Pop Culture

Disney says it will invest $1.5 billion in Epic Games.

Disney gets stock bump after talking Fortnite, Taylor Swift, Moana

12:05pm February 08, 2024

by Elizabeth Blair

At Disney's earnings call, CEO Bob Iger shared plans for a major investment in an Epic Games partnership. Also, a new Moana movie is heading to theaters, and Taylor Swift's concert film to Disney+.

Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake perform at the Super Bowl halftime show in 2004.

Reexamining the 'upskirt decade' and the public ridicule of female pop stars

8:10am February 08, 2024

The new book Toxic: Women, Fame, and the Tabloid 2000s reassesses a time when popular culture policed, ridiculed and even took down a variety of women in the public eye.

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Dozens of passengers on board the Royal Caribbean's nine-month "Ultimate World Cruise" have gone viral on TikTok since it set sail in December. Captivated viewers are comparing it to a social media reality show.

Arts

How a world cruise became a 'TikTok reality show' — and what happened next

6:00am February 08, 2024

by Rachel Treisman

They boarded a nine-month cruise around the world. Then they went viral. Here's what some of the "Ultimate World Cruise" TikTokers want viewers to know about the reality of life on board.

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Country music star Toby Keith is dead at 62 after battle with stomach cancer

4:11pm February 06, 2024

by Isabella Gomez Sarmiento

Country music star Toby Keith, who dominated the charts in the 1990s and 2000s with a string of hits, has died at 62. The singer had been diagnosed with stomach cancer.

Taylor Swift poses with Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus of boygenius after the 66th annual Grammy Awards.

Grammys 2024: 10 takeaways from music's biggest night (Taylor's version)

11:55am February 05, 2024

by Stephen Thompson

Miley Cyrus, SZA, Billie Eilish and others had a big night. But once again, the music industry found itself in the long shadow of Taylor Swift, who won album of the year and announced a new project.

John Gaines, from left, Victoria Monét, and Hazel Monét Gaines arrive at the 66th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, in Los Angeles.

Red carpet looks from the 2024 Grammy Awards

10:21pm February 04, 2024

by Mhari Shaw

Check out some of the this year's most memorable red carpet looks from the 66th annual Grammy Awards.

Taylor Swift's likely attendance at this year's Super Bowl — in support of boyfriend and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce — has inspired dozens of prop bets about the pop star.

Sports
Arts

How often will Taylor Swift be shown during the Super Bowl? Now you can bet on it

5:57am February 04, 2024

by Becky Sullivan

The tectonic collision of two entertainment powerhouses — the NFL and Taylor Swift — dominated TV screens this fall. Now, sportsbooks are looking for their bite at the apple.

Oscar blunders

5:11pm February 03, 2024

by Aisha Harris

Over the years. the Oscars has snubbed work beloved by critics and fans.

Thomas Brodie-Sangster as Jack Dawkins in The Artful Dodger.

Arts

What's Making Us Happy: A guide to your weekend viewing and listening

7:01am February 03, 2024

Each week, Pop Culture Happy Hour guests and hosts share what's bringing them joy. This week: a podcast about One Direction, Leo Reich's comedy special, and the shows The Artful Dodger and Jet Lag.

Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates with Taylor Swift after a 17-10 victory against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game on Jan. 28, 2024 in Baltimore.

Here's why conspiracy theories about Taylor Swift and the Super Bowl are spreading

12:59pm February 02, 2024

by Shannon Bond

Swift's popularity is being twisted into a threat by a contingent of far-right, Donald Trump-supporting conservatives. "Is Swift a front for a covert political agenda?" asked a Fox News host.

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