special culture

Archives July 2024

Kendall Jenner and Bad Bunny’s Stylish (Barefoot?) Louvre Adventure

From my perspective, a museum outing is ideally enjoyed at the start of a romance—when you’re still sufficiently unfamiliar with each other’s peculiarities to persuade one another that you truly appreciate art and are essentially a living Gardner’s Art Through the Ages encyclopedia—but now that they’re (supposedly) reunited, Kendall Jenner and Bad Bunny appear to be indulging their creative side. On Wednesday, a few evenings after making an appearance at Vogue World: Paris, the duo was observed at the Louvre, where they were granted an exclusive late-night tour.

A Kendall/Bad Bunny outing invariably warrants celebration, yet there’s one detail that renders this excursion particularly thrilling from a style (or…orthopedic?) perspective: Jenner combined her elegant black asymmetrical skirt and matching top with bare feet, perpetuating a trend largely attributed to none other than Gwyneth Paltrow for popularizing. Is it the ultimate affluent-person trait to forgo footwear at one of Europe’s top cultural landmarks? Certainly, but in contrast to contributing to Trump’s 2024 campaign or purchasing a Tesla Cybertruck, I consider it a rather innocuous display of immense wealth. Allow Kendall her freedom! Candidly, if granted a night tour of the Louvre, the first action I’d take is to slip off my shoes; subsequently, I’d remove my bra; and by the time you arrived to usher me out, I’d be completely cocooned in a Slanket beside the Seurats.

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Sibling Anthems: The Gallagher Brothers’ Epic Feud

Ne regarde pas en arrière avec colère—Oasis, les fils prodigues du Brit-pop, revient. Après des années de querelles publiques, de sous-entendus sur Twitter et d’agressions présumées avec une batte de cricket, les frères Gallagher—Liam et Noel, évidemment—travaillent sur la réconciliation avec un remix, en annonçant une série de dates pour l’été 2025 sur leur site web. (C’est le moment idéal pour dire que “Wonderwall” est un chef-d’œuvre; aucun commentaire supplémentaire.)

Je ne suis pas un critique musical, alors je ne vous ennuierai pas avec mes synonymes maladroits pour mélodie, mais Oasis était évidemment un phénomène culturel. À leur apogée—probablement leurs célèbres deux soirées consécutives à Knebworth en 1996—Oasis incarnait une certaine arrogance typiquement mancunienne, une confiance insolente inégalée qui se heurtait à une scène musicale britannique plus construite, oserais-je dire prétentieuse. Franchement, la plupart des années 90 avaient un petit air nostalgique des années 60—les chambres à travers le pays étaient dotées de lampes à lave et de chaises gonflables translucides—et Oasis était le plus proche des Beatles parmi l’arsenal du Brit-pop du milieu du siècle. Et tandis que Blur, Suede et Pulp semblaient venir des écoles d’art et frustrés par leur propre classe moyenne, Oasis se trouvait de l’autre côté du spectre britannique, un groupe rock de la classe ouvrière misant sur la chance sans rien à perdre. Le Brit-pop, de manière générale, était fantaisiste et fondamentalement poli. Oasis était insolent, sans loi, et complètement indifférent.

L’un des aspects qui rend Oasis si britannique est leur capacité à se prendre extrêmement au sérieux tout en étant très, très spirituels. Leur lyrisme imaginatif dépasse leurs compositions, et toutes leurs querelles semblent hilarantes. Noel a décrit Liam comme “un homme avec une fourchette dans un monde de soupe”. Liam a plus de rivalités qu’un épisode de The Bear—avec Damon “ce con de blur” Albarn, les Spice Girls’ (Mel C (qui a proposé de se battre avec Liam aux Brits), et, dans une querelle apparemment sans fin, avec Robbie “gros con idiot” Williams. Liam a un jour dit, “Chris Martin ressemble à un prof de géographie,” a qualifié le footballeur Wayne Rooney de “putain de ballon avec un putain de Weetabix écrasé sur le dessus,” et a déclaré, “Tout le monde [dans Mumford & Sons] a l’air d’avoir des putains de poux et mange de la soupe de lentilles avec les manches retroussées.” Mais Liam réserve son vif mépris pour “la vieille langue brune” et “le Ronnie Corbett du rock n roll” Noel, qui a apparemment quitté temporairement Oasis après que Liam lui ait jeté un tambourin à la tête.

Je suis heureux qu’Oasis soit de retour ensemble—un milliard de personnes chantant “Wonderwall” en direct sera transcendant—mais, je sais pas, j’espère un peu de drame entre les frères? Je ne pense pas que leurs égos duellistes puissent assez se détendre, même en supposant les 50 millions de livres qu’ils sont censés gagner. C’est en partie la raison pour laquelle leur rupture a été si fascinante—et leur réunion sera si divertissante.

Celebrating the Victory: 2024 MTV VMA Champions

Las Premios MTV Video Music Awards de 2024 se transmitieron en vivo desde el UBS Arena de Long Island el 11 de septiembre, contando con la encantadora Megan Thee Stallion como anfitriona de la velada y una gran variedad de emocionantes talentos musicales—desde Chappell Roan y Sabrina Carpenter hasta Lenny Kravitz, Shawn Mendes, y Rauw Alejandro—listos para ofrecer actuaciones. Pero, debido a las categorías tan disputadas este año (¡Ariana contra Taylor! ¡Bad Bunny frente a Eminem! ¡Beyoncé vs. Billie!) ¿qué artistas nominados se llevaron los premios más importantes de la noche? Sigue con nosotros para recibir actualizaciones sobre todos los grandes ganadores del moonperson en los VMAs de este año.

Video del Año

GANADORA: Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone, “Fortnight”

Ariana Grande, “no podemos ser amigos (espera tu amor)”

Billie Eilish, “ALMUERZO”

Doja Cat, “Pintar la ciudad de rojo”

Eminem, “Houdini”

SZA, “Dormir”

Mejor Latino

GANADORA: Anitta, “Mil Veces”

Bad Bunny, “MÓNACO”

KAROL G, “MI EX TENÍA RAZÓN”

Myke Towers, “LALA”

Peso Pluma & Anitta, “BELLAKEO”

Rauw Alejandro, “Tocando el cielo”

Shakira & Cardi B, “Puntería”

Mejor Artista Nuevo

GANADORA: Chappell Roan

Benson Boone

Gracie Abrams

Shaboozey

Teddy Swims

Tyla

Mejor Hip-Hop

GANADOR: Eminem, “Houdini”

Drake ft. Sexyy Red & SZA, “Bebé Rico Papá”

GloRilla, “¡Sí Glo!”

Gunna, “fukumean”

Megan Thee Stallion, “BOA”

Travis Scott ft. Playboi Carti, “FE!N”

Mejor Coreografía

GANADORA: Dua Lipa, “Houdini” – Coreografía por Charm La’Donna

Bleachers, “Pequeños movimientos” – Coreografía por Margaret Qualley

LISA, “Rockstar” – Coreografía por Sean Bankhead

Rauw Alejandro, “Tocando el cielo” – Coreografía por Felix ‘Fefe’ Burgos

Tate McRae, “avaricioso” – Coreografía por Sean Bankhead

Troye Sivan, “Rush” – Coreografía por Sergio Reis, Mauro Van De Kerkhof

Mejores Efectos Visuales

GANADOR: Eminem, “Houdini” – Efectos Visuales por Synapse Virtual Production, Louise Lee, Rich Lee, Metaphysic, Flawless Post

Ariana Grande, “el chico es mío” – Efectos Visuales por Digital Axis

Justin Timberlake, “Selfish” – Efectos Visuales por Candice Dragonas

Megan Thee Stallion, “BOA” – Efectos Visuales por Mathematic

Olivia Rodrigo, “haz que regrese” – Efectos Visuales por Cooper Vacheron, Preston Mohr, Karen Arakelian, Justin Johnson

Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone, “Fortnight” – Efectos Visuales por Parliament

Canción del Año

GANADORA: Sabrina Carpenter, “Café Express”

Beyoncé, “TEXAS HOLD ’EM”

Jack Harlow, “Amor en Mí”

Kendrick Lamar, “No como nosotros”

Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone

Teddy Swims, “Perder el Control”

Mejor Afrobeats

GANADORA: Tyla, “Agua”

Curating the Ultimate Collection of Wickedly Hilarious Memes

Wicked craze has undeniably taken over, and evading incessant pop-culture nods to the Land of Oz, Elphaba, Galinda, and the outstanding Bowen Yang in what might be the campiest side character ever is getting increasingly tough. (To be clear: This is meant as high praise.) Although the cinematic experience itself stands as the apex of the Wicked phenomenon, there’s also ample amusement engaging with the online discussions; below, explore a collection of our top Wicked memes.

Embracing ‘Defying Gravity’

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This specific meme derives from a discussion featuring Wicked stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo with Out journalist Tracy E. Gilchrist, who remarked to Erivo: “Recently, people seem to be engaging with the lyrics of ‘Defying Gravity’ and capturing strength from it.” Is this a bizarre way to explain…people tuning into a song? Absolutely. Will I be parrotinng “capturing strength from it” all through the festive season? Naturally. I am part of queer media, after all!

Gaylinda

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18 Reactions to the Debut Babygirl Trailer

I would gladly view a two-hour collection of Nicole Kidman disposing of waste, so perhaps I’m not the ideal judge of whether her forthcoming movie Babygirl—an A24 creation also featuring Harris Dickinson and Antonio Banderas—truly appears promising or merely has enough allure to entice the Carol-enamored audience flocking to cinemas on Christmas Day. (For what it’s worth, its critiques from Venice were fairly positive!) One element is certain, though: Babygirl is already generating conversation.

Watch the initial full Babygirl preview for yourself, then explore (literally) all my reflections about it below.

  1. At last, a wig worthy of Nicole Kidman!
  2. Hold on, is that actually a wig? Is that her authentic hair? Will wonders never cease?
  3. I’m opting to think the dog being referred to as a good girl is indeed Amy Adams in Nightbitch.
  4. Ooh, a Christmas-themed A24 emblem!
  5. Do they manufacture ornaments?
  6. All right, I was teasing, but it seems they do.
  7. It seems botox needles are the trendiest accessory in cinema right now.
  8. This entire busy, successful working-mom scenario is a frequent Kidman motif, yet that doesn’t mean I’m not thrilled to observe her embrace it once more.
  9. This time with a spicy-intern mystery, evidently!
  10. “I think you like to be told what to do.” Wow!
  11. Is this yet another May-December narrative?
  12. This tracking shot of what I presume is a luxurious New York residence is reminiscent of one of my all-time favorite film sequences: the segment where they burglarize Audrina’s home in The Bling Ring.
  13. Is this not also somewhat just…Fair Play, merely less corporate?
  14. Milk!
  15. Okay, I don’t dislike Harris Dickinson in a Connell–from–Normal People chain.
  16. Pool games? All right, that’s the type of steamy affair I can support.
  17. Hey, Antonio Banderas!
  18. I’ve long maintained we require more sensual Christmas films, so I’m going to be beyond eager for this one.
On the Tactile Delights of Being an AFOL (Adult Fan of Lego)
Kristin Chenoweth Shines in the Broadway Debut of The Queen of Versailles

Certain performers appear perfectly crafted for specific roles, and Kristin Chenoweth in The Queen of Versailles is one such example: Not since her spirited rendition of “Popular” wrapped in pink tulle has Chenoweth embraced a role so perfectly matching her skills. This harmony is understandable, considering The Queen of Versailles reunites Chenoweth with Wicked composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz, who conceived the character of Glinda the Good Witch with her in consideration during the early 2000s.

“Stephen has been playfully reminding me that he’s been keen on crafting an original musical for me over so many years!” Chenoweth shares with Vogue. “Every instance he declared, ‘I assure you, I’ll accomplish it before my time ends!’ my response was always, ‘Yeah, yeah, fine, buddy.’”

Although it required more than twenty years, Schwartz ultimately fulfilled his assurance. Presently showing at Boston’s Colonial Theatre, The Queen of Versailles features Chenoweth as Jacquelie “Jackie” Siegel, the actual pageant queen turned socialite who accumulates Birkin bags akin to Funko Pops. F. Murray Abraham takes on the role of her much older spouse, David Siegel, the originator of a timeshare corporation with a net value exceeding $6 billion.

Chenoweth during the standing ovation on The Queen of Versailles’s debut night

Photo: Nile Hawver

John Legend: Dreamy Lullabies, Sleep Composing, and a Memorable Encounter with Prince

John Legend has tunes on his brain even during slumber. There are instances when the artist is immensely inspired, dreaming of fresh harmonies and ideas, subsequently waking up to capture them on his mobile before they vanish.

The unceasing, sometimes obsessive whirl of Legend’s inventiveness can likely be attributed to the fact that the 45-year-old has been crafting songs since childhood, consistently drawing motivation from the void and transforming it into the compositions forming his vast collection.

In the two decades since his initial album, Get Lifted, came out, Legend has frequently documented pivotal instances of his life through his music; his iconic track “All of Me,” dedicated to Chrissy Teigen, was launched a month prior to their Lake Como nuptials in 2013. Now the parent of four children under nine years old (the youngest being a boy named Wren, who arrived last summer), Legend is unmistakably a family-oriented individual—hence, his tenth studio album, fittingly named My Favorite Dream, centers on lullabies and tunes for the young ones. For Legend, the album was an opportunity to leave his unique mark on a typically overlooked music category.

With Sufjan Stevens involved as a producer, My Favorite Dream features jubilant original pieces and renditions of Fisher-Price melodies that many parents recognize all too well. Legend shared insights with Vogue about this endeavor and the enchantment of inventiveness—alongside his notable recent appearance at the Democratic National Convention.

Vogue: Besides tunes like “Rainbow Connection” or Vince Guaraldi’s Peanuts pieces, serious composing and children’s music haven’t always blended…

John Legend: I don’t wish to undervalue those who create music for youngsters, as many invest considerable effort and thought into it. However, it’s accurate that not many prominent pop artists have produced a complete children’s record like this. But I wanted to approach it in the same way I would any other album, maintaining standards of musical excellence, sonic quality, and other criteria to which I hold any of my albums.

Diving Deep: A Fan’s Enthusiastic Analysis of the ‘Wicked’ Movie Soundtrack

Starting from the beginning: “No One Mourns the Wicked” might possess one of the most legendary initial chord progressions in the realm of musical theater. Nonetheless, in Jon M. Chu’s movie, the introduction that enthusiasts are so familiar with is momentarily disrupted with—if you’re observant enough to notice them—the tunes of “Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead” from The Wizard of Oz. And that’s merely one of Wicked’s numerous clever references to that 1939 film, featuring Judy Garland.

“10 Must-See Masterpieces in Whitney’s Captivating ‘Edges of Ailey’ Exhibition”

The exhibition “Edges of Ailey” at the Whitney Museum of American Art is a sensory delight. Spanning the entire fifth level of the museum, the exhibition assembles a vast collection—paintings, sketches, photos, videos, archival items, journal notes, and more—in homage to Alvin Ailey, the late luminary of modern dance whose impact on Black American culture resonates powerfully even today.

Curated by Adrienne Edwards, “Edges of Ailey” took six years to conceive. While Ailey is most renowned as the founder of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1958, his artistic exploration extended beyond dance, much like this varied exhibition. Edwards meticulously examined Ailey’s archives and sought diverse art forms that reflect his enduring influence; the result is a convergence of outstanding Black and queer visual art that embodies struggle, victory, and upliftment—central motifs in Ailey’s captivating choreographic works.

The exhibition features over 80 artists, with creations dating from 1851 to the present year. Dominating the display is an 18-channel video (with audio) presenting performance excerpts and archival conversations. Though there’s much to absorb, it is precisely this richness that renders “Edges of Ailey” so profoundly impactful. A spirit of generosity marked Ailey’s professional journey. What better homage than gathering an array of remarkable works under one roof.

Below, discover 10 notable works from “Edges of Ailey” to explore as you navigate through this expansive exhibit.

Emma Amos, Judith Jamison as Josephine Baker, 1985

Emma Amos, Judith Jamison as Josephine Baker, 1985. Acrylic on canvas, 100 × 32 in. (254 × 81.2 cm). Ryan Lee Gallery. © Emma Amos. Courtesy Ryan Lee Gallery.

Adam Reich