Pop Culture Moments of 2022: A Year to Remember
From Bad Bunny's chart-topping hits to Taylor Swift's historic album sales, 2022 was an unforgettable year for pop culture. Let's relive some of these memorable moments, both good and bad.
Bad Bunny Takes Charts by Storm
Bad Bunny, a Puerto Rican musician, dominated the charts with hits like "Un Verano Sin Ti." This song has been on the charts since its release in May and has been labeled as a "hit factory" by critics. Bad Bunny also claimed the title of the most streamed artist globally on Spotify for the third consecutive year.
Beyoncé Steals the Spotlight Once Again
Queen B had an incredible year, with a plethora of Grammy nominations, the release of her best project since "Lemonade," and solidifying her status as a gay icon. The Grammy-winning "Renaissance" album is filled with catchy dance tunes that have become anthems for the LGBTQ+ community.
Taylor Swift Breaks Records (and Hearts)
Taylor Swift had a huge success with her Midnights era. The project, filled with nighttime anguish, is one of the top-selling albums of the year. Regrettably, not all of her fans were able to snag tickets for her upcoming tour. However, a growing class action lawsuit against Ticketmaster claims that getting tickets was made unbelievably difficult.
Julia Fox Unapologetically Unapologetic
Julia Fox, the muse for Josh Safdie's "Uncut Gems," continues to make headlines for her bold fashion choices, makeup looks, and candid TikTok videos. The notoriety of this actress has only come around once in a generation—consider it a rare gem.
Pop Culture Obsession: Classics and Genre Shows
TV fans went all-in on new series and beloved reboots, such as Game of Thrones, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles. Some shows received praise, while others had mixed reviews—but one thing was for sure: audiences were captivated by the fantasy realms and otherworldly creatures.
Don't Worry Darling: Remarkable Production Dramas
The film Don't Worry Darling was an "instant classic" behind the scenes. Olivia Wilde's entanglement with Harry Styles, Florence Pugh's alleged fallout with co-star Chris Pine, and a mystery paparazzi scandal led to overwhelming drama that eclipsed the film itself.
AI in Art: The Double-Edged Sword
Artificial intelligence tools like DALL-E garnered attention for converting nonsensical phrases into works of art, allowing users to create important images, such as "Testing a Ranch Dressing Bottle in Court" or "Emotionally Waiting for the Bus in the Rain." However, some digital artists claim to have had their work plagiarized by Lensa, who created stunning yet controversial digital avatars.
"Corn Boy" Becomes America's New Sweetheart
America has a new favorite: a 7-year-old boy named Tariq, who spoke passionately about his love for corn in the "The Rest Cure" series. A mashup of his affection for corn even received a helping hand from the Hulk during Thanksgiving.
Twitter Nearly Collapses and Rebounds
A twitter argument over politics and celebrity gossip nearly killed the social media giant, but somehow, it survived. It was a twist worthy of an episode from Titanic—as Twitter users clung to the site that has been an integral part of their lives for over a decade.
"Funny Girl" Casting Mishaps
Swiftie-fans were dismayed after Beanie Feldstein was replaced by Lea Michele in the Broadway revival of "Funny Girl." Feldstein wasn't the right fit for the iconic role, but Michele faced accusations of mistreating her co-star. Ultimately, only Barbara Streisand walked away as the real victor.
Elmo vs. Rocko: The Big Sesame Street Feud
Elmo's feud with Beaker's older brother, Rocko, started this year and captivated the adults' imagination just as much (if not more so) than the children's. We can't get enough of this bizarre battle between two iconic Sesame Street characters.
Wordle Takes Over the World
The simple word game "Wordle," acquired by the New York Times, took the world by storm. Despite initially being free, the daily puzzles have become a mainstay, but the daily exchanges have started to fade, leaving many wondering if the golden age of Wordle is already over.
"Abbott Elementary" Wins Our Hearts
The television show "Abbott Elementary," a hilarious parody of school documentaries, has had an incredible year, with two successful seasons and outstanding performances, notably from Quinta Brunson and Cheryl Hines, who won an Emmy for her role as Barbara. The show is hilarious and heartfelt, with its message of resilience and determination resonating with audiences and critics alike.
Manipulation Attempts—But Who's Pulling the Strings?
We were left guessing when the stars' lives appeared to take a turn for the worse, with narratives surrounding celebrities like Don't Worry Darling and the Try Guys making us all amateur sleuths. Ultimately, we're still waiting to find out who was pulling the strings.
Kanye West's Controversial Remarks
Kanye West faced backlash in 2022 over his series of antisemitic comments, which resulted in significant systemic fallout. Despite the numerous consequences—including losing major deals and further dividing his fanbase—West remains unaffected and continues to challenge societal norms.
The Shocking Oscars Controversy
It was a shocking moment during the Oscars when an unexpected outcome unfolded. The controversial decision has dominated the news, with many calling it a significant turning point in the history of the prestigious awards ceremony.
Steve Lacy's Ascension
Thanks to social media sensation TikTok, Steve Lacy exploded onto the music scene, with his hit single "Bad Habit." The Grammy-nominated song won fans across the globe and became a viral sensation. As Steve rises to fame, fans continue to support the rising star.
Blockbuster Returns
It was a year filled with epic movies, from the awe-inspiring flight scenes in Top Gun: Maverick, Tom Holland's latest turn as Spiderman, to the Black Panther sequel. With dinosaurs, superheroes, and magical wands, there was no shortage of excitement at the box office.
Men's Soccer (Finally) Gains Attention
Regardless of your opinion on football, there's no denying the magnetic pull of the World Cup, which draws millions to the screen every four years to watch the world's best athletes. And the underdogs? They're champions in our hearts.
Keke Palmer's Star-making Year
Keke Palmer broke out this year, with her roles in hit films like No and Hustlers. She also graced everyone with her talents as a Talk Show host and DJ. Palmer ended her impressive year with an emotional pregnancy announcement on Saturday Night Live. Still, her talent and success are far from over.
Drakes Regret
Drake's unreleased album with 21 Savage featured lyrics that made fans question his loyalty to Megan Thee Stallion. The backlash from the rap community was swift and fierce, reminding us all that there is no room for betrayals in the music world.
The Rise of BeReal
A new media platform swept the globe: BeReal, the app that offers a glimpse into our friends' lives. While some found it a breath of fresh air, others reverted to their familiar Instagram practices. Others still continued to post tame selfies with their canine pals, eager to maintain a veneer of adoration on the platform.
Lizzo Plays an Ancient Flute
Lizzo made waves in Washington D.C., gracing an ancient concert hall with her vibrant energy and workings of that incredibly rare, historic flute. An already-loved icon, she topped off her remarkable year with new music, an Emmy, and strutting that legendary self-love message.
Young Thug and Gunna Arrested
Young Thug and Gunna faced a slew of charges, triggering a mass movement across the world, with the hashtag #FreeYSL. There was open debate about whether or not rap lyrics were being used as evidence, as the case appeared to revolve around the Atlanta rapper's criminal past.
Zendaya's Euphoria Triumph
Zendaya continued her successful run in Hollywood, clinching yet another Emmy award for her role as a drug-addicted teenager in the HBO series, Euphoria. Her diverse and captivating role set a new standard, leaving an indelible mark on the industry and viewers alike.
Kendrick Lamar Returns to the Rap Throne
Kendrick Lamar's triumphant return to the rap scene was celebrated nearly as much as his political commentary in "Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers," a cleverly-titled album that highlighted transgender rights. Is the stage set for his long-awaited comeback tour?
The Tragic Death of Takeoff
The heinous killing of Migos artist Takeoff sent shockwaves through the music community. One of the group's most brilliant members, his sudden passing left a void, symbolizing the fragility of fame and the price Hollywood's stars often pay for their success.
"Bear" Pressure: We're Cooking Now
Fans across the world couldn't get watching the competing chefs on the multi-nation Netflix series, titled "Bear." The fact that even those who don't love to cook couldn't resist the allure of watching amateur chefs dare to lure customers with their less-than-quality food cooked in seedy little diners.
The Kate Bush Resurgence
Kate Bush's timeless classic, "Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)," took a new turn with its unforgettable role in Stranger Things, finally capturing the attention of a younger generation. The '80s star dazzled viewers with her mesmerizing performance, widening her popular reach.
Stellar Year-end Events
As the year drew to a close, we immersed ourselves in thrilling finals, such as the nail-biting conclusion to White Lotus. Our concerns ranged from elephantine suspense to grieving for fallen icons, while entire generations marveled at a TikTok sensation. Much love went out to Baby Nebo and hilarious reenactments of Lady Gaga's "Bloody Mary" on Venice beach. The scenario continued as rapper Tory Lanez was found guilty on all charges, changing the music world further.
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Throughout 2022, Lizzo emerged as an influential figure in music and pop culture, with extensive accomplishments in both her personal and professional life:
- Album release: In July, Lizzo released her fourth studio album, "Special," which garnered critical acclaim and contained the hit single "About Damn Time." This track earned her two Grammys, including the prestigious Record of the Year[1][2].
- Chart success: The album "Special" reached the number one spot on Billboard's album sales chart, making it Lizzo's first recording to achieve that distinction. The single "About Damn Time" also topped the charts, positioning her as the first Black female artist since Whitney Houston in 1994 to win the Grammy for Record of the Year[1][3].
- Performances and Tours: Lizzo continued to perform and tour, including a headlining arena tour across North America, Europe, and Oceania, known as The Special Tour. In addition, she made her third appearance as a musical guest on Saturday Night Live and appeared at various festivals and events[1][2].
- Acting and Reality TV: Lizzo expanded her acting career by voicing a character in the animated film "UglyDolls" and making an appearance in the crime comedy-drama film "Hustlers." Her reality show "Lizzo's Watch Out for the Big Grrrls," which debuted on Amazon Prime Video, garnered an Emmy Award for Outstanding Competition Program[1][2].
- Fashion and Advocacy: Lizzo launched her shapewear line, Yitty, in 2022. She also continued to promote body positivity and mental health awareness on her platform, working to debunk stereotypes[4].
- Grammy Wins: Lizzo clinched three awards at the 2023 Grammy Awards, including the highly coveted Record of the Year for "About Damn Time," showcasing her continued success in the music industry[1].
Overall, Lizzo's influence throughout 2022 was marked by her commercially successful music, expanding acting, reality television, and her tireless advocacy for body positivity and mental health awareness.
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This text has been generated by Mistral AI and has undergone a human editing process. "Unanimous decision: faster wolf culls possible," , "No Christmas peace with the British royals," , "No Christmas peace with the British royals," , and "No Christmas peace with the royals," are also written by Mistral AI.
