Content Consumed: Political pop stars, the Daily Show, and child villains
I have soooo much on my mind this Monday morning! But I’ll just hit you with my top 5.
In today’s edition of Content Consumed, your favorite weekday column:
👀 Taylor Swift needs to get on Harry Styles’ level
⚔️ Scary children: HotD’s Aemond Targaryan and young Kieran Culkin
🎙 Dua Lipa, Trevor Noah, and the Daily Show successor
👠 The 2023 Met Gala will be boring
🪆 Interior design you oughtta follow
Harry Styles endorsed Beto—and I’m going to make this about Taylor Swift
Harry Styles endorsed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke at his sold-out show in Texas last night. It’s not the first time Harry has gotten political in the U.S. or abroad—he’s spoken against Brexit, for global gay rights, for Black Lives Matter, and endorsed Joe Biden during the 2020 presidential campaign.
Of course, he could do more…but everyone could do more.
When an artist at this scale speaks on politics, it always gets me thinking about Taylor Swift. Mostly her ~big coming out~ in her Miss Americana (2020) documentary—“deciding to be political”.
I’d love to highlight a piece published last month by a student reporter at John Hopkins’ student-run publication. Because you know I love student journalism. A few of the main points made:
- Taylor’s role as an activist was cemented by her Lover album, which used political activism as part of its aesthetic. Naturally, it wasn’t without controversy—her gay rights anthem “You Need to Calm Down” was accused of cultural appropriation for its music video. Which Taylor never responded to.
- Her activism faded out post-Lover, unless it directly applied to her, like publically (and appropriately) calling out the show Ginny & Georgia for slut-shaming her with the sexist quip: “You go through men faster than Taylor Swift.”
- Her female fans were upset when Taylor stayed silent for quite a while on the overturning of Roe v. Wade, especially considering her Southern roots and fanbase.
- The thesis: “Swift is failing her fans by demonstrating political activism as part of her journey of personal growth, only to abandon it when it is inconvenient for her.” Examples from this year alone include Roe v. Wade, the private jet scandal, and starring in David O. Russell’s Amsterdam.
*My* thesis? If you’re going to make a whole big thing of “coming out as political”, especially during the 2020 elections, be openly political when it matters. When rights and freedoms are at risk, especially for the young girls who view you as a role model.
Also, I recommend today’s Fluently Forward podcast for further analysis!
Scary children of the week:
HotD’s Aemond and bebé Kieran Culkin
New villain alert! House of the Dragon’s Aemond Targaryan is coming in hot.
[SKIP TO THE NEXT STORY IF YOU HAVEN’T WATCHED THE MOST RECENT EPISODE OF HOUSE OF THE DRAGON!]
First, he steals his dead aunt’s (I think aunt? The bark on these family trees is quickly warping) dragon and takes it for a joyride. Then, he calls Rhaenyra’s children bastards (fair! They literally are! Everyone’s in denial!) and picks a nasty fight with them. As a result, Aemond loses an eye (great villain move, you gotta have a deformity). Which, etc. etc., leads to Alicent stabbing Rhaenyra and big family beef.
This kid just looks like a little shithead. Having a Tyrion-esque scar across his face will boost his villainous image even more.
Speaking of young villains: I’ve been thinking a lot about this video of a young Kieran Culkin. Was the child star born to play Roman Roy of Succession? It appears so.
One kiss was all it took; Trevor Noah’s successor
I’m kidding, Trevor Noah didn’t quit the Daily Show because of Dua Lipa. Probably.
Anyways, Dua’s new boo is done with his role at the Daily Show after taking it over from Jon Stewart (the G.O.A.T.) in 2015. He announced it last Thursday to the live studio audience, on his 7th anniversary of hosting. So who’s next?
Maybe a woman. Hopefully! But probably not. Just doesn’t feel likely in a late night talk show space still dominated by men, even in 2022. Samantha Bee’s really tried though.
Perhaps a current Daily Show correspondent, like Roy Wood Jr. You know, Jaboukie Young-White would be the dream, but he’s pretty busy.
The only real and true answer: Bring Jon Stewart back.
The 2023 Met Gala theme… is shitty
Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. That’s next year’s Met Gala theme and I’m already bored.
The late Lagerfeld was talented as the creative director of Chanel, Fendi, and his own label.
And you know what…I will speak ill of the dead! He was an absolutely hateful and vengeful asshole.
Just a little sampling: he called Adele “a little too fat,” Heidi Klum “too heavy,” Pippa Middleton “should only show her back,” and said that Coco Chanel wasn’t a feminist because she “was never ugly enough for that.” Oooh, also: “If you don’t want your pants pulled about, don’t become a model! Join a nunnery, there’ll always be a place for you in the convent” and that he was “fed up” with the #MeToo movement.
Add that to his Islamaphobia, use of blackface and yellowface, support of known rapists… anyways.
Recommended listening: Celebrity Memoir Book Club’s podcast covering Vogue editor Andre Leon Talley’s memoir, where Talley recounts how viciously his friendship with Karl devolved.
My favorite interior design content:
Sunday Scaries, Architectural Digest, and more
Will I ever own a home? In this economy, nope! But let’s pretend I will one day. I love looking at aspirational accounts either way. Such as…
- The New York Times Style Mag. Example: This story featuring Robert Downey Jr.’s unusual Malibu bungalow.
- Architectural Digest. Example: This video touring YouTube star Emma Chamberlain’s unique Topanga-inspired home.
- Vogue’s 72 Questions. Example: This video interviewing Adele in her family home.
- Sunday Scaries. Example: This tweet featuring gorgeous kitchens in London using antiques and old castles as inspo.
Whew! That’s all for this Monday morning. Thanks as always for your love and support.
Cheers,
Casey
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