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the buzz #3 - on space feminism, pop politics, & just being a girl
hello party people! welcome to buzzing, your pop culture bestie who breaks down all the media moments from last week. Let’s get into it!
Inspiration for 04/14/25 - 04/20/25:
The Buzz #3:
Space Feminism…?!
As I’m sure all of you have seen by now, six ultra-wealthy women, including Katy Perry, Gayle King, and Lauren Sanchez, went up to space last Sunday on an 11-minute ‘dream expedition’ (insert eye-roll emoji here). While I’m thankful this trip wasn’t Ocean Gate part two, it has sparked some major chatter online. Everyone from commoners to celebrities to corporations are weighing in, and honestly? I agree with a lot of it. Here’s a round up of the general vibe, with of course, my own two cents.
The whole mantra of this trip was that their expedition was a giant leap for feminism… and that is the furthest thing from the truth. After landing, Gayle and Katy kept calling themselves ‘astronauts’ (even though Katy mostly just stared at the camera with her daisy), kissed the ground upon return, and (my personal favourite), declared they "weren’t taking space, they were making space…for the future.” (and yes, this is a real Katy Perry quote).
Let’s be real: Women have been going to space since 1963 (thank you Valentina Tereshkova) and while yes Katy, this is super cool for you, actual women astronauts train to be there, they don’t pay to be there (like your $20+ million ticket). If you really wanted to support women in this day and age, maybe invest that $20 million into women-owned businesses?! Just a thought.
Beyond being wildly tone deaf, the trip was aboard a Blue Origins spacecraft which of course is owned by the one and only Jeff Bezos. The carbon footprint of their launch was allegedly more than one person emits in their whole life. So no, the whole ‘doing it for earth’ spin isn’t landing either.
Honestly, this is a true ‘let them eat cake’ moment. I understand that Katy is trying to be mainstream again (cue the flop album and ‘return to roots’ rebrand) but in my opinion, this was NOT the move. What they should’ve said, and the common discourse online, is something like, “yes, I paid a lot of money to be here because going to space has always been a dream of mine, but I understand my privilege to be here. I want to use this moment to spotlight the incredible women scientists and astronauts that work at NASA and continue fighting for a seat at the table.” Now that would’ve been a moment - call it True Space Feminism.
But I promise I won’t just spew negativity. Two of the six passengers actually deserved this trip: Aisha Bowe and Amanda Nguyen. Bowe is a literal rocket scientist at NASA and is now the first Bahamian woman to go to space. And Nguyen? She was training at NASA to be an astronaut before surviving sexual assault. Instead of continuing with NASA, she put her dreams aside to become a powerful activist for SA survivors. On Sunday, her dreams of going to space finally came true. For there two women, I couldn’t be happier because they didn’t buy their seats, they earned them.
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It was confirmed this week that Tate McRae will be featured on a Morgan Wallen song for his new album, and fans are not taking it lightly. The announcement has sparked a lot of questions about Tate’s career, and in my opinion, rightfully so.
First of all, this makes zero sense for her career. For the past three years (and three albums) Tate has been carving out her lane as a rising pop girl, leaning heavily into Y2K nostalgia to win over fans. Her dancing is fun, her songs are catchy, and she’s been steadily climbing in popularity. Genre-switching can be exciting because it’s always fun to see artists experiment, but this collaboration doesn’t fit the persona Tate has been building since day one.
Realistically, this feels like a last-ditch effort for her label to get a number-one hit. It’s not about the fans, because currently, she doesn’t make anything remotely close to country music so a crossover isn’t exactly natural. And it’s definitely not about the music since her discography leans heavily into pop music. This is about the money and status, and unfortunately, and it’s showing.
Going beyond industry politics, there’s the actual politics. Morgan Wallen is a known conservative who has had more than one ‘slip-up’ involving racial slurs. Tate has never been vocal about her own political views, which is fine, but teaming up with Wallen sends a loud message: “i don’t care what he stands for, I just want to be big.”
While this might earn her a short-term commercial win, long-term, it risks damaging her image, alienating her fans, and aligning with an artists whose controversies are very much still present (storming off SNL a month ago?? very present). Let’s hope, at the very least, that the song is good. Because if it’s not… eeek!
Our Next Britney
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Addison Rae is the next big pop star.
Addison has rebranded over the past year, releasing sultry r&b-inspired pop that hits the sweet spot between familiar and fresh. In true pop star fashion, she announced her debut album release date at Coachella by wearing a sheer dress with underwear that read: June 6th. Yes, you read that right. Icon.
The best part is that she has the support of other artists. Hayley Williams, Finneas, and Troye Sivan have all shown love for her latest song, Headphones On.
My take: try it before you judge it. You might just catch yourself drinking Diet Pepsi before you know it…
Girls Literally Just Want to Have Fun
Currently, the internet is losing it over the ‘chicken jockey’ scene in the latest Minecraft movie. I’ve searched high and low and still don’t understand why this is significant, but hey, we don’t choose trends - they choose us!
As one Tik Toker analyzes, why do men get praised and boosted for going to a movie for one specific scene, whereas women are constantly diminished for showing the same enthusiasm for something they love?
When the Eras Tour movie hit theatres, many people mocked the joy women brought to the experience. But now, with this Minecraft movie, men are going feral for this chicken. Some viewers even brought an actual chicken to theatres, and no one’s questioning it?
This is seemingly yet another example of everyday patriarchy. Let me wear my friendship bracelets and scream-sing in peace next time.. okay?!
She’s Living Her Best Life…No Really
As you’ve probably noticed by now, I always love to end on a positive note, and honestly, Timothée and Kylie might just be my current favourite celebrity couple.
For once, it feels like Kylie can actually be young in this relationship. In her past, she has constantly seemed like she is striving to be, look, or come across as older. With this relationship, Kylie finally feels like Kylie - especially at Coachella where she was dancing to Charli XCX with her boo thang.
Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t give the Kardashians/Jenners a free pass. That family has done a lot of damage when it comes to body image, relationship ideals, and unrealistic life standards for young women. Buttt still, I can’t help but be happy for Kylie and the joy she seems to have found in this relationship. Long live a partner who lets you be your true self!
3 things that made me happy this week:
Hanging out with my girls!!
Tan lines
Pastel pink tulips blooming on my counter
I’m a coke girlie but I can’t deny diet pepsi is a BOPPP ✨