Although we were all hoping that 2021 would leave the hellscape of 2020 in our rearview mirrors for good, this year definitely still put us through the ringer. However, in the face of a pandemic that was apparently never ending, continued political headaches and growing division, pop culture still delivered on giving us fun, light-hearted news and celebrity gossip to take our minds off of humanity’s impending doom. Here’s a recap of some of the year’s most noteworthy pop culture moments.
Britney is Free
In the words of Martin Luther King Jr., free at least, free at least, thank god almighty Britney Spears the greatest popstar the world has ever seen is free at least (may have paraphrased a bit, but you get the point). After 13 years of living under complete control by her alcoholic abusive father J*mie Spears (like Voldemort, he falls under he-who-must-not-be-named territory), pressure by the fan-driven Free Britney movement coupled with outrage over Hulu and Netflix documentaries and sprinkled with Britney finally having a capable lawyer at her defense – the pop princess herself is finally in control of her own life, medical decisions and finances. Britney recently announced on Instagram she intends to become an advocate for others trapped in conservatorships, proving once again anything you can do Britney Spears can do better.
Kathy Hilton joined the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
How we ever lived without this wacky, eccentric, lovable Hilton matriarch is beyond me. But I hope we never have to live without her again.
Taylor Swift re-released Red
And performed the 10-minute version of All Too Well on SNL, reminding everyone not to break up with Taylor Swift or steal her scarves. I’ll tell you who didn’t have a good 2021: Jake Gyllenhaal. The Red re-release showcased that the success of Fearless (Taylor’s Version) wasn’t a fluke and that Taylor Swift is a powerhouse in the music industry single handedly changing the ways that record labels control and own artists.
Adele is back.
Adele finally graced the world again with her presence, releasing her latest masterpiece 30, arguably her best album yet. As if the incredible music wasn’t enough, the album coincided with the release of a CBS concert special and Oprah sit-down interview.
Olivia Rodrigo joined the scene.
Much like so many of Taylor Swift’s ex’s before him, Josh Bassett learned the hard way not to break the heart of a angsty songwriter. Olivia’s SOUR album release dominated the music industry with anthems like Good 4 You and Driver’s License.
Jen Shah’s Arrest
If you love true crime but don’t watch The Real Housewives, you have no clue what you’re missing. Homeland Security and the NYPD showing up to arrest Jen during filming, just 12 minutes after she got a mysterious phone call and rushed off scene – truly thrilling television. 2021 was the year Real Housewives got real – between Jen and Erika Jayne, Bravo is in a peak era of masterful reality TV and we are truly blessed to be alive to see it.
