Entering the other half of 2022, the pop culture has already delivered major moments; some left us shocked, others make us believe in love again. We were starting 2022 with a sense of optimism that hasn't been really there since 2019. It wasn't really by the fact that Covid has ceased to exist, in fact, it's actually the total opposite; it's getting more and more spread out. However, chances are you've had it; your dad probably has had it; your wild best friend has had it twice or three times.
Could this really be the year that we actually had something fun to talk about other than the pandemic? So far, the answer is yes. 2022 has giving so many defining moments, it's kinda wild up in here. While looking at an article by Entertainment Weekly, we're here to break down some of the most-talked about pop culture moments. We also sprinkled some of our personal favorites, check these out.
The Oscars Slap
Source: NDTV.com
Actor Will Smith shocked the world when he slapped comedian and presenter Chris Rock on stage at the 94th Academy Awards; the first one held during the pandemic. From the moment Will Smith walk onto the stage after punchline that Chris delivered about the actor's wife, Jada Pickett Smith - up until the slap took place, the audience was at stunned. What followed was a string of confusion, anger, and regret from every corner of Hollywood.
Many speculated that it was a set-up, but unfortunately it was indeed one of those authentic moment. Fans instantly took sides, debates were ongoing all over the internet, comments were left by other A-lister celebrities. The Academy finally released an official statement announcing that they decided to ban Will Smith from the Oscar for 10 years, however he still can be nominated and win a category. Chris even said it so himself that "this will be the 'greatest' moment of television history", um more like controversial.
Johnny Depp v Amber Heard
Source: Le Monde
Did you got sucked into the viral vortex that was the defamation trial from Johnny Depp against his ex-wife Amber Heard? It had quickly becoms the trial of the year, also known as the world's first "Trial by Tiktok" with social media feeds plastered with clips from the court case. Depp sued Heard for $50 million over her 2018 statement in the WaPo article detailing her experiences as a domestic violence survivor. This statement has damaged his reputation and career, including but not limited to, his resignation from the upcoming movie "Fantastic Beast 3".
Both parties recounted gut-wrenching accusations of physical, verbal, and sexual assault in a form of phone recordings, footages, and many more. Jurors found both Depp and Heard liable for defamation against each other. They awarded Depp $15 in damages from Heard and awarded Heard $2 million in damages from Depp.
Bennifer 2.0
Take a look at these two pictures side by side, what do you see? Well, we see a love that is still there and time has proven that it never truly goes away. Some 20 years after Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez got engaged and tragically broke up, the pair decided to give it another go. Ben and Jen met on the set of Gigli in 2001 and ever since became a thing until the split in 2004.
At the time of the pandemic, to be exact May 2021: destiny has spoken. After their own individual breakup with respecting partners, Ben Affleck broke up with Ana de Armas and Jennifer Lopez broke up with Alex Rodriguez - Ben and Jenn reconnected. The couple then announced their engagement in April 2022. We truly hope that they can make it work this time since they look oh so cute together.
The Multiverse Madness
Source: Hallo Lifestyle, Wired
Alternate realities have been a cinematic staple. In 2022, the multiverse has finally entered the mainstream with Spider-Man: No Way Home, Everything Everywhere All at Once, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. We'll try our best not to spoil all 3 movies all 'at once', but Spider-Man: No Way Home kicked off the trend on December 2021 just as we're entering the year. You know, with the whole friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man thing - Tom Holland's Peter Parker then proceeded to have a parallel world' adventure, one that we feel very nostalgic about.
Next, Marvel explored the plot more with Doctor Strange, the mystical sorcerer opened a portal to the multiverse and least to say, things got a little messy. Then comes Everything Everywhere All at Once by A24, a movie that has so many layers and depth filled with a real story of generational traumas. All beautiful movies rich in plot and cinematography, tens across the board!
The Summer of Breakups
"It was the summer of love" said Shawn Mendes. Unfortunately, the song doesn't really match her love life at the moment as he just broke up with his long-time girlfriend, Camila Cabello in November 2021. The couple were all sunshine and rainbows for 2 years because they have been good friends for longer, until just before the new year when both Camila and Shawn took it to Instagram and announced their breakup in a join message.
While there's a lot of couples to get excited about (Bennifer, Kim and Pete), some celebs also called it quit in the first half of 2022. Take Michael B.Jordan and Lori Harvey for example. What was seemingly a picture perfect relationship with future potential has now ended. Fans are not happy about it as both MBJ and Lori are reportedly taking it pretty hard as well. Another sad news comes from Shakira as her 12-years relationship with Gerard Pique ends - it certainly is a devastating one. Well, what can we say; a relationship is hard in general, it takes a real one to make it lasts.
A lot has happened already since January 2022. What's your favorite pop culture moments? Anything particular you're looking forward to happen by the end of 2022? Let's make it a year that counts.