Another year has come and gone, and 2023 turned out to have its fair share of memorable pop culture moments. As I look back on the music, movies, trends, memes, and personalities that caught the public imagination over the last 12 months, a few things stand out to me as particularly impactful or representative of the zeitgeist.
I'll hit some of the highlights here and offer my personal take on why these cultural touchstones mattered. Though with the lightning pace at which pop culture shifts these days, I bet you could name some defining 2023 moments that I missed! But in my view, these were some of the biggest.
Barbenheimer Takes Over The Multiplex
Undoubtedly one of the biggest pop culture juggernauts this year was what people are calling the “Barbenheimer” phenomenon. This refers to the simultaneous release of the much-anticipated Barbie movie starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, alongside Christopher Nolan’s star-studded film about the father of the atomic bomb, Oppenheimer.
Fans went wild for both films, leading to back-to-back viewings, specially-made “Barbie + Oppenheimer” outfits, and of course, a barrage of memes and online jokes mashing up the two seemingly disparate movies. Both wildly exceeded box office expectations, while Gosling surprised many with his hilarious performance as Ken. For a short while this summer, you couldn’t escape Barbenheimer fever.
Tragic Titanic Tour Takes Terrible Turn
In somber news that captivated the media’s attention in June, a deep-sea tour submarine went missing in the North Atlantic during a voyage to explore the wreck of the RMS Titanic. Heartbreakingly, the search effort confirmed that the vessel had flooded and imploded under intense water pressure, taking the lives of the five people aboard - including the submarine company’s CEO Stockton Rush.
It was a sobering reminder of the dangers of pushing the boundaries of underwater exploration, even with modern technology. And the story touched many as we realized just how ambitious some explorers still are to uncover new findings from the most famous shipwreck in history.
Bryan Johnson’s Extreme Anti-Aging Efforts Raise Eyebrows
An individual who made plenty of headlines this year whether he intended to or not was billionaire tech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson. He attracted a storm of media coverage for the extreme anti-aging regimen he follows in an attempt to vastly extend his lifespan. We’re talking $2 million a year on treatments, 111 pills a day, blood transfusions from his teenage son, and a bizarre contraption attached to his penis at night.
While Johnson likely envisioned himself as a transhumanist visionary pioneering new longevity science, much of the public saw his efforts as rather eccentric and perhaps even foolhardy. His story exposes the fine line between legitimate biohacking and dangerously myopic self-experimentation. But it certainly got people talking about the outer limits of life extension research.
Gwyneth Paltrow Cleared in Lengthy Court Case Over Ski Accident
In celebrity legal news that persisted for nearly a decade, lifestyle guru Gwyneth Paltrow was finally absolved of liability by a Utah court over a 2016 ski slope collision. She was sued for $3.1 million in damages by optometrist Terry Sanderson, who claimed the actress plowed recklessly into him from behind. But after years of prolonged civil proceedings, the jury unanimously sided with Paltrow.
As she left the courtroom, the ever-gracious Oscar winner touched Sanderson’s shoulder and gently told him “I wish you well,” putting a decisive yet amicable capper on this minor celebrity feud for the ages. We may never know precisely whose fault the ski accident was, but clearly Paltrow did enough to convince the jury she shouldn’t bear responsibility.
Prince Harry Bares His Royal Soul in Blockbuster Memoir Spare
Prince Harry undoubtedly penned the biggest tell-all celebrity memoir of 2023 with the January release of his book Spare. It gave juicy, intimate details on everything from losing his virginity as a teen, bitter tensions with Prince William, painful memories of Princess Diana’s death, and his time serving in combat in Afghanistan. Harry clearly held nothing back, stirring major controversy in royal circles.
While the House of Windsor issued terse responses to Harry’s claims, much of the public ate up the sordid yet moving confessions from the renegade redheaded prince. It propelled Harry’s memoir to achieve record sales this year. And along with wife Meghan Markle’s Spotify podcast, it established the royal couple as global superstars in their own right outside the confines of Buckingham Palace protocol.
Cockroach on the Red Carpet at the Met Gala Causes Commotion
Only at the Met Gala can a stray cockroach end up being the most talked-about guest appearance of the night. As celebrities climbed the museum’s massive staircase in their lavish designer outfits, a rogue roach was spotted out for an evening jaunt as well. It understandably caused quite the commotion before sadly meeting its demise under a spiteful stiletto.
It just goes to show that the Met Gala’s iconic red carpet attracts more than just the rich and famous. As the most hyped night in fashion, even urban wildlife can’t resist crashing the party. That uninvited cockroach created buzz and memes galore, with some saying it assembled a more fashionable outfit than some of the human attendees. Now that takes guts.
Also read: The Best East Asian Movies of 2023
Sam Smith Wows With Inflatable Latex Bodysuit at BRIT Awards
Pop singer Sam Smith made quite the dramatic entrance at this year’s BRIT Awards, rolling up onto the red carpet wearing what can only be described as an inflatable latex bodysuit resembling a bulbous one-piece swimsuit. It was conceptual designer fashion at its most literal extreme. Smith completed the bizarre ensemble with matching platform heels as photographers and fans gawked.
In a night full of wild performance outfits and flashy industry glad-handing, trust Sam Smith to take things up yet another level. The sheer ridiculousness of the puffy rubber outfit got everyone’s attention. Yet you have to admire Smith’s fearlessness to transgress societal gender boundaries so flamboyantly. It just wasn’t the BRITs without some trademark stunt from the proudly queer crooner.
“Friends” Star Matthew Perry Dies at 54 After Addiction Struggles
In incredibly sad news from Hollywood, Friends star Matthew Perry passed away in October at just 54 years old after suffering years of extensively documented substance abuse disorders. Known to millions worldwide as the sarcastic, lovable Chandler Bing on the hit 90s sitcom, Perry had always strived to overcome his demons, even founding a rehab centre to help others like him.
His early death thus came as a shock and emotional gut punch for fans across generations. The outpouring of nostalgic tributes and condolences on social media showed just how much Perry’s iconic small-screen character still meant to Gen Xers and Millennials today. While addiction tragically cut his life short, the laughs Perry gave us will live on eternally.
Kourtney Kardashian Announces Pregnancy at Travis Barker Blink-182 Show
Reality TV queen Kourtney Kardashian officially confirmed that she and husband Travis Barker successfully conceived a child through IVF treatments this year. And rather than a glossy magazine cover or Instagram post, she unveiled it in punk rock style: by shouting out a sign saying “Travis I’m pregnant!!!” during one of his Blink-182 concerts.
Kourtney and the heavily tattooed drummer had been vocal about attempting to get pregnant for over a year now. So it was a joyous moment for fans to learn their dream is finally coming true. And doing the big reveal as Barker shredded away on stage couldn’t be more on-brand for the edgy celebrity couple. It won’t be long until the famous family has another new heir in the nursery.
Phenomenons of “Garage Sesh” and “Boys at the Pub” Videos Mystify Internet
Two of the most random yet inexplicably viral internet phenomenons of late 2023 were the “Garage Sesh” and “Boys at the Pub” video genres that took youth social media by storm. “Garage Sesh” refers to clips of young men partying inside garage hangouts, while their British counterpart “Boys at the Pub” captures groups of lads bantering over pints outside London watering holes. They’re essentially just dudes being dudes.
But something about the ultra-mundanity of these videos and their lackadaisical male camaraderie made them spread like wildfire across TikTok and Twitter. Perhaps it taps into innate social anthropology observing how contemporary youth tribes interact. Some found them hilarious while others dubbed them a “nightmare.” But their organic rise proves today’s hyper-specific internet microcultures still confound pundits.
London “Tube Girl” Finds Fame Through Candid Commuting Videos
One solo internet microcelebrity who charmed Gen Z crowds this year goes by “Tube Girl” - real name Sabrina Bahsoon. Her gimmick? Filming herself dancing wildly and acting a fool aboard London Underground trains as bleary-eyed commuters watch on. The unlikely setting paired with Bahsoon’s animated spirit and shameless public displays of jubilation made for comedy gold.
Bahsoon’s videos have earned her millions of views and a uniquely devoted fanbase. In an age where internet fame usually depends on carefully cultivated personal branding, the Tube Girl’s authentic spontaneity offers a refreshing counterpoint. She may be an unlikely new media star, but Bahsoon's proving that content possibilities remain endless when you’ve got a creative spirit and sense of play.
Stormzy & Maya Jama Rekindle Romance to Delight of Fans
Some heartening celebrity relationship news came this summer as British superstar rapper Stormzy and popular TV/radio host Maya Jama revealed they were an item again after splitting in 2019. Rumors of their romantic rekindling first popped up after eagle-eyed internet sleuths noticed they separately vacationed at a Portuguese villa around the same time. The duo eventually confirmed that after years apart, they decided to give it another go.
Fans were overjoyed, having witnessed Stormzy’s very public attempts to win Jama back ever since their painful breakup. With Jama’s star rising just as fast as Stormzy’s in recent years, their revived partnership feels poetically destined. Both seem to have done the self-work and soul-searching required to make this second try last. Here’s hoping this celebrity power couple builds something beautiful and long-lasting!
Either way, the films, albums, trends, and personalities that caught fire this year all provided fodder for cultural reflection and pure entertainment. And as this wild ride of 2023 draws to a close, I'm already curious what 2024 has in store! But before mentally time-jumping ahead, let's remember to be present and appreciate the memorable moments happening around us right now.
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