2024 Pop Culture Review

Written by: Sophie Karigiannis

(Important Note: The awards "Outstanding Artist of 2024" and "Official Icon of 2024" are awards made up by the author for the purpose of this article, and are not real awards that the celebrity has received. They may have received similar awards, but these ones have solely been used for the purpose of celebrating the accomplishments of some of 2024’s biggest stars.)

Huddling around the TV, juggling the remote in one hand, and a glass of water in the other. Sitting with your family under the blanket, watching the annual New Year's Eve Party on television. Getting ready to stay up until midnight. The silver ball drops, signaling the start of 2025… a brand new year! 2024 was a wild ride, and it will be missed. Let's dive back into 2024 to fully celebrate it for all that it was!

2024 and COLOUR

2024 was a very colourful year. While 2023 could easily be described as "Barbie Pink", the 2024 Colour of the Year was a little bit more complicated. The official PANTONE colour of the year was "Peach Fuzz,” (PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz). (To check that colour out, look at the background of the main article image! You can see that from where you clicked it to open it.)

Some people disagree with this choice, while some people take a look at this colour and think that it really does suit 2024. Why is that? The PANTONE Peach Fuzz hue combines delicately and subtly some colours that came up commonly throughout 2024. Bold, striking lime green from "Brat," the most-recent Charli XCX album, a mix between Glinda's pink and Elphaba's green, Deadpool's red with Wolverine's yellow, and the minimalist, while detailed general aura of the year. Peach Fuzz is an intricate colour, yet simple at the same time, just how 2024 seemed to play out.

2024 and CLOTHING

2024 marked the start of the slow but sure transition from the ever-loved, classic, cute, and athletic look to the more grungy, street-style, baggy design. Baggy sweatpants and ripped jeans became a staple, while darker colours, creative combos with sweaters and other tops, and hats such as beanies and baseball caps came more into focus. This look is especially unique because it demonstrates common urban flair mixed with the pillars of hip-hop, while still maintaining a "put-together,” "thought-out" vibe.

On the other hand, the colourful, athletic, cute style is still very much prominent and popular, with items such as flower claw clips, long sleeves, and hot pink items really taking centre stage in 2024.

2024 and MUSIC

Music took a huge role in 2024's composition. Many artists flourished, many made comebacks, and many new artists sprouted to the top, eager to be a new voice taken in by all of us. Music tours were huge, as were surprise and guest appearances during music events. When looking back to 2024, we can list tons of names that rocketed to the top of the charts and dominated public conversation. However, there were a couple of artists that stood out.

Outstanding Artist of 2024 (tie between two artists this year):

This award is meant for an artist that not only had us sing along to their choruses and verses every time we heard them in the car, but also showed tons of appreciation towards their fans, accomplished a lot in their careers, demonstrated their expertise in music, and made an impact across many levels.

This year, it was a tough decision. Many artists stood out, but the choice made was a tie between Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan.

Sabrina Carpenter actually made an effect in the fashion industry, promoting tops with higher hemlines that flow out in the middle by showcasing the empire cut, flowy, tulle puff dresses she wears on tour. This proves that she impacts the world in many different ways.

She also put out three huge singles in the span of less than twelve months. 'Espresso' was the first to dominate the charts, which had us all singing along, feeling confident and fun, and actually boosted Starbucks sales.

'Espresso' was then followed by 'Please Please Please,’ in which we all sang our hearts out to and smiled at the Sabrina Carpenter and Barry Keoghan pair. It had a nostalgic guitar riff sampled from Pink Floyd's song, 'Another Brick in the Wall Pt. 2,’ that we all appreciated.

Finally, last but certainly not least, came 'Taste'---and along with it, the Sabrina Carpenter and Jenna Ortega duo that we never knew we needed. The video was an entertainment on its own, but the creative, unapologetic, and sassy lyrics that were part of the package leveled up the whole song.

When Sabrina Carpenter released the whole "Short n' Sweet" album, and

commenced her tour, it cemented her as an extremely valuable music figure of 2024. This couldn't have happened at a more special time, considering that 2024 marks the tenth anniversary of Sabrina's first single. She has been lying just under the radar for the past few years, releasing music that we loved, but did not fully appreciate yet.

Finally, she is rising to the level of recognition that she deserves. It seems like Taylor Swift agrees with the notion that this star has extreme talent, since she opened for the Eras Tour multiple times.

All we can say is, it doesn't look like she's stopping anytime soon, so we can look forward to more awesome music from Sabrina Carpenter.

Introducing the other Outstanding Artist of 2024 … Chappell Roan, the ‘Midwest Princess.’ Chappell Roan made waves as she fully entered the entertainment world this year. Otherwise unknown, she had released a few songs before 2024, but was not yet widely acknowledged throughout the music community.

Chappell empowered and continues to empower the LGBTQ+ community, as she is part of it herself, and proved she is an influential star who is not afraid to speak her mind, look different, and be herself.

Her fiery red hair matches her spirit, as she immediately released back-to-back superhits. She had everyone singing and dancing along to 'HOT TO GO!,’ and everyone waving their phone lights in the dark to 'Good Luck, Babe!'.

Chappell also stayed true to herself, and inspired others with her completely unique personality. Through wacky hats, colourful makeup, unthinkable costumes, and unapologetic vibes, Chappell Roan displays a "rejection of perfectionism,” as the website Dazed Beauty put it, and ultimately fought against the stereotypical beauty image expected of women. She's paving the road to destroying appearance expectations, and flaunting designs that we all scramble to photograph, all while doing it marvelously! Her looks are iconic, and she is already a face that most people recognize instantly.

But, her spunky personality isn't the only thing that distinguishes her from everyone else and earned her a spot as an Official Artist of 2024. Chappell also broke into the public's eye using her talent and accomplishing so much. She earned spots in the Billboard Hot 100 and has performed at many prestigious events. Chappell also demonstrated impressive resilience as her record label got taken away from her after a slight mess up earlier on, but she fought to get it back and keep running with it.

All of this goes to show why Chappell Roan was selected as a Co-Outstanding Artist of 2024. Not only did she release amazing "classics of 2024-type” music and videos, but she stays true to herself and fights for others through encouraging confidence in their appearance—this is something that we can all get behind.

*A quick honourable mention goes out to Kendrick Lamar, who got us all chanting the lyrics to 'Not Like Us', a hugely successful diss track on mega rapper Drake. When we heard the song's iconic lyrics, it felt like we already knew them. Now that's memorable.

2024 and ICONS

An icon is someone that stands up and stands out. Icons excel in their crafts and are in the public eye. They are people that we can look up to, or that we are just very familiar with, and they completely change the game. They introduce new concepts, make us fall back in love with old concepts. Finally, icons commonly spread themselves along multiple categories, whether it be entrepreneurship, entertainment, or athletics. They also often fight to make changes on a global scale, such as fighting for human rights and the causes they believe in, and using their net worth humanitarianly to help fund things like disaster relief groups.

The Official Icon of 2024 award is going to two celebrities that really made themselves known this year, earning their status as "icons". They accomplished great things, and were not confined to a small category. They connected with their fan bases and let everyone see that they weren't superhuman, and their uniqueness makes them hard to overlook.

OFFICIAL ICON OF 2024 (tied between two celebrities this year):

Timothée Chalamet

Timothée Chalamet was one name that we certainly could not miss in 2024. He has been often said to be "the next" Leonardo DiCaprio, and has been called "phenomenal" by many. Timothée has arguably not missed a single gig yet, with all of his performances standing true, strong, and excellently executed.

Timothée's filmography is beyond impressive. He is most known for taking on big roles in the sci-fi action movies 'Dune 1' and 'Dune 2,’ the classic film adaptation of the cozy, well-loved 'Little Women,’ as well as the vulnerable and emotional 'Beautiful Boy,’ the wondrous and exciting 'Wonka' and most recently, the Oscar-nominated movie 'A Complete Unknown’ in which he portrays Bob Dylan.

Timothée's acting range is also noteworthy. He can act in serious and tear-jerking films with big messages, high-energy and fantastical movies, as well as intellectual and philosophical movies. He can sing and dance, and is one funny guy.

Actors can be known for being uptight and snobby, but Timothée sure isn't. In fact, when Youtuber Anthony Po jokingly organized a "Timothée Chalamet Look-a-like Competition" in New York City (because honestly, what guy doesn't brag if he looks like Timothée Chalamet?) the unexpected happened. Firstly, the man who won the Timothée Chalamet Look-a-like Competition looks exactly like him (what?), and secondly, Timothée Chalamet actually showed up to the competition. We aren't sure if he was there to compete, but considering the fact that the competition was judged based on the crowd's reaction, he definitely won. Cheers erupted as the crowd realized that he was, in fact, the real Timothée Chalamet, and not some guy that was "definitely going to win the contest.” Timothée gave hugs to fans and posed for pictures. A stunt like this shows Timothée's true heart of gold, and how he truly connects with his fans and appreciates them for their endless support.

All in all, it's obvious why Timothée Chalamet is an Official Icon of 2024. He is widely recognized as a superb acting talent, is the "world's favourite French guy,” and treats his fans as real friends. It seems as if we're seeing him in a new movie trailer every day, and each and every time he rocks that role. Seemingly, the only thing left for him to do is launch his own makeup business! #Chalamet_Chic_Cosmetics

Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande is the other pick for Official Icon of 2024, and it's easy to see why. It seems like Ariana Grande showed up everywhere in 2024! From the cherished sing-a-long skit 'Domingo' that she starred in, referencing 'Espresso' (by our Official Artist of 2024 Sabrina Carpenter) for SNL 50, to Wicked as ‘GUH-linda,’ to her album ‘Eternal Sunshine,’ Ariana Grande made a statement in 2024.

Eternal Sunshine brought many new hits to the house for us to dance to, like 'we can't be friends (wait for your love),’ bringing her total album count to seven.

She also co-starred in the movie adaptation of 'Wicked' as Glinda. It was her childhood dream to play Glinda, and so she obviously jumped at the chance to audition, beating out other celebrities who auditioned, such as ‘Descendants’ star Dove Cameron. It seems like Glinda was the perfect role for Ariana, since she embodied the feminine, clumsy, strong-minded, and overall, bubbly character seamlessly. Her role came with a challenge, though, since the well-crafted prequel story to 'The Wizard of Oz' had Glinda lose part of her arrogant self during the movie. She had a character-turning moment with depth, as she had to start standing for her beliefs in a world where it seemed like everyone was on two sides, and her centre was being tipped to one of the two. She also became more self aware, kind, and helpful as she assisted Elphaba through the struggles of not fitting in, and through the deception of her much-awaited, yet highly disappointing trip to meet the wizard. Ariana most definitely killed it in this role, and we couldn't have enough.

Through new music, to acting in a whimsical movie, to comedic improvisation, Ariana really was all over the place, but in all of the right places in 2024, which is why she has been declared an Official Icon. And if anyone wants to tell us why she shouldn't be an Official Icon of 2024, we'll just respond with, 'Yes, and?'

Would you like a chance to win a FREE smoothie or salad from KCI's very own Smoothie and Salad Bar? Email paddm0001@wrdsb.ca and karis1161@wrdsb.ca with the name of a celebrity that you think deserves an Official Icon Award and why, for a chance to win! There are TWO free coupons available - first come, first serve!

Well, 2024 sure was complicated, but a lot of fun. 2025 is shaping up to be even more of a crazy, fun, and exciting ride, so let's all fasten our seatbelts until next New Year's Eve!

Image Sources:

https://chappellroan.fandom.com/wiki/The_Rise_and_Fall_of_a_Midwest_Princess

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