02.16.2021: Weekly Rundown
Hey hey — if you’re new here, welcome! Each week, we catch you up on the major news going on in pop culture, the newest TikTok trends the youths love, and give you something to say to your more culturally aware friends to impress them. Subscribe below to be the first to get the weekly newsletter.
✊ #FreeBritney
We all know about Britney Spears’ rise to fame and her subsequent breakdown, but do we really know how she got there? The New York Times’ new documentary, Framing Britney Spears (on Hulu), is a fascinating and disturbing 1 hour episode that dives into Britney’s rise to fame, mental breakdown and the 13 year+ conservatorship managed by her father, Jamie Spears. The documentary sparked a huge resurgence for the #FreeBritney movement over the last week, and just in time — a few days ago she went to court against her father to strip him of control of parts of her conservatorship and WON! Over here, we’re team #FreeBritney always.
😞 The Bachelor Shows Its True Colors
I mean, are we surprised that a predominantly white dating show’s host is — *GASP* — racist? Not really, but it’s still disappointing. If you don’t follow The Bachelor, this season has the show’s very first Black Bachelor (there have been 2 Black Bachelorettes, one of whom was this past season). One of the frontrunners of this season, Rachel K., has a shady racist past that’s been trending all over social media including that she bullied girls for liking Black men, uses racial slurs and Black emojis, and attended Southern Antebellum parties as recent as 2018. Not a good look, especially if you’re dating a Black man on national television. Here’s where it really blows up — the first Black Bachelorette, Rachel Lindsay, interviewed the show’s host, Chris Harrison, about Rachel K. and it was…not great to say the least. He defended Rachel K.’s actions and instead called out the “woke police” as the real problem. Plus, he only apologized after the interview released as backlash mounted. As a result, he is stepping down for the time being though I don’t think this is a permanent move.
Listen to Rachel Lindsay talk about the interview after the fact on her podcast, Higher Learning.
🤰 The People’s Princess Is Preggers!
Some happy news for our Princess! Meghan Markle AKA Rachel Zane AKA Duchess of Sussex is pregnant with Baby #2! I guess moving out of your in-laws house makes for more time and less stress. Congratulations to the couple + baby Archie!
Break Ups & Make Ups
Quick Hollywood dating updates for you —
Ashley Benson (from Pretty Little Liars) & G-Eazy are no longer together. Too bad, so sad.
Kourtney Kardashian & Travis Barker (from Blink182) are dating! They’ve been neighbors and family friends for years. Kardashian fans like myself are happy she’s finally in a stable, normal-aged relationship.
Scott Disick & Amelia Grey (Lisa Rinna’s of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills daughter) are…still dating. They have a 19 year difference and it’s just not cute.
📱TikTok Trends To Watch
Google Shopping Trend: Buy something not usually for sale
Best Friend Trend: Two things that just go together
Boy / Girl Challenge: Test your centers of gravity
TikTok Tip: The comments section is sometimes (usually) even better than the TikTok itself.
That’s it for this week! Do you have any tips? Any drama you want to see reported on? Comment below + let us know!
Oh, and please share this with anyone who needs a quick Pop Culture Rundown themselves 🙏 Stay young, friends!