“I fucking hate it when people can’t adjust”
The music video for Miley Cyrus’ 2017 single ‘Younger Now’ is an exhilarating, and mature, reflection on the former child star’s career thus far. Written and conceived by Cyrus, the video was also directed alongside her long-time collaborator Diane Martel. Critics saw it as an “already full circle” moment for the then 24-year-old, acclimating in an “meditative justification of her multiple personalities”.
It portrays Cyrus “accepting her identity as a fluid state and her age as an arbitrary time stamp, and asking us to do the same”. Cyrus’ television show that made her famous, Hannah Montana, centred on celebrity in its paralleling the narrative of ‘becoming’ woman with that of ‘becoming’ famous, a process that she also lived out in real life. Some critics wrote off the video for being “sometimes hand-holdingly specific evidence that Miley’s left the world of clubs and molly behind”. …
When the whole world seemed to fall in love with Japanese organising consultant Marie Kondo, I never understood exactly why. After hearing rave reviews of her best selling book or hit Netflix show, I felt lost on why people were speaking so fondly of a cleaning fairy godmother.
Sure, Kondo’s calm and collected nature was alluring to me, and I happily added ‘spark joy’ into my daily vocabulary. But after trying to watch a few episodes of her show, I was left deeply unsatisfied.
You see, I am used to watching over-the-top American reality programs, where the difference between a ‘before’ and ‘after’ is highly dramatised and edited for maximum effect. ‘Tidying Up with Marie Kondo’ takes a different approach, with the episodes’ subjects only having slightly worse-than-normal cleanliness in their houses, the end results instead focusing more on their change in mindset after having time with Kondo. Who cares about a change in mindset and ideology, I thought. I just wanted to see a literal pigstine turn into a palace… a true, theatrical Cinderella story, albeit domestic the whole way through. …
There is no doubt that Taylor Swift seems to divide people. Her once relatable and likeable personality has now been tarnished as ‘too angry’ or ‘too childlike’. Much of this can be said to be caused by the ongoing, and draining, dramas plaguing her reputation (pun intended). No longer does the public only care about making fun of her dating life; now they care about contracts and business dramas, phone calls and finances. One thing that has always been redeeming about her, however, is her music.
From ‘Love Story’ to ‘Blank Space’, Swift has always known how to create buzz-worthy singalong singles that market her albums in a light hearted way; teasing the intricate songwriting found within her deep cuts by pairing it with catchy hooks and instrumentals. These songs are played on the regular at parties, Bar Mitzvahs, karaoke bars, clubs and schools. Everyone knows the words regardless of age, and everyone has a good time listening to them. No matter whatever celebrity context they are wrapped in, these songs all have qualities that evoke reliability within all our different lives. However, the singles from her two albums, ‘reputation’ and ‘Lover’, stripped the relatability aspect away and instead indulged within the limited perspective of being pop’s biggest star. …
Deciding who children will isolate with presents a mind maze of problems
The effects of isolation within the coronavirus pandemic are proving to be a strain on families who are separated or divorced.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics states that approximately 23,220 minors experience a family separation each year.
Families of separation and divorce have found that there is no information on bans regarding split living.
Now they must attempt to contrive new arrangements themselves.
“I haven’t seen anything, it’s on a case by case basis”, said Wan Smith, a Northcote father of two.
Mr Smith has been living at home without his children, as “the fear factor reached their mum first” when she chose to isolate them inside for nine days after an overnight spike in cases. …
Twelve years ago, Brent Krause strolled around a Brisbane shopping centre with one simple request: a pair of nice underwear.
He left the complex frustrated and empty handed. Why was all men’s underwear plain and “utilitarian”?
He went home and searched the internet, closing the browser abruptly when the garments he found were tacky and novel, or low-quality women’s garments being rebranded for men.
The following year Mr Krause launched his online store selling a range of lingerie cut for men with diverse shapes and sizes.
“I thought, why on earth should women be the only ones who can enjoy intimate apparel that grows their confidence and identity?” …
A dive into the world of Ally Maine, Ava Max and Ashley O
Gone are the days where pop stars with witty personalities and iconic looks are ruling the world. In recent years, the mainstream music landscape has shifted to find hip-hop, rnb and rap reining supreme in the public’s eyes. Instead of Katy Perry singles hitting the top of the charts, the public are now putting emphasis on mellow, honest and naturalistic stars. This can be seen within the success of recent pop breakout Billie Eilish; as her dark imagery combined with teenage emotions and angst are creating the new standard for what it means to be a pop star in the modern era. …
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