My Favorite Pop Culture Moments of 2023
Told in photos...
There was a trend earlier in December about your favorite Bravo photos of the year so I decided to pick that up and make it ‘pop culture photos’ — though, I still did the Bravo photo post which I’ll get to in a different post.
Let’s get into it…
Barbie: The Barbie foot image in the trailer made me cry at work. Something about Margot Robbie’s foot popping out of her shoe and into a perfect heel sent something through my body that I cannot explain. I discussed my year of Barbie in this post so I won’t go on too much about it but it was iconic and I loved it.
Taylor & Travis: Our girl is getting her happy ending and this image/video of her launching herself into Travis’ arms after her concert made me giggle like a school girl. After a major breakup, which many Swifties thought was end game, to a flirtatious stint with a controversial, dirty looking man, to becoming America’s Royal Couple… it was a year for Taylor in the romance department, just as much as it was a year for her professionally.
Hailey Bieber Nepo Baby: This shirt and moment was kind of iconic, even though Hailey kind of flopped this year with her Selena feud but it started off a fun (though at times serious) conversation about Nepo Babies, which defined the year in some ways. It was a fun celeb moment that was reminiscent of early aughts graphic tee battles (Team Jen, Team Angie, Dump Him, That’s Hot').
Kylie & Timothee: The rumors of the Jenner Billionaire and one of our favorite white boys’ romance fueled most of the year but it wasn’t until this summer that we had proof of life and relationship. The two made a splash at Beyonce’s Renaissance Tour and then graced us again with an adorable appearance at the U.S Open. Kylie has never looked this happy in a relationship and there is something so girlish and fun about her with Timmy. I’m rooting for these two and I think they’re so cute.
Jojo Siwa Carrying Tom Sandoval: I tried to watch Special Forces but the constant screaming, yelling and meanness that was essential to the format made me want to cry so I stopped. That didn’t stop me from laughing so hard I cried at the image/video of twenty something dancer JoJo Siwa having to lift the most hated man in America, Tom Sandoval onto her back and carry him because he couldn’t walk. It was iconic in so many ways and perfectly summed up reality television.
The Princess of Wales: When King Charles was officially crowned this past May, we got our first true appearance of the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton. No tiaras were allowed because of the cost of living crisis in the UK but our Princess found a loophole with this striking headpiece. This image of her is burned into my brain — she looks serious, regal, and stunning. She is going to be a fantastic Queen.
Joe Jonas: The Jonas Brothers made a strong comeback in 2023 after a few years of silence with the release of The Album, a stint on Broadway and their own ‘Eras’ type Tour. I went to opening night at Yankee Stadium and as a loyal lover since 2008, it was perfection. Joe had a rocky summer with his divorce announcement, and very public battle in the press, but divorce is looking mighty fine on our favorite middle child. This is a screenshot from a TikTok video but it was perfect for this collage — Joe is hotter than ever, his voice is like butter and he’s giving us everything.
Kylie & Jordyn: 2023 was the year we saw an ending, or rather new beginning to our old favorite friendship. Kylie Jenner and Jordyn Woods made their first public outing since calling quits on their friendship in 2019 due to Jordyn kissing Tristian Third Trimester Thompson. However, Kylie let us know on this season of The Kardashians, after we saw her and Jordyn leaving Sushi Village together, that the pair never stopped speaking. This is something that I never thought would happen but I’m happy to see them back together.
Taylor’s Squad: Almost 10 years after we saw the last of the ‘squad’ Taylor brought it back, just in time for the 1989 re-recording. Blondie fully embraced the 1989 era with very public outings featuring many members, new and old, of the Girl Squad from yesteryears. Taylor’s new BFF Brittany Mahomes joined Selena, Blake, Gigi and Taylor… along with newly single Sophie Turner for a night in NYC and the reason I chose this photo? Because there are 3 Joe Jonas exes featured and I love anything that gives me a Jonas Brothers callback.
Here’s to more great pop culture photos in 2024!