By Ray Kirsch and Kayla Dembiec
It's awards season across the U.S.! Not only did WSUM celebrate our wins at the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association student forum, but the SAG Awards, the Oscars, and others also occurred. The past two weeks haven't been shy of drama, though! Rumor has it the biggest diss track since Kendrick vs. Drake was recently released… involving none other than the Kardashians, Kanye and Dr. Phil? Read all about it below!
Bhad Bhabie returns
Have you heard the phrase “catch me outside, how ‘bout that” lately? Maybe you need a reminder, since Danielle Bregoli set aside her Bhad Bhabie rap persona momentarily.
Bregoli said the iconic phrase on Dr. Phil's talk show in 2016, and she's had fans since. She was only fifteen years old when she released “Gucci Flip Flops” with Lil Yachty. While she's historically had some online feuds, leading to “crashing out” on live streams, Bregoli has been quite busy for the last few years. She sought out professional medical help for childhood trauma and substance abuse in 2020, began posting on OnlyFans six days after she turned eighteen in 2021, and had a baby in March 2024 with musician Le Vaughn.
In November 2024, the twenty-one year old revealed that she is fighting blood cancer. Bregoli and Le Vaughn called it quits at the beginning of 2025, and she deleted all of her TikToks.
People thought Bhad Bhadie was gone, but there's no confusion anymore… She's definitely back. She posted on her Instagram story that Alabama Barker “stole her man,” and the beef officially began.
Who's Alabama, you may wonder? Alabama Barker is the daughter of Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker, who is now married to Kourtney Kardashian.
Bhad Bhabie and Alabama threw shade at each other through a series of Instagram story posts, but the drama was more fueled by diss tracks.
On January 10, Bhad Bhabie dropped the diss track “Over Cooked,” which Le Vaughn produced. In the song, she claimed that Alabama hooked up with the rapper Tyga, became pregnant and had an abortion. Both Tyga and Alabama denied these allegations, though.
On February 7, Alabama dropped the diss track “Cry Bhabie,” calling her a liar and saying that her father Travis was on her side.
On February 24, Bhad Bhabie dropped a diss track she had been teasing for a few weeks, “Ms. Whitman.” The title is from Alabama's namesake, True Romance (1993)'s Alabama Whitman (who is a prostitute in the movie—this is relevant). Bhad Bhabie had a man looking quite similar to Travis Barker at a drum set in the music video, and she dissed Kourtney Kardashian for being “second-hand” (Travis said in his 2016 memoir that he had feelings for Kim Kardashian, Kourtney's sister). “Ms. Whitman” samples a beat from Kanye and Ty Dolla $ign's “Carnival.” The relevance? Kanye is exes with Kim Kardashian, A.K.A. Alabama's step aunt.
The diss track contains a lot of hits at Alabama, mostly centered around her alleged sex life. Bhad Bhabie hints that Alabama hooked up with Soulja Boy and several NFL players.
Damn Alabama, you a tramp, Alabama / Wave this Drac' out the window, God's plan, Alabama / Simon says stomp your feet, move your hands, Alabama / Bhadie says I'm up the street, like here I am, Alabama — “Ms. Whitman”
Kanye denied any involvement with the diss track. Alabama has yet to have a response, but the beef is unlikely to be resolved any time soon.
G-Dragon releases a new album, set to perform at Formula 1 Grand Prix
The “King of K-pop” is back with a new album! G-Dragon, former member of BIGBANG, returned to K-pop with a single release a few months ago, and he's back with more. His new album, Übermensch, features Anderson .Paak and former BIGBANG group members Taeyang and Daesung.
Übermensch is a philosophical concept of Friedrich Nietzsche. It essentially represents a shift from “otherworldly Christian values” to focus on grounded, humanistic ideals. When it was originally defined, the word was meant to be an “ideal future human and an ultimate goal for humanity.” With all that G-Dragon has been through in his career, it's not shocking that he's rediscovering his roots.
Fans are receiving this comeback positively, claiming that “the king of K-pop is back” with the Anderson .Paak collaboration.
The K-pop star is also set to perform at the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix on October 3. What a fun surprise!
Diddy's lawyer quits, necrophilia allegations
Sean “Diddy” Combs, who is currently awaiting trial for sex-trafficking and racketeering, just lost one of his six planned defense attorneys.
Lawyer Anthony Ricco served as defense for Osama Bin Laden and his associates and has taken on several controversial cases in his time. But, many were surprised when Rico announced he intends to step away as a defense attorney for Diddy.
In his surprise motion in which he filed to withdraw, he stated that “under no circumstances can I continue.” Because of client privilege, Ricco can't share what Diddy has told him—or why he's withdrawing.
For now, though, Ricco is still legally Diddy's lawyer. Until the judge approves of the motion—A.K.A., is provided a sufficient reason—he still will be on the case.
Online rumors have re-circulated among suspicions as to why Ricco withdrew. Now, many of the rumors have been alleging that Ricco left because there were necromancy charges, but others are actually suspecting it is because of necrophilia. Um, what?
Necromancy is essentially talking to the dead, and it's most associated with sorcery. This has no legal basis in the U.S., so it wouldn't really be taken very seriously in court. However, if it were really because of necrophilia, that would be quite different. Necrophilia is engaging in sexual activities with dead bodies. As much as TikTok is talking about these two terms and whether Diddy is participating in them, it's important to remember that they haven't been named in any court evidence.
Really, it's just alleged. Who knows why Ricco quit?
His fellow lawyers have ensured that this won't hinder the trial, which is set to occur on May 5, 2025.
Michelle Trachtenberg dies at 39
American actress Michelle Trachtenberg has unexpectedly passed away at age 39.
She starred in Gossip Girl and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She made her acting debut at age three on the Nickelodeon series The Adventures of Pete & Pete. Trachtenberg also appeared in EuroTrip (2004) and Black Christmas (2006).
She was found unresponsive in her Manhattan home, and the cause of death has not been released. The family is asking for privacy at this time.
Psy receives honorary degree
Korean rapper and singer-songwriter Psy, best known for his smashing single “Gangnam Style,” has been awarded an honorary degree from Yonsei University for “exemplary activities in the fields of culture, art and social contribution.”
Many fans have praised Psy for this achievement, saying that he deserves it for helping popularize K-pop in the U.S.
Psy signed with YG Entertainment in 2010 and released “Gangnam Style” in 2012. The music video was the first video to reach a billion views on YouTube. He followed with another hit single, “Gentleman.” In 2018, he founded his own talent agency called P Nation, which signed rapper Jessi, Mamamoo member Hwasa and soloist Crush.
Although controversial at times, Psy and his international impact can't be denied.
SAG Awards
The Screen Actors Guild Awards (also known as SAG Awards) took place on February 23 this year, hosted by actress Kristen Bell. Given by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, the SAG Awards recognize outstanding performances in movies and prime time television.
Conclave, a thriller about the election of a new pope, won Best Motion Picture Cast. In TV, Shōgun, an epic drama set in feudal Japan, and Only Murders in the Building, a mystery-comedy about true-crime podcasters solving murders, won ensemble prizes.
Shōgun dominated TV categories with four wins, including acting honors for Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai. Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown, a biopic about Bob Dylan's early career) and Demi Moore (The Substance, a body-horror drama about an aging actress fighting industry sexism) won Best Actor and Actress in leading roles. Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain, a dramedy about estranged cousins traveling in Poland) and Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez, a crime drama about a cartel leader undergoing gender transition) secured supporting actor wins.
The 31st SAG Awards were not without hiccups, as multiple technical issues disrupted the ceremony. The most notable glitch occurred during Jane Fonda's lifetime achievement award speech when a pre-recorded announcement unexpectedly interrupted her remarks. Despite the momentary disruption, Fonda continued her speech, using the platform to encourage activism and solidarity.
The Oscars
The Academy Awards, or Oscars, recognize artistic and technical achievements in film. This year, Sean Baker's Anora won Best Picture at the 97th Academy Awards, continuing the Academy's trend of honoring indie films over big-budget contenders like Wicked and Dune: Part Two. The Brooklyn-set story about an erotic dancer's whirlwind marriage to a Russian oligarch's son took home five Oscars, including Best Director and Best Actress.
Adrien Brody won Best Actor for The Brutalist, 22 years after his first Oscar for The Pianist. His portrayal of a Holocaust survivor edged out Timothée Chalamet, who had the chance to become the youngest Best Actor winner.
The Brutalist also won for cinematography and score, while Conclave, which considered a potential Anora challenger by many, only managed a win for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Big-budget films still found success in technical categories. Wicked won for production and costume design after opening the ceremony with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo performing a tribute to Los Angeles wildfire victims. Dune: Part Two secured awards for visual effects and sound, with its sandworm playing a comedic role in multiple segments throughout the night. The Substance was recognized for Best Makeup and Hairstyling, highlighting its horror-inspired transformations.
This year's Oscars unfolded against the backdrop of an uncertain film industry, with declining ticket sales, lingering effects from the 2023 strikes and disruptions caused by January's wildfires.
