It’s officially time for us to address the defining trope of modern pop music: the young woman pop protégé and her slightly awkward, endearing father figure producer.

She’s the star, but he’s a crucial not-so-secret weapon, wielding his mighty masculine producer powers to coax out her sharpest lyrics and her most intimate vocal performances. In every interview, they finish each other’s sentences, exchange knowing glances, and describe themselves as a team, family, platonic soulmates.

Although it’s the female pop star who grants the male producer cultural capital, he often gets a disproportionate amount of credit for her success. He’s often taken more seriously as a musician.

You know who I’m talking about, but I’ll throw out the most obvious examples just because.

Taylor Swift and Jack Antonoff. Lorde and Jack Antonoff. Olivia Rodrigo and Dan Nigro. Chappell Roan and Dan Nigro. Ariana Grande and Max Martin. Gracie Abrams and Aaron Dessner. Tate McRae and Ryan Tedder. Billie Eilish and Finneas (brother figure in that case). The list goes on.

Which brings me to the question of the day, the year, the era: Where are the female Jack Antonoffs? (And Aaron Dessners and Dan Nigros and Ryan Tedders and Max Martins and Finneases?)

Earlier this year, Billboard published a depressing article titled, “Women’s Place in this Business is Shrinking.” A USC Annenberg study found that women artists held 36.1% of spots on the most popular Billboard charts in 2025, 14.5% of all songwriters were women, and only 4.4% of producers were women. Not to mention, more than 90% of songs across 11 years did not include even one woman producer.

Well, fuck. Pop has a dire patriarchy problem.

Why, in 2026, are the numbers still so whack? A Splice article about women in music production notes, “There has been a strong cultural bias that views men as the primary users and creators of technical tools and equipment in music.” Girls are taught from a very young age that they’re allowed to sing and play the piano or violin. Mess around on DAWs? Make beats? Nah, that’s for their male counterparts.

Dare I suggest that, beyond the social conditioning, A-list artists are also part of the problem? With great power comes great responsibility. Women producers will only become household names when prominent pop stars start seeking them out and introducing them to us.

Pop stars like… drumroll please… Addison Rae. Yes, this is the part where I start glazing Addison, which is a recurring theme of this Substack, sorry not sorry. The TikTok sensation-turned Britney Spears daughter made her debut album with Swedish duo Luka Kloser and Elvira Anderfjärd.

No men on the credits.

This did not get enough attention, considering how rare and exciting it is. Together, they carefully studied Addison’s vision and designed a dreamy, feminine, polished but delightfully weird soundscape. There are echoes of Lana Del Rey and Britney Spears, but the sonic universe clearly belongs to our beloved “Headphones On” singer. I’m praying the squad reunites for AR2.

Elvira’s also produced a few Taylor Swift songs, including “Willow (Dancing Witch Version),” “Love Story (Taylor’s Version),” “Message in a Bottle,” and “Girl at Home (Taylor’s Version).” While it was uncharacteristically cool of Ms. Swift to collaborate with an up-and-coming, 20-something woman producer on these tracks, I’m still patiently waiting for her to work on a whole album with a righthand woman. Jack and Aaron appear to be busy with Sabrina Carpenter and Gracie Abrams projects anyway.

Of course, Elvira and Luka aren’t the only women producer icons making waves right now. I’ve also got my eye on New York City-based producer Alissia, aka the coolest girl in existence. So far, her resumé includes collaborations with Anderson .Paak and Mary J. Blige as well as a nomination for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical at the 67th Grammy Awards. kindly just introduced me to Idarose (Alexis Kesselman), who produced Bella Kay’s debut album, My Reckless Abandon. Already obsessed with this pairing and hope they keep working together!

And then there are the one-woman shows of pop—the workaholic baddies who sing, write, and produce their own projects. I’m talking about (one of my fave pop girlies) Tiffany Day, a hyperpop queen who recently released her heavenly sophomore album, HALO. I’m talking about PinkPantheress, the British visionary who changed the game with her infectious Y2K bedroom pop production. I’m talking about Imogene Heap, who is to the Vocoder as Picasso is to the paint brush. And I’d be remiss not to mention her student, Ariana Grande, who’s a vocal production wizard herself… or vocal production good witch if you prefer. #HappyPetalSeason

I want to emphasize that this new scene wouldn’t be possible without the women who paved the way. Ann Mincieli has had an epic 20+ year career as a producer and mix engineer, famously working alongside Alicia Keys and co-founding New York City’s Jungle City Studios. Missy Elliott is obviously another pioneering producer who redefined pop and hip hop and has produced for a number of fellow legends, including Whitney Houston and Beyoncé.

“A lot of people don’t know a lot of records that I’ve written or produced,” Missy told The Associated Press back in 2016. “I always said if a man would have done half the records that I’ve done we would know about it. But we don’t know all the records I’ve done for other artists.”

We need to change the status quo. We need to acknowledge and make more space for women who eat, sleep, and breathe Pro Tools. The pop girlie/father or brother figure trope is not the rule.

So, who will be the producer whose career explodes because one superstar decided to bet on her? After all, there is no Jack Antonoff (as we know him today) without Taylor Swift. That’s how producer dynasties are born. Someone gets an unexpected opportunity to make a culture-shifting record, and then they get invited to produce everyone else’s.

Since literally every Grammy-nominated artist is reading this—I’m manifesting virality, sue me—here’s my request for all of you: Do a little research. Get out of your comfort zone. Forget about the usual suspects for once, and find the woman who’s been waiting for her time to shine.

You might just completely change the state of pop music and inspire a new generation of production-savvy queens along the way.

Happy two years to C,XOXO, the feverish, fearless record that had me hooked from those first few wonky synths of “I LUV IT.”

Camila Cabello wrote the sonic equivalent of a humid July night going out with your girlies, when the city air feels electric and anything’s possible from the hours of 10pm to 3am. Her producers, El Guincho and Jasper Harris, cooked up exhilarating beats and zany motifs I would gleefully inject into my veins if that were a possible procedure. Two years later, I still treasure every delicious quirk on this album from the NSFW balladry of “June Gloom” to the incongruous Pitbull sample in “BOAT” to the random Camila glazing interlude from BLP Kosher.

Basically, I luv it I luv it I luv it I luv it. Spoiler alert: No one else did. (Well, except The New York Times. Shoutout Jon Caramanica and Joe Coscarelli.)

I am acutely aware that Camila isn’t the most likeable public figure for reasons ranging from very deserved to very trivial. As if her tainted image wasn’t threatening enough on its own, this album was practically destined to flop after a series of unfortunate mid-rollout events: She collaborated with Drake at the height of his Kendrick beef PR nightmare, Charli XCX egged on trolls who declared “I Luv It” a BRAT ripoff, and the universally adored Sabrina Carpenter (allegedly) dissed her in Short n’ Sweet tracks like “Taste.”

A perfect storm, you might say.

Realistically, if Tinashe, Rosalía, or Charli had released this body of work, critics and music fans would’ve declared it visionary. Avant-garde. Album of the year. But alas, the “Havana” singer released it, and that was a barrier to entry for many people. Instead of the triumphant escape from the Khia Asylum Camila probably envisioned, she was forced to renew her lease at the metaphorical pop flop dungeon.

As a result of C,XOXO not resonating like she’d hoped, Camila appears to be switching gears. Last week, she posted photos of herself recording music with Aaron Dessner.

The sigh I let out was heard across all five boroughs of New York City.

Whether you prefer the term “Aaron Dessner-ification” or “folklore-ification,” there’s no denying that 2020s pop has suffered a highly contagious case of Taylor Swift Hand-Me-Down Syndrome. Ever since the “Opalite” singer shifted the fucking tectonic plates with her covid depression bangers, everyone in her musical family tree decided to steal her folklore secret sauce, Mr. Dessner.

It brings me no joy to report that Ed Sheeran, Gracie Abrams, Noah Kahan, and now Camila have joined forces with the producer in this post-folklore era. And while Sabrina Carpenter hasn’t recorded in Long Pond Studios yet—that we know of—I wouldn’t be surprised if she posts those teaser polaroids within the next six months. Heck, even Taylor herself pumped out two more folklores with Aaron: evermore and Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology.

Frankly, I am not interested in hearing a fifteenth folklore. Are you??

The 2020 record was such a thrill precisely because it was a radical detour. Taylor hadn’t wandered into goth-folk, fairytale territory before. No A-list pop star had enlisted the National musician to produce their album before. It felt innovative and surprising. It moved pop somewhere new.

The people yearn for fresh, bold sounds… always have, always will.

Obviously, C,XOXO isn’t the only recent example of this. Olivia Rodrigo and Addison Rae are also savvy enough to handpick producers who amplify their distinct voices and help define them as individual artists. Dan Nigro pushes Olivia to sharpen her lyrics and hone her rock and new wave instincts, and Luka Kloser and Elvira Anderfjärd masterfully craft the sonic manic pixie dream world to match Addison’s aura.

Making a Temu folklore is easy. Anyone with a thesaurus, a whisper register, and Aaron’s phone number can get the job done. Sure, you might enjoy some commercial success, but you’re not creating culture. And watch out, because Taylor’s been known to demand credits when songs bear even a hint of resemblance…

What’s actually difficult is designing a musical era that’s authentic to you. A record that has your pop peers scrambling to make their own versions of it.

In a world of folklore imitators, be a Camila. Be an Olivia. Be an Addison.

And if you wrote off C,XOXO two years ago, please do yourself a favor and give that album a listen. You won’t be disappointed.

“If Ariana Grande has belief in you, who can tell you that you’re not shit?” Sasha Allen casually flexes as we chat over Zoom. Wearing a gray T-shirt, a backwards cap, and a cross necklace, he has the vibe of a very normal 24-year-old dude. But Sasha’s life has been anything but normal.

The Connecticut-born singer-songwriter got that coveted Ariana co-sign in 2021 when he and his dad wound up on her team in season 21 of The Voice. The father/son folk and bluegrass duo strummed and harmonized their way to the semifinals, and after the show, Ariana helped Sasha score a solo deal with Republic Records.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t quite ~happily ever after~ from there. Major record labels have a habit of deprioritizing small artists, giving them limited creative control, and stalling their releases indefinitely. Sasha got precisely that treatment (and even wrote a song about it). Frustrated with having his hands tied creatively, he parted ways with Republic in 2025 and began making music as an independent artist.

After a whirlwind five years of euphoric highs and harsh but transformative lows, Sasha’s releasing his debut album, The Gallery, on June 26. He meticulously selected the 10 tracks from hundreds he’s written throughout this wild, complex chapter.

On the record, Sasha explores coming-of-age revelations, processes ruptured bonds, gushes over his current girlfriend (RuPaul Drag Race star Adore Delano) and lambasts our whackass administration (thank goodness). The cozy love songs and the angry political ones, he tells me, both come naturally. “All the songs about my girlfriend on this album just flowed,” he reflects. “Those are my favorite songs to write. She’s my muse, which makes it easier and makes it fun.”

“Soaked in your voice like a river of rose water poolin’ around at my feet / The ghosts in the gallery watch as you capture me bringin’ my pride to its knees,” he croons in “Hole in the Wall,” a tender, acoustic ode to his partner. It’s Adore’s fierce belief in Sasha as a songwriter that helps him get in the zone and write prolifically, he says. He calls being with a fellow artist “the best experience of [his] life.”

Sasha’s love life may be all rainbows and butterflies, but his heart is also heavy with the weight of our bleak political reality, especially as a trans person. At the end of the album, he exposes the hypocrisy of the MAGA movement with bars like “It’s imperative to the party of law and order that we forget the Capitol riot and Kyle Rittenhouse.” Speaking about the inspiration for that song, he explains, “I get so angry at all the shit going on, and when I write about it and share it, there’s this moment where people come together and [I see] the message resonating. It makes me feel like I’m doing a little bit of activism.”

It’s not a walk in the park becoming a face of the trans community at the ripe age of 20, but Sasha feels like he’s grown into the role in recent years. “I literally used to pray for that… I wanted to be a visible trans person and be inspirational,” he recalls, adding that connecting with younger trans folks is his favorite part of making music and content. At this stage of his career, he’s come to terms with the fact that his transness makes everything he does “inherently political.” Spend two minutes perusing his TikTok and you’ll see how he never shies away from that reality.

Unapologetic authenticity is at the core of every decision Sasha makes, both personal and artistic.

The singer-songwriter could’ve opted for a glossy, TikTok-influenced pop formula for his debut record, but instead leans into bluegrass, country, and ‘60s folk influences. He prides himself more on sharp lyricism than powerhouse vocals. “I care more about the lyrics than anything else, like I’ll be on a walk and just writing poetry,” he says. “That was a weird thing about being on The Voice, ‘cause it feels so gospel singer-y… I know I can sing, but I feel like my writing is what lends to my ability to perform and stuff.”

Artistically speaking, Sasha’s really more of a Tayson (a Taylor Swift successor) than an Ari son; his social handles are literally @speaknowsasha. But it’s Ari who showed him firsthand “what it takes” to thrive in this volatile industry, and yes, they still check in every few months.

“She’s a star and also a star as a human being,” he declares, grinning when I ask about their relationship today. “Even if she couldn’t sing for shit, she’d be an amazing human being. Like when you meet someone that just has a psycho brain, not in a psycho way, but a psycho artistic way, that’s her.” Noted. Apparently, Sasha was just texting the “We Can’t Be Friends” singer about a life-changing escape room they went to together once. Every bone in my body aches with jealousy, but that’s neither here nor there.

Tragically, he doesn’t have tickets to the Eternal Sunshine tour… yet: “Ariana, hit me up.”

Ariana, please do hit him up, and Sasha, please announce your own tour, because I need to hear these beautiful, cathartic bangers live.

With the Ciara Miller and Amanda Batula Summer House mess, the Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner falling out chronicled in Famesick, and the Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo beef resurfacing, I feel like the universe is begging me to discuss friendship breakups. And I’m happy to oblige.

Fortunately, I have several rock-solid, soul-nourishing friendships in my life right now. But I’m also a double Scorpio with a low tolerance for tomfoolery, and I’ve weathered my fair share of drama. Some of my lowest emotional points have revolved around friend issues, whether it was someone projecting insecurities onto me, revealing troublesome political opinions, always centering men (big sigh), or just ghosting me.

Friendship breakups fuck with you because those relationships aren’t supposed to have an expiration date. You know each other’s darkest secrets and wildest dreams, and you assume you’ll still be giggling and talking shit together at 85 years old. Then everything changes one day, and your world gets super lonely and depressing.

God forbid you want to process by crying to songs about it… There are none. I mean, yes, there are a few, but it’s a needle in a haystack situation. The haystack being bazillions of songs about love and romantic heartbreak. It is bewildering to me how under-explored this topic is in pop music.

Over the years, I’ve had to carefully curate my own friendship breakup playlist with songs that really hit during those painful moments. If you’re ready to sob, rage, feel confused and/or guilty, and maybe, just maybe experience of glimmer of healing… enjoy this journey.

“Friend” - Gracie Abrams

Dare I say this soft pop breakup tune from 2020 is Gracie’s magnum opus? It’s my personal favorite, at least. “Funny how you feel like we would ever talk again / How could you think I’d be your friend?” Gracie sings as though she’s on the verge of tears. Pressing play on the song automatically activates my own tear ducts every time.

“Cut You Off” - Selena Gomez

If you’re craving a bitter, “fuck you, I’m done” vibe, “Cut You Off” is your girl. Selena breezily speak-singing about cutting someone out of her life is just so satisfying and cathartic. I live for her rich alto tone and that sassy guitar solo toward the end.

“Real Friends” - Camila Cabello

As a Camilizer since the Fifth Harmony and “Havana” days, I’m declaring “Real Friends” the ultimate friendship breakup anthem. It’s a simple, acoustic tune that captures the ache of craving genuine connection while feeling surrounded by (pardon my French) fake bitches.

“The Hardest Part” - Olivia Dean

Four-ish years before Olivia Dean skyrocketed to fame, I was blasting this masterpiece on hot girl walks because I have taste. The bittersweet, soul-infused pop track about outgrowing someone strikes a delicate balance between petty and mature. Like, you feel vindicated and oddly relaxed after a listen or two.

“Lonesome” - Sabrina Carpenter

Justice for emails i can’t send-era Sabrina Carpenter. In BE times (Before Espresso), she made this incredibly vulnerable and intimate, whisper-pop ballad about wrestling with loneliness. Hats off to whoever came up with this hook: “You can’t spell lonesome without me.”

“Sorry Would Go a Long Way” - Tori Kelly

The song I blast when I would just like a goddamn apology. I’ve never heard someone yearn for a sorry like this in a song before, and Tori’s buttery vocals ooze the pain. Just a melancholy guitar riff and the truth. God, I love this woman.

“The Grudge” - Olivia Rodrigo

Having your idol steal your songwriting credits is a fairly unique situation, but Olivia manages to translate it into sharp, universal lyrics about platonic heartbreak: “My undying love, now I hold it like a grudge / And I hear your voice every time that I think I’m not enough.” A piano ballad for the ages.

“Bad Friend” - Rina Sawayama

Sometimes we’re the ones who fucked up, and it’s healthy to be self-aware and sit with that uncomfy wave of guilt. Thank goodness Rina cooked up this synth-heavy bop about being an avoidant, overreacting, all-around shitty friend.

“We’re Not Alike” - Tate McRae

One thing about me is I can’t resist a Disney Channel-coded, angsty pop-rock tune. This one is explicitly about a former friend who calls herself a “girl’s girl,” but fails to live up to that title… tsk tsk. “Said she had my back but she had the knife,” Tate belts in the electric guitars-driven chorus.

“Girl, So Confusing” - Charli XCX, Lorde

Herstory. The queens of working it out on the remix. The epic female friendship anthem speaks for itself, and I’m just grateful the pop divas were willing to share their journey and stream-of-consciousness perspectives for the sake of transcendent art.

“Molly, I’m Coming Around” - Annika Bennett

And finally, we have a chill singer-songwriter pop song for your healing era. This is the phase of the platonic breakup when enough time has passed for you to gain a fresh, more holistic perspective; you can appreciate the best moments and understand how it all fell apart. I ride for Ms. Annika and her diaristic bangers.

PC: Spotify

Roughly four years of grinding in entertainment media and 5,000 Olivia Rodrigo articles later, I found myself at the pop superstar’s invite-only Spotify Billions club show at the Teatre Grec amphitheater in Barcelona. Please take a moment to absorb that insane flex.

Thank you. (Keep making pop stars your whole personality, folks. One random Friday morning, you just might receive a life-altering email with the subject line: [CONFIDENTIAL] Spotify News x Press Trip.) Needless to say, I blended right in with the top influencers and screaming Spanish teens in attendance. My Spanish is basically flawless and my IG follower count is really through the roof.

Kidding, kidding. I assume I was on Spotify’s radar because of my bylines in People and Betches, but “Olivia Rodrigo Stan” remains the most important title on my resumé. Frankly, Harvard should hire me to teach a course on the pop queen. I’ve attended the SOUR tour, the GUTS tour, her Rock & Roll Hall of Fame concert, her Gov Ball set, and now, her Billions Club concert. And I don’t have tickets to the Unraveled Tour yet, but you can rest assured I will be there, even if I have to sell a limb or two. I’ll also just stress that I’m personally responsible for “drop dead” debuting at No. 1, and I had the “begged” lyrics memorized 30ish minutes after her Saturday Night Live performance.

Anyways. It’s been an honor and a privilege to follow the once-in-a-generation singer-songwriter’s career up close, and I walked away from this incredibly special show with several pressing insights to share.

(Thank you so much, . This experience made my life.)

Without further ado, here’s a glimpse into my mind as I floated out of Teatre Grec in a dreamy Aperol Spritz and Olivia haze.

1. GUTS is criminally under-appreciated

SOUR is that girl, I get it. I’ve probably done permanent damage to my vocal cords screaming the lyrics to “deja vu” and “brutal” at all of Olivia’s shows. Her debut is pop culture history, period. But can we, as a society, hold more space for GUTS?

At this event, I learned that “vampire” is currently the only GUTS track with over a billion streams, and I find that offensive. Why aren’t “ballad of a homeschooled girl,” “lacy,” “all-american bitch,” and “love is embarrassing” getting the adoration they deserve? It’s baffling to me that “get him back” didn’t have the same chart dominance as “good 4 u.” Olivia and her producer, Dan Nigro, could not have cooked up a more clever, polished pop-rock banger.

The Barcelona Livies were going just as hard — if not harder — for GUTS tracks, and I would like to see the rest of the world follow suit.

2. Top listeners should be rewarded more

PC: Spotify

Thank you, Spotify, for rewarding the most dedicated Livies and showing us what a top fan-ocracy looks like. I can now confirm it looks like… heaven. There were no bored boyfriends, no stressed out parents, no random non-fans tagging along for the vibes. Nope, every individual in that tiny crowd (aside from a few Spotify and media folks) was an Olivia stan, and they made that very fucking clear.

At times, you could barely hear Olivia’s voice because the fans were so beautifully loud. They came armed with gifts (I spotted a gorgeous you seem pretty sad-themed flower bouquet and an adorable Olivia doll), and they didn’t take one second for granted. These kids were performing in the crowd like they were the ones on stage.

Not only is this system more fair, but shows are infinitely more fun when the audience is legit fans. Can we please use listener data to determine presale access ? Just throwing my dream out into the universe.

3. People need to get off their phones and dance at concerts more

In 2026, we’re either watching concerts through our own phones or through someone else’s. While I don’t particularly wish I were a millennial, I am deeply jealous of people who got to experience live music before the iPhone came to be. Imagine a communal, cathartic, living-in-the-moment experience, instead of a competition to capture the most iconic IG Story or the most viral TikTok.

That said, shoutout to the Spanish teens who understood the assignment and were not at all glued to their phones. There was lots of synchronized jumping and full-body sobbing happening. And despite English being their second language, these legends screamed every single lyric. The chills I got that night were from Olivia and the crowd.

4. Whatever the genre of the new album is, Olivia is a rock star at heart

   

PC: Spotify

We only have a taste of the new album so far, but “drop dead” is a dreamy synth-pop crush anthem, and “begged” is a more mature evolution of SOUR era ballads like “traitor.” If those tracks are any indication of what’s to come, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love might lean more soft pop and acoustic than angsty rock.

But as I watched Olivia perform 20 feet away from me at the Billions Club Show, it was more obvious than ever that this girl is a rock star. You can see it in the way she lights up during the intros of “bad idea right?” and “ballad of a homeschooled girl.” You can see it in her signature high kick (pictured above lol). You can see it in her head banging and how she playfully mirrors her guitarist.

Manifesting we get at least a few Rock-livia songs on album #3.

5. Olivia’s at the top of her game right now

There’s no victory lap quite like a Billions Club show. Olivia moved across that stage with the swagger of someone who has not one, not two, but nine songs with over a billion streams. Her vocals are more crisp and angelic than ever. She’s at ease and at home up there, worlds away from the slightly anxious, fresh-off-a-Disney-show teen the world first met. (Thank you for your service, GUTS tour.) The 23-year-old is blossoming into one of the strongest live performers of her generation, and she knows it.

If you got Unraveled Tour tickets, I’m so happy for you. And can you give them to me? JK. Unless…

6. (BONUS) We need more intimate concerts in European amphitheaters

I’m just saying.

On a chilly Tuesday night at Night Club 101 in the East Village, Avery Cochrane performed a set worthy of Madison Square Garden. As the redheaded rising star strutted across the stage, belting out hits like “Shapeshifting on a Saturday Night,” every element of a pop supernova was on display: songwriting prowess and vocal range, a dazzling cutout bodysuit, an endearing backstory, an insatiable hunger to “make it,” and gays crying in the front row.

Avery’s twisting, shapeshifting on Saturday nights (and Tuesday nights) into a bonafide pop princess. But although she embodies the dream girl persona on stage, feeling like an “outsider” is actually what drives her to write music. “It’s such a corny thing,” she tells me over Zoom a few weeks after the show. “But feeling like I don’t belong… everybody feels that way. Whenever I have a deeply personal thought or experience, I’m obligated to make it into a song because I know people have had this experience.”

The 24-year-old Seattle native, fresh off a political science degree and ten years of caddying at a country club, has a lot to say about capitalism, the patriarchy, and life-altering WLW relationship heartbreaks. And based on her viral TikToks and more than 500k monthly Spotify listeners, the world is eager to listen.

Avery captured pop fans’ attention with her unique ability to package introspective, sometimes dark epiphanies in sonic glitter. Her new EP, Male Validation and Other Drugs, features seven cinematic pop bangers and ballads à la Chappell Roan and ABBA. (She also cites David Bowie and Taylor Swift as songwriter heroes.) The melodies are designed for belting at Saturday night karaoke, but the lyrics will send you into a Sunday scaries existential crisis.

“Prayin’ for beauty in the numbness / Is it the state of the world or my state of mind?” Avery croons in “Oh, Mercy,” the final track on the EP. The quandary of mentally ill, politically conscious girls everywhere. She also compares society to a “matrix” and declares that “all” her pain is “patriarchal.”

Was there ever an alternative dream to use that poli-sci degree in courtrooms or non-profit offices – not pop hits? I wonder. Avery smiles and confesses that music was always her “secret” plan. “In my head, it was music or nothing,” she answers. “I think it was important to get a degree because I’m privileged to have had that opportunity. I was like, I should learn more about the world because I know it will make me a better person and a better writer.” She’s proud to be carving out her own niche as a “poly-sci pop star,” and grateful that her education enriched her worldview and expanded her vocabulary.

Now, she’s expanding our vocabularies with the word, “intricities” — intricacies’ more singable synonym. The recording session flub became a fun TikTok debate, landing the made-up word on the clean version of her viral single, “Losing Streak.”

The WLW heartbreak record details the end of a four-year relationship with a yearning-on-steroids chorus and a raw, crescendoing bridge. Avery wrote “Losing Streak” about her very real, very formative sapphic experience, but noticed that she felt more affirmed in her queer identity after LGBTQ+ fans gave the song their stamp of approval. In a vulnerable moment during our conversation, she recognizes that she’s still wrestling with internalized biphobia: “Sometimes I would gaslight myself and be like, Oh my God, am I even queer? Am I a fraud? Sometimes I feel like I look too straight or maybe I’m not gay enough, and it’s just been a lot of back and forth in my mind.”

But that distinctly queer “Losing Streak” chorus poured out of her like it was already written, begging to be expressed. “Hearing other people be like, oh my God, this is like the gayest song ever, I feel this pain… it was really affirming of my sexuality and my queer experience,” Avery reflects. She says she’d never be able to write a song like “Losing Streak” about a man, because she’s never experienced a love “as pure as that” with an ex-boyfriend.

The brunette masc love interest in the music video isn’t just any actor; Avery hired her actual ex for the gig after her creative director threw out the idea. At the time, Avery and her ex were still together, navigating relationship issues. “I was like, this could be a beautiful healing moment,” she remembers. “Like, maybe it’s our last thing together. In hindsight, I’m still glad we did it.” They broke up about a week after shooting it, and the singer understandably can’t watch that video now.

She’s processing the lingering complex feelings around that saga by writing more songs, of course. Even after a triumphant EP rollout and sold-out headline tour, Avery snapped right back into the grind, clocking in to studio sessions five times a week and posting new music teasers on TikTok. (“[My label] was like, stop doing that. They were like, you need to keep posting the EP stuff.”)

Fans of Male Validation and Other Drugs are in luck: Avery reveals the upcoming project will be a “resolution” to the EP, but perhaps “less self-deprecating and more on the other side of all of this.” She’ll continue to explore her recent long-term relationship and how it changed her perspective on herself and on love.

For now, she’s basking in the success of achieving her childhood dream — moving to LA and making music full-time. But there’s always more on a determined pop diva’s bucket list. A million monthly Spotify listeners, a Coachella headline set, and opening for Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, or MUNA are a few of the items on Avery’s.

Zero members of the Coch Squad (her fanbase) would be shocked if Avery’s pop career ~shapeshifted~ to A-list status real soon, but it’s her striking authenticity that will keep people coming back for more.

There’s an epidemic sweeping the pop stan community, and I fear the only vaccine for this one is getting off your phone and touching grass.

Yes, I’m referring to the surge of bogus pop star scandals sending every loser in their mom’s basement into a deafening tizzy. Apparently, a singer can’t drop an innocent new single, put on a fun performance, eat breakfast in a hotel, or just breathe these days without an army of performatively woke trolls (and bots) attempting to cancel them. Sure, this isn’t entirely new; I remember Ariana Grande’s Donut Gate all too well. But the manufactured controversies are accelerating at an eyebrow-raising pace thanks to chronically online fandoms, 2026 internet culture, and complex smear campaigns that make my stomach churn. Even a PR-trained, polished artist with sound politics and the best of intentions can’t avoid the internet’s wrath these days.

Let’s take a look at a few recent head-scratchers.

Chappell Roan’s name was dragged through the mud over a completely fictional transgression. Soccer player Jorginho went on an IG Story rant, accusing her of sending a security guard to berate his 11-year-old daughter at a São Paulo hotel. In reality, the security guard who scolded the child wasn’t working for Chappell, and the singer was unaware this even happened. All of a sudden, the pop diva was the Antichrist because she chose an ill-fated window to eat breakfast. (Or because there were more nefarious forces at play… more on that later.)

When Sabrina Carpenter revealed her Man’s Best Friend album cover, purity culture reared its ugly head. The internet erupted with dramatic pearl-clutching and “she’s setting feminism back 50 years” discourse. After making her famous for those spicy “Nonsense” outros, haters suddenly decided that her discography was too “male-centered” and “hypersexual” for them. Thank goodness we have those keyboard feminists taking one giant leap forward for womankind with every unsolicited comment.

And did you hear that Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drop Dead” music video outfit (knee-high socks and a baby blue top) is ~tone-deaf and inappropriate~? Most of my FYP is Olivia-related at the moment, so I’m forced to encounter the painfully dumbass “she’s wearing toddler clothes” discourse alongside all the praise. Personally, I think the look fits right in with the Gen Z-inflected Rococo aesthetic she’s going for, and the concept of her emulating a toddler did not cross my mind. Because, you know, I’m a normal person.

These are just a few particularly relevant, jarring examples, but believe me, the list goes on. Billie Eilish, a bisexual woman, was attacked for “queerbaiting” in a 2021 music video, and a few months ago, Sombr was ripped to shreds because a 25-year-old woman was irritated by the teeny bopper vibes of his concert. Meanwhile, Chris Brown and Morgan Wallen, who have actually cancelable offenses on their resumes, still have the support of half the music industry and millions of adoring fans.

So, why are nonissues getting inordinate amounts of attention? Well, people are getting paid lots of money to make that so. A report from the research company GUDEA found that the recent Chappell backlash was partially fueled by bots participating in a coordinated campaign against her. They estimated that bots authored 23 percent of the nasty discourse — and hate begets hate, so surely, those bots influenced malleable folks who spend every waking hour online. The same company uncovered a bizarre campaign to align Taylor Swift’s latest album with Nazi ideology, and a scary number of TikTok and X users were quick to embrace that absurd interpretation.

It brings to mind the It Ends With Us Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni scandal that took over our psyches and also turned out to be a sophisticated campaign to ruin Blake’s reputation. That was brought to light in the December 2024 New York Times article, “We Can Bury Anyone: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine,” which revealed chilling messages from PR folks. “Socials are really really ramping up,” a member of Justin’s team wrote. “She must be furious. It’s actually sad because it just shows you have people [who] really want to hate on women.”

Obviously, deep-rooted, rampant misogyny makes female celebrities the easiest targets. The list of ways a woman can be canceled still dwarfs anything a man has to worry about.

Coordinated campaigns and a sexist culture are important pieces of the puzzle, but don’t tell the whole story. We also just live in a world where a few unreasonable, loud people online have the power to spread a false, damaging narrative. If one negative tweet or video of someone complaining goes viral, it plants a seed in thousands of people’s minds. When you see more and more of one opinion, it starts to seem legit.

Psychology Today describes this phenomenon as “social contagion,” noting, “When individuals observe others engaging in hostile or aggressive conduct, they may be more likely to imitate these actions, especially in environments where such behavior goes unchecked.” The same article addresses the problem of “deindividuation,” a term for when people lose their sense of identity in online spaces and begin to “act in ways that contradict their usual values or social norms.”

What do we do about this epidemic? Like I said, getting off your phone and touching grass certainly never hurts.

But also: Be wary. When there’s a sudden wave of harsh backlash — especially when a woman is on the receiving end — we need to pause and reflect before jumping on a hate train, even passively. Is the issue actually a nonissue that’s being blown out of proportion? Is the discourse one-sided and oversimplified? Are people holding a singer to a higher standard than they would a congressperson? Did you come to this conclusion about the pop star yourself or only after scrolling through dozens of tweets and TikToks about it?

It’s a scary phenomenon for public figures, but it’s also scary for us, because we’re losing control of our brains. Twisted algorithms, PR companies, and a few dramatic people online are shaping more of your opinions than you realize. While I don’t have all the answers, I do think it’s beneficial to be more aware of the problem.

It’s a beautiful day to stream Chappell, Sabrina, and Olivia!

“I’m never where I wanna be,” Anh Lê, the artist known as ÊMIA, tells me with a smile as we sip matchas at a bohemian cafe in Greenpoint. “I’m always dreaming of other places.” It’s a sunny Friday morning, and she’s dressed in a trendy green sweater and denim dress combo, surprisingly bright-eyed for someone juggling a truly mind-boggling schedule.

Anh may not be headlining a stadium tour just yet, but get ready. The singer-songwriter-producer is building serious momentum with 32,000 monthly Spotify listeners, tracks at over 1.5 million streams, and TV placements on Netflix and Amazon Prime. And for good reason: She’s a damn good storyteller who’s mastered the art of pairing polished pop and electronic production with confessional, relatable lyrics.

Her new hyperpop earworm, “Gut Feeling,” has already had a viral moment on TikTok – Anh frequently squeezes TikTok promo into her study sessions, sharing short clips of herself dancing to her cinematic pop bangers in the New York Law School library. I discovered her music from one of those signature library TikToks and immediately saved it and checked out more of her discography.

Her artist name, ÊMIA, nods to her Vietnamese roots; the accent comes from her last name, and “em” is a she/her pronoun and also a term of endearment in Vietnamese. When brainstorming names back in 2016, she gravitated toward the trending short, all-caps monikers of the era, and thus, ÊMIA was born.

So, is the goal to drop out of law school and ~pop girl~ full-time? I ask. Anh pauses for a moment before answering, “I wanna do both. I love learning so much, and my choice to go to law school is very much an extension of my own experience.”

She’s referring to her experience with her brother, who has severe autism and is nonverbal. Their family has been through hell and back trying to advocate for him in a deeply fucked up healthcare system. “Every step of the way, I have always felt like our hands are tied behind our back,” she reflects. “With law school, I feel almost the same way that I feel with music: When I know I can master a skill, when I can understand the language of something, I can make things happen.”

If anyone can make things happen, it’s this queen. Between lengthy seminars and papers that would definitely break my brain, Anh miraculously carved out the time to write, produce, and promote a 17-track indie-pop album, Conversations We Were Supposed to Have.

When I note that women producers are still a rarity, Anh aptly points out that most female songwriters are already basically producing by having a clear vision for the instrumentation and vibe, and directing their studio sessions. Still, it took time for her confidence in that role to catch up.

The thesis of the new album, according to her Spotify page, is: “Art outlives the grief that once transformed us.” It’s inspired by back-to-back all-consuming New York romances that didn’t work out (A+ songwriting material). “I had just cut off ties with my first love, my first long-term relationship, and I was so bent on writing a full-length album… And then I fell in love with somebody else,” she recalls. Letting go, she admits, doesn’t come naturally. The urge to get the last word motivates her to create.

After going no contact with her second love for three years, she held onto an “almost spiritual” belief that they would find their way back to each other. Of course, when they did reunite, reality hit a bit different than the dream version. “When I had the opportunity to have the conversations that I always thought were gonna happen, I realized there are things that are irreversible,” she says. “I just needed a place to create every single thing that I thought was going to happen and put it into something that could live on forever.”

As of April 2026, she’s released three singles from the project: “Gut Feeling,” “The Plot,” and my personal favorite, “Corinne.” “Corinne,” following in the lineage of songs like “Heather” by Conan Gray and “Madeline” by Lily Allen, is a wistful pop tune from the perspective of the jealous onlooker, the one not chosen. Strangely enough, two men in Anh’s life have chosen a literal Corinne over her.

When she was 15, her best friend confessed feelings for her while still dating a girl named Corinne, and a decade later, history repeated itself with another man and another Corinne. “My brain just wanted to answer like, ‘Well, I was not chosen because the Corinnes are better than me in every way. It’s like there is something inherently deficient about who I am.’ ” It’s the kind of painful, irrational mental spiral every woman can relate to (unless you’re a figurative Corinne, I suppose). Her friends joke that the name fits the archetype perfectly because Corinne just sounds like an effortlessly cool French artist who reads classic literature.

Anh will continue to roll out the album track by track, and she also has plans to work on more visuals and music videos, incorporate more movement into her work, and test out the new music in a live setting… stay tuned for announcements.

In this moment, success is as simple as freedom and balance, Anh says. But in her wildest dreams, yes, she’d be Charli XCX-level famous one day. She even has an elaborate bit planned for her massive headline tour: “Have someone come up on stage and tell me a secret, and then I sign an NDA and it’s a legit thing cause I actually passed the bar.” Her Role Model “Sally” or Sabrina Carpenter “Juno” moment, if you will.

Fame doesn’t intimidate Anh one bit. She pictures herself slipping on chic shades and confidently striding past the paps like she’s exactly where she’s supposed to be.

The Drama. 56 Days. Ginny & Georgia. It Ends With Us. Breakup songs by Reneé Rapp, Gracie Abrams, Tate McRae, Chappell Roan, and probably others.

What’s the common denominator here, you ask? Not the violence, not the exes… yeah, it’s Boston. And more specifically: the quiet evil energy lurking beneath the city’s aesthetically charming New England veneer. “How'd you make me hate Boston / The whole thing is haunted,” Reneé croons in a passionate ballad about Boston trauma. “I took a train to Boston and I wanted to cry,” Gracie whisper-sings in “Tough Love.” I mean, fair.

It may be a coincidence that seemingly every pop girl under the sun has penned lyrics about nightmarish characters from Boston, or that there are so many particularly dark films and TV shows set in the area. (Zendaya and Robert Pattinson’s controversial A24 film is the latest addition to the list.) But as a Massachusetts native who ditched a Gilmore Girls-esque Boston suburb for Bushwick, I can confirm the Greater Boston area has an intrinsic sinister vibe. I fear I’m only half joking.

To thoroughly understand Boston’s role in modern media, we’ll need to psychoanalyze her. I took a psych class in high school once, so there’s no one more qualified for the job.

First of all, there are a lot of repressed people walking around Boston, because it’s literally illegal to let loose. Did you know that Massachusetts is the only state where happy hour is banned? No happiness and cheap drinks with coworkers allowed. If you’ve ever explored “nightlife” in Boston, you know every venue closes early because of the statewide ban on alcohol sales after 2am. (And MBTA bus and train lines stop running after 1am, so your only salvation at that point is an overpriced Uber.)

Even the state senate recognizes there’s a major no fun allowed issue. “Massachusetts broadly has a bit of a reputation for being a not fun place, so I think we have to do a little work there,” Sen. Julian Cyr acknowledged to NBC Boston in 2024. Hey, they say the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem.

Then, there’s the conformity olympics phenomenon. Boston is not a city where loud personal expression thrives… You’ll feel awkward and judged, or at least very conspicuous, if you don’t match the sea of Vineyard Vines yacht party fits, Red Sox and Bruins gear, or the studying-all-night sweatpants. The black or white crop top and jeans combo is practically the only acceptable uniform for going out on the town with your girls.

I chuckled at Hunter Harris’ declaration: “The most unrealistic part of the drama is that there is a couple that beautiful just walking around Boston.” (I would add that the most unrealistic part of 56 Days is that there’s a couple like Dove Cameron and Avan Jogia just walking around Boston.)

Another actually really bad thing Boston is known for? Being racist. According to a national survey by The Boston Globe, out of eight major cities, Black respondents ranked Boston as least welcoming to people of color — 54 percent described it as unwelcoming. The same article notes that Black residents of Greater Boston have a median net worth of $8, and that Black unemployment is double that of white residents.

Needless to say, there are thousands of Rachels (from The Drama) infecting the city. Insufferable, performatively progressive white people who are quick to make problematic comments about their partners or friends (like randomly assuming a Black partner grew up around guns). A biracial Black teen like Ginny (from Ginny & Georgia) would face constant microaggressions in a Boston suburb, as Ginny does in the show.

This article would be 10,000 words long if I also dove into the outrageous cost of living, the brutal winters, and the meh food scene, but you get the gist.

In The Drama, It Ends With Us, 56 Days, and Ginny & Georgia, the characters go to Boston or a Boston suburb seeking an escape, a better life. Emma’s starting a new chapter there after her extremely fucked up childhood in Louisiana. Lily escapes an abusive household in Maine to launch her new business and life in Boston. Oliver comes to Boston to leave his old, violent identity behind, and Ciara arrives chasing revenge and closure. And our fave chaotic Southern belle, Georgia, moves her family to the Boston area for a wholesome fresh start after years on the run.

Notice how none of these characters really get the happy ending they envisioned.

In the pop songs that reference Boston, the girlies seem to have gotten the hell out — they’re all singing about the city in the past tense.

With its cobblestone streets, ocean views, prestigious institutions, and progressive-on-paper populace, Boston can look like Mecca from the outside. Safe, smart, beautiful, full of possibility, etc. You might not immediately pick up on the complicated tensions simmering under the surface, but they’re there. And the gap between expectation and reality is where the stories take root.

Happy spring, girls. There’s much to celebrate this week: two years of “I Luv It” by Camila Cabello, the legendary casting of Molly Gordon’s upcoming film, Peaked, and Tyriq Withers on Therapuss, to name a few highlights.

And of course, awards season kept chugging along with the Forever 21 of ceremonies, the iHeartRadio awards. I won’t lie to you and say I watched it live, but my 2am Twitter scroll gave me the 411. I gathered that Miley Cyrus is an innovator (who knew), Taylor Swift is still in love with Travis Kelce (shocking to the core), and Sombr looks like he could be Taylor and Travis’ child. Oh, and Raye remains flawless and underrated. Stream THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE for clear skin.

But let’s zoom out from LA and re-focus on our far superior city. Lena Dunham’s back in town, which is essential intel for both millennials who religiously watched Girls in the 2010s and Gen Zers who binged it on Netflix, like two years ago. Yup, she’s on a book tour — and so is Brandy! Lena’s second memoir dives into her struggles with chronic illness and fame during the height of Girls, and Brandy’s book chronicles her incredible journey from Mississippi church singer to Grammy-winning icon. Mind you, I also watched Demi Lovato talk about her new book just last week.

In a world of illiterate individuals, be a Lena. Be a Brandy. Be a Demi. We love to see this TV/music star to author pipeline. And should any A-listers out there require a ghostwriter for their next New York Times bestseller, please know I’m available… for a hefty fee, of course.

Meanwhile, every woman in the five boroughs between the ages of 22 and 30 is still in the throes of a Hannah Montana psychosis, despite our big girl jobs and bills to pay. Have you all processed the special yet? I started sobbing like a baby the moment the “The Best of Both Worlds” instrumental started playing, and the Selena Gomez appearance only made me wail harder. Today’s the last opportunity to indulge in the Hannahversary city festivities, so get your ass to that Greenwich Village pop-up before the clock strikes 7, my friends. That glam closet isn’t gonna admire itself.

Without further ado, here are the NYC pop culture *and pop culture creator* events you need to check out this week. A little Disney, a little music, a little author talk, and a little ass shaking make for a balanced NYC media diet.

WANT YOUR EVENT FEATURED NEXT TIME? SUBMIT HERE!

Quote Of The Week 🗣️

Photo: ART STREIBER/NBC VIA GI

"I feel like Olivia (Rodrigo) was kinda inspirational in the sense of, radio started to play her stuff, and it was really live-sounding, really rocky” - Niall Horan.

Did he stutter? May the 23-year-old pop-rock queen continue to inspire millennial men everywhere. (Joe Keery also said he was inspired by Olivia earlier this week.)

Media Obsession Of The Week 📺

Photo: AppleTV

When Kerry Washington stars in a show, you add it to your watch list. I don’t make the rules. Between Scandal, Little Fires Everywhere, UnPrisoned, and now, Imperfect Women, this woman has yet to let me down. The new AppleTV series is a sexy murder mystery featuring completely unhinged people (and completely fabulous fashion). Let’s just say “imperfect” women is generous.

Events For The Pop Culture Lovers 💗

TODAY

Hannah Montana Glam Closet Pop-Up

11am-7pm | The Atrium at Ideal Glass Studios | FREE

“A free Hannah Montana pop-up will land in Greenwich Village, inviting fans to step inside a real-life version of the pop star’s famously fabulous glam closet. The two-day experience arrives as part of celebrations marking the upcoming Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special, which will premiere on March 24 on Disney+ and Hulu.

The activation was created in partnership with Maybelline New York and Disney and recreates one of the most memorable spaces from the beloved series. Inspired by the closet where Miley Stewart famously transformed into her blonde-wigged pop alter ego, the immersive setup turns that TV moment into a walk-through experience.”

Wednesday, April 1

A Conversation with Brandy: PHASES Book Tour

6:30pm | Brooklyn Paramount | From $66

“Join multi-platinum, Grammy-winning singer, producer, actress and global icon, Brandy Norwood, for a special conversation celebrating her debut memoir, Phases, and the extraordinary journey behind her legendary career. For the first time, Brandy shares the real story behind the voice and the artistry, a remarkable story of hope, resilience, and the strength it takes to make peace with the past. It’s the story of the girl so many of us grew up with, finally told in her own words. Every ticket includes a copy of Phases (published by Hanover Square Press). PLEASE NOTE: This is not a concert. The event is a conversation with Brandy Norwood and a special guest about her new book, Phases.”

Thursday, April 2

Marvin Gaye Birthday Tribute: Classic Soul All Night

6pm | SOB’s | FREE (with early entry)

“A classic soul dance party + birthday tribute celebrating Marvin Gaye.

Get physical with us (literally). We’ve partnered up with your favorite local record store + NYC’s finest vinyl DJs to bring physical media back for the night!

All-vinyl DJ sets from Michael Grant + Quinette | Record store pop-up from Village Revival Records with rare + vintage records for sale.

Happy hour deals + 60s drink specials.

Free entry w/ RSVP from 6-630pm (free entry not guaranteed, subject to venue capacity). Arriving later? Purchase tix online for priority entry & arrive at your leisure!”

Starting Monday, April 6

Comedy Films at Bibliotheque

Times Vary | Bibliotheque | $20

“Join us at Bibliotheque this April as we screen some of the funniest comedy movies of all time!

On Monday, April 6, we will screen:

5:30pm: Mean Girls (Original)

7:45pm: The Hangover

One ticket = one seat per screening. All attendees are guaranteed a spot in our spectacular lounge area. We enforce a two-item per-person minimum purchase of food and/or beverage during the screening. We have a limited number of tables for movie nights and take reservations based on party sizes, not on ticket counts, so we can only accommodate single diners based on availability. If you’d like to book as a single diner, please email info@bibliothequenyc.com, and we will do our best to accommodate you.”

Thursday, April 9

The Cut’s Spring Mixer

8pm | 21 Howard St, Ground Floor | $75

“We’re throwing a SPRING MIXER!!! 🍸🌹🪩💋.

Personals is throwing a cocktail party in honor of bare legs, eye contact, infatuation, and New York City in the springtime. If you’re ready to meet someone new and excited to let your warm-weather wardrobe breathe, please join us to kick off the season with drinks, music, and friends of The Cut’s sex-love-and-dating newsletter, which features classified ads from strangers worth falling for.

Fill out this form to request a spot and tell us about what you’re looking for, which we’ll use to work a little introductory magic. (We swear this doesn’t mean speed dating or anything like it — we’re more into subtlety and letting things develop.)
Tickets include an open bar, desserts, a gift bag, and other surprises.”

Friday, April 10

Fenty & Beyhive Ball

10pm | 3 Dollar Bill | $25

“🔥🐝Fenty & BeyHive Ball🐝🔥

Beyoncé + Rihanna Night

10:00 PM to LATE

Music by @cakedoesdrag

Shows by @moriah.nyc + @msrachetnyc”

Tuesday, April 14

Lena Dunham’s Famesick Tour: An Evening of Stories and Togetherness

8pm | BAM | From $91

“Celebrating her first book in over a decade, Lena Dunham returns to the stage for a night of fearless storytelling and no holds barred conversation. A candid, funny, and bracingly honest reflection on illness, fame, sex, and everything in between, Famesick marks a bold return from the award-winning creator of Girls and Too Much. So pull on your pajamas and join us for a night that brings together all the best parts of a slumber party—just not the thing where you call your parents crying because you want to go home. We’ll get nostalgic for the 2010s and frank about anxiety and ambition, and go deep about what it actually means to author your own story. We can’t wait to see you there to celebrate Famesick.”

Now Until May 31, 2026

Outwit, Outplay, Outlast: Celebrating 50 Seasons of Survivor

Wed - Sun, 12 - 6pm | The Paley Museum | From $11

“Reality TV changed forever in summer 2000, when CBS premiered Survivor. In the series, castaways are stranded in a remote location and tasked with forming a new society, adapting to their surroundings and navigating an unpredictable social game as they compete to claim the title of Sole Survivor and win the $1 million prize. Since then, Survivor has captivated audiences and become one of the most popular and acclaimed shows in television history.

In celebration of Survivor’s landmark 50th season, which premieres on February 25, The Paley Museum in collaboration with CBS, Pluto TV and Amazon MGM Studios is presenting a dynamic, immersive exhibit honoring the iconic reality series. Featuring memorable props, iconic wardrobe pieces, Instagrammable moments including one with the Survivor torch and a seat at the tribal council and original artifacts spanning all fifty seasons, the exhibit offers fans a unique opportunity to relive Survivor’s most unforgettable moments and engage with the show in a whole new way.”

Events For The Pop Culture Creators ✨

Thursday, April 2

Film & TV Acting Class

6pm | 137 West 25th Street | $23

“Join us for an exciting opportunity to hone your acting skills in front of the camera. Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn the basics, or a seasoned actor looking to refine your craft, this class is perfect for you. Start your film and TV acting career with comprehensive on-camera acting techniques taught by Mark Stolzenberg, Founder and Director of The New York Acting School For Film and TV. You can see Mark on the Big Screen in a Supporting Lead Role in the upcoming A24 film, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.

This class will take place at 137 West 25th Street, Between 6th & 7th Avenues, Ground Floor, New York, NY 10001 (Go To The Entrance of The American Mime Theatre), from 6:00pm to 9:30pm. (Please arrive PROMPTLY at 6:00pm so you don’t miss the Orientation.)

After you register on Eventbrite, please send a text message to Karen Chrystal (one of our instructors), at 347-837-0898, with your first name, last name, and the date you wish to attend the class. She will confirm your reservation.”

Saturday, April 4

Write Wing

10:30am | Ringolevio | FREE

“Title is a joke. A group of (wannabe) writers getting together weekly for two 45mins of focused writing and life-hacks exchange in between.

I created this group a year ago and kept a decentralized and non-cliquey style to ensure everyone feels welcome. We get together to:

1. share resources

2. motivate each other

3. find partners in critique

4. exchange ideas about life

10:30am - 11:30 we often chill around one circle for chitchat
45mins focused writing
30mins or so chat
45mins focused writing.”

Saturday, April 4

NYC Edits

3pm | Brookfield Place | FREE

“NYC Edits: Creative Community Gathering

​​​​​​​Join NYC’s video editors, content creators, videographers, and influencers for an exciting networking event. Connect with like-minded creatives, share industry insights, and discover collaboration opportunities in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

​​​​​​​Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, this gathering offers the perfect chance to meet fellow creators, exchange ideas, discuss techniques, and potentially find your next creative partner or project.

​​​​​​​Come ready to share your work, learn from others, and be part of NYC’s thriving creative community that celebrates visual storytelling.”

​​​​​​​Dress Code: Casual

​​​​​​​Time: 3pm - 6pm

​​​​​​​Location: Second floor Hudson Eats - big table next to Mah Ze Dahr

Sunday, April 12

BRCOpenMics April NY Open Mic

5pm | RSVP for location | FREE

“Welcome to BRCOpenMics! This space is meant for any/all musicians, poets, writers, and more to share their work in an intimate, inclusive, and supportive setting. This open mic will be hosted by a special guest host, Emily Zogbi! *The first 20 performers to sign up at the venue by finding the guest host, Emily Zogbi, will perform* Performances will start at 5:30 PM, but you’re encouraged to show up at 4:45 to sign up. Please message @brcopenmics or @brandoncohenlong on instagram with any questions.”

WANT YOUR EVENT FEATURED NEXT TIME? SUBMIT HERE!

JUSTICE FOR THIS DEMI LOVATO ERA.

I said it. Someone had to. It is that deep, contrary to the album title.

Demetria Devonne Lovato and I go way back to the gorgeous years of 2008 and 2009 when I first discovered two of the seven wonders of the world: Camp Rock and Sonny with a Chance. Something about her smoky eye and punk aura spoke to my soul. Beneath the glossy Disney surface was a prolific songwriter, a powerhouse vocalist with tasteful rasp, and a traumatized teen just trying to express herself through art.

Metaphorically speaking, I was front row for everything: the Disney era, the radio hits and tour with Nick Jonas, and each and every documentary (there are several). And then came that harrowing day in 2018 when we almost lost her.

Demi suffered three strokes and a heart attack after the overdose, missing death only by minutes.

She made a miraculous recovery and managed to retain her mobility, cognitive function, and four-octave vocal range. But the challenges didn’t end there. Demi continued to struggle with her sobriety and was briefly engaged to a very con artisty individual. In the HOLY FVCK track, “Happy Ending,” she laments: “Am I gonna die trying to find my happy ending?”

Folks, she’s found it.

Up on that 92NY stage with her signature black hair and black leather jacket, Demi was radiant. At ease. Throughout the 45-minute chat with Eli Rallo (who’s clearly not a Lovatic, I’m sorry), she was all smiles — aside from when she generously served us her favorite dish, a mug.

Demi was there promoting her new cookbook, One Plate at a Time, a collection of “foolproof” recipes alongside candid commentary about her journey with disordered eating. “I used to step foot into a grocery store and break down into tears because I was so overwhelmed by all of the food,” she shared. Cooking, which she only began exploring in her thirties, became a pathway to healing — “finding freedom with food,” as she puts it.

She stayed delightfully on-brand, poking fun at her ADHD a few times. There were a couple blank stares and “Wait, what did you just say?” moments, and at one point, she cut herself off mid-thought to note, “Aaaaand something just fell over in the crowd.” Deeply relatable for the ADHD-ridden Gen Z and millennial audience.

Say what you want about celebrity cookbooks, but One Plate at a Time is not like the other girls. To go from starving yourself to healing your relationship with food and dreaming up your own comfort recipes is a monumental achievement. Amid Hollywood’s Ozempic Olympics, Demi’s out here, encouraging us to indulge in her honeymoon chicken, pantry chile, and chewy chocolate chip cookies. We have to stan.

Personally, I can’t cook for shit, so I’m very excited to crack open my signed copy and let my new favorite chef guide me.

Demi also touched on married life with fellow musician Jutes (still madly in love, still cooking together, blah blah blah) and teased her upcoming It’s Not That Deep tour (we can apparently expect some unreleased material!). To quote our problematic fave, @taraswrld, “I finna be in the pit.” So, I hope everyone’s ready for me to be insufferable that week.

In my expert opinion, Demi’s sleek 2025 dance-pop record, laced with Kesha and Charli XCX references, has been criminally underappreciated. “Kiss,” “Frequency,” and “Here All Night” are the highlights, but the entire project blends crisp production with sticky melodies and sharp, playful lyricism. Fun for the pregame, made for the club.

From anorexia and bulima to authoring a cookbook, from scumbags to her soulmate, from devastating ballads to celebratory pop records. What. A damn. Story. Watching your childhood idol work her ass off to climb from rock bottom to the very top of her game… there’s no neat way to summarize it. I’m just overjoyed for her.

I repeat: It is that fucking deep. You better go listen to the album and buy the cookbook now. Or you’re canceled.

Hey, I’m Ilana, and you’re watching Disney Channel. *wand drawing Mickey Mouse moment.*

But seriously, have we time-traveled back to 2008? Because in the next month or so, I have plans to obsess over a Hannah Montana anniversary special, check out a Hannah Montana pop-up, and attend multiple Demi Lovato events (her It’s Not That Deep tour and a promo event for her cookbook, One Plate at a Time.) If you didn’t know, the Camp Rock legend is booked and busy, cooking up dance-pop bangers and apparently, Honeymoon Chicken.

“Do you get déjà vu?” - Olivia Rodrigo.

My most important relationships in life are the parasocial ones I have with the 2007-2011 Disney Channel queens, so this is a huge month for me.

Surely, the elder Gen Z and younger millennials of this city are having a similar emotional experience. Don’t worry, everyone: I’ve included the relevant Miley and Demi NYC events in this week’s roundup. And @Selena Gomez, should you ever tour again or do any kind of event in New York, please know it will be at the top of my curated list — and I’ll fight someone for a VIP slot.

They say embracing your inner child is the key to unlocking your purpose, which means we’re actually doing critical self work by throwing Hannah Montana anniversary special watch parties and splurging on pit tickets for Demi’s show.

Read on for all the NYC pop culture events you need to add to your calendar! Along with the Demi and Miley happenings, the pop culture gods have blessed us with a literal Heated Rivalry musical. I can’t imagine that’ll be anything less than transcendent.

And because I’m committed to giving you ~the best of both worlds~, you’ll also find cool events for aspiring pop culture creators. (Moments ago, I bought my ticket to the “Navigating Nonlinear Career Paths” event. Career clarity pending…)

WANT YOUR EVENT FEATURED NEXT TIME? SUBMIT HERE!

Quote Of The Week 🗣️

Photo: Deadline

“The world is at your feet. Stop kicking it!” - Boy George to Chappell Roan

While I completely disagree with him in context (he’s criticizing Chappell for setting boundaries with aggressive paparazzi), I have to admit this sentiment is strangely inspirational on its own. Like, excuse me while I stop self-sabotaging and go embrace every cool opportunity available to me.

Media Obsession Of The Week 📺

Photo: Netflix

I remain morbidly fascinated by the manosphere, so of course I watched Louis Theroux’s new Netflix documentary, which features a few scum of the earth men on the internet. If you’re trying to heal your relationship with men and/or not be consumed by rage, maybe skip this one. But I found it equal parts entertaining, informative, and distressing. Thank you, Louis, for doing the investigative journalism women can’t do safely.

Events For The Pop Culture Lovers 💗

March 16 to March 24

Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody

Times Vary | Laurie Beechman Theater | From $30

“Based on the hit HBO show about hockey, HEATED RIVALRY: THE UNAUTHORIZED MUSICAL PARODY follows starry-eyed golden boy Shane Hollander in his journey from power center to power bottom.

See all of your favorite moments from the series that made you wet (with tears) up close on the small-stage by an incredible cast of Broadway actors who thought they were auditioning to be in Season 2. With a pop-infused score of toe-tapping original songs, scene-stealing cameos by characters like Rose Landry and Ilya’s Ass, and time jumps that absolutely no one can keep track of - audiences will find themselves hot, bothered, and possibly saying, ‘...Girl!’

Because with love, sometimes it comes when you least expect it... and sometimes, it comes hands-free.

So, grab a Canada Dry and join us for this hot and steamy staged reading!”

Tuesday, March 17

Demi Lovato in Conversation with Eli Rallo: One Plate at a Time

7pm | 92NY | From $55

“Music superstar and global sensation Demi Lovato has channeled her creativity in a delicious new way. Teaming up with Williams Sonoma, she stops by ahead of her It’s Not That Deep tour to talk about finding joy in the kitchen and her debut cookbook, One Plate at a Time: Recipes for Finding Freedom with Food. Demi’s journey and once challenging relationship with food is something her social media audience of more than 290 million has championed her through. Learning to cook – at almost 30 – was revelatory. Demi discovered how to amp up joy and forget about perfection. “Learning how to cook – to truly nourish myself – has been one of the most healing things I’ve ever done,” she says. Hear Demi talk – up close and personal – about creating her cookbook, the foolproof recipes anyone can learn to make.”

Thursday, March 19

Lady Gaga Mayhem Concert Afterparty

10pm | 3 Dollar Bill | From $19

“MAYHEM AFTERPARTY 👹

A Lady Gaga Extravaganza ⚡️

Thursday March 19th 🪩 10PM-Late

✨Hosted by: @JulieJ

✨Featuring: @jazmine @judasjoemason @nickgaga

✨Music by: @dragdj @xxoarra”

Saturday, March 21

Pop Talks: How Jay-Z’s Infidelity Led to ‘Cowboy Carter’

6:30pm | Grove 34 Comedy Club | $33

“Pop Talks is a vibrant event series where speakers break down the biggest moments and trends in pop culture from historic celebrity feuds to iconic media milestones. Enjoy custom cocktails, delicious bites, and lively conversations as we celebrate the stories and stars that define our cultural moment.

Join us in person for a deep dive presentation by Andrew Nucatola, host of the podcast and newsletter Too Pop To Handle. Together we’ll discuss how Jay-Z’s alleged cheating scandals influenced Beyoncé’s creation of her album Cowboy Carter, a culture-defining musical americana opus of the 2020s. While we connect the pins with red yarn, grab some yummy after school snacks at the bar and taste one of our three signature custom cocktails for purchase. And don’t forget to join our raffle for a chance to win Pop Talks merch!”

Tuesday, March 24

Hannah Montana Anniversary Watch Party

7:30pm | Ainsworth Midtown | FREE

“Throwing it back. Hannah Montana’s 20th anniversary watch party!! We will have some themed drinks and all the fun :).”

Saturday, March 28 & Sunday, March 29

Hannah Montana Glam Closet Pop-Up

11am-7pm | The Atrium at Ideal Glass Studios | FREE

“A free Hannah Montana pop-up will land in Greenwich Village, inviting fans to step inside a real-life version of the pop star’s famously fabulous glam closet. The two-day experience arrives as part of celebrations marking the upcoming Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special, which will premiere on March 24 on Disney+ and Hulu.

The activation was created in partnership with Maybelline New York and Disney and recreates one of the most memorable spaces from the beloved series. Inspired by the closet where Miley Stewart famously transformed into her blonde-wigged pop alter ego, the immersive setup turns that TV moment into a walk-through experience.”

Events For The Pop Culture Creators ✨

Thursday, March 19

In Dialogue: Navigating Nonlinear Career Paths

6:30pm | Selva | From $44

“This networking mixer and panel is designed for women in their 20s and 30s navigating career uncertainty — whether you’re struggling in the 2026 job market, questioning the traditional path, or exploring a nonlinear career that better fits your life.

​The evening features a curated panel of leaders in career coaching and nonlinear career development. Expect practical insights, honest conversation, and tactical advice you can immediately apply to your job search or career transition.”

What to expect:

• ​Guided networking options designed for both introverts and extroverts

• ​A candid, insight-driven panel rooted in real career journeys

• ​Audience Q+A with tactical takeaways

• ​An elevated networking atmosphere with mixed drinks, beer, and NA options from Olipop. Ticket includes 1 FREE drink

• ​Small bites available for purchase from Katt Co.

• ​Dreamworldgirl zines and merchandise available for purchase

Thursday, March 19

Happy Note Singer-Songwriter Showcase

8pm | Brooklyn Music Kitchen | FREE

“CALLING ALL NYC SONGWRITERS! Act fast if you wanna perform next week at Brooklyn Music Kitchen! Come join our growing family, & please tag friends who might find joy in what we do.

Performance and networking opportunity: This show is meant for local artists who’d be down to play a 15-minute set of their original music for an audience of fellow writers, producers, and creatives.”

Sunday, March 22

Gotham Writers Workshop: Screenwriting

3pm | P&T Knitwear Books & Podcasts | FREE

“Movies are the modern mythology—the stories we all watch for excitement, inspiration, and entertainment. But a movie isn’t great unless it starts with a great blueprint—the screenplay. Here you’ll learn how to bring stories to the screen with Gotham screenwriting instructor Jason Greiff. Whether you seek to write shorts or features, Hollywood glamour or indie grit, we’ll show you how to write screenplays that audiences adore.

This year, we’re adding a Happy Hour for Writers! Head to the P&T Cafe for a special 10% off to fuel your workshop energy.”

WANT YOUR EVENT FEATURED NEXT TIME? SUBMIT HERE!

There’s no shortage of shit for New Yorkers to be angsty about these days. The heinous subway fare increase, the $11 lattes, the bleak-as-fuck job market, Bushwick men who don’t have headboards ruining your life, influencers blowing up all your hidden gem spots, etc. My own list of grievances is certainly longer than the length of Manhattan. And you know what? Sometimes, riding the subway whilst blasting a playlist full of mentally ill indie pop girls is more effective than a $50 Zoom therapy session. Not speaking from experience or anything.

It’ll shock all four of you (JK, love my many fans) that the L train is my primary mode of transportation, but this playlist is scientifically proven to change your life on any subway line. Rest assured that crying in public is chic New York behavior, and enjoy your much-deserved catharsis, queens.

“The Subway” Chappell

I realize Chappell’s not an indie girl now, but she was back when I discovered her, okay? Anyways, you can’t curate a heart-wrenching subway playlist without “The Subway.” That would be Rule of Culture #26 if we were on Las Culturistas.

“The Hearse” - Lydia Night

Doing my very best to spread the Lydia Night gospel because her album, Parody of Pleasure, is peak dyed-hair-bisexual-overthinking-20-something girl. “The Hearse” is pissed-off pop gold — perfect for when your pride’s been bruised and you need to rage about it.

“The Hills” - Rachel Chinouriri

The rising British star’s “The Hills” has a special place in my dramatic, I-never-belong-anywhere heart. Nothing says angst quite like reverb-drenched electric guitars and pounding percussion! (These “hills” are the Hollywood hills, but feel free to mentally replace it with skyscrapers/pigeons/bodegas to New York-ify the experience.)

“Losing Streak” - Avery Cochrane

Mark my words: Avery won’t be indie pop for long. This Chappell and ABBA-coded WLW breakup anthem will make you wanna sob, twerk, belt, and potentially text your ex. (Don’t.) She’s serving the lyrically rich, emotionally complex pop we need.

“Ego” - Romy Mars

“If you wanna know how hard it is to listen to you talk / Just look down at yourself when I take my clothes off”… Shakespeare could never. Every line of this playful, poetic takedown should be studied in songwriting masters programs.

“iloveitiloveitiloveit” - Bella Kay

I would be a fake Gen Z pop culture girl if I curated an angsty playlist sans TikTok smash “iloveitiloveitiloveit.” Thank you, Bella, for reminding us that simple guitar strumming and a hard truth or two is all you need for a Grammy-worthy song. (In this case, the hard truth is: She’s fucked because she’s attracted to toxicity.)

“Tears For Fun” - Griff

This DIY diva and her rhythmic synths and powerful vocals get me every time. Here, we have yet another anthemic masterpiece to blast when you’re in the throes of a toxic relationship. “When it kills your heart but you can't say no / When it burns you red but you won't let go.” She gets it.

“Sex and the city” - Audrey Hobert

Fifteen years ago, Audrey would’ve been the queen of Hollywood Records (the Disney Channel label). But I digress. This tune is a stunning blend of nostalgia, self-deprecation, humor, a dig at NYC bachelors, and an essential “Sex and the City” reference. Perfect song, no notes.

“Let Me Be Wrong” - Jensen McRae

Two minutes and 36 glorious seconds of Jensen running toward chaos with her arms wide open… That guttural “FUCK! Those girls got everything” scratches an itch in my brain. She’s mastered the art of diaristic songwriting, and this track exudes the unapologetic main character energy I need on the subway.

“Dog” - Charlotte Lawrence

I don’t know what Miss Charlotte laced this song with, but it awakens the angstiest version of me every time I press play. “Dog” is a high-energy, brutally honest track about the humiliation of unrequited love and confronting your own bad decisions. Need these breathy, pitch-perfect vocals injected into my veins.

“This is what the drugs are for” - Gracie Abrams

Who needs drugs when you have “This is what the drugs are for”? Before Gracie was a Main Pop Girl (and Taylor Swift’s righthand woman), she was an indie darling, churning out devastating whisper-pop gems like this one. If you need to ruminate on intense post-breakup loneliness, “TIWTDAF” is your girl.