Popped Culture

Column: The road to becoming a Disney princess

By Avery Alexander, Staff Writer • April 7, 2021

After the recent release of Disney’s “Raya and the Last Dragon,” there has been speculation among fans as to whether or not the titular character will become the company’s next Disney Princess.

Column: Out-of-touch politicians desperately try to connect with voters

By Elijah de Castro, Staff Writer • March 23, 2021

If dystopia is career politicians talking directly into the ears of their constituents for hours on end, then we’re living it.

Column: What obsessive media coverage does to a star’s mental health

By Hannah Sanson, Contributing Writer • March 17, 2021

Pop culture has taken an active role in covering the deeply personal aspects of celebrities’ lives without care or compassion.

Will hyperpop die like disco?

By Eva Salzman, Assistant Life & Culture editor • March 8, 2021

With hyperpop’s rocket to popularity and place in culture being so similar to that of disco’s, can we predict its potential plummet?

Streaming service oversaturation

By Avery Alexander, Staff Writer • March 1, 2021

While new services may seem to present an opportunity for innovation and market diversity, the rapidly expanding industry might actually bring about its own downfall.

Political films help viewers to reflect on presidency

By Elijah de Castro, Staff Writer • February 25, 2021

With the Trump train derailed for at least a few years, there is time for America to ask itself some important questions. How did we get here? What happened? Where do we go from here?

Webtoons transform into Korean dramas

By Avery Alexander, Staff Writer • February 18, 2021

Webtoons, a form of fun and nifty virtual comics designed to be read on the go, have become a fairly regular part of Western pop culture.

Vogue cover undermines Black trailblazers

By Eva Salzman, Assistant Life & Culture Editor • February 4, 2021

Thanks to the December 2020 issue of Vogue, Harry Styles has been deemed the most recent leader in androgyny among male artists.

Picture books promote social progress

By Elijah de Castro, Staff Writer • December 10, 2020

Picture books are challenging socially conservative institutions in the hope of creating a new world for all children.

False allies among indie artists create mirage of safe space

By Eva Salzman, Staff Writer • December 3, 2020

What do indie artists, including BØRNS, The Growlers, The Frights, The Buttertones and SWMRS have in common?

Video games offer escapism during pandemic

By Avery Alexander, Staff Writer • November 19, 2020

But even amid all of the uncertainty and fear, some people have found their own way to cope with the dire situation — by playing video games. 

Middle-ground video essayists speak to the average viewer

By Liam Conway, Senior Writer • November 12, 2020

With anything, there is bound to be a middle ground, and in the video essay world, there are several creators occupying that central place.