It may seem like 2023 just started, but 2023 is dust under the rug and 2024 is here. 2023 was a wild ride with a new pop culture phenomenon at least every month. Events that seem like they were just yesterday were actually months ago. Some of those events were outstanding.
In February, the Super Bowl came and Rihanna shocked the world with her performance. Coming back to the music world after a break becoming a mother, she rose above in a red jumpsuit – revealing her surprise baby bump. On August 3rd, her second son was born.
March brought the Oscars, where Ke Huy Quan won. It was an amazing step in the pop culture world for Asian-Americans in Hollywood.
Emotionally, Ke Huy Quan explained, “My journey started on a boat. I spent a year in a refugee camp.”
The Oscars weren’t the only event March brought. Taking back her name and her fame, Taylor Swift began her Eras tour on March 17, 2023. Being the highest grossing tour of all time, millions of fans have seen Taylor in all her glory on stage. She showed that a man doesn’t define her – the thing that defines her is that she is Taylor Swift. Not Harry’s ex, not Travis’s new girl. She is Taylor.
April held the infamous Met Gala. The 2023 theme was Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty’. As usual, there were outstandingly gorgeous outfits worn by celebrities like Rihanna, Anne Hathaway, Florence Pugh, Dontella Versase, and Kerry Washington. But, with the beauty came the unusual. Jared Leto dressed in a fur cat costume, Lil Nas X in full glam with head to toe rhinestones, and Doja Cat, who was also dressed like a cat.
In July, Barbenhiemer was all the rage. Barbie, Margot Robbie’s film that she produced and starred in impacted not only women around the world, but society as a whole. Being pink and beautiful like everyone expected, she also brought a punch of feminism that we didn’t know we needed. Barbie was funny, moving, and fantastic. With an 88% on rotten tomatoes, Barbie came and went, but will never be forgotten.
Oppenheimer, directed by Christian Nolan, is based on the man J.Robert Oppenheimer, known as the father of the atomic bomb. Fans of both Barbie and Oppenheimer had a field day on social media over both movies. In later months, schools would also host Barbenheimer spirit days, where you either dressed in all black or pink.
Though, the craze of Barbenheimer wasn’t the only thing that happened in July. Elon Musk also announced his finalized decision of turning the app formerly known as ‘Twitter’, into ‘X’. This left users very confused as to the direction that X would take. They wondered what to even call a tweet!
In September, the temperature was cooling but the drama was hot. September was the prime time to reflect on all the crazy celebrity split-ups that happened during the summer. Couples such as Joe Jonas and Sophie turner broke up, along with Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez, Britney Spears and Sam Asghari, and Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello. Clearly for some, summer 2023 was not the summer of love.
October brought the devastating passing of beloved Friends star, Matthew Perry. Dying at age 54, he passed away on October 28th. Most people know him as Chandler from Friends, but he was also an author and did a lot to help people in need. He once struggled too with addiction, and he tried to do what he could to help once he was healed. He may be gone, but his legacy will never be forgotten.
Going into November, the Friends cast continued to mourn Matthew Perry as his funeral was held. Also in November Taylor Swift brought her famous Eras Tour to Argentina and then Brazil. Her show caused stadiums to stack up as fans were joyous to see her.
Ending the year off with Taylor again, Spotify announces her as the most streamed artist of 2023. Which in result, dethrones Bad Bunny from being the most streamed artist. Not only is Taylor the most streamed artist of the year, she’s also Time Magazine’s Person of the Year. Another outstanding artist showing her story is Beyonce, who is creating a movie about herself.
2023 was a crazy year for pop culture, though it ended on a positive note. Now the only thing left to wonder is what 2024 has in store!
