Is film tourism now becoming a problem?
Movie fans are flocking to locations ill-equipped to handle them. Film and TV locations have drawn people from around the world for years. From the misty mountains of New Zealand’s ‘Middle Earth’ to Croatia’s mediaeval Old Towns featured in Game of Thrones. But the global pilgrimage of fans has started to...
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Chappell Roan’s merch highlights the true cost of fashion
The singer has faced backlash for high prices, but sustainable clothing comes at a cost. Chappell Roan has established herself as a no-holds-barred, unapologetic breed of celebrity. Despite being only 26-years-old, the singer has made headlines for speaking out against harassment and candidly sharing her struggles with mental health...
Opinion – we should allow fans to mourn
Mourning is personal, not performative. Every now and then, the death of a public figure takes you by utter surprise. It’s a very different feeling to the heavy pit of sadness that comes from looking at your phone and seeing yet more war, genocide, and human suffering. These kinds of celebrity...
Opinion – Tiny Desk revived our love of live music sessions
The virality of Tiny Desk sessions shows us that the public prefers a good live session. If you're a music fan, you've heard about the Tiny Desks, either because your favorite artist had a session or because once in your social media Feed, you discovered an artist you didn't know...
Has the world moved on from Euphoria?
It’s been five years since Euphoria first dazzled, shocked, and terrified us with its glitter-laden, trauma-soaked tales of teenage nihilism. The show became a cultural phenomenon, thanks in part to Zendaya’s searing performance and Sam Levinson’s high-octane vision of Gen Z chaos. But as the third season remains delayed by...
Opinion – Charli xcx’s ‘Brat’ was marketing genius
Dominating the summer was not enough for Charli xcx. She's back once again, announcing the remix version of her viral album Brat. It seems Charli xcx is not done dominating pop culture. Once again, she intends to influence the next season of the year with a new version of her album....
Billie Eilish partners with Google for a more sustainable tour
Through her partnerships with Google Maps, Reverb, Support+Feed, and Live Nation Billie is seeking to reduce the environmental impact of her upcoming tour. Ahead of the start of her “Hit Me Hard and Soft” tour, Billie Ellish has announced a new partnership with Google Maps. Typically, 70 percent of a concert’s total carbon footprint coming from emissions created by travel into the show. By launching this collaboration with Google, Billie is...
Should the UK’s ‘football blackout’ rule be scrapped?
Football fans in Britain are prevented from watching the majority of Saturday matches on television by law. Though the rule was introduced sixty years ago with the aim of benefitting football clubs at every level, is it now outdated? Back in 1960 – before the inception of the Premier League – UK broadcasters stopped televising major league football matches kicking off at 3pm on Saturdays. Though this slot is when the...
Where do we draw the line on celebrity coverage?
Exploiting vulnerable individuals is not entertainment. No matter how famous they are. Hayden Panettiere, known for her role in Nashville and more recently, for her public struggles with addiction, found herself the unwitting centre of attention this week, but not for reasons she – or anyone with a functioning moral compass – cared for. People Magazine published a video interview with the actress that quickly drew backlash from viewers, many of whom expressed concerns that...
Opinion – we have a lot to learn about identity from Lady Gaga
The pop icon has demonstrated what it really means to be a trans ally. When Lady Gaga first rose to fame in the early 2000s, a persistent rumour began making the rounds: that the ‘Born This Way’ singer was secretly a man. Or a hermaphrodite, depending on who you asked at the time. Like so many baseless whispers circling in the pop-culture industry, it refused to die down, lingering in tabloids...
