Forgive us for the shameless attempt to link a fantastical hit “Wicked” to wonderful Moo Deng. But hear us out—there’s something these two have in common as the year draws to a close. Escapism. Whether we found it on a yellow brick road, or in videos from a Thai zoo, or maybe in incredible Olympic heroesthis year we gravitated towards fantasy and feel-good pop culture moments.
There were new trends, as always. “Brother Summer” became a thing, as it became “modest, careful.” And for some inexplicable reason, we’ve become obsessed with celebrity lookalike contests.
There were interruptions – Bennifer, again, a thing of the past — and reunions: Oasis, try to stay together during the tour. And some things remained, surprisingly, the same: Taylor Swift and Beyoncé continued to break records and make history.
So, after a year where a lot changed but some things stayed the same, here’s our annual, highly selective trip down pop culture memory lane:
January
It starts as happy chirping from the beloved “Sesame Street” character: “ELMO is checking in! How is everyone?” The answers hint at something deeper and more troubling. “Not great, Elmo. It’s not great,” says a milder response. Faring much better is the viral phenomenon called “BARBENHEIMER,” which makes its awards season debut on GOLDEN GLOBE. But maybe the most poignant moment doesn’t come from any movie: LILY GLADSTONEthe first Native American to win the award for best actress in a drama for “Killers of the Flower Moon,” begins her remarks in the language of her tribe, the Blackfeet Nation.
February
Valentine’s Day — the perfect time to embark on a sweet love saga via TikTok. Except that’s not what we get with Who Did I Marry?, REESE TEESE’s depressing, fascinating 50-part account of her disastrous marriage to a man who lied about absolutely everything. In the meantime, if you’re looking for a week that encompasses the peak SWIFT cultural dominancetry this: She starts with the Grammys in Los Angeles (becoming the first female artist to win album of the year four times AND announce a new album), then heads to Tokyo for four tour dates, then returns just in time for the Super Bowl in Las Vegas — where divides a caress passionately with boyfriend TRAVIS KELCE on the field of victory.
March
“What was I made for?” BILLIE EILISH sings on OSCARS, channeling BARBIE. And what was KEN created for? It’s not entirely clear – but it’s clear that RYAN GOSLING was made to play him. His singing version “I’m just Ken” is one of the funnest Oscar musical moments in years. Christopher Nolan’s though “Oppenheimer” prevails, a rare case of the main prize going to a studio film hit. Will it happen again in 2025? CINTIJA ERIVO and ARIANA GRANDE I certainly hope so; as hosts, they slyly mention their upcoming big hit, “WICKED.” Speaking of marketing, people are obsessed with that bizarre “DUNE” popcorn bucket. AND BEYONCÉ carves her place in country music with “Act II: Cowboy Carter,” which will make her the first black woman to top the Billboard country chart.
April
Tennis, anyone? The game has been around for centuries, but right now it’s having a cultural moment, greatly aided “THE CHALLENGERS,” a sweaty romantic triangle starring ZENDAY, MIKE FAIST and JOSH O’CONNOR (40-love? More like 40-sex.) Elsewhere, a new era dawns: at midnight, SWIFT drops “CHAPTER OF THE TORTURED POET,” then drops another 15 songs two hours later. The fascinating and disturbing “BABY REINDEER,” the story of a comedian’s extended encounter with a stalker, debuts on Netflix.
May
it is FROM THE GALA time — or 2024 as it’s known, another early marketing moment for “WICKED.” ERIVO and GRANDE create fashion waves on the carpet, then musical waves at dinner, with a soulful rendition of “When You Believe.” If the “Wicked” tour is in full swing, another one is standing in its way: JENNIFER LOPEZ cancels the summer tour amid reports of poor ticket sales and problems in her marriage to BEN AFFLECK. It’s been an eventful year for J.Lo, who released an album and a film titled “THIS IS ME… NOW” — both thoughts on her renewed romance with Affleck.
June
Welcome to BRAT SUMMER! CHARLI XCX frees her hit album “Brother”.with its lime green cover, and launches a thousand memes. Collins dictionary defines “brat”, his word of the year, as “characterized by a confident, independent and hedonistic attitude”. At the celebrity-studded SWIFT shows in London, we see PRINCE WILLIAM shaking, which is either charming or creepy, you decide. Even better: KELCE pulls on the cylinder and a tuxedo and performance for one night. In another ballpark across the pond, METS outfielder JOSE IGLESIAS delights the audience with his cheerful track “OMG.”
July
Hi, yes OLYMPIAD time! In Paris! The daring opening ceremony along the Seine is interrupted the amazing CELINE DION, set on the EIFFEL TOWER, singing her heart out – even in the rain. Controversies are swirling critics scoff at the scene Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” (organizers say it is not). Olympic stars are born — including French swimming superstar LEON MARCHAND, rugby player ILONA MAHER and the bespectacled “pommel horse” gymnast STJEPAN NEDOROSĆIK, who won two bronze medals and was compared to Clark Kent. Also winning hearts: yes, MOO DENG, born this month. Her name means “hopping pork”.
August
Here they are… now: BENNIFERA is gone. After two decades, two engagements and two weddings, J.Lo is filing for divorce. One union dissolves, another returns: OASIS announces reunion tour. Will it be “DEMURE, CAREFUL”? It seems like everyone wants in on TikToker JOOLS LEBRON — even the WHITE HOUSE press team. Back to Olympicsin the new sport of smashing, we meet Australian RAYGUN, probably neither modest nor aware of her “kangaroo” move. Cute Animal Alert: It is MAMAC OHTANI’s First league debut! SHOHEI OHTANI’s happy dog works great “first throw”.
September
One of the biggest performers this year, Chappell Roan, is pulling out of a music festival after speaking out about terrifying fan interactions. And more about the price of fame: In a painful moment, “Girlfriend” JENN TRAN, the first American lead actress in the franchise, is forced to sit through the painful viewing of her proposal to her chosen suitor, after she tearfully explained how he later dumped her over the phone. Tran is busy though – she was announced as part of the new “Dancing with the Stars” cast. Also on the list: Rugby player Maher and Pommel Horse Guy! Also, ANNA SOROKIN, dancing with an ankle monitor. Online fandom, meanwhile, is rocked when X is temporarily suspended in Brazil and celebrity apartment accounts are announcing tearful farewells, revealing to many around the world that their favorite accounts are run by Brazilians.
October
“Dune” Chalamets! “Wonka” Chalamets! Thousands gather in Manhattan on TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET lookalike competition, and things really get interesting when Chalamet himself appears. Admittedly, he does not enter the competition, and with his mustache he might not have won. The trend continues with contests for JEREMY ALLEN WHITE, ZAYN MALIK and — in a very Washington version — Kennedy scion JACK SCHLOSSBERG, who is gathering followers with engaging social media posts. Back to basketball, who’s dancing with USHER? Why is it ELLIE THE ELEPHANT, the now popular mascot of NEW YORK LIBERTY.
November
MAYA RUDOLPH it works pretty well KAMALA HARRIS laugh at “Saturday Night Live,” but you know who does it better? HARRIS herself. Democrat candidate makes a surprise cameo three days before the US presidential elections, following the example of HILLARY CLINTON, SARAH PALIN and others. Elsewhere on television, Bravo announces it “VANDERPUMP RULES,” The Emmy-nominated reality show that has seen countless scandals is fully renewed for its 12th season – except for the eponymous LISA VANDERPUMP. As for MOO DENG, she doesn’t have her own TV series yet, but our favorite pygmy hippo is creating plenty of goods. And THAT brings us back to…
December
“WICKED”! Director JON M. CHU’s emerald-colored fantasy remains very popular, to quote one of his loud shows, dancing through life and defying gravity at the multiplex. Movie lovers also come get “GLADIATOR II” and, in a true tidal wave, Disney’s “MOANA 2” which calls us back to the seas of Oceania. Once again, 2024 seems to be telling us: give people some whimsy, a place to escape, maybe some catchy tunes — and no one knows how far they’ll go.
