While many UW–Madison students prepare to move or go shopping on the sidewalks, you may be wondering… who really has time to pay attention to pop culture news this week? Surely, there must be some bathroom supplies to pack or floors to wash. The answer, though, is me. The world continues to spin, even if I'm moving; pop culture seemingly does the same. But have no fear, for I can walk and watch TikTok at the same time, even if it is highly discouraged. 

In between moving your boxes, read about this week's pop culture news; some may seem more political, but I believe it is inevitably seeping into pop culture. The VMAs nominations have been announced, Addison Rae releases new music, and more.

Turkey bans Roblox

Last week, Turkey banned Instagram. This week, the Turkish government has also banned Roblox. Why, you may ask? They are reportedly concerned about child exploitation on the app. While some users (me) may use Roblox solely for Dress To Impress, Turkey is surely taking precautions. 

“It Ends With Us” receives mixed reactions

The newly released film “It Ends With Us,” based on Colleen Hoover's novel, has received mixed reactions from fans. There's rumored tensions between the cast and producers after the red carpet premiere occurred.

It all began when Blake Lively, who plays one of the main characters, saying that the movie has a lot of hot characters and scenes. This received a lot of backlash as the movie has heavy themes of domestic violence—a theme that has always been watched throughout BookTok's obsession with the book.

Justin Baldoni, who is most well known for his role in “Jane The Virgin” and his direction in films, directed this film and has been continuously spreading awareness about domestic violence with the prominence of the topic. Fans have quickly noticed that Justin has not actually been interacting with the actors, simply spending time with his wife.

Some fans have always guessed that the reason for the lack of interaction is because it seemed like Blake Lively and her fellow actors were more cross-promoting “Deadpool & Wolverine.”

Regardless of their interactions—or lack thereof—it seems there have been overall mixed reactions to the actual content of the film.

Taylor Swift cancels concerts due to alleged terrorist attacks

Three Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna have been canceled due to alleged planned attacks. Three people—a 17-year-old, 18-year-old and 19-year-old—have now been arrested. They reportedly planned to attack both onlookers and concert attendees, which adds to around 95,000 individuals per night, with knives or homemade explosives. 

According to the Austrian authorities, the 19-year-old suspect planned to “kill as many people as possible.” 

But, even though the concerts were canceled and refunded, Taylor Swift and her team have not publicly spoken about the incidents yet. 

While fans were sad over the concerts being canceled, the attack threats resembled similarity to the 2017 suicide bomber at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, which killed 22 people. Many fans were simply grateful that everyone was safe. 

OceanGate is sued 

OceanGate has been sued for $50 million dollars by the family of a French explorer who died in the Titan submersible implosion. Known as ‘Mr. Titanic', Paul-Henri Nargeolet was known for going down to the Titanic on countless occasions. His family filed the lawsuit on grounds of gross negligence; OceanGate has stopped operating after the incident that killed all passengers. 

Democratic vice presidential nominee announced

As many have surely heard already, Vice President Kamala Harris has announced that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is the vice president nominee for the 2024 presidential election. In the few days that this knowledge has been public, Tim Walz has caused a surge of emotions, campaigned with Kamala Harris, and publicly dissed Republican vice president nominee JD Vance. 

Harris' campaign has seemingly been taking an approach of appealing to younger voters with their ‘brat' themed accounts and timely TikTok references. With Walz, the campaign is trying to reclaim camo as an aesthetic and in clothing, with a camo hat that says Harris and Walz on it. Why is this important, you may ask? This hat is inspired by Chappell Roan's “midwest princess” camo hat. The campaign hat reached nearly $1 million in sales within 24 hours of its release. 

Additionally, Gen. Z seems to be enjoying Walz for being a midwest dad, as there are videos of him and his children at local county fairs in Minnesota. It does seem like Walz appeals to the general public—he's a veteran, hunter, gun-owner, started the gay-straight alliance club (GSA) when he taught in high school, was the football coach, and started the “weird” campaign (of calling Donald Trump and JD Vance weird). He also loves Beyoncé and Taylor Swift and signed an executive order last year to protect gender-affirming care in Minnesota. 

In his short time of being the vice president nominee, Walz has also been criticized. While some of the criticism has been petty attacks from JD Vance (for example, making baseless accusations about why Walz stopped serving in the military), there have been concerns about Walz' reaction to the 2020 Black Lives Matters protests in Minneapolis and his ongoing reaction (or, lack of action) to Israel's genocide on Palestine. People haven't forgotten that Walz sent the National Guard on the protestors in 2020 or that he really hasn't said much about the genocide. 

Will this momentum around Harris and Walz continue until the election? Only time will tell. 

Elon Musk to interview Trump

In the opposite spectrum of political news, previous president and presidential nominee Donald Trump announced that Elon Musk will be interviewing him on Monday, August 12. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and now owner of X (Twitter), has been vocal about his political opinions on his app—such as, getting in arguments through text posts with his transgender daughter. 

What will Elon and Trump talk about? We'll have to find out on Monday, I guess. 

2024 VMAs nominations

The 2024 Video Music Awards (VMAs) nominations have been announced! Individuals can make an account and vote; the 2024 ceremony will be on September 10, 2024. Here's some nominations I'm looking forward to: 

Video of the year:

• we can't be friends (wait for your love) by Ariana Grande
• LUNCH by Billie Eilish
• Paint The Town Red by Doja Cat
• Houdini by Eminem
• Snooze by SZA
• Fortnight by Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone

→ My prediction: we can't be friends (wait for you love) – Ariana Grande

Artist of the year:

• Ariana Grande
• Bad Bunny
• Eminem
• Sabrina Carpenter
• SZA
• Taylor Swift

→ My prediction: Sabrina Carpenter 

Song of the year:

• TEXAS HOLD ‘EM by Beyoncé
• Lovin on Me by Jack Harlow
• Not Like Us by Kendrick Lamar
• Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter
• Fortnight by Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone
• Lose Control by Teddy Swims

→ My prediction: TEXAS HOLD ‘EM – Beyoncé or Not Like Us by Kendrick Lamar

Best new artist:

• Benson Boone
• Chappell Roan
• Gracie Abrams
• Shaboozey
• Teddy Swims
• Tyla

→ My prediction: Chappell Roan 

Best K-Pop:

• Seven by Jungkook ft. Latto
• Rockstar by LISA
• Smoothie by NCT DREAM
• Super Shy by NewJeans
• LALALALA by Stray Kids
• Deja Vu by TOMORROW X TOGETHER

→ My prediction: Super Shy by NewJeans or Seven by Jungkook

New music now

• EL COMIENZO – FloyyMenor 
• Sugar Honey Iced Tea – Latto
• Beaches – beabadoobee
• ORQUÍDEAS PARTE 2 – Kali Uchis
• Diet Pepsi – Addison Rae
• Once a Bunch – Adrienne Lenker
• Summer 2000 Baby / Take a Trip – TV Girl, George Clanton
• Trouble In Paradise – Chlöe 
• Ultra 85 – Logic
• Angel Of My Dreams (S.A.D. Version) – JADE 

Upcoming new music

• NEW WOMAN – Lisa, Rosalía | August 15
• ETERNAL – Taemin | August 19 
• Short n' Sweet – Sabrina Carpenter | August 23 
• J – Jaehyun | August 26
• Black Out – Chanyeol | August 28 

My recent media enjoyments

• “Body Works” by Melissa Febos
• Mamushi – Megan Thee Stallion feat. Yuki Chiba [Official Video] | YouTube 
• JJAM – Stray Kids
• This Video Is About Brain Rot – Malik Peace | YouTube
• Death & Romance – Magdalena Bay
• The Problem With Lesbian Romance Novels – a sunny book nook | YouTube