It is the Thanksgiving season! The time of the year when all the members of the family gather to mark the day with a delicious meal including roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, casseroles, and other scrumptious Thanksgiving items. Nothing better than watching sports and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade with your loved ones! On this day, we extend our gratitude to a lot of things in life—health, money, loved ones, food, and a roof over our heads, and reminiscence some iconic Pop Culture Moments that helped us sail through 2022!
The industry was plagued with many controversies like the Ezra Miller criminal row, the Harvey Weinstein case, Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s infamous trial, the Kanye-Kim-Pete drama, and other things. The industry had some great money spinners like ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’, ‘Top Gun: Maverick’, and the latest ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’. But some priceless and iconic moments took place this year which made us excited, happy, and all the good emotions. Let’s recap the top 10 pop culture moments that we are grateful for!
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10) Decline Of Kanye West
The tour de force of the music and hip-hop industry Kanye West did not have the greatest year so far! First, his ex-wife Kim Kardashian confirmed her divorce. A few months later, the SKNN by Kim founder started dating the SNL alumnus Pete Davidson. The ‘Donda’ rapper started taking a dig at both of them which led to borderline harassment. He started sharing personal messages, making diss tracks, calling Pete names, etc., He gave a hard time to the mother of his children.
Post that, in October 2022, West projected a very problematic, hate-spewing behavior when he introduced his new Yeezy line of clothing that included ‘White Lives Matter’ shirts. He was heavily condemned for that. After that, he went on a hate spree making insensitive anti-Semitic comments.
Still, people condemned it. But, the industry giants started taking action against the manic behavior that he displayed. Many fashion giants like Adidas, Balenciaga, and Vogue started pulling out deals leading to the downfall of the rapper. This boycott was much needed and many people were concerned yet thankful for canceling him.
9) Wordle
The morning routine of people has changed since November 2021. Instead of checking the mails, people go crazy to find the five letters word for the day. This New York Times based game became a viral sensation trending everyday on Twitter. The adrenaline to piece together the correct word became the best thing in the morning. Josh Wardle, an engineer, designed this game for his partner, who is a fan of spelling bees and cross word puzzles. Currently, 2.7 million people fondly play this word game.
8) Kendall Jenner Cucumber Moment
The Kardashian-Jenner clan is back with their new reality TV show ‘The Kardashians’. Currently, the second season is airing. The first season arrived in April 2022. There were many heartwarming, lovely, and funny moments in the first season. But, the most hilarious one was one when Kendall Jenner was trying to cut cucumbers when she came to Kris Jenner’s new house in the fourth episode.
The supermodel struggles to hold the knife let alone cut the cucumber. This became a viral meme template and she became the butt of the joke. But, the Jenner knows to take a joke on herself. For Halloween 2022, after the sexy Toy Story costume, she adorned another costume and got dressed as a cucumber.
7) Hugh Jackman Reviving His Wolverine Character
It was a fanfare for the Marvel fans, especially Hugh Jackman’s when the announcement of Hugh resuscitating his most famous character in the X-men series, Wolverine. In September 2022, Ryan Reynolds posted the video announcing his latest superhero film, the third installment in the ‘Deadpool’ franchise. He talked about the arduous process of bringing ‘Deadpool 3’ together.
In the video, he asks Hugh whether he wants to play Wolverine “one more time”. To this, the actor casually replies, “Yeah, sure, Ryan”. This sent joy waves throughout the internet. The ‘Free Guy’ director, Shawn Levy will helm the film. Wolverine will make a comeback after dying in 2016’s ‘Logan’.
6) Blake Lively Met Gala Outfit
Though the annual Met Ball in 2022 was an underwhelming experience, Blake made it lively! The theme for this year was ‘Gilded Age’. This year along with her husband, Blake was co-chairing the event at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. At the red carpet, she strutted in a long, be dazzling, beaded gown with a copper-like bow. However, when she started climbing the stairs, there was a beautiful reveal when she untied the bow of the landmark architectures in New York and paid her tribute to the patina of the Statue of Liberty with her copper toned gown.
5) Harry Styles Creates A History At Madison Square Garden
All the Harries out there shed a bucket full of tears on September 21st, 2022. The shy boy who appeared on X-factor and mesmerized a whole generation when he was in a boy band and after he left it created a history this year. His new album ‘Harry’s House’ created a storm when Styles released the first single ‘As It Was’. The album charted No.1 on the Billboard 200 chart.
But, our boy created history at the prestigious Madison Square Garden when a banner was raised for him. He is the third artist to be honored with the banner raising. Before him, the Vermont-origin band, Phish and Billy Joel was honored. To his Harry all teary eyes bring back those fandom memories back, when he was with the boys. There, he was standing alone, strong and taking in the moment. Thanks Harry for the music. You deserve it!
4) Beyoncé Released Renaissance
When Queen B enters the room, things get lit, baby! It is Beyoncé’s world, and she is ruling it! After her sixth studio solo album ‘Lemonade’ in 2016, she gave us ballroom queers an album to live by. The dance album ‘Renaissance’ charted at the No.1 position on the Billboard 200 chart. The camp, over-the-top, drag act was really needed when the community needed it. The nostalgia, for the older and the newer generation. Songs like ‘Virgo’s Groove’, ‘Plastic Off the Sofa’, ‘Cuff it’, and others became Tik-Tok and Insta famous. Thank you Beyoncé for throwing a party for us queers in your ‘Renaissance’ style.
3) Hailey Bieber And Selena Gomez Picture Together
Admit it, you had your jaw-dropped and you springed off the sofa when you saw the ‘Calm Down’ singer and Hailey Bieber together in a picture! Yes, it happened. God bless 2022 for this iconic pop-culture moment. The fans of Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber we’re at loggerheads with the supermodel as they alleged that she stole the ‘Stay’ singer from Gomez.
For a really long time, even after Justin and Hailey got married, fans were pitting the two ladies against each other. Before the picture, Hailey arrived on ‘Call Her Daddy’ podcast addressing the fans created feud. But, the two darling women shut the rumors down and posed for a lovely picture at the second Annual Academy Museum’s Gala in L.A.
2) Rihanna Finally Released Music
Since 2016, the pop icon Rihanna went completely off from music focusing on her entrepreneurial venture ‘SavageXFenty’. Since then, the Navy has been insisting, prying, begging, and pleading her to release a song, hint at it. At every press event, red carpet appearance, and show. But, other things unfolded for RiRi. She got engaged to A$AP Rocky and the two were blessed with a baby boy.
But, still there was no news. Nevertheless, the internet broke when it was announced that the ‘Diamonds’ singer will perform at the NFL Super Bowl Halftime. Then came ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’, where it was confirmed that after six years Navy will finally get to hear Rihanna in this Chadwick Boseman tribute film. For five years, the Navy waited for this pop culture moment. She released not one, but two singles co-wrote with Tems. One was ‘Lift Me Up’, and the other one ‘Born Again’ was released with the entire album of the super hit franchise. The ballads were soothing, and to hear Rihanna sing is never a dull moment!
1) Euphoria Season 2
The gratitude towards 2022 will be incomplete without mentioning season two of the best teen drama ‘Euphoria’. Honestly, nothing can be as iconic as the first episode when Maddy bangs at the door in her riveting dress. Or when she finds out that Cassie has been sleeping with Nate Jacobs since they parted ways. Oh, when she snaps and say, “You dumb f***ing b***h, I am gonna f**k you!”. Bible! The unprecedented growth of the show was one of the best things to witness.
To see Zendaya, Alexa Damie, Sydney Sweeney, Hunter Schafer, and others shine in each frame was a ride! The intervention scene was one of the best scenes in the 2022 television run. ‘daya is such an expressive actor. To project that vulnerability was not easy, but she never disappoints. It gave the fodder to many iconic pop culture moments in 2022.
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