Her name is Taylor Swift, and she was born in 1989! “1989,” was Taylor’s fifth studio album, and her first, technically, pop album. This album, which began the journey into her most popular genre, was initially released to the public in 2014.¹ Recently, the “Taylor’s Version” of this album has come out, on October 27, 2023. Taylor’s Version of songs or albums is her re-recording of old songs, so she can own her music, as her first six albums were sold to Scooter Braun.² The new album has the original 16 songs, but she added five new vault tracks. Songs that are from the vault or vault tracks are songs that were written at the time of the album, but never released, or heard by/to the public. The tracks released are titled: “Sl*t!", “Is it over now?”, “Now That We Don’t Talk”, “Suburban Legends”, and “Say Don’t Go”. “Sl*t!” was widely suspected to be a super fast, high-energy song by a lot of fans, but it turned out to be a slow love song that evoked emotion.³ Before the release, Taylor leaked a few lyrics, one being from the song, “Aquamarine, moonlit swimmin'’ pool What if all I need is you?” ⁴ No one expected to come from a song titled, “Sl*t!”. This song ended up resonating with me and I would give it an 8/10. I liked it but it wasn’t my favorite of the vault tracks. The second vault track was, “Say Don’t Go”. I interpret the meaning as an empty relationship, where she got lead on. She's deeply in love, but the other person isn't giving it back, and she wants the other to say that they love her back and won't leave again. This is most obvious in the lyrics: “I said ‘I love you’ You say nothing back Why’d you have to lead me on? Why’d you have to twist the knife Walk away and leave me Bleeding, bleeding? Why’d you whisper in the dark Just to leave me in the night? Now your silence has me Screaming, screaming.”⁵ Again I do like this song, but it's not my favorite of the tracks, 7/10. The third vault track is, “Now That We Don’t Talk.” This song is about an old relationship that has a good ending, at least for her. Everything seems better after they cut off contact, and everyone in her life is happy that they are excommunicated, and she doesn't have to conform to what they want. I’d give the song an 8/10. A few lines proving this are, “Now that we don’t talk I called my mom, she said that it was for the best Remind myself the more I gave, you’d want me less”⁵ The fourth vault track is called, “Suburban Legends,” and it's about people who were meant to be together and meant for fame. An unforgettable relationship, one of chaos and extremity. One that was like a dream, or for better or for worse. I love this song as well, it’s probably a 7/10. “I broke my own heart ‘cause you were too polite to do it Waves crash to the shore I dash to the door You don’t knock anymore And I always knew it That my life would be ruined”⁵ The fifth final, and my favorite vault track is, “Is It Over Now?”, it’s another song about Harry Styles and the rough parts of their relationship. The public viewed their relationship as good, and him being one of the “good” exes that she has, but in this song, he got “All Too Well”’-ed. The song has shaken both of their fans and called out things that were unseen by supporters of their relationship, but it isn’t either of their faults because they were both young, after a string of Taylor’s older boyfriends.⁶ The bridge is probably my favorite part in its entirety, but some of my favorite lyrics are, “Let’s fast forward to three hundred awkward blind dates later If she’s got blue eyes I will surmise you’ll probably date her You dream of my mouth before it called you a lying traitor You search in every model’s bed for something greater”⁵ As I mentioned, this is my favorite of the vault tracks. It’s catchy and has been stuck in my head since the release date, 10/10.

Amidst all the chaos in 2020/2021, two iconic Gen-Z childhood actors/singers, Olivia Rodrigo and Sabrina Carpenter, were put under fire by rumors of their bad blood over shared “ex-boyfriend” Joshua Bassett. This all started with a Halloween TikTok posted by Bassett and Carpenter, dressed in what seemed to be a couples costume of Sharkboy and Lavagirl. This occurred just after rumors surfaced of an ended romance between Bassett and Rodrigo. Rodrigo and Bassett played two love interests on the show High School Musical the Musical the Series: Nini and Ricky. Their on-screen romance had fans speculating there was more going on, but the pair confirmed nothing. In later seasons, the public had agreed upon the fact the actors had broken up. However, in an interview with Jimmy Fallon in late 2023, Olivia spoke about the fact she had accidentally followed her ex (not naming him) on Instagram. It was later brought up that while she currently didn’t follow anyone, for a good couple of days she was only following Joshua Bassett. This confirmed that the two had dated.⁴ There currently appears to be no bad blood between the two, as they've been seen acting friendly on a red carpet for HSMTMTS. The aforementioned video posted by Carpenter and Bassett was around the same time that Olivia’s song “Drivers License,” assumed to be about Josh, had dropped. People immediately jumped and created a huge sphere of drama and hatred around the two girls, even though they had never mentioned one another specifically. It was most apparent in the lines: “And you’re probably with that blonde girl Who always made me doubt She’s so much older than me She’s everything I’m insecure about…”³ These lyrics created a media frenzy, with people jumping between comment sections and spreading their opinions on the controversy everywhere they could. The media was completely split on sides like “Team Olivia,” or “Team Sabrina” (which I think is ridiculous but you’ll hear my opinion later). It was reasonable to guess that these lyrics were about Carpenter due to the fact she’s blonde and four years Olivia’s senior, but the divide was unnecessary. What fans assumed to be Sabrina’s “clap-backs” were in her songs “because i liked a boy,” and “Skin.” While Sabrina has stated “Skin” references many people and different situations over all, many believe “because i liked a boy,” to be about the love triangle between her, Josh, and Olivia. Here are some lyrics from each song that really made people think these were about Olivia: because i liked a boy: “Now I'm a homewrecker, I'm a sl*t I got death threats filling up semi-trucks Tell me who I am, guess I don't have a choice All because I liked I'm a hot topic on your tongue I'm a rebound gettin' 'round stealin' from the young Tell me who I am, guess I don't have a choice All because I liked a boy”² Skin: “Maybe then we could pretend There's no gravity in the words we write Maybe you didn't mean it Maybe blonde was the only rhyme The only rhyme” … “And I'm not asking you to let it go But you been telling your side So I'll be telling mine, oh”¹ These lyrics have definitely pushed the sense of drama in the media. I don’t have much more to say about these, but I do have my two cents to put in. I think that this “drama” was definitely pushed by the media and escalated to levels that were unneeded by fans. As a society, we should have let them live their lives. The fact that this is so common, to put women against each other and trying to create a fight, is so horrible. We need to decrease the scrutiny, especially as these two didn't do anything wrong and were so young. So, I truly believe after the songs were put out and all was said and done, neither of them really cared. Joshua has also stated his opinion on the matter through his songs, but it wasn’t thought to put the common aspect, the man, in a place of fault. I don’t believe any of the three were at fault, but it’s infuriating that the media only wants to create drama between successful women.

It is award show season, and, having already completed the Golden Globes, Critics Choice, and the Emmy’s, the Oscar nominations have been announced.² The biggest movie of the year got nominations for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Production Design, and Best Costume Design.³ ² However, they snubbed the two people who made it a reality: Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig. The two incredibly talented women deserved to be recognized by the Oscars, but the Academy’s judgment was way off. Greta Gerwig is a major success and has been making waves as, who I would debate to be, the most influential female director of our time. She was Barbie's sole director, the first woman to earn over $1 billion on a solo project.⁵ While the other nominees made amazing films, 2023 was the year of Barbie, literally the highest-grossing film of the year. Along with this the fact that so many movies she has directed have been nominated for numerous awards, but she has only been nominated for best director ONCE, is a tragedy.⁴ Being so impactful, yet not recognized is just horrible, and many will agree that she deserves an Oscar.² Along with Gerwig, Margot Robbie didn’t receive a nomination for best actress like many believed she would.² Barbie herself got snubbed, which I find to be insane. She is such a skilled actress and has been making so many waves in the industry with her iconic roles, like Naomi in the Wolf of Wall Street (her breakthrough), Harley Quinn, and of course Barbie. Again, the other nominees are very talented, and their films were great, but since summer, news of Barbie has been everywhere, and it’s undeniable that she deserves at least a nomination. One of the biggest issues other than the fact they weren't nominated at all, was the fact that Ryan Gosling was nominated for best original song and best supporting actor.² He is very talented and “I’m Just Ken” was very good, but the male lead being the one nominated for a feminist movie, it’s as if the voters didn’t watch the film at all, or the message passed right over their heads. Gosling came out with the statement, “I am extremely honored to be nominated by my colleagues alongside such remarkable artists in a year of so many great films. And I never thought I’d be saying this, but I’m also incredibly honored and proud that it’s for portraying a plastic doll named Ken. But there is no Ken without Barbie, and there is no Barbie movie without Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie, the two people most responsible for this history-making, globally celebrated film. No recognition would be possible for anyone in the film without their talent, grit, and genius. To say that I’m disappointed that they are not nominated in their respective categories would be an understatement. Against all odds with nothing but a couple of soulless, scantily clad, and thankfully crotchless dolls, they made us laugh, they broke our hearts, they pushed the culture and they made history. Their work should be recognized along with the other very deserving nominees. Having said that, I am so happy for America Ferrera and the other incredible artists who contributed their talents to making this such a groundbreaking film.”¹ Even he, while still evidently grateful for the nomination (like anyone else would be), is completely disappointed alongside the public that Margot and Greta were snubbed. These mistakes made by voters to not have nominations for them is just another thing piled on top of the horrible jokes made by Jo Koy, with the evident proof that they haven't been taken seriously, which is such a shame. Barbie deserves awards and recognition in all categories; there is no denying that it is a cinematic masterpiece. On a good note, America Ferrera, who also played a major role in the plot and the overall message of the movie with her emotionally moving speech that deeply affected a lot of viewers on what it’s like to be a woman in our time. Her brilliant performance was so impactful and she completely deserves the win for Best Supporting Actress, which she was thankfully nominated for.²

While some may see it as just an overpriced grocery store, Erewhon is a huge celebrity trap. It is the most expensive grocery store in America, frequently visited by people like Cara Deliviegne, A$AP Rocky, Hillary Duff, and many more. The outrageous prices have taken social media by storm, creating whirlpools of controversy around it, even convincing the people who have taken disgust with the outlandish costs to go and spend their money at one of their L.A. locations. They justify the prices with the fact that all of their products are natural and organic, but aren't Whole Foods or Sprouts the same thing, with much more reasonable prices? However, this wage gap greatly appeals to wealthy people, The New York Times even calling it "the unofficial hangout for the young, beautiful, and bored."¹ With $26 oxygenated water or their $50 sea moss, Erewhon definitely creates sort of a status symbol between people, especially when materialistic people get their hands on enough money for a trip there. One of the biggest products there is a strawberry smoothie that costs $20. It has been so graciously given the name of: Hailey Beiber’s Strawberry Skin Glaze Smoothie. I think its ridiculous, but also, if people want it, let them be.

In the world of pop music, few artists have made as much of a splash in recent years as Olivia Rodrigo. Fans and critics alike have been eagerly awaiting her sophomore effort. The wait is over, as Olivia Rodrigo's highly anticipated album "GUTS" has finally been released, and it's nothing short of a triumph. The album is a deeply personal and introspective journey, but is also extremely relatable, showcasing her growth as both an artist and a young woman. It's clear that Rodrigo has poured her heart and soul into this record, and it shines through on every track. The album is so teen-girl, having fans left feeling like she unlocked their brain before writing the lyrics. There was some returned controversy with haters believing she copied other songs and beats, but similarities are everywhere in the music industry.¹ My top three songs (not in order) are: all-american b*tch, lacy, and pretty isn't pretty. The opening track is titled, “all-american b*tch”, it dives into a lot of what is expected of women in modern society, how perfection is forced on women, and what traditional roles would be. My favorite lines are, “I don't get angry when I'm pissed I’m the eternal optimist I scream inside to deal with it", which dives into the “ideals” for women, making them feel as if they can only put their best face forward.² “‘lacy,” is a slower song, I have depicted it to be a mix of envy, admiration, and longing love. Rodrigo describes Lacy as being perfect, a “bardot reincarnate,” many people have speculated that this song could be about either of her friends, Gracie Abrams, or Sabrina Carpenter.³ The Sabrina theory, while extremely believable is tough because the media and public are constantly putting them against each other. In my opinion, the best lines are: “Smart, Sexy Lacy, I’m losin’ it lately I feel your compliments like bullets on skin Dazzling starlet, Bardot reincarnate.”³ I find this to be extremely relatable due to the fact when I get a compliment from another girl who i admire, or find to be perfect, or envy, it affects me deeply, and it either makes or breaks my day. Track 11, “pretty isnt pretty,” is probably the most teen girl song ever. It talks about how society and peers are constantly putting pressure on us to be the best. The prettiest, and whatever you do it will never be enough because there will always be better. My favorite lines happen to be the opening ones as I find them the most relatable: “bought a bunch of makeup tryna cover up my face I started to skip lunch and stopped eating cake on birthdays bought a new prescription to try and stay calm cuz there’s always something missing there’s always something in the mirror that I think looks wrong."⁴ Changing your appearance to fit in with your desired clique, while being a painful, and concerning experience, is pretty common. The lyrics do mention not eating, which I don't struggle with anymore, but if you do don't feel afraid to reach out for help. However, this just feels like she spilled out every insecurity that is so common among teenagers. All of the songs are so well done and relatable making it understandable why Olivia Rodrigo is so popular. I would rate the alum an honest 10 out of 10, and it should be listened to immediately by everyone. It covers a wide range of music styles and while they are somewhat similar because they are about Rodrigo's life, they aren't too similar. The “GUTS” tour has been announced and I’m very excited to see where her career goes.

The Golden Globes is held every year to bestow prestige on films and TV shows, and this year so many wonderful pieces were nominated, however, there has been a lot of drama over the wins. Some criticism was coming from the public, but a lot was happening in the actual ceremony. This year's host, Jo Koy stirred up quite a bit of controversy over some “jokes” he made, but I don't think they count because jokes are meant to be funny, and his title of “comedian” wasn’t proving itself. Two things stood out in particular, comments he made comparing Barbie and Oppenheimer, and another about Taylor Swift. Barbie won in Cinematic and Box Office Achievement, which was truly deserved, but Koy had other things to say. When talking about Barbie and Oppenheimer he stated, “Oppenheimer is based on a 721-page Pulitzer Prize-winning book about the Manhattan Project, and Barbie is on a plastic doll with big boobies…”¹ In my opinion that was completely inappropriate to say, especially due to the premise of the movie. It seems either he didn't watch the movie, or did, and the theme went right over his head. While both movies were incredible, they aren't similar in any way, except when they came out. Both movies won awards; he should’ve let them have their moments. The camera panned around to the cast and Greta Gerwig and they were all obviously disappointed with the “joke.” Another statement that kept everyone on their toes was about the male lead, Ryan Gosling. "It was kind of weird being attracted to a plastic doll… It's just something about your eyes, Ryan."² If it weren't for the bad delivery and the previously made obscene “jokes.” This horrified the crowd because most assumed that it was about Margot Robbie. Another slightly shocking comment he made was about Taylor Swift. It was inevitable but completely unnecessary, more unoriginal attacks about her being shown too much during football games, which she has no control over. “As you know, we came on after a football doubleheader… The big difference between the Golden Globes and the NFL: On the Golden Globes, we have fewer camera shots of Taylor Swift, I swear.”² The camera panned to Swift and she only took a sip of her drink, but people said she overreacted, which is so dramatic, especially compared to Will Smith’s reaction at the 2022 Golden, which included physical violence. The out lash from the media of her simple reaction, and unamused look, proves a statement she made in an interview for Lover in 2019. When talking about the “different vocabulary for men and women in the music industry, she stated, “...A man is allowed to 'react'; a woman can only 'over-react'.”³ Besides those topics, the Golden Globes went pretty smoothly and the award show continued. Along with the aforementioned win, Billie Eilish and FINNEAS won the original song for What Was I Made For, written for Barbie.⁴ Oppenheimer won five awards in Drama Motion Picture, Actor in a Drama Motion Picture (Cillian Murphy), Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture (Robert Downey Jr.), Director of a Motion Picture (Christopher Nolan), and Original Score.⁴ The Boy and the Heron won Animated Motion Picture, and Ayo Edibiri won Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy T.V. series for The Bear.⁴ Succession won twice in Actress and Actor in a Drama T.V. Series (Sarah Snook and Kieran Culkin).⁴ Plus so many more awards for other media. One thing that stood out to me, is Jennifer Lawrence (nominated for Comedy Movie No Hard Feelings), she's known for her humor and down-to-earth personality, and she was mouthing to the cameras when they showed her saying, “If I don’t win, I will leave.” However, when her friend Emma Stone won for Poor Things, Lawrence was one of the first to jump up and give a huge round of applause, obviously having been joking beforehand. Which I found quite funny, being a fan of Lawrence, this was right on brand.

In the celebrity world, Halloween is a competition—iconic costumes put together by iconic people battling for public view and media boosts. The 2023 year has produced some fantastic costumes, through Heidi Klum who always shows up and shows out, and Hailey Beiber surprising with a maybe shady, bit of 2000s flair, and the focus is all on her. Beiber started mild, with some unsuspecting costumes a few weeks before Halloween matching up with Justin. In one photo she dressed in a custom vampire outfit with a matched-up red corset, lace cover, and furry mini skirt, with a dripping red lip guessed to be from her brand, Rhode. She also had another couple's costume with Justin, dressing as the Flintstones, a Ghostface victim, and more. Outlets also assumed one of her costumes was of Rachel, from Friends, and while she never revealed it, her similar hair and huge coffee mug presented her as a Rachel Green vision.¹ On her Instagram, she posted many pictures of her taking place as the main, Mean Girls. She dressed as Cady, Gretchen, Regina, and Karen, which was speculated to be throwing shade at how she was portrayed as a mean girl in the media this past year. Everyone knows how the media loves to take women in power and turn them against each other and portray them as “mad” or “b*tchy”. In the past, Selena Gomez and Hailey Beiber have gone out of their way to say that they have no bad blood and that everything is fine between them. However, over the summer Selena posted a video on TikTok, showing and stating how she accidentally over laminated her eyebrows, then late that day and week Hailey posted on her Instagram story a picture of her perfectly done brows, and then a screenshot of her and Kylie Jenner on facetime showing off their brows. Of course, everyone took this as an attack from Beiber to Gomez and amplified the situation, while it was pointing toward that, fans took it and went crazy. I feel like Hailey shouldn't have done that, unless (while it was kind of obvious in response) it may not have been on purpose (I feel like it was likely on purpose), people began to send death threats Hailey's way. After a few months everything “Selena vs Hailey '' cooled off. But my mind thought back when seeing her Mean Girls inspired theme. First, she posted a picture of her as all the Mean Girls placed on the movie's promotional poster. She took the place of Cady, Karen, Regina, and Gretchen, in their nostalgic, iconic replicas of all their outfits.² This was mocking the reputation she's gained this year, which was an amazing slapback. But then, some (speculated) shade was thrown, with her posting a mockup burn book page of herself, like how Regina made one of herself to frame Cady. The page was just like the one in Mean Girls defacing a picture of her and writing Regina targeted words amid her breakdown, “This girl is the nastiest sk@nk b****. I've ever met! Do not trust her! She is a fugly sl*t!”² Taking her viewers by storm, shocking everyone with the honestly, great comeback. What took the cake for me was the fact that the picture she used in the photo she defaced was one she took with Selena at the Academy Museum Gala, like how the photo Regina used of herself was cut from a duo picture of her and Cady.

In the world of music, few artists have undergone as dramatic a transformation as Taylor Swift. From her country roots to her pop anthems and indie-folk endeavors, Swift has consistently evolved her sound and image. Now, she's inviting fans to relive each of her musical eras in a one-of-a-kind experience with her "Eras Tour." Taylor Swift's "Eras Tour" is not just a concert; it's a time-traveling adventure through her extensive discography. The tour, which kicked off earlier this year, has taken fans through Swift's career, showcasing her remarkable growth as an artist. The tour's concept is as unique as Swift herself. It's divided into distinct sections, each representing a different era of her music. From the country charm of "Fearless" to the rebellious "Red" era, the glittering pop of "1989," and the introspective "Folklore" and "Evermore" phases, fans get to experience the evolution of Swift's music and persona.¹ One of the standout features of the "Eras Tour" is the attention to detail. Swift and her team have spared no effort in recreating the ambiance of each era. From the costumes and stage design to the visual effects and set lists, everything is meticulously crafted to transport fans back in time.¹ fans who've been following Swift since her early days, the "Eras Tour" is a nostalgic trip down memory lane. At the last concert in the U.S. leg of the “Eras Tour”, in Los Angeles she announced her upcoming album, “1989 TV.” ² TV stands for “Taylors Version,” as her old manager Scooter Braun bought her music without her permission, and she lost all ownership over her first six albums.² In 2021 she released, “Fearless TV,” regaining power and rerecording all the songs, with a few changes. “1989 TV,” will be released on Oct 17, 2023 and all her fans are so excited. It’s especially electrifying because the album cover is the first of her smiling on a cover, a new era is arriving.³ Beyond the music, Swift also uses the tour as an opportunity to connect with her fans on a personal level. She shares anecdotes, reflects on her journey, and expresses her gratitude for the unwavering support of Swifties worldwide. It's a testament to her genuine connection with her audience. As the "Eras Tour" continues to captivate audiences around the world, one thing is clear: Taylor Swift's musical journey is far from over. She has reinvented herself repeatedly, and fans can't wait to see what the future holds. Until then, they'll cherish the memories created during this remarkable tour—a journey through time and music with one of the most iconic artists of our generation.

Taylor Swift is just like Alexander Hamilton in how she writes like she's running out of time. She released her 11th (and 12th) Studio albums, The Tortured Poets Department and The Anthology today at 12 and 2 AM. Thirty-one brand new songs on the most pre-saved album on Spotify. The anticipated first album was The Tortured Poets Department (TTPD), which included 16 songs: Fortnight (feat. Post Malone), The Tortured Poets Department, My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys, Down Bad, So Long London, But Daddy I Love Him, Fresh Out The Slammer, Florida!!! (feat. Florence + The Machine), Guilty as Sin?, Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?, I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can), loml, I Can Do It With a Broken Heart, The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived, The Alchemy, and Clara Bow. The second album, Anthology, included fifteen songs: The Black Dog, imgonnagetyouback, The Albatross, Chloe or Sam or Sophia or Marcus, How Did It End?, So High School, I Hate It Here, thanK you aIMee, I Look in People’s Windows, The Prophecy, Cassandra, Peter, The Bolter, Robin, and The Manuscript. I ended up loving each-and-every one of them, which was expected. The Anthology was dropped at 2 AM ET, which was only a half-surprise. This was because the day she announced TTPD, Taylor had been holding up lots of twos, which signified a time, or duration of time, or maybe a double album, REPUTATION TAYLOR’S VERSION??? At least that's what many people thought, it was still a double release though! I would say my favorite songs are: Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?, loml, and I Can Do It With a Broken Heart.