Pop Culture

Taylor Swift’s New Relationship Confirmed

Fans keep a close eye on the popular Swift-Kelce romance

By: Alison Palmieri 

International sensation Taylor Swift has revealed a new relationship that has left her fans, who call themselves “Swifties”, spinning. Rumors sparked in September that Swift was dating Kansas City Chiefs football player Travis Kelce. Fans begin to connect the two after the singer attended multiple of Kelce’s games. At this time, Swift was also traveling around the country for her Eras Tour, which has been making waves in the music and performance industry. 

Rumors first started when Kelce was spotted at the Eras tour in a private voice. A few weeks after the show, Travis shared that he actually made an attempt to give Swift his number and meet her after the show. He also shared that he wanted to give the singer a friendship bracelet, saying “"If you’re up on Taylor Swift concerts, there are friendship bracelets, and I received a bunch of them being there, but I wanted to give Taylor Swift one with my number on it."

Although Swift did not initially receive the bracelet, it is clear that they were eventually able to meet. However, more details about their initial meetings have not been given. 

The two have seemed to confirm their relationship in October when they were photographed leaving a Saturday Night Live after party. This was all the proof that fans needed and the internet was abuzz with different reports of supposed interactions between the two. In actuality, Kelce and Swift have kept their relationship relatively private. Kelce occasionally mentions Swift in interviews but does not include much detail.

In the past, Swift has vocalized the difficulties that come with managing dating and fame. Swift is constantly in the public eye, and so is anyone associated with her. This has often led to her keeping her relationships and friendships very private. She has struggled to bring others into her fame, because of the challenges she has faced. The relationship between two popular stars is creating a crossover between music and football. Taylor Swift fans have expressed a newfound interest in the sport of football, especially Chiefs games. It is always recognized by fans of both when Swift is at a Chiefs game or Kelce is at the Eras Tour. 

Given her immense fame and devotion of her fans, anyone Taylor Swift dates is immediately pushed into the public's attention. Kelce appears to be dealing well with the increased attention, and the two appear to be happy together. In the meantime it gives two very different groups, Swifties and football fans, a common talking point. Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift are making waves and bringing people together. 

Dorothy Hoffner Breaks Record of World's Oldest Skydiver

By: Chandler Morris 

         On October 1, 2023, Chicago resident, Dorothy Hoffner, decided to attempt to make the world record for oldest person to jump out of a plane. Hoffner lived by the words “age is just a number.” Often referred to as “Grandma” by many of her peers and caregivers, Hoffner was commended for her “indefatigable” attitude. 

Hoffner often enjoyed her quiet lifestyle. She indulged in daily television and relaxed within the confines of the Brookdale Lake View senior living center. However, eager reporters and various interviews concerning her latest endeavors soon interrupted this lifestyle. Hoffner made it very clear to the public that this skydiving stunt was for pure enjoyment, not just for attention. Unlike this jump that could have broken a world record, Hoffner took her first jump at the age of 100. Since she found the experience to be very “fun,” she wanted to attempt the stunt once more. According to the New York Times, despite Hoffner not acknowledging the opinions of others, her behavior became “an example of how to live life to the fullest or, at the very least, the embodiment of the belief that doing something exciting at an older age is normal.” 

According to her skydiving instructor, while boarding the plane, Hoffner showed no signs of fear. Her only expression while onboard derived from a very unrelated question: “what are we having for dinner?” A 103 year-old woman, Linnéa Ingegärd Larsson of Sweden, was the prior record holder. After completing the jump, Hoffner was immediately informed that she probably broke the Guinness World Record for the oldest woman to skydive in the world. According to her nurse, Joe Conant, Hoffner was originally “not excited” about all of this publicity. However, after she became accustomed with her accomplishment, she viewed the publicity as an opportunity “to meet new people.”

During her interviews, Hoffner would often ask the reporters about their personal lives and seemed uninterested in her own life story. Despite her disinterest, Hoffner revealed that she was brought up in Chicago in the early 20th century—right after World War I ended and an influenza pandemic blossomed. Moreover, the New York Times managed to discover that Hoffner also “grew up poor, couldn’t afford college and worked at Illinois Bell, a telephone company that later became part of AT&T.” Her unwillingness to settle down and start a family allowed her to maintain her sense of freedom and adventure. 

Although not blood related, Hoffner referred to Joe Conant—her nurse of five years—as her “grandson.” They would often eat various dinners and brunches together, chat after his midnight shifts, and explore the thought of them going skydiving together.

Unfortunately, Dorothy Hoffner died in her sleep at her home in Chicago a few weeks after breaking the world record. 

Dorothy Hoffner was a very courageous and spirited woman. She refused to let any conventional expectations of aging affect her unique lifestyle. She found pleasure in meeting new people and indulging in new life experiences. Despite her unwillingness to appreciate the publicity that stemmed from her big jump, she used the attention to spread her opinions of how enjoying life should not be regulated by age. Dorothy Hoffner will go down in history as not only the oldest woman to skydive in the world, but also as an example that age has no limitations.       

Looking Back at Music Legend Jimmy Buffett: A Celebrated Life of “Margaritaville” Success

The world mourns iconic performer whose joyful music/persona uplifted fans for decades

By: Olivia Coish   

Jimmy Buffett, American musician and singer-songwriter, died peacefully at age 76 on September 1st surrounded by his friends and family. For the past four years leading up to his untimely death, Buffett had been battling Merkel cell skin cancer. What was remarkable about Buffett's long, hard battle, was that he did not let his disease become him. After being hospitalized back in May, he told his followers in a social media post that he had to stop in Boston for a checkup, but ended up in the hospital due to issues he needed to address immediately. He thanked his followers for their support, but never disclosed why or the severity of his declining health. Buffett wanted his music to be his legacy, and that it was. 

Jimmy Buffett’s career began in 1974 when he released his album “Living & Dying in 3⁄4 Time.” One of his first songs, “Come Monday,” drew unexpected attention, promoting Buffett’s response of, “This is a song that kept me from killing myself in a Howard Johnson’s in Marin County. It hit, I paid the rent, got my dog out of the pound. … and the rest is history.” From there, Buffett produced numerous hits, such as “Margaritaville” in 1977, which became his Top 10 song and signature piece. People responded well to his music because of his clever wordplay. His fans also appreciated how he often ignored trends revolving around pop music and developed his own “Gulf & Western,” which was composed of country and Caribbean music. 

         Buffett valued making a connection with his audience and often commented on his admiration towards their enthusiastic presence at his concerts. He noticed that an overwhelming number of his fans wore tropical clothing and parrots on their heads when they attended his shows, hence the name “Parrotheads.” The admiration was mutual as his followers began to embrace Buffett’s common theme of living a relaxing life spent on beaches in flip-flops. In 2006, the singer-songwriter was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, won two Country Music Association awards, and was nominated twice for Grammy Awards. 

His career was somewhat ironic. His songs portrayed a “lazy” lifestyle, yet Buffett’s legacy proves he was far from lazy. A New York Times review commented on his slacker image and astonishing success. The review writes, “Mr. Buffett, Margaritaville’s prototype and mastermind, has a wife and family and 5,000 employees; he works nonstop.” Buffett’s success story showed society that conforming to trends is not going to create a legacy people are going to remember. It's those that disregard societal standards and expectations that make history.

“Barbenheimer” Becomes a Phenomenon at the Box Office

Two completely different films receive accolades and get droves of viewers back into theaters

By: Madyson Renna

In July of 2023, two major releases hit the theatres. “Barbie,” starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, as well as “Oppenheimer,” featuring Cillian Murphy and Emily Blunt, are extremely admired films. They are viewed as complete opposites, yet both produced world changing messages. Because of their blunt contrast, many began to watch “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” back to back, thereby creating the mashup known as, “Barbenheimer.”

Boxoffice Pro, a publication that tracks box office performance, stated that the cinema made over 200 million dollars in movie ticket purchases within the first week the films were released. This resulted in one of the biggest thespian weekends ever since the pandemic overturned the industry. 

Barbie has played an influential role in the early years of youth. The doll was made to encourage young girls to imagine how they might want their future to look like when they become adults. The idea was that playing with a doll that mimicked the life of an adult, would inspire impressionable, imaginative minds to pursue their passion.

This is why “Barbie” attracted millions to the theaters. The film made its viewers think back to their nostalgic childhood days as these dolls came to life, while also providing an educational tidbit into the creation of the company. Michael O’Leary, president of the National Association of Theatre Owners told CNN, “These films will continue to draw fans for weeks to come'' (CNN Business). 

Oppenheimer is a film of historical significance, exploring the creation of the atomic bomb. Many people went to see this movie for its historical context, given that the atomic bomb helped build the fondation of U.S. history during World War ||. 

Overall, both writers were proud of their work and effect on many people. The films, as well as the mash-up, created a, “...win-win for everyone. One for the history books” (CNN business).

Millions of Fans Mourn Death of Actor Matthew Perry at 54 

Autobiography detailed longtime addiction struggle to offer help and hope to others 

By: Will Sagnella

Matthew Perry, who made people happy in his role in the hit show Friends and recently published a book detailing his nearly lifelong battle with drug and alcohol addiction, died in his hot tub of an apparent drowning on October 28, 2023 at the age of 54. While authorities await final autopsy results, millions of heart-broken fans mourn the loss of Perry, famous for his role of Chandler Bing on Friends, for 10 straight seasons. While the original series ran decades ago, Perry leaves behind legions of fans young and old through the ongoing syndication of the still popular sitcom.

In his memoir, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing” Perry wrote about his wish to be famous, saying how he prayed to God saying, “God you can do whatever you want to me. Just please make me famous.” Perry’s desire to become famous stemmed from some challenges he dealt with during hid childhood. His parents divorced shortly after he was born, and he was raised mostly by his mother and step-father. At age 15 Perry chose to move to Los Angeles to live with his father and after a few years, decided fame was the thing that would make him happy. Sadly, in his memoir he explains that the pressures of fame also fed an addiction that would ultimately lead to a lifetime of struggling and suffering.

Perry made his film debut in 1988, playing in “A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon” alongside actor River Phoenix. He was 24 years old in his tiny Los Angeles apartment when he made the prayer to God for fame. Less than a month later Perry was cast in Friends. 

There was one special thing about the cast from Friends, like the name suggests, the cast members were inseparable even after the filming was over. One cast member, Courteney Cox, announced to the others that “There are no stars here, this is an ensemble show. We’re all supposed to be friends.”

Of course Perry did achieve the fame he once prayed for, but this fame did not come without consequence. He fought alcoholism and addiction for every one of the 10 seasons he was on Friends. As Perry revealed in his memoir, he attended 6,000 Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and he entered rehab 15 times. On a sadder note he detoxed 65 times and underwent 14 surgeries. Perry said all of this amounted to about half his life being spent in treatment or sober-living homes. 

While most of Matthew Perry’s life seems to be dark and filled with sadness, many remember him for the help he gave to recovering addicts. Perry recalls people coming up to him saying, “I can’t stop drinking, will you help?” Perry would be true to his word, saying he would help and always following through.

Many of Perry’s friends and co-stars have paid tribute to him by preserving his legacy of helping others going through the same thing he went through. Hank Azaria, a co-star of Perry’s, had a special connection with him. Perry had personally helped Azaria get sober, and in a recent social media post, Azaria described it. “I want to say that the night I went into AA, Matthew brought me in. The whole first year I was sober, we went to meetings together. As a sober person, he was so caring and giving and wise and he totally helped me get sober. I really wish he could have found it in himself to stay with the sober life more consistently.”

This is the way Matthew Perry himself wanted to be remembered. In a podcast with Tom Power Perry said that when his name comes up he doesn’t want Friends to be the first thing mentioned, he wants his willingness and commitment to helping others to be mentioned first.