POP CULTURE IN REVIEW: Q1 2025
90s superstars, unlikely redemption arcs and Lorazepam
It’s been a minute!
I’ve been taking a break from writing and podcasting, but as the seasonal depression wears off, I want to put more energy into this space again. So here I am in your inboxes with a recap of pop culture in 2025 thus far. Enjoy!
The Girls Dominated Award Season
The 2025 awards season was dominated by female talent, led by Anora’s sweeping success, edging out Wicked at multiple major ceremonies. The gritty indie won big at the Oscars, including Best Picture, Director, and Actress for Mikey Madison, while also taking top honors at the BAFTAs. Wicked earned nods for Costume and Production Design but fell short in major categories, solidifying Anora as the season’s dark horse.
Demi Moore earned her first award with her role in The Substance at the Golden Globes, taking home Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy Motion Picture, and blessing us with a moving acceptance speech about patience and timing. She was last nominated for a Golden Globe for If These Walls Could Talk in 1997.
The girl power was not limited to film this year. In music, Doechii made history with a bold, theatrical Grammys performance and won Best Rap Album, becoming only the third woman to do so. Chappell Roan’s breakout year culminated in a Best New Artist Grammy and a Billboard Top New Artist win, as she used her spotlight to call for music industry reform. Meanwhile, Sabrina Carpenter took home Best Pop Album, Charli XCX’s Brat earned Best Dance Album, while Beyoncé won her first, and long overdue, Album of the Year Grammy with Cowboy Carter, also taking home Best Country Album.
The Traitors US Stuns in New Season
The Traitors U.S. season 3 captured hearts and headlines this year. The cast was stacked featuring game show legends, queer icons and reality star villains. Boston Rob from Survivor made a huge splash in his short stint on the Show and developed an unlikely bromance with none other than Zac Efron’s younger brother, Dylan while going head-to-head with Drag Race’s Bob the Drag Queen. Unsurprisingly, Dylan stole the hearts of America and his castlemates. (Not a word.)
Gabby Windey from Bachelor Nation stole the show with her impeccable fashion choices and her even-keeled round table master class. Clips from her podcast, Long Winded, are now going viral over serene videos of waterfalls with calming music. The kids call this #hopecore.
Finally, Tom Sandoval earned himself a quasi redemption arc, by showcasing just how big of a clown he is. From his sweaty armpits to his unrelenting intensity, he managed to win audiences over through his own humiliation. I guess going from the most hated man in America to the most pitied is a step up for a narcissist.
Mike White Does It Again
The White Lotus Season 3 instantly became a cultural event, thanks in large part to Parker Posey’s hysterical portrayal as Victoria Ratliff. Audiences were immediately obsessed with Victoria’s obliviousness, exaggerated Southern drawl, and chaotic one-liners, stumbling through family drama in a benzo-indused haze. TikTok impressions, and viral clips that cemented Victoria as the season’s breakout icon.
While many of us were nervous about the first Tanya-less season, fans and critics alike called Victoria the “undisputed queen of White Lotus,” comparing her to Jennifer Coolidge’s Tanya in terms of meme-ability and scene-stealing impact. Posey’s commitment to Victoria’s delusional charm had viewers quoting her lines and impersonating her mannerisms across social media.
In addition to Posey, Patrick Schwarzenegger proved his acting chops with his depiction of the Ratliff’s eldest child, Saxon — a blowhard Duke grad, nepo baby finance bro. Audiences also fell in love with Aimee Lou Wood, who plays the much younger girlfriend of Walton Goggins’ Rick Hatchett. Carrie Coon, Leslie Bibb and Michelle Monaghan have also brought it with their pitch-perfect portrayal of a three-person friend group on vacation. The series ended yesterday, Sunday April 6, but this is a spoil-free zone.