Benjamin Wheeler/PA. Rapper Killer Mike performs onstage at Outkast #ATLast Concert at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta. Just two years later, the magazine published a piece. The 29 Most Powerful Pop Culture Moments of 2020. This was 2020. Ahhh 2020, we all had such high hopes for this year. Just ask Ken Jennings and Tyra Banks, the tragedy of losing NBA superstar Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, in a helicopter crash, faced charges from the US Securities and Exchange Commission, in the televised docuseries "The Last Dance. Noah Cyrus is far from just Miley's little sister. A post shared by Lisa Respers France (@lisafrance), As we continue to grapple with a worldwide pandemic, it can be hard to remember that the year started with. "It's been nice, cause, to be honest with you, I've heard from a lot of my Black friends that aren't Bachelor Nation faithful, that are excited about me and are honored I'm in the position I'm in and have this opportunity to just represent what it's going to look like to have diverse relationships and tell those love stories," he told host Chris Harrison. The post-ceremony photos of Queen Elizabeth gazing lovingly at her granddaughter — who wore a borrowed dress of the Queen's — were priceless. ", declaring she was "no longer a billionaire", following her selling a stake in her company, she confirmed her "entanglement" with the younger Alsina, Showtime is bringing "Dexter" back as a limited series, dropping their first podcast episode this week, celebrities are citizens who have every right to be involved in politics. John Shearer/Netflix, Credit: The couple will always be royalty to me, and I admire the life they are carving out for themselves apart from the Windsors. The Netflix series "Bridgerton" debuted December 25. Bravo, Credit: It's really extraordinary.". Design by Grace Yagel Well, 2020 was not an easy year. A version of this story appeared in CNN's Pop Life Chronicles newsletter. If you would like to opt out of browser push notifications, please refer to the following instructions specific to your device and browser: 25 Pop Culture Moments That Made Us Smile in 2020. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Verzuz/Youtube, Credit: Elsa/Getty, Credit: Posted on Dec 30, 2020 If You Can Get 9/12 On This 2020 Pop Culture Quiz, You Must Have An Incredible Memory What was Grimes and Elon Musk's baby called again? How celebrities like D-Nice and Taylor Swift lifted our spirits this year, Elliot Page, Laverne Cox and others show diversity in Hollywood is about more than race, New TV hosts don't have it easy. The couple and their adorable kids have been dancing nonstop since quarantine started, always with big, contagious smiles on their faces. It was a victory for overcrowded shelters in many locales. Seasons one through eight start streaming on Amazon Prime on Friday. May 14, 2020 – 6:00 PM – 1 Comment By Alexandra Hurtado Parade @alimariehurtado In September, Zendaya's first Emmy win the same night as the Schitt's Creek sweep was pretty euphoric, David. The battle series, in which two prominent artists compete to decide who has the better catalogue, captured rap and R&B lovers around the world. Kevork Djansezian/Getty, Credit: Noah Cyrus performs onstage at The Roxy Theatre on March 10 in West Hollywood, California. Both pre-pandemic IRL shows and post-pandemic virtual shows brought some historic wins and unbridled happiness to our couches this year. To get it in your inbox, sign up for free here. And to ease the financial strain caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Perry paid for all the groceries belonging to elderly shoppers at 44 Kroger stores in Atlanta and 29 Winn Dixie stores in his native New Orleans this April. Oh, wait. The actor launched a seriously feel-good YouTube series early in the pandemic, highlighting real people and creating magic moments like reuniting his The Office costars and the original Broadway cast of Hamilton, as well as throwing a virtual prom featuring performances by The Jonas Brothers and Billie Eilish. Updated 4:59 PM ET, Thu December 31, 2020. By Quinci Legardye Dec 31, 2020 The magic of Disney made life a little brighter in April and May (and again around the holidays), bringing together singing celebrities to perform Disney favorites in hour-long specials geared toward hunkered-down families. The McDonald's Paper Bag is Eerily Similar to Alexander Wang's … Katy Perry/Instagram, Credit: But these truly joyful celebrity moments helped get us through — starting in February (about 100 years ago, basically) when J.Lo and Shakira rocked the Super Bowl LIV stage. From heartwarming reunions to … Jada Pinkett Smith and husband Will Smith shared private information on her "Red Table Talk" show. From SNL's Chloe Fineman giving us her best Timothée Chalamet impersonation to Benito Skinner's hilarious and, well, creative take on Shawn Mendes, comedians have taken extra time on their hands this year to truly deliver. Kylie Jenner attends the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party on February 9 in Beverly Hills, California. "That's what I do!" Most recently, Perry volunteered to cover funeral expenses for 8-year-old Secoriea Turner, and for Rayshard Brooks, a Black man killed by police. This year has been memorable one for a multitude of … ... Oh, wait. And now, for our annual look at the year in pop culture…. Pop back here next Thursday for all the latest entertainment happenings that matter. Coyote Ugly Turns 20: Where Is the Cast Now? Ocean Spray, Credit: Tell us what you'd like to see more of in the newsletter at entertainment.newsletter@cnn.com. The 5 worst songs of 2020 sounded as lousy as this year felt The past year felt like it lasted 20. Our personal favorite livestreamed quarantine events came by way of Instagram Live. "I couldn't be more excited about that.". It's time to get into a better headspace. ", referred to the reality star and makeup mogul as "self-made. That community helped flip the state for President-elect Joe Biden, as my friend and CNN colleague, "Minus the hip-hop involvement, we might have had a different outcome," Atlanta rapper and activist Killer Mike told him. at birth and is now a fast-growing furball. The year everything stopped cold. Well, not really. Anyone who bet we would see less of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been plenty productive, including. In the summer, Lizzo rocked a matching face mask and bikini while posing in the pool. 50 Pop Culture Events to Get You Excited for 2020 Taylor Swift, Nick Jonas, Jennifer Lopez, Hilary Duff and more celebrities are making us extra … Text us for exclusive photos and videos, royal news, and way more. Professional organizers Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin came into our lives via Netflix and Reese Witherspoon, showing us how to sort by color and clear the clutter. Matthew McConaughey/Instagram, Credit: As difficult as 2020 was, there were plenty of pop culture moments that brought us comfort throughout the year. Courtesy of Columbia Records, Credit: Beyoncé is shown in "Already" from the visual album "Black Is King.". 5 ‘in real life’ religion and pop culture clashes from 2020 Kanye ran for president. 2020 was an unpredictable year, but Pop Culture Happy Hour is sticking with our annual tradition of looking into the future and predicting what the new year might bring. So many celebs fostered and adopted animals this year, including Bubba Wallace (pictured), Selena Gomez, J.Lo and A-Rod and Kaia Gerber. The big-hearted humanitarian has a history of covering the expenses for rent, funerals and college education for those in need, particularly in his Atlanta community. Charlotte Hornets owner and former NBA star Michael Jordan is seen at the AccorHotels Arena in Paris on January 24. Hip-hop has long been the voice of the people, and some of the industry's stars are using theirs to try to keep Georgia blue. Plus, Lopez's daughter Emme sang onstage with her mom, and that surprise moment still makes us tear up a little. Those eyes, those cheeks, those lips ... Wyatt was PEOPLE's Cutest Baby Alive this year, and it's easy to see why. Who doesn't love a rainbow? And now, for our annual look at the year in pop culture … Oh, wait. Still less than 15 lbs., the little guy is showing a spunkiness — he even barked at his mom recently! Actor Steven Seagal settled some charges this year. By Hannah Jeon. The year everything stopped cold. Prove You're a Pop Culture Pro With Our 65 Trivia Questions and Answers! It was a rare glimpse into the Smith marriage and also gave us a new word for a particular type of relationship. Pop Culture in (ugh) 2020, from the bizarre to the sublime. A good thing? Here, some of the best moments in celebrity and entertainment from an otherwise difficult year. The pink, hairless cub weighed about 4 oz. Bubba Wallace/Twitter, Credit: People in all 50 states, more than 700 U.S. cities and at least 17 countries have protested in solidarity with Black Lives Matter, fighting for police reform and justice for the loss of far too many Black lives. During the thousands of days of 2020, the way we consume pop culture has radically changed. And now, for our annual look at the year in pop culture. These animated episodes based on the popular app showcase a different mindfulness technique that aids in the practice of meditation -- focusing on subjects such as stress, sleep and letting go -- and end with a guided meditation at the finale of every chapter. Obama exclaimed from behind his mask while walking off the court, as Biden trailed behind, saying simply, "Whoa!". Why not start getting ready for the Grammy Awards, which will air on CBS on January 31? Production is set to start in early 2021, so there is plenty of time to binge the old episodes. Joe Exotic is one of the stars of "Tiger King.". And Lady Gaga wore five (yes, five) different masks during the MTV VMAs. Pop Culture Stars of 2020: A Year-End Survivor Simulation. When people say 2020 is a year that will go down in history, it's by no means an exaggeration. The singer took notice of people dancing to her hit "Savage" on TikTok and decided to join in on the fun, learning the moves herself. disney +, Credit: This was 2020. Smithsonian's National Zoo, Credit: https://people.com/celebrity/pop-culture-moments-that-made-us-smile-2020 ... Jul 16, 2020 Shutterstock. If you are not watching this Regency period drama produced by Shonda Rhimes, get thee hence to Netflix. In the spring, Krasinski announced the series would be heading to ViacomCBS. By Emily Burack December 23, 2020 January 4, 2021. ABC, Credit: A screen grab of the sports legend reacting to a video of former fellow player Isiah Thomas' comments about Jordan on an iPad was quickly adapted into memes that went viral. We loved and hated Zoom this year, but it was on our good sides when it brought together beloved casts like that of The Nanny. Well, not really. Not everything was terrible in 2020! Truth is, people turned to culture of all kinds in 2020 — highbrow and lowbrow — to satisfy varied and sometimes conflicting … Oh, wait. And now, for our annual look at the year in pop culture…. This is a new level of love," he continued. But the one battle we'll never stop talking about was Brandy vs. Monica, who, in addition to delivering incredible performances, even squashed some old beef in the process. Introducing ... PEOPLE's Products Worth the Hype, J.Lo and Shakira rocked the Super Bowl LIV stage. Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, attend an awards show on March 5 in London. Pitt had a lot of big moments this year, winning a SAG Award, Golden Globe and Oscar for his role in Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood, setting our hearts aflutter with two Jennifer Aniston reunions and landing a sexy new fashion campaign. Perry will also cover the college education of Brooks’ four children. By Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN. But we’re here to celebrate the end of it. Do you like spiders, too? But it was his brief turn as Dr. Anthony Fauci on an at-home version of SNL that set the Internet ablaze — and earned him an Emmy nod. The year everything stopped cold. Cheeky Marketing Strategies. In July, Perry donated 1,000 Kroger gift cards to Atlanta residents, enlisting local police officers to go door-to-door to hand them out in an effort to “bridge unity” in the community. Let's start off the New Year in a calmer place. Credit: I've seen everyone from our community take part in some way.". A great deal has happened since then, so let's take a refresher on some notable and sometimes more ... interesting moments in pop culture in 2020: Sun-kyun Lee (left) and Yeo-jeong Jo (right) appear in a scene from "Parasite.". "It's unlike anything I've experienced, and yet it's also very familiar and incredibly special and intimate. Okay so his season doesn't technically start until Jan. 4, 2021, but the 2020 announcement of Matt James as the first-ever Black Bachelor made both fans and critics of the historically white franchise rejoice. Thankfully, many celebrities were there to help, making generous donations of cash — and in Matthew McConaughey's case, PPE — to a variety of worthy organizations. With the help of two new podcasts, I connected to Black art this year in a way I never have before. Happening in 2020? The COVID pandemic highlighted great needs around the country: empty food banks, struggling charities, shortages of PPE for essential workers. Once Megan posted her video, both the song and its corresponding challenge “went super crazy," she told PEOPLE, adding that she and a friend "literally sat in the kitchen for like 20 minutes trying to get this dance down pat.”. Popular culture made it impossible to ignore America's reckoning with racism in 2020. The former president nailed it on Oct. 31, making a three-pointer while walking out of a gym in Flint, Michigan, during a campaign stop for now-President-Elect Joe Biden. Well, not really. A surprisingly diverse group of women have more to talk about than Mormonism, bringing to light the glitz and social constructs of Utah's somewhat mysterious capital city. Dec 10, 2020 A highlight: Katy Perry dressed up as Mrs. Jumbo with her dog Nugget as Dumbo for a rendition of "Baby Mine" on Mother's Day. Mary Ellen Matthews/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; Kevork Djansezian/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty, Credit: If you aren't following dancers Allison Holker and Stephen "tWitch" Boss on Instagram or TikTok, you're missing out. The video took off, and Ocean Spray noticed, gifting Apodaca a new car. "I don't know of one person in hip-hop who did not do something, from Migos to Lil Baby. Fran Drescher & co. reunited in April for a virtual table read of the pilot of '90s favorite, serving up all the style and flair. (CNN)In many aspects, 2020 has felt like the longest year ever. Well, not really. The 50 Best Jewish Pop Culture Moments of 2020 In spite of ~gestures widely~ there were some truly bright spots when it came to Jewish representation this year. https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/31/entertainment/pop-culture-2020-moments-plc Even though we were stuck at home, that doesn't mean popular culture was stuck. This was 2020. If hearing is believing, the pair sound pretty happy. This year, we got plenty of memorable pop culture moments, from whacky reality TV, to unforgettable memoirs and pop albums packed with earworms. Oh, wait. Patrick Dempsey looked like the responsible man of our McDreams in a selfie. The Best Pop Culture That Got Us Through 2020 These 48 movies, TV shows, albums, Twitter feeds, songs, podcasts, and books helped us get through this wildly unprecedented year. Kevin Winter/Getty Images for dcp, Credit: "I sort of wonder, what was I waiting for? Find out what your cat is trying to tell you with a new cat app, Princess Diana died when Harry was just 12 years old, Megan Thee Stallion Doing the 'Savage' Challenge, Engineer Creates App To Translate Your Cat, The Sweetest Photos of Princes Harry with Diana, Sean Connery's Cause of Death Revealed Weeks After He Dies at Age 90. As his Don't Worry Darling costar Chris Pine said, "He's off-the-charts cool.". Some of our favorite stars demonstrated that you can wear a mask to protect yourself and others — and do so looking flawless. Courtesy Anderson Cooper, Credit: Rihanna faced backlash from Muslims. And in 2020… 2020 has been a strange year, by nearly any metric you choose to use. Well, not really. This year saw forest fires, toilet … In possibly one of the cutest Instagram videos ever, Prince Will and Kate Middleton's kids Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis asked naturalist Sir David Attenborough about his favorite animals and adventures. Xiao Qi Ji was born on Aug. 21 at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Washington, D.C., during a fast and easy delivery. Though we couldn't see the singer in person this year, he still managed to charm his way through 2020 with his "Watermelon Sugar" video, Variety cover and random acts of kindness. "It feels like my life has actually begun," Cooper told PEOPLE in June about entering parenthood. For those who couldn't make it to Broadway, or those who wanted to watch it again ... and again ... and again, Hamilton's July arrival on Disney's streaming platform was a poignant bright spot in a politically charged year. Here's our rundown of the most dramatic pop culture moments of 2020, including the biggest celeb dramas, kick-offs, break-ups and general shockers. Pop culture has gifted us with visual touchstones, like Carole Baskin, 'Euphoria,' and 'Bring It On,' that make creative and funny Halloween costumes. The Idaho Falls resident became a mini-icon in the fall when he posted a TikTok of himself skateboarding while drinking cranberry juice to the tune of Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams." She's nominated in the best new artist category, so take a listen to her "The End of Everything" EP if you haven't already. Turns out a new Housewives franchise was just what the doctor ordered for Bravo fans. With her initial plans derailed by COVID, Princess Beatrice went ahead and married fiancé Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi on July 17 at Royal Chapel of All Saints in Windsor Great Park. So as 2020 draws to a close, I’ve asked members of Vox staff to reveal the cultural works that brought them joy this year. Analyzing Black Pop Culture Got Me Through 2020. This feels odd to include in a pop culture article, but it felt more odd not to highlight in a piece about the biggest moments of 2020. And James himself is thrilled to get started. Wendy Williams Performing "Native New Yorker" on The Masked Singer It was the first year two Latinx pop artists helmed the show, and both stars celebrated their heritage in beautiful ways. Hearing their voices is pretty great, but even better was the delight that was hearing their toddler, Archie, speak in the episode. This was 2020. … This was 2020. Only a small group of around 20 close friends and family, including the Queen and Prince Philip, were invited to catch sight of Beatrice walking down the aisle at the private ceremony, which had to be rescheduled from its original May 29th date. We're just as shocked as you are. In February, Parasite took home four Academy Awards, with director Bong Joon Ho giving us the meme-able moment of making his Oscars kiss. If you haven't yet seen Jordan Firstman's Instagram impressions, including the "Gen Z meditation" that dragged us all, please do so. Updated 9:03 AM ET, Tue December 22, 2020 And now, for our annual look at the year in pop culture…. "Headspace Guide to Meditation" starts streaming Friday on Netflix. Pop Culture A totally selective, appropriately scatterbrained journey through some cultural moments of 2020 By Jocelyn Noveck • Published December 10, 2020 • Updated on December 10, 2020 … From Tiger King to Zoom cast reunions, here are the pop culture moments that defined the year 2020. And while much of it was terrible, it’s good to remember that there were some bright spots. Pop Culture in (ugh) 2020, from the bizarre to the sublime. The year everything stopped cold. The year everything stopped cold. Christopher Polk/Getty, Credit: