pop culture

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

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
What It's Like to Be the Manic Pixie Dream Girl
So, by this day in age on the internet, I would like to assume that everyone and their mother has heard of the term "manic pixie dream girl." However, if by some chance you've been living under a rock for the last few years, I'll give you the low down. The term was coined by film critic Nathan Rabin after watching Elizabethtown starring Kirsten Dunst. Rabin describes this character trope as "that bubbly, shallow cinematic creature that exists solely in the fevered imaginations of sensitive writer-directors to teach broodingly soulful young men to embrace life and its infinite mysteries and adventures." So basically, a manic pixie dream girl is this wildly interesting girl who just so happens to have no real backstory or purpose, other than to show the male protagonist that life is awesome! It's really worth living! But the girl herself... is rather empty.
By Mary Devlin8 years ago in Viva
Beauty Is In the Eye of the Media
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder but unfortunately, the beholder tends to conform to the standards we've been taught.
By Lou C8 years ago in Viva
Wonder Woman
In today's society and world, feminism is becoming a rising subject, first started to allow women their rights as human beings and be treated as equals among their fellow male counterparts. It has become more than that over the years, although still applying to women.
By Mel Leigh8 years ago in Viva
Understanding Women's Astrology Signs
Hello, ladies! Ever wonder what it means when someone asks you your zodiac sign, or what your horoscope is, and this conversation goes like this:
By Elanda-Isabella Atencio8 years ago in Viva
Objectification or Admiration? - The Problem With Sexuality In The Media
This may garner me with an abnormal amount of disdain, but this weekend I saw a post on the Creators Facebook Page that got me thinking in general about sexuality in the media. The meme was shared to the page with no ill intent, yet there were several creators, myself included who took offense at it: not because of the image, but because of the text that accompanied it - stating "Ronda Rousey looks better lying down anyway." - At the time meant it was meant to reference Rousey being knocked down in a fight that was supposed to be a win for her, but the sexually-infused meme, was not simply poking fun.
By Matthew Bailey8 years ago in Viva
8 Over-Sexualized Characters In Comics And Video Games. Top Story - November 2017.
You may have noticed, but Suicide Squad was released recently and with its release came a lot of discord. Ultimately Suicide Squad has been laced with controversy since it was announced as a film — between the casting choices, David Ayer's six weeks to write a script merged with a grueling filming and production schedule, Jared Leto's strange tactics and of course the sexualization of Harley Quinn.
By Matthew Bailey8 years ago in Viva
'Doctor Who': Fans Claim the Thirteenth Doctor's Outfit Is "Not Flattering Enough"
The outfit that Jodi Whittaker will wear when she takes over the Tardis as the Thirteenth Doctor has been revealed, and just like the reveal of the new Doctor as a woman, has divided fans. While the outfit is just as quirky as you'd expect from The Doctor, including plenty of throwbacks to the costumes of Doctor's past, some Whovians have complained that it is not "flattering" enough for the character's new female form. To this, another group of fans argues, "Why does it have to be?"
By Kristy Anderson8 years ago in Viva
The Strange Career of Jill Crow — Part 3
The entertainment industry is run on insecurity. Even at the highest echelons, moguls live by their latest box office receipts and the satisfaction of shareholders and board members.
By Tanya Young8 years ago in Viva
Millennial Pink is the Undeserved Heroine of 2017
Pink is, as we learned in third grade, a mixture of white and red. Two colors, beautiful in their own right, combined into something arguably even prettier. Millennial pink as a concept follows that rule of mixture: archaic gender roles, but given a forward-thinking twist.
By Brandon Phenix8 years ago in Viva
Top Five Friday
It's tough being a woman. No matter how hard you try, someone will always criticize what you do. Not feminine: you're mannish, unattractive, and too aggressive. Feminine: you're silly, frivolous, and kowtowing to the patriarchy. Sexual: you're slutty and dangerous. Not sexual: you're an uptight prude. Outspoken: you're a bitch who needs to shut up. Demure and retiring: you're a doormat who needs to stick up for herself. Being too much of one thing is liable to make you disliked. The same applies to women in fiction.
By Rachel Lesch8 years ago in Viva
Today’s TMI Media Culture: Baiting Clicks At Women’s Expense
In 1994, at the age of nine, I received my first “serious” diary as a gift from my grandmother. Though I haven’t seen it in ages, I remember the look and feel of it quite well. It had a thick, puffy pink cover, canoodling teddy bears on the front, and an actual lock and key to keep my secrets safe and to myself. Admittedly, the contents were not compelling for anyone beyond grade school, as I primarily divulged current crushes, playground drama, and lunch line gossip.
By Swaay8 years ago in Viva