We Owe Mariah Carey An Apology
In going public as someone who lives with bipolar disorder, the pop star has reclaimed her own narrative and highlighted how the public conversation around mental health and female celebrity is rapidly shifting.
Why Katy Perry Can’t Save “American Idol”
ABC’s reincarnated Idol is nearly identical to the original, and a new panel of celebrity judges can’t compensate for the changing realities that made the show’s promise of blockbuster stardom impossible to keep.
Why Paris Hilton Disappeared
The party-girl heiress who defined aughts celebrity culture never made the leap to an age of reality stardom where nothing is private, and everything is content.
Why Omarosa Really Won Big Brother
Though she didn't get the grand prize on Big Brother: Celebrity Edition, Omarosa exploited the show’s intimacy to show off her more sympathetic side.
Can Bruno Mars Live?
The backlash to Mars' big win at the Grammys highlights the way his unapologetic corniness runs counter to expectations for how “cool” artists should express themselves.
Camila Cabello Is Writing Her Own Pop Rules
The former Fifth Harmony member suddenly has the No. 1 album and single in the country, and she’s created her big pop moment by both playing to and departing from expectations.
“American Crime Story” Can’t Unravel The Myth Of The Man Who Killed Versace
The Assassination of Gianni Versace seems to disavow its own fascination with killer Andrew Cunanan, and ends up taking a safer route.
When Will We Let The ’80s Action Hero Die?
Jean-Claude Van Johnson is riding a wave of nostalgia for ‘80s action films and their stars, but the series doesn't move far beyond the dated tropes that shaped those movies in the first place.
Not All Queer Love Stories Are Called Universal
Call Me by Your Name is being hailed as a groundbreaking entry into the queer film canon. But like Brokeback Mountain and Moonlight before it, the movie achieves "universal" appeal largely through the drama of masculinity. Warning: spoilers.
This Is How The Biggest Movie Soundtrack Of All Time Got Made
Whitney Houston’s behind-the-scenes role in creating the best-selling soundtrack of The Bodyguard, which turns 25 this year, is a reminder that she was much more than just “The Voice.”
Why The Menendez Brothers Never Got A Fair Hearing
Law & Order can’t solve all of the mysteries that haunt the Menendez case, but NBC’s series is finally asking the right questions about abuse, institutional power, and who shapes the narratives of “true” crime.
Kevin Spacey Is Not The First Gay Man To Weaponize Coming Out
By coming out in response to allegations of sexual misconduct, Spacey joins other powerful men who have deployed gay identity to protect themselves, often at the expense of other LGBT people.
Why Beyoncé And Bieber Can’t Fix The Latinx Pop Problem
Despite the success of “Despacito” and “Mi Gente,” Latinx artists in the US are still treated as one-time novelty acts, and face old pressures to play to cliched expectations.
Why The “New” Lady Gaga Never Took Off
By avoiding Gaga’s recent career struggles, the new Netflix documentary Gaga: Five Foot Two reveals why her turn towards the personal has been an artistic disappointment.
Pop Music Stans Aren’t Crazy, They’re Having A Conversation
Pop fandom has historically been embodied by the screaming white girl. But the rise of queer men “stanning” for pop divas signals the growing power of fan perspectives outside the straight white norm.
Cher Is Still Changing The Conversation In 2017
Cher is still making headlines, after more than five decades in the spotlight, because she’s never stopped finding and mastering new outlets for her creative expression.
The Real Tragedy Of The Aaron Hernandez Story
In the eyes of the public, the former Patriots star went from American success story to unredeemable criminal. But his trajectory can’t be separated from the values and institutions that shaped him.
Harry Styles Isn't Following The Pop Star Playbook
Unlike most of his contemporaries, newly solo One Direction star Harry Styles is performing a retro rock earnestness. But is that what listeners are looking for?
Have “The Real Housewives” Peaked?
The franchise has remained a cultural force for over a decade by reinventing itself. But what happens when everyone knows the formula?
How Richard Simmons Got Trapped In His Own Mythology
Simmons' public image as the fitness industry's Lady of Perpetual Sorrow confused cultural categories, and left everyone demanding answers that might not exist.