Written by Ray Kirsch
In pop culture news this week, fan favorite YouTubers beef, Dance Moms stars tease their upcoming reunion and more. Read to find out the lore:
Connor Franta responds to Daniel Preda's diss
Connor Franta, a YouTuber with over four million followers, responded to Daniel Preda through TikTok, who called him “the most boring person ever.” Preda is an internet personality who is well-known for being Joey Graceffa's ex-boyfriend; Graceffa recently made a video where he answered uncomfortable questions with Preda.
In his response, Franta said, “You're obsessed with me. I don't know why. I don't think about you. The internet doesn't think about you. You are categorized as one thing: Joey Graceffa's ex-boyfriend.”
His response stunned many fans, including Preda himself. Preda stitched Franta's TikTok, saying that Franta “ate him up.” It was an unexpected humble ending.
RM new solo album May 24
BTS's RM will release his new album “Right Place, Wrong Person” on May 24. His second solo album will have 11 tracks. According to the announcement, the album will capture the feeling of “being an outsider who doesn't fit in.”
Challengers (2024) receives high attention
The highly anticipated film “Challengers” starring Zendaya, Josh O'Connor and Mike Faist has received a mix of reactions but seemingly more positive than negative. The movie follows the tennis-playing trio as they go from teenagers to college students to adulthood. Directed by Luca Guadagnino, many have been excited about this film and the love triangle it holds.
People who have watched the film have criticized it for its lack of substance, as Zendaya's character doesn't really seem to have a driving arch. However, people have also hyped it up for its cinematography. The TikToks I have seen seem to just really be loving the two boys and their tension.
My previous Communication Arts TA—who I love to see on Letterboxd—seemed to thoroughly enjoy the film. Perhaps a review will arrive when a WSUM member sees it?
Lil Tay posts a viral tweet response to Elon Musk
Lil Tay, an internet personality that is most well known for her previous Musical.ly presence and alleged faked death announcement, quote tweeted Elon Musk. The tweet was in response to Musk's, who was saying the r slur. Lil Tay quote tweeted it and said, “You can't say that word.” The Tweet has received 1.8 million views since.
Bladee releases a new album
Swedish rapper and singer Bladee released his newest album, “Cold Visions,” on April 23. The mixtape contains 30 songs and has received mostly positive reviews, with some fans calling it their favorite album of the year and other fans calling it a regression of Bladee's sound.
Billie Eilish reveals (too much?) about her sexuality to Rolling Stone
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, musician Billie Eilish spoke about her upcoming single “Lunch” and her personal experience with coming to terms with her sexuality. Months previous to this interview, Eilish got upset with a Rolling Stone reporter, claiming that they outted her for her sexuality during an interview.
In addition to music, Eilish talked a lot about sex, masturbation and sexuality in the interview. This previews her upcoming album “Hit Me Hard and Soft.”
Express files for bankruptcy
Express, the fashion store of interview-ish clothes and the like, filed for bankruptcy. The company announced they are closing 95 stores across the United States. Closing sales are expected to begin Tuesday.
One Tree Hill star Sophia Bush comes out as queer
“One Tree Hill” star Sophia Bush came out as queer and confirmed she is in a relationship during a personal essay for Glamour Magazine. The piece confirmed her divorce from Grant Hughes in 2023 and addressed rumors of infidelity. Bush confirmed that she is currently dating Ashlyn Harris, a retired U.S. Women's National Team soccer player.
“The online rumor mill began to spit in the ugliest ways. There were blatant lies. Violent threats. There were accusations of being a home-wrecker,” she wrote in the essay.
Little Women (2019) is now on Hulu
Greta Gerwig's highly acclaimed “Little Women” (2019) is on Hulu after months of not being on any streaming service. The film, which stars many celebrities such as Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, Timothée Chalamet and Emma Watson, follows an aspiring writer's journey of career, family and love.
After continuously having to rent it on Amazon Prime, it's exciting that it is on a streaming service.
Dance Moms reunion to come out next week
“Dance Moms The Reunion” is premiering on May 1, exciting fans that grew up with the popular (and sometimes traumatizing) show. The Reunion will feature Chloe Lukasiak, Paige Hyland, Brooke Hyland, JoJo Siwa, Kendall Vertes and Kalani Hilliker and all of their mothers. Notably, however, the show does not include Maddie Ziegler, Mackenzie Ziegler or Nia Sioux—three original Dance Moms members that did not return for the reunion.
Not only did JoJo Siwa decide to openly criticize the Zieglers for not returning in The Reunion teaser videos, but she also stated that she agreed with all of their previous dance coach Abby Lee Miller's decisions. This statement has been highly criticized by fans and seemingly Siwa's castmates, as Paige Hyland has sued Abby Lee Miller in the past and many of the Dance Moms members have spoken about the mistreatment they faced on the show.
Chloe Lukasiak, who just graduated college, and the Hylands seem to be taking a more mature approach from The Reunion teaser videos—speaking about their experience and nothing more.
As the show is set to release, the reactions of the fans and Dance Moms are highly anticipated. You can listen to four WSUM members' opinions on the reunion and the Dance Moms kingdom in an upcoming episode of Pop Culture Coffee Break!
