pop culture

Female pop-culture icons, women in the media and the depiction of women in the entertainment and pop culture sphere.

Beyond the 'Reasons' Review: Part 1. Top Story - June 2018.
Disclaimer: This review contains spoilers of the first two seasons of 13 Reasons Why. This is 1 of 3 reviews of the Netflix series.
By Maddy Moser8 years ago in Viva
What Is a Beauty Queen?
Since my first days in the pageant world, I've often been asked by several people, "What is the difference between Miss USA and Miss America?" In the modern world, the two tend to run together more than ever before. Having competed in both systems, the major differences became very clear to me this past week.
By Rae'Lee Klein8 years ago in Viva
I Spent a Month Watching Women-Directed Movies and Here's What I Learned
I don't know what came to me when I decided to do it. Perhaps it was after I learned that only five women (all white, by the way) have been nominated for best director in 90 editions of the Oscars (yeah, yeah, awards mean nothing, but cut me some slack). Maybe I was excited about A Wrinkle in Time. Maybe I have a lot of free time (it's probably this). But whatever it was, I decided that I was going to spend March watching only female-directed, written, and/or starring movies (jackpot if it's the three). And after watching them, I came to the conclusion that there's a lack of representation from the media and the industry, which is no shocker. We can easily name ten male directors. Women directors? Until this past month, I hardly could...
By Andrea de Lera8 years ago in Viva
10 Things You Can Relate to If You're a Woman in Your Early Twenties
1. Bragging to Your Friends About How You've Been to the Gym Four Days in a Row but Getting a McDonalds Breakfast the next Morning
By Dani Adams8 years ago in Viva
One Minute of Influence
It is no doubt that when you turn on your TV to watch a show, or even flip through the channels to see what’s going on in the news, an ad or commercial will most likely pop up. It’s not an innocent one either. It’s sexual and demeaning, or it can sometimes be outright racist and blunt in its message and it's not always on television, the same can be seen in magazines as well. What’s concerning is that everyone can see these ads. They’re everywhere. Kids as young as 10 can watch these sexually undignified commercials and have a certain intuitive as they grow older. Such portrayals can come off as "normal" when children grow up because the image has already been burned into their minds at such an innocent age. In Shafeeq Sadiq’s article, “Racism and Sexism in Advertising” upon explaining this logic, it’s clear that the idea of "sex sells" is applicable, however, there are many individuals who understand why anyone would pose a half-naked woman next to a hamburger, and other explicit pictures which have absolutely nothing to do with the food itself. It’s a form of commercializing which is well thought out to only degrade and over-sexualize a specific gender for the purpose of monetary gain. In this case, women and other minorities. When was the last time anyone saw an outstandingly attractive, blonde, and well-built guy on any food commercial posing an unnatural pose next to something meant to nourish the body?
By Hediye K8 years ago in Viva
Greta Gerwig Is Only the 5th Female Director to Be Nominated Best Director at the Oscars – Is This Only Because of the Golden Globes Snub?
The celluloid ceiling is a phrase used to describe barriers that stop women progressing in the film industry. It's just another word for the glass ceiling. We're no strangers to the lack of females in the movie industry but the fact that no more than five women have been nominated best director at the Academy Awards' 90 years of awards, is catastrophic.
By Katie Burnside8 years ago in Viva
6 Upcoming Trends for 2018
Last year of 2017 was filled with many unique and interesting trends such as the iconic fidget spinner, glossy lids and lips, squiggly eyebrows, 80s vintage vibes throwing itself forward, and the revolution of activated charcoal. It's up for debate whether 2017 was a year filled with positivity and useful items or if it was just a complete waste of a year, but that's where 2018 comes in! The anticipation for new trends are flooding the gates of society and here is a list of six trends for this year that will keep you ahead of the game.
By Rae Hizzle8 years ago in Viva
10 Things We Need to Stop Saying
There are so many casual expressions and sayings that are actually really sexist, and just plain infuriating. Some of these I've heard people say, and some of them I found while I while researching for this blog. Now mostly, they're directed at women, but there are some that are directed at men. So here are ten sexist phrases/ideas that I wish would just die already.
By Shana Nizeul8 years ago in Viva
Why Tiana Is the Best Disney Princess
I’ve always been a fan of Disney, and I’ve probably watched more Disney movies than any other 20-year-old. Although the Disney princess movies (well, some of them) haven’t always been my favorite, I have seen them all more times than I would like to admit. But when I saw The Princess and the Frog for the first time in theaters, I knew Tiana was the best Disney princess thus far.
By Ollie Greene8 years ago in Viva
8 Wedding Trends for 2018
Now that the winter months are coming to an end and the holidays are mostly over, many brides-to-be are looking forward to turning the page to begin the next chapter in their lives — getting married. But with every decision from colour schemes to your venue having a million options, how do you choose?
By Georgia de la Bertauche8 years ago in Viva
#ThisIsBeauty Is The New Movement With A Surprising Backstory. Top Story - December 2017.
If there's one community you'd expect to be all about the idea of beauty being a codified, standardized trait, it'd be the beauty pageant community. With so many movies and television shows mocking how allegedly similar all the pageant contestants are, one would expect most pageanteers to really focus on looks.
By Ossiana Tepfenhart8 years ago in Viva
Guys We F*cked
I am an avid Podcast listener. My obsession began this past summer, when I was looking for a healthy distraction from a lot of chaos in my life. I am fortunate to work at a job where I am not micromanaged, I work at my own pace, and I have the freedom to put in my Air Pods and listen to Podcasts all day long. I love it and I recommend Podcasts to anyone who needs a good distraction. Honestly, they have helped me overcome my depression and anxiety and feel less lonely during a period of time in my life that proved to be extremely difficult. I discovered the Guys we F*cked Podcast about two months ago, and I have been binge listening ever since. If you haven't heard of this amazing Podcast or if you have and are unsure of what the hell you just stumbled upon, allow me to introduce you.
By RaeAnna Mercado8 years ago in Viva