2022: Pop Culture Roundup
I’m not going to lie, I love doing these kinds of end-of-the year blog posts. Last time, I shared 22 things I learned in 2022, but this time, I’m going a bit broader. Before we hop into the New Year, let’s look back at some of the wildest pop culture moments, celebrities, and memes from pop culture this past year.
Memorable Pop Culture Moments
Most Talked About Moment
There was plenty to talk about in 2022, but there’s one thing that stands out above the rest: the Oscars.
It was, honestly, the slap heard ’round the world. Chris Rock stayed so professional that at first, people thought it was scripted. It wasn’t! Then, Will Smith went on to win an Oscar and give an uncomfortable (and seemingly unapologetic) speech. Wild!
Biggest Spectacle
The Depp v. Heard trial was talked about, but it wasn’t just a moment. It was a full-on, circus level spectacle.
Six long weeks and a whole bunch of think pieces later, we’re still a bit split on what happened. I think most people believe that the jury got it right. But, of course, there are those who have continued to be on Team Amber.
Biggest Red-Carpet Fail
The Met Gala is one of the biggest red carpets for fashion, and as always, this years gala got people talking.
Kim Kardashian decided to wear the iconic Marilyn Monroe dress—the one she wore when she famously sang Happy Birthday Mr. President to JFK.
Needless to say, people were pissed.
The dress was previously encased in glass at Ripley’s Believe it or Not, and many thought that’s where it should have stayed. There were also claims that Kim damaged the dress (but she denies this). On top of that, she admitted to losing 15 pounds in 2 weeks to fit into it, sparking more backlash for promoting unhealthy weight loss.
Most Meme-able Moment
The Don’t Worry Darling premiere. The entire thing.
Between Harry Styles giving dumb interview soundbites, Florence Pugh snubbing her director, and Chris Pine looking absolutely over it all, it was incredibly entertaining for us all.
Best Viral Moment
There were a lot to choose from, but I’m going with the clip of Kendall Jenner cutting a cucumber. If you haven’t seen it, I highly suggest finding it on YouTube. It’ll give you a quick, easy laugh.
Culturally Significant Couples
Cutest Couple
I mean, honestly, does it get any cuter than Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively? I doubt it.
Cringiest PDA
Last year, I would’ve easily given this title to Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly. But they’ve been a bit more subdued than normal lately.
Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian, on the other hand… Well, let’s just say that Kravis is all for a red-carpet makeout sesh.
Most Shocking Split
There were a few big breakups happening in 2022, but Tom and Gisele had to be one of the most surprising. The former couple was married for 13 years and share two children. So sad!
Biggest Cheating Scandal
In October, Adam Levine was accused of cheating on his pregnant wife, Behati Prinsloo.
An Instagram model shared a number of DM’s the singer had sent to her, including one where he asks her if he can name his baby after her (I mean, seriously?!) Though Adam denied having an affair, there were enough questionable things in his messages to raise more than a few eyebrows.
Celebrity Superlatives
Best Pregnancy Announcement
One celeb who had a much better pregnancy? Keke Palmer. The actress confirmed her pregnancy while hosting Saturday Night Live in December. What a great way to announce you’re expecting!
Best Dressed
Jodie Turner Smith is a model and actress who’s been in a number of things recently, including Anne Boleyn and The Witcher. She’s also married to Joshua Jackson.
I’d actually never heard of her before seeing her on the red carpet, but the girl knows how to make a fashion statement!
Biggest Breakout Star
Thanks to Netflix’s Wednesday, Jenna Ortega has quickly become a household name.
Biggest Comeback
Brendan Fraser was a huge Hollywood staple in the 90’s and early 2000’s. He starred in The Mummy franchise as well as George of the Jungle and Bedazzled.
But he took a big step back around 2003. Eventually, he explained that he was actually blacklisted after a being sexually assaulted by a Hollywood executive that same year.
In 2022, though, he made his grand comeback with The Whale.
2022: Hottest of the Year
Hottest Woman of 2022
Florence Pugh has been just about everywhere this year. She starred alongside Harry Styles in Don’t Worry Darling and, despite the poor reviews, her performance was universally praised.
On top of that, she was in The Wonder and she’ll be in Dune: Part 2 next year. And, of course, how can you forget her killer fashion sense?
Hottest Man of 2022
Love him or hate him, 2022 was the year of Pete Davidson.
He had 3 movies released this year: Meet Cute (which I loved!), I Want You Back, and Bodies Bodies Bodies.
And between Kim Kardashian and EmRata, he also had a few high-profile relationships.
4 Comments
what a fun wrap up post for the new year! So excited for keke Palmer & the whole Kendal Jenner cutting a cucumber is hilarious. Thanks for sharing!
I agree – it’s so funny to watch and think, “has this girl never cut a vegetable in her life?” lol.
This was such a great celebrity recap of 2022! What a fun read, thanks for sharing!
Thanks! I always like doing these kinds of posts.