Searching For The Real Britney Spears
The fan battle to #FreeBritney raises uncomfortable — and maybe unanswerable — questions that have long plagued her brand.
Katy Perry’s And Taylor Swift’s Flops Are Bad News For Big Pop
Two of pop’s biggest superstars seem unwilling to take any interesting risks.
Elton John's Real Life Is Still More Interesting Than "Rocketman"
Rocketman, though it at least acknowledges the queer nuances of Elton John’s life, shows how limited Hollywood’s approach to gay celebrity stories still is.
There’s No One To Root For In The James Charles Beauty YouTuber Drama
Vlogger Tati Westbrook invoked anti-gay stereotypes to make a case against James Charles.
This New Documentary Shows Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Before She Was AOC
The Netflix documentary Knock Down the House revolves around Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, which is its main selling point — but also a limitation.
Wendy Williams’ Divorce Drama Has Put Her In The Hot Seat
The longtime talk show host has become the kind of scandal-plagued celebrity she usually gossips about on her program.
Why The Jonas Brothers' Comeback Is Working
Years after Nick, Joe, and Kevin Jonas first conquered tween hearts, they’re the first boy band to reach No. 1 in almost two decades. What’s changed?
"Dirty John" And "Escape At Dannemora" Strain The Limits Of Prestige True Crime
In the scramble to extract big meaning (and meaty roles) from true crime stories, scripted series like Dirty John and Escape at Dannemora may make them less interesting.
How Becky G Relaunched Her Music Career — In Spanish
After a “lonely” start in the music industry as a teenage one-hit wonder, Becky G is riding the new wave of women in reggaeton as Latin pop takes over YouTube.
The Teen Rom-Com Was Reborn In 2018
This year’s breakout teen movies, like To All the Boys I've Loved Before and Love, Simon, reglamorized old tropes for a new audience.
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.