NEW YORK — “I’ll get you, my pretty! And your little pygmy hippo, too!”
We apologize for the blatant attempt to connect the captivating musical “Wicked” with the charming Moo Deng, but hear us out — there’s a common thread between them as we approach the end of the year: escapism. Whether it was found along the yellow brick road, in entertaining zoo videos from Thailand, or through unexpected Olympic champions, this year we have leaned into fantasy and uplifting moments in pop culture.
As expected, new trends have emerged. The term “brat summer” took off, alongside a focus on “demure, mindful” lifestyles. Surprisingly, celebrity lookalike competitions captured the public’s fascination this year.
Amid breakups and reunions—goodbye Bennifer, and hello Oasis—some elements remained constants: Taylor Swift and Beyoncé continued to shatter records and create history.
Reflecting on a year that saw considerable change while maintaining some traditions, let’s take a selective stroll down the pop culture timeline:
January
The year kicked off with a lighthearted tweet from a beloved character on “Sesame Street”: “ELMO is just checking in! How is everybody doing?” However, the responses hinted at deeper concerns: “Not great, Elmo. Not great,” was a common sentiment. Notably, the trendy “BARBENHEIMER” phenomenon made headlines during the GOLDEN GLOBES. Yet, the most touching moment came from LILY GLADSTONE, who became the first Indigenous woman to win the Best Actress award in a drama category for her role in “Killers of the Flower Moon,” starting her speech in her native Blackfeet language.
February
As Valentine’s Day approached, TikTok provided a very different love story with “Who TF Did I Marry?,” REESA TEESA’s grippingly tragic 50-part saga recounting her tumultuous marriage. As for Taylor Swift, she dominated the cultural scene starting from the Grammys in Los Angeles—where she made history as the first artist to win Album of the Year four times and announced an upcoming album—then followed by multiple tour dates in Tokyo, and wrapping up her month with a steamy kiss with boyfriend TRAVIS KELCE on the Super Bowl stage in Las Vegas.
March
At the OSCARS, BILLIE EILISH performed “What was I made for?” while channeling BARBIE’s energy. RYAN GOSLING’s memorable rendition of “I’m Just Ken” performed live remains one of the most entertaining musical moments of the ceremony. Ultimately, excitement peaked around Christopher Nolan’s “OPPENHEIMER,” which took home the top prize as a blockbuster studio film. The anticipation built for CYNTHIA ERIVO and ARIANA GRANDE’s upcoming collaboration on “WICKED,” while fans passionately discussed a peculiar “DUNE” popcorn bucket. Additionally, BEYONCÉ made waves in the country music world with “Act II: Cowboy Carter,” marking her as the first Black woman to top the Billboard country chart.
April
Tennis found itself at the forefront of pop culture, spurred by the romantic drama “CHALLENGERS,” featuring ZENDAYA, MIKE FAIST, and JOSH O’CONNOR. Swift hit a milestone by unexpectedly releasing “THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT” at midnight, along with another 15 songs shortly after. Netflix premiered the chilling “BABY REINDEER,” chronicling a comedian’s unsettling experience with a stalker.
May
The MET GALA set the stage for early marketing of “WICKED,” where ERIVO and GRANDE set fashion trends and later moved guests with a powerful rendition of “When You Believe.” While the “Wicked” tour gained momentum, JENNIFER LOPEZ was forced to cancel her summer tour due to disappointing ticket sales amidst personal troubles with BEN AFFLECK, marking a pivotal year for J.Lo with her album and film titled “THIS IS ME … NOW,” both reflecting on her renewed romance.
June
“Welcome to BRAT SUMMER!” proclaimed CHARLI XCX as she released her vibrant “Brat” album. Collins Dictionary honored “brat” as its word of the year, defining it as embodying confidence and a carefree attitude. During SWIFT’s electric shows in London, PRINCE WILLIAM was spotted enjoying the festivities. Meanwhile, KELCE brought the flair, performing in a top hat and tuxedo, creating dazzling memories for fans. Across another venue, METS infielder JOSE IGLESIAS brought joy with his own lively performance of “OMG.”
July
The excitement of the OLYMPICS unfolded in Paris, highlighted by a bold opening ceremony and an astonishing performance from CELINE DION atop the EIFFEL TOWER, singing despite the rain. Opinions divided on a sequence perceived to parody Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.” New sports icons emerged, including French swimmer LEON MARCHAND and rugby player ILONA MAHER. Among those captivating the audience was the adorably named Moo Deng, born this month, whose name translates to “bouncy pork.”
August
A significant split occurred as Bennifer ended after a long, tumultuous journey, while Oasis surprised fans by announcing a reunion tour. TikToker JOOLS LEBRON’s entertaining content even reached the WHITE HOUSE press team. Back at the Olympics, the new sport of breakdancing introduced us to Australia’s RAYGUN, whose seamless “kangaroo” move stole the spotlight. In an adorable touch, DECOY OHTANI, SHOHEI OHTANI’s playful pup, made his Major League debut, captivating fans during the “first pitch.”
September
CHAPPELL ROAN, one of the standout artists this year, had to withdraw from a music festival after highlighting concerning interactions with fans. Additionally, “Bachelorette” JENN TRAN, the franchise’s first Asian American lead, faced an emotional moment during her reality show’s recap, revealing her painful breakup through a phone call. Still, she kept busy, joining the new season lineup of “Dancing with the Stars,” as did Maher and the beloved Pommel Horse Guy. Also notable was ANNA SOROKIN dancing while sporting an ankle monitor. Online platforms stirred as X faced a temporary suspension in Brazil, leading to emotional farewells from fans as they realized many favorite accounts were run by Brazilians.
October
A lookalike contest for TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET attracted thousands in Manhattan, where things took an exciting turn when Chalamet himself made an appearance, although he did not participate. The craze moved beyond him to include contests for other stars like JEREMY ALLEN WHITE and JACK SCHLOSSBERG. Amid this, in the sports arena, ELLIE THE ELEPHANT, the viral mascot for the NEW YORK LIBERTY, showcased her dance moves alongside USHER.
November
MAYA RUDOLPH delivered a humorous impression of KAMALA HARRIS on “Saturday Night Live,” but Harris herself outshone the imitation with a surprise appearance days before the U.S. presidential election, following a trend set by former politicians like HILLARY CLINTON and SARAH PALIN. In series news, Bravo announced a complete recast of “VANDERPUMP RULES,” the reality show that has survived numerous scandals, excluding its name-bearer, LISA VANDERPUMP. Though Moo Deng hasn’t yet landed her own television show, this adorable pygmy hippo has garnered significant merchandise attention.
December
Finally, “WICKED” remains a cinematic favorite under the direction of JON M. CHU, captivating audiences with its vibrant fantasy narrative, accompanied by memorable songs that have become cultural touchstones. Alongside the film, viewers flocked to see “GLADIATOR II” and Disney’s eagerly awaited “MOANA 2,” promising a return to the realms of Oceania. As 2024 approaches, the message remains clear: offer a dose of whimsy, create paths for escape, and sprinkle in some catchy tunes — a formula that just might resonate with audiences worldwide.