Chris Watts, Scott Peterson, And The Obsession With Men Who Kill Their Wives
More than half of all murdered women are killed by intimate partners. So why do stories about Scott Peterson and Chris Watts become national talking points?
"Bohemian Rhapsody" Sells A Sanitized Vision Of Freddie Mercury
In trying to tell Mercury’s queer story through his straight bandmates’ eyes, the new Queen biopic ends up saying almost nothing at all.
Why Taylor Swift Is Getting Political Now
Swift’s statement about the midterm elections has come at a moment when her political silence was becoming more costly to her than any potential backlash.
“A Star Is Born” Has Solved Lady Gaga’s Musical Identity Crisis
Lady Gaga is the kind of multifaceted pop star A Star Is Born doesn’t quite know how to portray, but her talent both brings Ally to life and renews Gaga’s musical star power. (Spoilers for the movie).
Troye Sivan’s New Era (And Bottoming Anthem) Are What Pop Needs
Exploring sex, gender, and desire in his new album, Bloom, Sivan has staged an unprecedented kind of queer coming-of-age as a pop star.
Bethenny Frankel Keeps Beating Reality TV’s Game
As reality television demands more and more drama, the Real Housewives of New York cast member remains one of the most compelling and controversial characters in the genre.
In Stories About Fashion’s Behind-The-Scenes Icons, Should Sexuality Matter?
New films about Alexander McQueen, André Leon Talley, and Kevyn Aucoin raise complex questions about how their identities have shaped their work and lives.
Why “The Bachelorette” Is So Much Fun To Watch
By showcasing the pettiest instincts and deepest insecurities of its suitors, The Bachelorette offers a fascinating commentary on contemporary masculinity.
Ariana Grande Keeps Finding Her Lane
Grande has discovered her sweet spot in a landscape littered with other pop stars whose attempts to stay relevant have hit the wrong note.
In The New Whitney Houston Documentary, We See Her Family More Clearly
Whitney offers a more complex portrait of the family that both aided Houston's rise and contributed to her downfall.
Why Are We Obsessed With Mothers Accused Of Murder?
New series that reexamine the cases of Casey Anthony and Darlie Routier raise questions about their trials, and about our fascination with the bad moms of true crime.
How "Forever Your Girl" Made Paula Abdul The Original Britney
Thirty years ago, Abdul’s debut album sparked her brief reign as the dancing, MTV-dominating princess of pop. Today, it’s worth another listen.
Ryan Murphy’s New Show Is The Queer Fairy Tale We Needed On TV
Pose, rooted in the drag ball culture of '80s Harlem, tells intersectional stories that highlight how limited most mainstream television still is.
The New Prequel To "Grey Gardens" Leaves Its Mysteries Unsolved
That Summer circles the legend of Big and Little Edie Beale, who confound and intrigue us as much now as they did in 1976.
Will 2018 Finally Be The Year For Christina Aguilera's Comeback?
Aguilera’s last two albums failed to gain traction, and the unveiling of her new music suggests that she’s still not sure how to find her place in the pop landscape.
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.