken by a black woman in the trailer is over exaggerated ebonics: “For real?!”) The post has nearly 60,000 likes, and over 6.4 million views. 

I still can’t get over each main character getting their own emotional support woman of color https://t.co/jIlcvbMM1d

— B.A. Parker (@aparkusfarce) April 26, 2023

Parker points out how this is clearly just a misguided response to the backlash the show received for its previous lack of diversity, where characters like Miranda’s law professor, Nya Wallace, was shoehorned in with minimal screen time and an underdeveloped storyline. Other users call out the show for being tone-deaf, considering that Sex and The City was never a show that featured, was associated with, or positively portrayed people of color. With this new, seemingly well-intentioned approach to diversity, they’re simply just contributing to the same problem that they’re aiming to rectify. And it seems forced, disingenuous, and out-of-character for them to do so now.  

the crazy thing is the show was always just 4 privileged white women being offensive and acting privileged but now they’re trying to make them super “progressive” which seems out of character if you’ve watched the show ?

— tia (@ladymarmaladea) April 27, 2023

But this is not the first time SATC has faced criticism for trying to respond to their utter disregard and mistreatment of non-white characters. Within the SATC universe, it’s very clear that people of color have always been an afterthought —or simply just not thought of at all. 

The original run of the show has been undeniably and overtly racist, and people are finally speaking up about it. TheTake has a full 22 minute video on all the things SATC got wrong: “In Sex and The City’s version of New York City, one of the most multicultural cities in the world, people of color are mostly absent or treated as set dressing. Most problematic is the number of people of color who are only shown in roles of servitude to the white characters.”

In season 6 of Sex & The City, Samatha “tries out” a black man. The role for Samantha’s suitor was actually turned down by actor Blair Underwood, who stated “I’m not interested in [contributing to the notion of tokenism and] black curiosity.” The episode was riddled with problematic narratives. These include (but are not limited to) the hypersexualization of black people, the criminalization of the black community (Samatha goes to an “urban” club for the first time, and is checked by security: an experience that is foreign to her). To top it all off, Samantha is painted as the hero after getting into a fight with an “Angry Black Woman”, mocking her by saying that, and I quote, “Get your big black ass out of my face! And your okra wasn’t ‘all that!’ ” 

It’s clear from this one episode alone, that many people don’t trust the showrunners to handle the topic of intersectionality. And it’s not like the idea of tokenism and performative activism are anything new. Social activism has been in a huge bloom since the early 2010s, so they have no excuse to continue to perpetuate this narrative of black sidekick. We’re tired of being background characters, we’re tired of not getting our own storylines, and we’re tired of only getting media representation if it’s in subordination to white women. It’s 2023, and we need to do way better. 

Top Photo Credit:  Screenshot from “And Just Like That…” Season 2 Trailer via HBO Studios

In a big win for representation, Mattel is releasing a new Barbie doll with Down syndrome that is designed to give children with a variety of disabilities a toy that better represents them. 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Ellie G (@elliejg16_zebedeemodel)

Ellie Goldstein (above) is a British model with Down syndrome who has been tapped to launch the new product, a collaboration between Mattel designers and the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) “I am so happy that there is a Barbie with Down’s syndrome,” she said. “Seeing the doll, I felt so overwhelmed – it meant a lot to me and I’m so honored and proud that Barbie chose me to show the doll to the world. Diversity is important to me as people need to see more people like me out there in the world and not be hidden away.”

The doll is designed with features that portray some of the physical characteristics of a person with Down syndrome. These include a longer torso, shorter frame, rounder face, smaller ears, flatter nasal bridge, and slightly slanted almond-shaped eyes. Barbie’s palms even feature a single line, which is a trait often seen in people with Down syndrome.  

This Barbie is the latest expansion of Mattel’s annual Barbie Fashionista line, which includes Barbie’s with a variety of disabilities and physical differences including a wheelchair user, a doll with vitiligo, a bald doll, a doll with a prosthetic leg and other examples. 

“It was an honor working with Barbie on the Barbie doll with Down syndrome,” said Kandi Pickard, NDSS President and CEO. “This means so much for our community, who for the first time, can play with a Barbie doll that looks like them. This Barbie serves as a reminder that we should never underestimate the power of representation. It is a huge step forward for inclusion and a moment that we are celebrating.”

It isn’t just the sculpt of the doll that was thoughtfully crafted: the fashion, accessories and orthotics were also considered. The doll’s puffed sleeves feature butterflies and yellow and blue colors, both associated with Down syndrome awareness. Barbie wears a pink necklace with three upward arrows, a design that many parents of children with autism get tattooed. Each arrow represents one of the three copies of the 21st chromosome, in a design that has been called “the lucky few” as a way for parents and family members to celebrate their loved ones with Down syndrome. Mattel also included orthotics in the form of an ankle boot, because some people with Down syndrome employ the use of orthotics to support their feet and ankle.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Caitlin Keller (@just_peachy_caitlin)

“Our goal is to enable all children to see themselves in Barbie, while also encouraging children to play with dolls who do not look like themselves,” said Lisa McKnight, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Barbie & Dolls, Mattel. “Doll play outside of a child’s own lived experience can teach understanding and build a greater sense of empathy, leading to a more accepting world.”

The 2023 Fall Fashionistas dolls, including the Barbie doll with Down syndrome, are available in limited quantities online and in participating retailers. 

Top photo: screen grab from Ellie Goldstein’s instagram 

Drag is an art form that has been making people happy for decades. Unfortunately, it’s also an art form that’s been making people unjustifiably mad for decades. Recently, more and more anti-drag legislations have been popping up around the country, such as Tennessee’s drag ban.  

The Prolific TV, Film and Broadway Figure Matt Weaver (Rock of Ages, Chef’s Table, Jiro Dreams of Sushi) has decided it’s time to make a public statement to show that the majority of Americans won’t stand for this. 

Tune in on May 7th for Drag Isn’t Dangerous, a live telethon created to raise awareness and funds for those who continue to be harmed by anti-LGBTQIA legislation.

Weaver is set to Co-Executive Produce the event with Management firm Producer Entertainment Group, Di Sorbetto and BC Live. The event will be hosted by Writer/Actor/Comedian Justin Martindale as well as RuPaul’s Drag Race star Peppermint.

But wait! There’s more! The event is also set to feature some incredible artists, including Charlize Theron, Leslie Jones, Margaret Cho, Trixie Mattel & Katya, Sarah Silverman, and many more.

“The nerve of these disingenuous politicians is unfathomable,” Sarah Silverman stated, regarding the rise of anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation, in the event’s press release. “The number one killer of children is guns and these NRA pawns deflect it with a completely fabricated problem that puts the drag community in danger. The hypocrisy is astounding.” We couldn’t agree more.

All proceeds from the event will be divided among approved charities that support LGBTQIA+ causes and drag performers in need, with special attention given to drag performers in states where they face discrimination and bans.

You can get tickets to this incredible (and important!) event here, and the livestream will be available to watch here on May 7th. If you’re feeling extra generous, the creators of the event also set up a pre-show donation page which can be found here.

Happy Lesbian Visibility Day! In honor of today (and the entirety of Lesbian Visibility Week) here are 6 lesbian musicians that we think deserve to be more visible!

Fanny

Fanny was the first all-female rock band to release an album on a major label. Also, it just so happens that two of Fanny’s members — June Millington and the drummer Alice de Buhr — are lesbians. A documentary titled Fanny: The Right to Rock came out in 2021, and discusses the h1istory of the band. After dealing with tons of sexism in the music industry, Fanny still became a household name for many rock and roll fans. If you’re looking to listen to some rock music but don’t want to stick to the very male, very white artists that have been deemed to be “the classics”, give Fanny a try! Their 1972 album Fanny Hill is nothing short of a masterpiece. It makes sense as to why they’ve collected fans such as David Bowie and Bonnie Rait over the years.

Nikki Glaspie

Iconic lesbian drummer ​​Nikki Glaspie has played with countless iconic artists, including Chaka Khan, George Michael, and Beyoncé. Impressively, Yamaha named her one of the best drummers out there today. The Berklee College of Music alum also leads a jazz/funk trio called The Nth Power. Their 2021 album Reverence features complex and melodic instrumentals that make this album the perfect listen for a rainy summer day. 

The Blow

The Blow is an electro-pop duo made up of girlfriends Khaela Maricich and Melissa Dyne. Though many music publications have placed them into the pop category, the band prides itself on their ability to blend genres. If you’re looking to get into experimental music, The Blow is a great band to start with, as well as a great way to support lesbian artists! Their cover of 10cc’s “I’m Not in Love” is a must-add to your classic rock playlist. Their 2017 album Brand New Abyss is another great place to hop on board to their hypnotizing (and delightfully weird) discography.

Feloni

Fun fact about Feloni: She was the first “out” rap artist to release a hip-hop album. The album in question is called A Woman’s Revenge, and it centers on the lesbian perspective. The Detroit rapper is still making music today, too! You can hear some of her latest singles on your streaming platform of choice. Her 2022 single “Know You Better” is proof that she’s a voice in rap that demands your attention.

Peach PRC

With her hot pink aesthetic and bubble-gum pop sound, Peach PRC is an artist you need on your radar for the days you need to pick me up. Peach has been growing her TikTok presence for many years now, and you might even recognize her song “God Is A Freak” which went viral at the beginning of 2022. Peach’s TikTok success even landed her a record contract with Republic. We can’t wait to see what bangers she gifts us next!

Flor Amargo

Flor Amargo is a non-binary Mexican singer. Amargo studied classical piano at the National Conservatory of Music, and their classical training mixed with their own unique musical perspective makes their music so fun to listen to. Their 2019 song “Tiempo” features a delightful brass band that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Amargo is also a music therapist, and some of their songs are so wonderful they feel like therapy all on their own.

Celebrate Lesbian Visibility Week by adding one (or all!) of these artists to your monthly playlist. Though today might be a special day, they deserve your streams all year.

Top photo: screen grab from “FANNY: The Right To Rock – Official Film Trailer” from @FANNYTheRighttoRock on YouTube

La Luz frontwoman Shana Cleveland is out and about playing shows in support of her third album Manzanita, released by the label Hardly Art Records. Accompanied by a steel guitarist, keyboardist, and drummer, Cleveland and her band performed a fantastic set at NYC’s Mercury Lounge last Friday.  

Live Photo by Michael Levine

Cleveland sang whilst strumming her acoustic guitar, and wowed the adoring audience with her self-penned material. Emotional mid-tempo tunes effortlessly transitioned into fun, upbeat numbers. Shana’s smooth as silk vocals wafted across the room in songs such as “A Ghost,” “Gold Tower,” and “I’ll Never Know.” Cleveland’s music has a dreamy ambiance reminiscent of Alternative musician Kendra Smith, who was a founding member of post-punk/psychedelic bands like the Dream Syndicate and Opal. After informing the audience about her merchandise table, Cleveland quipped, “I feel like a used car salesman. But I believe in the product!” So did everyone who gathered for her set on that clear Spring night.

The show’s opener, Maita, was the perfect musical act to warm the crowd up. Maita featured songs from her latest release, Best Wishes, off the independent punk label Kill Rock Stars Records. She gave the audience some background on her setlist, which was filled with songs inspired by Maita’s various adventures and professions. This includes the song “Pour The Tea,” which describes her experiences working at an Asian restaurant in which she was required to wear a kimono. It’s amazing that this talented singer-songwriter took an unpleasant experience and spun it into a beautiful song.

I highly recommend seeing both of these kick ass artists live as their tour continues. For more info regarding their tour dates, visit shanacleveland.com and maitamusic.com.

Top photo: Photographed by Kristin Cofer

It’s a great feeling waking up knowing right-wing creep Tucker Carlson and misogynist Don Lemon are off our television screens. The two news commentators, who recently “parted ways” from their anchor positions, both have a storied history of saying some astonishingly awful things on air. While Carlson has said some incredibly dangerous and really strange things, we’d expect no less from a Fox News puppet. Don Lemon, however, managed to get away with more than a handful of spiteful and misogynistic comments through his career, even at the more respectable network of CNN. Here’s a rundown of their most… (ahem) memorable moments. 

Tucker Carlson

Anti-Immigrant Sentiments

 “The demographics in America [are changing] bewilderingly fast… without any real public debate on the subject. Carlson is well known for his racist, xenophobic and overall awful anti-immigrant sentiments. From his popular fear-mongering “caravan” terms, to suggesting that immigrants make the country “dirtier,” Carlson is anti-immigration, and really in turn, anti-diversity. His statements cost Fox News an advertiser– Pacific Life who released a statement that said they “strongly” disagree with Carlson’s statements. “Our customer base and our work force reflect the diversity of our great nation, something we take great pride in,” the company said. “We will not be advertising on Mr. Carlson’s show in the coming weeks as we evaluate our relationship with his program.” 

Last night, Tucker Carlson opened his show by saying immigration makes America “poorer, and dirtier, and more divided.”

An offensive, dehumanizing and racist statement.

That segment ended with an ad from @pacificlife. pic.twitter.com/ryjauzYloq

— jordan (@JordanUhl) December 14, 2018

Called White Supremacy a “Hoax”

On the August 6, 2019 edition of Tucker Carlson Tonight, the host claimed that white supremacy was “actually not a real problem in America.” His diatribe begins, “It’s not actually a real problem in America. The combined membership of every white supremacist organization would be able to fit inside of a college football stadium. I mean, seriously, this country where the average person is getting poorer, where the suicide rate is spiking– ‘white supremacy, that’s the problem’– this is a hoax.” He continues, “I’ve lived here 50 years, I’ve never met anybody– not one person– who ascribes to white supremacy. I don’t know a single person who thinks that’s a good idea.” Hate to say it Tucker, but the call is coming from inside the house. 

Climate Change Denial

According to an analysis by Public Citizen climate change denial claims were made in 86% of Fox News segments in the first part of 2019 alone. Tucker Carlson Tonight ran the most climate denial segments with 41 or approximately seven per month. He’s spewed some wild accusations, including his thought that climate change was a “liberal fabrication,” an astounding statement made in the fall of 2020 when the entire west coast was battling devastating wildfires. “In the hands of democratic politicians, climate change is like ‘systemic racism in the sky,’ you can’t see it, but rest assured it’s everywhere, and it’s deadly,” said Carlson on his show. “And like systemic racism, it’s your fault. The American middle class did it, they caused climate change. They ate too many hamburgers, they drove too many SVU’s, they had too many children.” 

Costing Fox News Nearly $800 Million Dollars in Voting Defamation Suit

Due to Carlson’s false claims of election fraud in 2020, the company Dominion Voting Systems, that creates and sells electronic voting hardware and software systems, sued Fox News for defamation, winning nearly $800 million dollars from the news channel. Fox is facing another voting machine defamation lawsuit due to Carlson’s lies– Smartmatic is seeking nearly $3 billion in damages. While the impact of Carlson’s bigotry was incredibly damaging, and fueled sentiments that led to the January 6 insurrection, we’re just happy to see ANYONE on the right face a consequence of their own actions. 

Most Iconic Moment: Encouraged Men to Tan Their Testes  

In one of the most iconic moments in Tucker Carlson history, Carlson encouraged men to go testicle tanning in order to solve the “masculinity crisis” in the country. In Carlson’s new documentary, The End of Man (eyeroll) Carlson introduces the idea of “testicle tanning” as a way to increase testosterone and make men more conservative, more masculine, and more tough. “It’s not going to work,” said urologist Dr. Rena Malik, who practices at the University of Maryland Medical Center to Business Insider. “There’s no empirical evidence that it works and it doesn’t make sense that it would work.” Sorry, buddy.

Don Lemon

Accused Commentator S.E. Cupp of having “Mommy Brain” 

Last fall, Don Lemon was (rightly) scrutinized for asking a guest if she had “mommy brain” because she lost track of a thought for a moment. Republican political commentator S.E. Cupp was talking with Lemon about the Republican party and Donald Trump. She was responding to one of Lemon’s questions when she cut herself off, losing track of what she was going to say. “Is it fair to say this because I’m not a mommy, but is it mommy brain?,” Lemon asked her, referring to a term that describes a foggy memory after giving birth to her child. She responded “No, Don I just forgot what I was going to say.” 

Thinks Women Should Get Paid Less Because People Are More Interested in Male Sports

Not even three months after his “mommy brain” comments, Lemon was back in the news, and not in a good way. He was heavily criticized for his on-screen comments about professional sports. He claimed, “if there is more interest in a man’s sports, [they will] put that on television because we live in a capitalist society and if people are interested in that, there will be more attention and more money paid.” Popularity doesn’t mean women athletes don’t deserve to be fairly and competitively compensated for skills– especially when it comes to women’s teams who are annihilating on a global scale, like the U.S. Women’s National Soccer team.

Said GOP Presidential Candidate Nikki Haley is “Past Her Prime”

In February, Don Lemon said that GOP Presidential Candidate Nikki Haley was “past her prime.” He starts the conversation criticizing Haley for making comments about Biden’s age, but then turns it around and makes the same comments about her. “Nikki Haley isn’t in her prime, sorry,” Lemon said. “A woman is in her prime in her 20s, 30s and maybe 40s,” he continued. His co-anchor asks, “prime for what?” and he responds “if you look up ‘when is a woman in her prime,’ it will say 20s, 30s and 40s.” He then walks it back saying, “not that I agree with that. So I think she needs to be careful when she says politicians aren’t in their prime.” His co-anchor again says, “we need to qualify this, are you talking about prime for childbearing or prime for being President?” Doubling down AGAIN, Lemon responds with, “Don’t shoot the messenger, I’m just saying what the facts are.” 

[

Asked Sexual Assault Victim Why She Didn’t “Bite The Dick” While Being Assaulted 

In an interview with Joan Tarshis, one of Bill Cosby’s many victims of rape and sexual assault, Don Lemon made some classic misogynistic victim-blaming comments. “You, you know there are ways not to perform oral sex if you didn’t want to,” Lemon tells Tarshis. “Meaning use of the teeth as a weapon,” he continues. After Tarshis says that she was stoned (Bill Cosby has admitted to giving his rape victims quaaludes in order to make the assault easier for him) and didn’t think of (basically) biting his penis in the moment she was being assaulted to stop the assault. Lemon finishes with “Yes, I had to ask.” Hmm.. no you didn’t, Don.

Are Better Choices Ahead? 

Who knows if CNN or Fox News will take this opportunity to find more appropriate talent for their news cast (doubtful) – but we think the American public deserves better.

Top photo: Photo of Don Lemon from CNN’s YouTube, photo of Tucker Carlson from Fox News’ Youtube.

If you thought your love for Lizzo couldn’t grow any more, just wait. Lizzo kicked off the second leg of her tour with a bold (and glittery) statement against Tennessee’s new anti-drag ban, and she isn’t afraid to bring pride to Tennessee in true Lizzo-fashion.

The Grammy Award-winning singer performed with over a dozen drag queens during her Knoxville performance on Friday. Among them are many drag performers who have competed on RuPaul’s Drag Race, including Aquaria, Kandy Muse, Vanessa Vanjie and others, all of which Lizzo thanked in an Instagram post on Saturday.  

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Lizzo (@lizzobeeating)

Prior to bringing out the performers, Lizzo made a powerful speech as to why this concert has an importance. “In light of recent and tragic events and current events, I was told by people on the internet, ‘Cancel your shows in Tennessee, Don’t go to Tennessee,” said Lizzo to her crowd at the Thompson-Boling Arena, who immediately responded with boos. (To be fair, we would also be heartbroken if Lizzo canceled her show). 

“Their reason was valid, but why would I not come to the people who need to hear this message the most?,” responded Lizzo as the crowd once again began to cheer. “Why would I not create a safe space in Tennessee where we can celebrate drag entertainers and celebrate our differences?” She has posted the video of her addressing the Tennessee drag ban on her social media accounts with the caption, “Knoxville you have my heart. Thank you for creating a safe space with me.” 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Lizzo (@lizzobeeating)

The “About Damn Time” singer also shared a video of the high-spirited performance, where she led her invitees onto the center stage before they all lined up to form a rainbow with their color-specific, glamorous outfits. 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Lizzo (@lizzobeeating)

The Tennessee drag ban aims to restrict “adult cabaret entertainment,” on public property or in front of minors. The term was defined as “topless dancers, go-go dancers, exotic dancers, strippers, [and] male or female impersonators.” It threatened violators with a misdemeanor or a felony for repeated offenders. It was signed by Republican Gov. Bill Lee in March, but was temporarily blocked in April by a federal judge who ruled a lack of compelling evidence to implement the legislation. Civil rights groups have also criticized the bill, stating that it is a violation of free speech. 

Other states are following Tennessee’s footsteps. Earlier this month in Florida, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis received a similar bill (and is expected to sign it) after it was approved by the Florida Senate. 

“What people in Tennessee are doing is giving hope, so thank you so much for standing up for your rights, protecting each other, and holding the people accountable who should be protecting us,” said Lizzo to her Tennessee crowd. 

As we tumble through a repeat of homophobic history, Lizzo has made sure to tell us it’s bad b*tch o’clock. So play your fave Lizzo song, and watch an episode (or two…or three) of RuPaul’s Drag Race to support your favorite drag queens. 

Top photo: Screengrab via Lizzo on Instagram

We’ve always predicted what the future would look like. From flying cars to self-tying sneakers, (ya know, like the ones Marty wears in Back to the Future Part II) or the notorious prediction of robots taking over, we want to know what the future holds for us – and we’re starting to get a better idea of it. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been around for much longer than we think. While the first AI program was successfully created in 1955 to prove mathematical theorems, the non-human-based intelligence has come a long way to prove its abilities, and it continues to do so. We’ve seen AI being used in science, education, entertainment, and customer service. More recently, it’s making its way into one of our most beloved art forms – music. 

It’s pretty likely that while mindlessly scrolling on social media, you’ve come across a catchy tune that you wanted to add to your playlist only to realize…it’s not a real song. Instead, an artificially intelligent bot-form program created a song and paired it with the voice of a famous singer. And it’s alarming just how convincingly real they sound.

To us, this can be a little thrilling. We love it when our favorite musicians cover other artists’ famous songs, and AI allows for this to happen. AI cover songs use their ability to take a musician’s voice without their input, and pair it with another hit song. TikTok user, Adam Barrera, explains how fans of pop icon Ariana Grande are combining her voice with already released songs (since we’re all craving a new album), as well as other mind-blowing examples. 

@adamtheflop This is SCARY #arianagrande #sza #billieeilish #lanadelrey #ladygaga #music #ai #adamtheflop ♬ Blade Runner 2049 – Synthwave Goose

Lately in the music industry, a new example of AI’s mind-boggling abilities went viral. A TikTok user, who goes by ghostwriter977, created a song through AI called “heart on my sleeve” that features the vocals of Drake and The Weeknd. The 1-minute snippet, which has now been taken down, was written by ghostwriter and then replaced the vocals through an AI program, and the product sounded insanely real. 

Another artificial intelligence program recently combined the vocals of Rihanna for a cover of Beyonce’s hit, “Cuff It”. A Twitter account by the name of “Rihanna Facts” posted a 51-second snippet of the AI cover, which has gained over 6 million views. While some comments praise the cover, others are a little bit more creeped out.

IA Rihanna from ChatGPT singing Beyoncé’s “Cuff It” pic.twitter.com/1TAmHEDAKv

— Rihanna Facts (@Nevernyny) April 13, 2023

AI music has been extremely popular on TikTok, with certain accounts being made solely to post AI covers of famous artists. This AI cover of Dua Lipa singing Rihanna’s hit single, “Diamonds,” is only one of the hundreds of AI songs posted on a TikTok account.

@dimitbarbosa Diamonds by Dua Lipa AI #dualipa #fyp ♬ Diamonds – Diamonds

For musicians, the rise of AI technology is starting to become concerning, as well as for music labels and streaming services who are raising their eyebrows at these non-human machines. Earlier this month, Universal Music sent an email, with an ominous warning, to streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. They ask for these services to prevent AI companies from accessing copyrighted songs considering that AI companies “train” their machines with copyrighted music without the required consent. The email also acknowledges that the right steps need to be taken in order to protect “our rights and those of our artists.”

The legalities of AI created music remains unresolved, but it could be answered soon. Getty Images has filed a class action over AI companies using their copyrighted material for their machines. A group of visual artists also filed a similar case after AI platforms used their copyrighted material. The concerns for AI music could become a legal topic in no time.

While we would love to hear a variety of artists covering our favorite songs, artificially created music doesn’t have a soul behind it, and musicians do. It’s scary (yet impressive) how much technology has advanced. AI “art”, however, will never compare to the real, human-based emotions expressed through an artist’s work. 

Top photo: Photographed by Caught In Joy via Unsplash

Nearly 25 years since they disbanded, riot-grrrl pioneers and punk phenoms Bikini Kill are back on the road and sounding as bright and powerful as ever. Now on tour, Kathleen Hanna and drummer Tobi Vail are sharing stories from their history, and the state of the world. Here are a few things on their minds: 

Their Messages Mean More Now Than Ever

Bikini Kill songs are chock full of feminist messaging. Throughout their career, they’ve written songs about abortion, rape, slut shaming, misogyny, white privilege and more. Their songs have backtracked feminist moments across generations, but sadly, their messages are needed now more than ever.  “I woke up in 2023 singing the same songs I sang when I was 25, and now I’m 54,” said Hanna. “And what’s scary as hell is I’m feeling them more today than I did then.” After the overturning of Roe v Wade last summer and the deterioration of the country, Bikini Kill’s songs ring just as true in the 2020s as they did in the early ‘90s. With abortion rights basically obliterated, trans lives being legally threatened, an increasing number of racial and religious hate crimes and years of near-daily mass murders being completely ignored, Bikini Kill’s ethos is still (unfortunately) necessary.

Punk Isn’t Just a Genre

“Seriously, punk is more than a genre,” Hanna reminded the crowd towards the end of the set. “It can be about creating community and creating spaces outside of corporate culture.” Though the punk subculture is closely tied to music, you don’t need a musical bone in your body to live by a punk ethos. Anti-corporatism, DIY, anti-consumerism and anti-authoritarianism are at the heart of the punk mindset. Anyone who lives these values and are dismissed by “traditional” culture (read: white, male, cis, straight, wealthy, able-bodied, neurotypical) are likely to have a streak of punk in them. Hanna’s words aren’t just lip service, as pioneers in the riot-grrrl movement, the members of Bikini Kill have “united women and girls against capitalist and patriarchal cultural ideologies” for over three decades.

They’re Celebrating Life While Acknowledging Things Are Fucked

Throughout their career the members of Bikini Kill have experienced a lot of loss, heartbreak and adversity both in their personal lives, and as active participants in the world around them. During their show on Wednesday, April 19, they shared stories of friends they lost to drugs, suicide and other tragedies through the years. Both Vail and Hanna paid tribute to their late friend Kai, who passed years ago but  would otherwise be celebrating a birthday that very night. Hanna shared a touching story where he helped her after a tough moment, and cried along with her instead of trying to find a solution. “Find that happy medium of celebrating that we’re all still fucking alive, but also acknowledging how fucked up everything is. It shouldn’t be a separate part, we can be sad and joyous at the same time, we can hold those things in our hands at the same time.”

They’re “Preaching to the Converted” 

During the show, Hanna shared that sometimes they get criticized for making music for people who align with their ideologies. “People say: ‘aren’t you preaching to the converted with your music?’,” said Hanna.  “I’m like ‘yeah!’ Yeah I am, we make music for people who care about the planet not burning up, and understand the connections between racism, classism, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia. Yeah we make music for those types of people because it’s not Larry the Cable guy who is making comedy for us. It’s not like Tim Allen is going to show up and write good punk songs, although that would be fucking hilarious.”  She then goes on, further “preaching to the choir” about how in a world that’s against you, it’s hard to get up every day and live a life of resistance. “I don’t want to say this song is about not giving up, because sometimes you have to give up,” said Hanna before going into their song, Resist Psychic Death. “But then the next day you can do a little thing, and then the next day you can do a big thing.”

Feminism Helped Hanna Release Self-Guilt

“When I first started learning about feminism, when I was I guess about 19 or something, and I took it very seriously, said Hanna.” “I was very happy because I found out a lot of stuff that happened to me like rape, sexual harassment, my professor not giving me an evaluation, but a back rub, all that stuff was not my own personal affliction, it was tied to all this other stuff, and I wasn’t the only one it was happening to.”

She goes on to share a story about a group of women that helped her see how feminism plays out in day to day life. “I remember at our school Evergreen State College, in the bathroom someone started writing a list of rapists on the wall,” shared Hanna. “The administration kept going in and cleaning it up, and the women kept going in there and writing it back up. That was such a huge inspiration for me to be in a band and write songs because I was just being one of those women, writing that name on that list over and over and over to warn other people.”

Top photo: Kathleen Hanna at the Riverside Theater, photo by: Melissa Miller

1.) “I Love You Mary Jane” Cypress Hill ft Sonic Youth

We love Kim Gordon here at Bust. We’ve spoken to her several times about her life, her memoirs, and most famously, her band Sonic Youth. But in a small corner of stoner culture exists an anomaly, a Cypress Hill song featuring a hook by Kim Gordon. It’s not well known, considering the fact that it only appears on the soundtrack for the obscure 1993 movie Judgement Night (it’s got a 35% rating on Rotten Tomatoes). It’s a shame, because this song with Sonic Youth and Cypress Hill was the collaboration we never knew we needed. Gordon’s purry vocals, which croon the lyrics “Suga come by and get me high” against the classic West Coast hip-hop sound make this the best 4/20 song you’ve probably never heard of. 

2. ) “So High” – Doja Cat

Real Doja Cat fans remember this catchy 2014 hit. “So High” was Doja Cat’s debut single off of her debut EP, Purrr!. “So High” is a flowy, vaguely psychedelic R&B tune that embodies the soft and cushiony feeling of a good hybrid strain. The twinkling windchime-like melody over a heavy trap beat, coupled with Doja Cat’s cute weed references makes this a perfect song for the “holidaze” or for hot summer nights. Although Doja Cat has since expressed her dislike of the song, it still remains a stoner cult classic. 

3.) “Drugs” – Lil’ Kim

“Drugs” is the 7th track off Lil Kim’s 1996 album Hard Core, and has shown up on numerous stoner playlists in the last 20 or so years. “Drugs” features a mellow acoustic guitar riff, clever lyrics, and a hook by the Notorious Biggie Smalls. It’s definitely a song for those of us who need blunt-proof lip gloss. Lil Kim isn’t shy about enjoying bougie (an AAVE term that is short for “Bourgeoisie“, or high-class) smoke sessions. With lines like “My girls rock Chanel and smoke mad marijuana” and “Inhale this… feel the mist through the uterus,” this is a 100% certified stoner girl anthem. 

4.) “Girl Blunt” – LeiKeli47

What exactly is a “Girl Blunt”? According to the official stoner girl reddit page, r/ENTwives, a “girl blunt” is simply a joint or blunt rolled with rose petals or other floral mixes, (like Spliff, an herbal smoke blend from the queer-owned brand 69 Herbs.) It’s also a killer song by up-and-coming rap artist LeiKeli47 that gained viral attention from women in Tik Tok’s marijuana community in 2021. You’re probably not a stranger to the lyrics “This s*** is a girl blunt, I only smoke girl blunts.” The beat is reminiscent of other bad bitch songs like “Lip Gloss” by Lil Mama, and is arguably the catchiest song on the list, with comedic yet expertly crafted lyrics that’ll have you buying baby pink rolling papers. 

 5.) “Let’s Get High” – Letters To Cleo

Letters To Cleo is a criminally underrated female-fronted alternative rock band that gained popularity in the 90s with the hit “Here and Now.” The lead singer Kay Hanely, also provided a majority of the vocals for the 2001 movie, Josie and The Pussycats. Their 2008 song “Lets Get High” is the perfect bedroom rock song for heavy bong rips. Its chill vibes mirror the atmosphere of lyrics like “Let’s get in touch with what’s alive, it’s magical, let’s get high.” The song somehow manages to encapsulate the feeling of packing a sativa-filled bowl on a sunny spring day. Agan Traders clothes aren’t required to listen to this 2000s alt-rock banger, but they’ll definitely help you get in the mood.  

6.) “When I Get Low I Get High” – Ella Fitzgerald

If you wanna light up a “jazz cigarette” and feel like a vampy dame, this old school Ella Fitzgerald song will have you feeling the need to do just that. “When I Get Low I Get High” is a jazzy, big band sleeper hit that was originally recorded in the 1930s by Chuck Webb, and popularized by Fitzgerald, who dabbled in her own cannabis usage. The song details a woman who is down on her luck, so she gets high to shed the troubles of her day, which is something I think all of us can relate to. 

7.) “Good Puss” – COBRAH

If you’re someone who uses cannabis to get in touch with your sensuality, then Cobrah’s song, “Good Puss”, featuring brazen rapper Cupcakke is going to be all over your Spotify Wrapped this year. Cobrah is a Swedish electronic artist who incorporates otherworldly, fetish-inspired costumes into her performances, and the music video for “Good Puss” is no exception. With an addictive house beat that goes hard enough to make your heart pound, and lyrics like “Real good puss, I just wanna feel good, gotta lay down with some good kush,”  you’ll be blasting this on your speakers during your next hotbox session.”

Some honorable mentions include Missy Elliott’s “Pass That Dutch,” Lil’ Debbie’s “4/20,” Kali Uchi’s “Moonlight,” Lana Del Rey’s “High By The Beach” and Aliah Sheffield’s beautifully hilarious underground song, “Where is My Weed,” which you absolutely need to check out if you haven’t already.

Whether you spend the day making your own edibles, smoking with friends, cooking up a homemade batch of cannabutter, or advocating for medical marijuana access in your area, you’ll need something to jam out to while you do it. Throw on this playlist, hit your baby pink dab pen, and enjoy yourself this 4/20. 

Top Photo Credit: Kym MacKinnon via Unsplash

The maker of Euphoria (aka the “Zendaya Show”) Sam Levinson is back with another raunchy, sex-filled show with an even more heightened sense of tension. The long-awaited fourth trailer (seriously– the first trailer was released nearly a year ago) for The Idol has dropped ahead of its official premiere at the Cannes Film Festival next month; the show will then be released on HBO and HBO Max on June 4. 

The dynamic between up-and-coming popstar Jocelyn (Lily-Rose Depp) and Tedros, (The Weeknd’s Abel Tesfaye) at the heart of this show is controversial, and frankly, toxic. Tesfaye plays a nightclub owner with dubious motives. The Idol has led to critiques from the actual creators of the show– with one unnamed crew member calling it “torture porn.” 

In March, Rolling Stone published an investigative story about the production of The Idol. Thirteen unnamed members of the cast and crew shared insight on just how out of control the story had become. The original director, Amy Seimetz, was let go and Levinson took her place. With that change came a darker, more problematic approach to the subject matter. 

Tesfaye apparently took that opportunity to encourage a shift in the script because it was “leaning too much into a female perspective.” (Hmmm…) With Levinson behind the helm and Tesfaye by his side, the script took a more sexually explicit turn, living up to their tagline of being “the sleaziest love story in all of Hollywood.” The rewrites were categorically not from the female perspective. “It was like any rape fantasy that any toxic man would have in the show — and then the woman comes back for more because it makes her music better,” one crew member described in the report. 

The trailer, which is set to Brittany Spears’ Gimme More, opens with Troye Sivan asking Depp’s character, “when was the last truly fucking nasty, nasty bad pop girl?” The trailer then follows Joceyln as she meets Tedros and the two start the journey of making her a sex icon-slash-famous pop star. Based on the incredibly sexually-charged trailer, the show is sure to promise the most promiscuous of plot lines, outlining the slow unraveling of The Idol herself.

Toxic or not, Depp seems to be excited about the material. “I’m not interested in making anything puritanical,” she revealed in an interview with ELLE. “I’m not interested in making anything that doesn’t challenge me, or challenge other people, honestly.”

She later told People, “working with Sam is a true collaboration in every way – it matters to him, more than anything, not only what his actors think about the work, but how we feel performing it,” Depp said. “He hires people whose work he esteems and has always created an environment in which I felt seen, heard, and appreciated.”

Despite its precarious start, HBO reps are confident that the show is going to be well received. “The creators and producers of ‘The Idol’ have been working hard to create one of HBO’s most exciting and provocative original programs,” HBO told IndieWire. “The initial approach on the show and production of the early episodes, unfortunately, did not meet HBO standards so we chose to make a change. We look forward to sharing The Idol with audiences soon.”

Save the date: the premiere of The Idol is on June 4. We’ll see how well it can walk the line between “inspired smash hit” and downright exploitative storytelling. 

Top photo: screen grab from the “The Idol” Official Teaser #4 from HBO

French-singer/songwriter JAIN is back with her third full-length album, The Fool, set to be released this Friday, April 21st. 

The album is sonically stunning, with JAIN exploring the full spectrum of human emotions through a unique and bold sound that makes you feel like you’re chilling on a comet flying through space. Most notably though, JAIN knows how to make fun, dance-worthy music without falling short lyrically. The Fool is one of those rare pop albums that proves pop is a genre that isn’t just a blast to listen to, but also demands your attention. 

The album’s title track, “The Fool” is a psychedelic dance-pop banger, and the lyrics “I’m floating like a fool” perfectly set the stage for the vibe of the rest of the album. The video that was released for “The Fool” also helps us visualize this conceptual album. The video depicts the singer floating through space, which is exactly how one would describe the sound of this track, and several others on the album.

The Fool also does a fantastic job of staying thematically and sonically consistent without being repetitive. Several of the tracks, like “Take a Chance” and “Save The World,” are perfect for driving with the windows down on a summer night, or dancing around a bonfire with your friends.

JAIN also shows her vulnerable side throughout the album, with songs like “Falling” that explore the beginning of a new relationship, and “The Balance,” which explores trying to navigate those days where it feels like up is down and down is up. The closing track, “Outro (Goodbye),” wraps the album up in a shiny star-printed bow. As JAIN bids us farewell singing “Goodbye, I’ll see you in the sky” the final track ends on a more stripped-down note that makes us excited to see what JAIN has in store next. 

Photo credit: Manuela Brice SME, Sony Music

Throughout the LP, you can hear how JAIN seemlessly blends elements of funk, pop, and psychedelic rock to create a truly hypnotic listening experience. Fans of Stevie Nicks and Mitski will surely find a track they love on The Fool, as we can confirm it is certified skipless.

Top photo credit: Manuela Brice SME (@Manufauque) Sony Music

Republican cuck and conservative commentator, Candace Owens, is back on our timelines spewing more hateful nonsense; and this time she came for the queen herself: Lizzo. 

Last week, twitter user @FlorioGina tweeted a photo of a nude Lizzo holding a mug of coffee (that has a nude butt on it) with the caption “Obesity is on the rise and yet women are told by celebrities and the media that being obese is normal and ‘healthy.’ You never see this with men. Only women are insecure enough to fall for it.” 

Candace Owens saw this tweet as an opportunity to dig her heels in and retweeted the post with additional commentary: “Only women could be emotionally manipulated into supporting their own eradication via support for ‘trans men.’ Only women could be fooled into supporting a death cult of ‘fat acceptance.’ Today’s cultural battles prove that women are more irrational and emotional than men.”  

Only women could be emotionally manipulated into supporting their own eradication via support for “trans men”.

Only women could be fooled into supporting a death cult of “fat acceptance”.

Today’s cultural battles prove that women are more irrational and emotional than men. https://t.co/1hi8RZZJbC

— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) April 12, 2023

Owens is so spiteful and backward that she was able to fit transphobia, fatphobia and sexism in only 42 words. Candace doubled down on her hate, writing “If you peep comments on any of Lizzo’s ‘fat acceptance’ photos, you will undoubtedly find a score of batshit insane women telling her she looks beautiful. Men do not lie to other men in this way. They do not pretend that clinic obesity is beauty.” She then retweeted this meme: 

This is so real. https://t.co/2PFpVEnkAp

— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) April 12, 2023

But even among the slew of hateful and inaccurate retweets, Lizzo’s fans (and just decent people) defended her in the comments, and made great points about how damaging Owen’s point of view is. 

Our calm and collected queen Lizzo responded with an instagram video that she took after a shower and a self-care routine and said “you know what I realized? I am fucking gorgeous. I am the beauty standard. Catch up bitch!” She then captioned the post “I’m sorry that my perfect face & rockin body offends you.. I can’t help that I’m God’s favorite ?”

 

 

 

 

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This isn’t the first (or will it be the last) time Lizzo had to defend herself in the media. Good thing she’s too busy being a four-time Grammy Award winner, Guinness World Record holder, and successful entrepreneur to let bigoted haters get to her.

Top photo: Tweets by @therealcandaceO and photo from @lizzobeeating

Grease: Rise of The Pink Ladies is an upbeat take on the classic Grease franchise. With classic teen drama, elaborate ensemble performances, and catchy, expertly produced songs, it’s bound to be the hit show of the summer. Rise of The Pink Ladies focuses on a group of misfits that band together after being ostracized from Rydell High, all while adding context for the events and characters portrayed in the 1978 movie, Grease (which itself was based on a stage musical). Whether it’s nefarious rumors, ethnic differences, or something else entirely, characters Jane, Cynthia, Olivia, and Nancy have found solace in one another, all while fighting to change the oppressive social structure of their suburban 1950s high school. 

Rise of The Pink Ladies has already done better than previous attempts to revitalize the Grease franchise, like the made-for-TV musical Grease Live, which was released in 2016 to lukewarm reception. While Rise Of the Pink Ladies follows the same classic musical formula as the 1970s original, it tells Rydell High’s story from the angle of the outcasts, which is unlike anything we’ve ever seen in other iterations of Grease. Even Grease 2 tried to shift the focus by gender-switching the plot, but the sequel still “flopped with gusto.” Unlike Grease 2 however, it’s clear that the creators of Pink Ladies delicately handled the franchise, and put a large amount of effort into figuring out how to make it work for modern-day audiences. And as a bonus, it’s full of nods to the original 1978 classic. 

The cast is composed mostly of people of color, like the character Nancy Nakagawa, who is portrayed by Japanese actress Tricia Fukuhara. Marisa Davila is the Mexican-American actress who plays protagonist Jane Facciano, the half Puerto Rican, half-Italian “new girl.” Her storyline focuses mostly on her difficulty fitting in in a new school, especially after the rumors circulating around her relationship with her popular boyfriend, Buddy. In the first episode, we see her mother chiding Jane’s little sister for speaking Spanish, which was something “they left in New York.” This mirrors the real-life experience of many immigrants and people of color at the time, who felt pressured to hide their heritage to avoid discrimination. It’s a quick line, but it perfectly balances the need to address the issue at hand without being exorbitant or pedantic. Jane and her family also play a big part in the Grease franchise, but you’ll just have to watch to find out how!

Cheyenne Isabel Wells plays Latinx bombshell Olivia Valdovinos, whose character serves to dissect the tropes surrounding the oversexualization of Latina women. Olivia is constantly harassed by her peers for being “overly sexual,” a reputation that only exists as a result of the (potentially untrue) rumors surrounding her. Pink Ladies does a fantastic job at balancing the discussion of racial stereotypes without contributing to what’s aiming to criticize. This includes a storyline where Olivia gets reprimanded for wearing a revealing dress —the same one a white student was allowed to wear without incident. In a press interview, Wells stated, “Latina women in general are very sexualized because of their bodies and their body shapes… because her outfit is tight and she’s a little thicker, [teachers say] she’s in the wrong but not the other person.” 

Shanel Bailey’s character Hazel isn’t introduced until after the first episode, but she is one of the black students at Rydell High. Instead of using her as a token character or a vehicle to discuss racism, the show balances Hazel’s development while acknowledging the racism of the time period, which is something Bailey expressed appreciation for. “It’s not the only thing that we focus on and it’s not traumatic. I love that we get to see Hazel’s joy. I just want to see that girl smile and know that there are hardships out there but I want to see her dance.”

And there’s even more diversity: trans & non-binary actor Ari Notartomaso also gets to shine in the spotlight. Their character Cynthia struggles with their inability to be seen as “one of the boys,” and wants to become a T-Bird officially. But because of gender, Cynthia isn’t taken seriously, despite already being friends with the entire gang. (The “Greased Lightning”-esque musical number lead by Notartomaso is a perfect example of gender euphoria.)  The showrunners handle the subject matter with the delicacy and respect that it deserves, and have somehow managed to perfectly balance an archaic aesthetic with modern socio-political commentary. Unlike other modernized reboots, these issues are discussed overtly but not excessively, which is one of the main criticisms of “requel” shows like Gossip Girl and Velma.

If you’re a fan of musicals like Legally Blonde, Heathers, and Wicked, the music in Grease: Rise Of The Pink Ladies will definitely have you singing in the shower. The first (and arguably the grooviest) musical number in the show is a fun, modern-ish take on the classic titular hit “Grease.” The musical arrangement is fresh (and the recording is obviously way too clean and well -produced to be from the 50s), but the music still embodies the classic Grease vibes we all know and love. The drama can be heavy at times, but the show-runners balance this well with the musical aspects of the show. 

The costumes and sets are amazing, and it’s not just poodle skirts and kitten heels. The use of period-accurate saddle shoes, and Chevrolet Bel Airs, make all the promotional footage look like authentic photos from the 50s. And coupled with the outfits and atmosphere, you can tell a lot of care and love went into making this look incredible. 

 

 

 

 

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All in all, there are too many good reasons to not give this show a try. You might be thinking “ugh, another musical set in high school?” but this is unlike any high school musical you’ve ever seen. Rise Of The Pink Ladies offers an effervescent and comprehensive take on the unsung heroes of Rydell High. And you’d be total square if you don’t flip your lid over these cool 1950s chicks. 

Top Photo Credit: Eduardo Araquel/Paramount+

Beef, A drama/comedy starring Ali Wong and Steven Yeun came out on Netflix this weekend. While the show is decidedly binge-worthy, its’ premiere weekend has been clouded by some unfortunate revelations about another one of the show’s stars, David Choe.

In 2014, Choe, who once hosted the podcast DVDASA, attempted to make a joke in which he recounted a detailed and disgusting story of how he raped a Black woman. Choe’s account is nothing less than vile, and one of his co-hosts, Asa Akira, thought so too. Akira chimed in to say “Ew, you’re basically telling us that you’re a rapist now. And the only way to get your d*ck really hard– is rape.” To which Choe responded “Yeah,” and went on to refer himself as “a successful rapist.” 

A month after he told the story on his podcast, Choe made a statement and did the whole “blah blah no you don’t get it it was for my art” thing. In the same statement, he wrote, “I never thought I’d wake up one late afternoon and hear myself called a rapist. It sucks. Especially because I am not one. I am not a rapist.” 

I don’t know, people probably thought you were a rapist because you publicly bragged about being a rapist. Just a guess though. 

Choe issued a more in-depth statement in 2017, in which he stated in an Instagram caption, “Non-consensual sex is rape and it is never funny or appropriate to joke about. I was a sick person at the height of my mental illness, and have spent the last 3 years in mental health facilities healing myself and dedicating my life to helping and healing others through love and action. I do not believe in the things I have said although I take full ownership of saying them.”

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by DAVID CHOE (@davidchoe)

So given all of this, many people are upset with how Netflix, and executive producers Ali Wong and Steven Yeun, are handling this breaking story. 

David Choe was hired on Beef partly because he is friends with Wong and Yeun, so, many are wondering why the two would hire him in the first place, as they surely knew about Choe’s problematic past. 

Reposting this again so you lot can get a grip. Both Steven Yeun AND Ali Wong are friends with David Choe. Friends. Buddies. Homies. Pals!

They knew. Stop acting like they didn’t know because you like them. https://t.co/bP77IgOdUI

— Clarkisha Kent (@IWriteAllDay_) April 17, 2023

Some are also mad that Wong and Yeun haven’t said anything since this story broke.

I’m extremely disappointed at how the executive producers of BEEF, which includes Ali Wong and Steven Yeun, have been handling the David Choe situation. The fact they’ve been close friends with him, cast him, and are now silent (or actively protecting) him is beyond angering.

— wells santo (wants a better alternative) (@WellsLucasSanto) April 17, 2023

However, some are worried that too much blame is being placed on Wong and Yeun, particularly Wong, as these stories often get twisted to place the blame on women. In other words, people are asking why we’re blaming Ali Wong for David Choe being a creep.

obviously david choe’s ability to keep working in hollywood after bragging about sexual assault is horrific. can we please address it without blaming a woman (Ali Wong) for a man’s actions???

— LESS LONELY on TOUR: TO, SF, SEA, PDX ? (@jestom) April 17, 2023

It’s true, women are often blamed for the bad actions of men. That being said, Wong and Yeun did serve as executive producers on the show, meaning it was in their job description to vet talent, uphold the brand image of their show, and in some ways, make sure the set is as safe an environment as possible. In true feminist fashion, the answer here is really “both/and.” While Wong and Yeun should not be blamed for Choe’s actions, as leaders on the set of Beef, they should be doing all they can now to publicly address this issue and decide on consequences for Choe. 

At the end of the day, the real issue here is how easy it seems to be for men to continue to have successful careers after they joke about, are accused of, or admit to rape and sexual assault.

Top photo: Screen grab from “BEEF | Official Trailer | Netflix” from @Netflix on YouTube

Karol G was the musical guest on Saturday Night Live this weekend, and she did not disappoint. Along with her eclectic performances, Karol G also made a subtle statement against the popular photo-editing software, Photoshop. 

She appeared at the end of the five-minute sketch, “Spanish Class,” as the prima (cousin) of two new, Cuban-born students on their first day of Spanish class. Portrayed by SNL host Ana de Armas and castmate Marcello Hernandez, their excellent speaking skills outmatch their teacher before he rushes out of the classroom in embarrassment. Karol G steps in to assist in the classroom, playing a reggaeton-beat alphabet song that gets the class dancing.

During the skit, the Colombian singer/songwriter is seen wearing a black T-shirt with the word “Photoshop” crossed out in a large design. The statement comes a week after Karol G made a public announcement in reference to her GQ Mexico cover shoot, in which she claimed that the magazine photoshopped the singer’s body without her permission. 

In response to the unexpected Photoshop, Karol G posted a selfie showing her natural beauty along with the cover of the magazine, captioning a lengthy message about feeling “disrespected” from seeing her body and face being altered. “My face doesn’t look like that, my body doesn’t look like that, and I feel very happy and comfortable with how I look naturally,” wrote the singer. 

 

 

 

 

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While she thanked GQ Mexico for the amazing opportunity, the “Tusa” singer expressed the compelling need to speak out against Photoshop. “Beyond feeling that it is disrespectful to me, it’s disrespectful to women who wake up every day looking to feel comfortable with themselves despite society’s stereotypes.” 

Karol G has received tremendous support after her message, including from Grammy-winning actress, Jamie Lee Curtis. 

“I’m so happy that @karolg is bringing awareness to an issue I have been concerned about for a long time,” wrote Curtis on Instagram, encouraging young people to continue disapproving of the editing application. “We are human beings. We are not AI and this genocide against what is naturally beautiful is alarming and needs to be talked about.” We love to see women uplifting each other. 

The reggaeton and Latin trap artist released her fourth studio album, Mañana Será Bonito, earlier this year in February, beautifully performing two tracks off the album, “MIENTRAS ME CURO DEL CORA” and “TUS GAFITAS” at her SNL appearance. 

Karol G is making a positive impact toward criticizing the overuse of Photoshop in favor of natural beauty, and we hope to see her back on SNL in the future!

Top photo: Screengrab from “Spanish Class – SNL” from @SaturdayNightLive on Youtube

Standup Nicole Blaine is building a new kind of community at her comedy club, The Crow. Opened in June 2022, the venue (an acronym for Comedy Reflects Our World) is a two-story space nestled in Santa Monica’s Bergamot Station Arts Center. A labor of love 15 years in the making, The Crow focuses on inclusivity as much as laughs—inviting novice and seasoned comedians of all ages, races, and identities to craft their stage skills in showcases like “Chingona Comedy,” featuring Latinx badasses, and “BoysDrool,” an open mic just for women and non-binary comics.

The club also offers family-centric events like “BYOB,” a Saturday midday comedy show where parents can “bring your baby, your boob, your buggy, and your bottle,” says Blaine. “You can literally flop your tits out and nurse.” Ultimately, Blaine hopes The Crow can harness the cathartic power of standup to amplify marginalized voices. “The entire focus of this community,” says Blaine, “is all about using comedy for good.”

The Crow is truly unique in the programming that they provide. Some of their upcoming events include a comedy class for kids, and a show titled “The Grand Bizarre,” which The Crow describes as “a collection of the hottest up-and-coming comedians in LA, hosted by a Persian comic, trying to relive the glory days of his ancestor’s once-great empire by showcasing the best comics from a diverse array of ethnic backgrounds.”

Perhaps most notably though, The Crow is one of few comedy clubs that fosters a supportive, creative environment, which is arguably very different from your average competitive (and often male-dominated) comedy clubs. The Crow wants you to come work on your jokes with them. If you’re interested, be sure to drop in on one of their Monday night mics or their Tuesday “BoysDrool” mic. Want to join in on the fun but not interested in performing your own comedy? You’re totally welcome to join the audience and hear some hilarious jokes from voices who don’t always get a place in the spotlight. 

Top photo by Mike Falzone

Disco devotees, dust off your dancing shoes because dynamo Jessie Ware is back with an explosive new single, Begin Again. This new track, along with her two latest singles Pearls and Free Yourself, are a part of her upcoming album That! Feels Good! which will be released on April 28. And if it’s anything like her 2020 globally-nominated and critically-acclaimed album, What’s Your Pleasure?, the new drop will be chock-full of catchy and feel-good ear worms. 

According to Ware’s press release, the song was where her new album began. “On a miserable afternoon during lockdown, [I was] dreaming of human touch, escapes to Brazil, beach bodies, holiday romances, all of it,” said Ware. “I absolutely adore this song and I’m so excited for you to hear it, to hear the beautiful production by James and horns by Kokoroko, it’s the song that I knew I wanted to make as soon as I finished ‘Remember Where You Are.’”

Charlie Di Placido directed the film that stars Ware and a slew of back-up dancers take stage. The song starts strongly with a chorus singing “I work all night / I do my thing / Just killin’ time / Need a friend / Is this my life? / Beginning or end? / Can I start again? / Can we start again?” before Ware breaks off into her own vocals, talking about starting over after “realities take over all my dreams.” 

Ware has had a big hand in revitalizing the disco sound in the pop-music sphere. Her songs are designed to get you dance-floor ready and could compete with hits from the biggest disco divas including Donna Summer, Chaka Khan, Gloria Gaynor and others. 
Maybe because it’s Friday, (or maybe because the song’s that great) this new tune seems like the perfect welcome to the weekend. Wash away your work (or school) worries, start again, and “gimme something that’s better than it seems!” 

 

 

 

 

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You can pre-order Jessie Ware’s upcoming album That! Feels Good! through her website shop.jessieware.com 

Top photo: screengrab from the “Begin Again” music video, directed by Charlie Di Placido

America’s Sweetheart, Ice Spice, has joined forces with the queen herself Nicki Minaj for a remix of her song “Princess Diana.” The original version of the song is featured on Spices’ EP Like..? which was released earlier this year. The EP came with massive critical acclaim, and placed Spice in the spotlight to become a viral sensation.

The remix now includes a new verse from Minaj, where she showcases her impeccable rap skills with iconic lines such as “I be eatin’ my spinach/ They tried to clone my image/ They burned they London Bridges/ None of them bitches British.”

The remix also led to Ice Spice earning her first #1 on the US iTunes chart.

Spice also released a music video for the remix, which of course features herself and Minaj front and center, decked out in pink. The video has a Bratz-doll vibe, (and even features dolls of the rappers themselves). It also serves as a perfect combination of Minaj’s Barbie and Spice’s kawaii aesthetics, and is extremely eye-catching.

Minaj and Ice Spice have been publicly friend-crushing over one another for a while now, with Minaj commenting “Gag. The People’s PRINCESS. Catch it!!!” on Spices’ Dazed Magazine cover. Spice charmingly responded to Minaj’s praise with “ya heard da QUEEN.”

ya heard da QUEEN ? https://t.co/HNkw7ay5mq

— Ice Spice ☆ (@icespicee_) March 13, 2023

But if you thought that was the only Ice Spice/Nicki Minaj news for the week, you’d be wrong! The “Princess Diana” remix dropped nearly simultaneously with Minaj’s announcement of her brand new record label, Heavy On It, under which she also signed Ice Spice to a partnership! We hope this means that this dynamic duo will team up again in the future. They truly are the most legendary princess and queen pairing we’ve seen since Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews in The Princess Diaries.

Top photo: Screen grab from “Ice Spice & Nicki Minaj – Princess Diana (Official Music Video)” From @IceSpice on YouTube

Happy National Poetry month! In celebration of the art of writing poetry, the folks behind Ars Poetica are releasing a new game that puts the pen in your hand. 

Scribe is a new multiplayer writing game that sparks creativity, gets you vulnerable and helps you and your friends create small works of art based on stimulating prompts. If you haven’t written poetry or dabbled in any creative writing, Scribe can help you have a stroke of inspiration that could turn anyone into a poet. 

“I’ve been trying to get in the practice of writing every day,” said Scribe user Sahil Bhatia. “The Scribe deck is the perfect facilitator of that effort!”

The original card game features 50 prompts and 50 challenges that can be mixed together to create 2,500 unique writing exercises. The rounds are quick– just two minutes to create your prose. You can play by yourself, with a few buddies or with large groups, making Scribe a great icebreaker for team bonding outings, family reunions, bachelorette parties, and other gatherings of loved ones or colleagues. 

In a time where AI generators threaten the careers of creatives across the world, Scribe is a good ol’ fashioned analog game that gets you away from the screen and taps into your creative reservoir. 

“I like that I messed up a bit in what I wrote,” said singer/songwriter Scott T Smith, who used a Scribe prompt to write a new song in five minutes. “My brain is on fire: I’m ready to create more.”

The Scribe creators started a Kickstarter to help bring this creative game to the masses. According to their post, co-creators Anthony McPherson and LAMARKS wanted to create something that helps others connect. “In a world of passive consumption, isolation, and technological distraction, both of us wanted to create something that facilitates live connection, education, and analog delight whether played alone, over a dinner party, with family, or in campus or corporate settings.”

If you’re interested in supporting Scribe, donating $20 or more to their Kickstarter will get you a copy of the game as well as a limited edition haiku written by one of the game’s creators. 

Top photo: courtesy of Scribe; bottom photo: Scribe co-creators Anthony McPherson and LAMARKS, courtesy of Scribe.

Barbz, get ready. Nicki Minaj is flexing her talents on the small screen. She is set to lead and executive produce Amazon Freevee’s upcoming animated series, Lady Danger, based on Alex de Campi’s comics series from Dark Horse Comics. Talk about a girlboss!

Deadline exclusively reported the news that the Trinidadian-born and Queens-bred rapper/singer/songwriter is co-producing alongside hip-hop and rap icon, 50 Cent, under his G-Unit Films and Television Inc. production company. The rapper’s company is working jointly with Make Good Content and Starburns Industries in the production and animation of the show. Writer/director/producer Crystle Roberson, who has become a cinematic storyteller, has written the show along with co-producer Carlton Jordan.

 

 

 

 

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Lady Danger stems from the two-part comic book series of the same name written by Alex de Campi that debuted in 2015. The writer posted a Twitter thread with a deeper look into the behind-the-scenes creation of the show, including concept art for the character, ‘The Major’, which she believes is the role that Minaj will be taking. The casting roles are still so *hush*hush* that there hasn’t been a confirmation as to who Minaj is casted to play.  

For the morning crowd: my comic LADY DANGER is getting made into a series by 50 Cent (via his production company G-Unit) with Nicki Minaj exec producing and voicing one of the major characters. It’ll be on FreeVee. Here’s a little more about it, and what’s happening! pic.twitter.com/lbNd6BwYoF

— Alex de Campi (@alexdecampi) April 13, 2023

The series is set in the year 2075, following a government field agent who was left for dead by her own team once she discovered a perilous secret. The agent resurrects as – the one and only – Lady Danger. While concealing her real identity, Lady Danger is an “afrofuturistic ass-kicking” Agent of B.O.O.T.I (Bureau of Organized Terrorism Intervention), where she fights against villains who are set to destroy the earth. In her Twitter thread, Alex de Campi states, “Lady Danger’s an over the top action/martial arts story about a superspy organization, B.O.O.T.I., that defends the hood (and sometimes the rest of America) against evil. All the big Federal agencies, of course, want to shut B.O.O.T.I. down bc it makes them look bad on the reg.” Combining Nicki Minaj with a futuristic America and butt-kicking moves in order to save the world only means one thing. She’s going to be a badass agent. 

This isn’t Nicki’s first rodeo with voice acting. The “Starships” singer has been growing her list of animation credits, appearing in an episode of The Cleveland Show and Steven Universe, voicing a mammoth in Ice Age: Continental Drift, as well as voicing in The Angry Birds Movie 2. She is proving herself to be as good of a voice actress as she is a rapper. 

Since the report of Minaj taking such a crucial role in the acting and production of Lady Danger, the paperback version of the comic has sold-out on Amazon. 

Paperback versions of the “Lady Danger” comic book are now sold-out on Amazon.

This comes after the announcement that Nicki Minaj will star and executive produce the new animated series. pic.twitter.com/5DhnePECF9

— ?? (@QCWorldwide) April 13, 2023

We can’t wait to see (and hear) Nicki Minaj kicking some straight up a** in this exciting new role, and further proving her multitude of talents.

Top photo: LightSpace Studios, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The “Pacify Her” singer rose to fame in 2012 due to her appearance in the third season of The Voice, and despite being eliminated by an audience vote during the fifth week, Martinez’s two-tone hair and unique voice garnered significant attention. After her first two albums, Cry Baby and K-12, the artist took a hiatus from the music industry. So obviously, Martinez had to make her comeback iconic.

Her third studio album, PORTALS, was released on March 31st, transporting fans into a dimension of fairy-core creatures and a green-hue environment that is full of extraterrestrial oddities. The release of the album and its new aesthetic has shocked Martinez’s fans – her appearance is unrecognizable.

“DEATH”, the first track of the record, marks the end of Martinez’s hiatus, with a repeating chorus, “Back from the dead, back from the dead. I’m back from the dead, back from the dead,” referencing the end of her four-year hiatus. The music video for the track also shows a mushroom-shaped tree with “RIP CRYBABY” carved onto it before Melanie morphs from her old persona into her new form, marking the end of her babydoll era.

Leading up to the release of PORTALS, Martinez posted a reel to her Instagram on February 21st with a catchy beat in the background, and a large egg slowly being zoomed into with the caption, “Incubating.”

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A post shared by melanie martinez ⟡ (@littlebodybigheart)

Martinez has now hatched out of her egg into a pink-colored creature with extravagant color-changing hair, four big eyes, and mystical outfits. Her new persona is achieved with prosthetics that create this creepy, yet eye-catching aesthetic.

Fans, however, couldn’t stop (and still can’t stop) talking about the unrecognizable artist. Many fans were quick to jump into social media to express their mixed feelings about Martinez’s entrance into a new dimension. While some stated their dislike of Martinez’s look, like in this tweet where the singer is compared to a pink version of “Gollum” from The Lord Of The Rings, other fans admired her creativity in achieving an aesthetic that hasn’t been done before. Another tweet jokingly mocked those who dislike the new style, telling them, “STFU. LOOK AT MELANIE, THEY’RE STUNNING.”

Melanie Martinez looks stunning in new picture ? pic.twitter.com/hfOFyMGbWV

— Aaron (@isolatedplant) April 5, 2023

“i like melanie martinez but now… her new style is-

STFU.
LOOK AT MELANIE, THEY’RE STUNNING#portals pic.twitter.com/8p4AqQ7KV7

— ` dani (@dnaristuff) April 4, 2023

A fashion-analyzing TikTok user (@dressedcodes) posted a video answering questions about the transition from Martinez’s highly loved Cry Baby aesthetic into her new PORTALS era. The comment section itself shows the mixed opinions of fans.

@dressedcodes Replying to @dollface2002 #greenscreen #melaniemartinez #melaniemartinezedit #melaniemartinezfashion #melaniemartinezoutfits #fashionwriter #personalstylist #outfitideas #fashioncollage #styleanalysis #fashionhelp #fashionjournalist #outfitinspo #ootd #grwm #fashionnerd #fashiongirl ♬ original sound – Sydney

Martinez also received criticism for copying Björk’s mystical aesthetic, like how she presents herself in her album Utopia, but a Twitter user (@larynxvoid) debunked the accusations in a thread. Martinez has been creating and playing around with different fairy-like styles for a long time. She’s been ready to transcend into her new persona for years.

Thread where I explain how Melanie Martinez didn’t steal bjork’s concept. pic.twitter.com/P5o17AfkOD

— seb (@larynxvoid) March 3, 2023

It’s hard for us to say goodbye to Melanie Martinez’s Cry Baby era (it was so iconic we have to mourn), but this new galaxy we have entered with PORTALS makes us excited for projects we can expect to see from the singer in the future.

Top photo: Screengrab from Youtube, “DEATH” Melanie Martinez 

The general public is at it again. Ariana Grande posted a TikTok on Tuesday, April 11th addressing the recent rumors and comments that have been made about her body. 

@arianagrande

♡

♬ original sound – arianagrande

Recent paparazzi photos have led to a flurry of comments on the “Thank U, Next” singers’ physique. Apparently, people are “concerned” over the star’s appearance as she looks to be thinner than she has been before. 

What people seem to have trouble taking into account is that Grande’s body is literally the furthest thing from their business.