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Culture

The entertainment and cultural moments that define our society.

Is there a winner in Bennifer’s divorce PR battle?
Culture

Jennifer Lopez’s and Ben Affleck’s reactions to their split are both very on-brand and kind of pointless.

By Kyndall Cunningham
Is there a winner in Bennifer’s divorce PR battle?
Culture

Jennifer Lopez’s and Ben Affleck’s reactions to their split are both very on-brand and kind of pointless.

By Kyndall Cunningham
Serial’s Adnan Syed has once again had his conviction reinstated. Here’s what that really means.Serial’s Adnan Syed has once again had his conviction reinstated. Here’s what that really means.
Culture

The back-and-forth over a wildly rare appeal is a win for victim’s rights.

By Aja Romano
The Brittany Mahomes-Donald Trump drama, such as it isThe Brittany Mahomes-Donald Trump drama, such as it is
Culture

Why everyone suddenly cares about Brittany Mahomes’s politics.

By Alex Abad-Santos
The essential Lord of the Rings lore you need to watch The Rings of PowerThe essential Lord of the Rings lore you need to watch The Rings of Power
Culture

The second season of the series has huge news for fans of Tom Bombadil.

By Rebecca Jennings

The latest in Culture

Your guide to the confusing, exciting, and utterly new world of Gen AlphaYour guide to the confusing, exciting, and utterly new world of Gen Alpha
Family

A newsletter about kids, for everyone.

By Anna North
The surprisingly subdued resurrection of Abercrombie & FitchThe surprisingly subdued resurrection of Abercrombie & Fitch
Consumerism

How the once-maligned retailer quietly became a closet staple — and a stock market giant — once again.

By Amanda Lewellyn
Why I changed my mind about volunteering
Culture

My generation was taught to change the system. That lesson came at a cost.

By Rachel M. Cohen
The difference between American and UK Love Is BlindThe difference between American and UK Love Is Blind
Culture

The pods across the pond feel a lot less toxic.

By Alex Abad-Santos
All the nonsense you need to know about Sabrina CarpenterAll the nonsense you need to know about Sabrina Carpenter
Culture

The singer’s new album, Short n’ Sweet, is full of the sexy clown wordplay she’s known for.

By Alex Abad-Santos
Theo Von’s interview with Donald Trump makes more sense than you thinkTheo Von’s interview with Donald Trump makes more sense than you think
Culture

Cocaine, UFC, politics, and the former president’s podcast bro tour, explained.

By Aja Romano
Why did anyone think Beyonce was going to play the DNC?Why did anyone think Beyonce was going to play the DNC?
Culture

Kamala Harris was the main event, but fans, the internet, and the media fell for rumors of a Beyoncé concert.

By Alex Abad-Santos
Pumpkin spice lattes — and the backlash, and the backlash to the backlash — explainedPumpkin spice lattes — and the backlash, and the backlash to the backlash — explained
Money

Pumpkin spice is America’s most hatable seasonal flavor. But Starbucks is leaning in even more heavily this year.

By Rebecca Jennings
Chappell Roan spent 7 years becoming an overnight successChappell Roan spent 7 years becoming an overnight success
Culture

The rising Midwest princess is finally embracing queer joy — and learning that fame comes with a price.

By Constance Grady
20 years of Bennifer ends in divorce20 years of Bennifer ends in divorce
Culture

Looking back at this 20-year on-again, off-again, on-again, and now off-again Hollywood love story.

By Alex Abad-Santos
The It Ends With Us drama is the new Don’t Worry Darling dramaThe It Ends With Us drama is the new Don’t Worry Darling drama
Culture

Is there actually beef between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni?

By Kyndall Cunningham
What Beyoncé’s “Freedom” can tell you about Kamala HarrisWhat Beyoncé’s “Freedom” can tell you about Kamala Harris
Culture

Why do we care so much about campaign songs?

By Kyndall Cunningham
Why Indian doctors are protesting after the rape and death of a colleagueWhy Indian doctors are protesting after the rape and death of a colleague
Culture

India has systemic problems with sexual violence.

By Ellen Ioanes
Husband, zaddy, first gentleman? The evolution of Doug Emhoff.Husband, zaddy, first gentleman? The evolution of Doug Emhoff.
Politics

How the second gentleman became the internet’s favorite male feminist.

By Anna North
Scott Peterson’s guilt, explainedScott Peterson’s guilt, explained
Culture

The Innocence Project has taken on Scott Peterson. But there are limits to reasonable doubt.

By Aja Romano
What Kamala Harris and Beyoncé have in common 
Politics

Our society demands Black women be “twice as good.” Beyoncé has found a solution that Harris seems keen to copy.

By Jonquilyn Hill
Why is everyone mad at Blake Lively?Why is everyone mad at Blake Lively?
Culture

On the It Ends With Us press tour, the actor’s persona, side hustles, and career are all in conflict.

By Alex Abad-Santos
How Raygun earned her spot — fair and square — as an Olympics breakerHow Raygun earned her spot — fair and square — as an Olympics breaker
Culture

The truth behind the ongoing controversy over the highly memeable dancer.

By Aja Romano
Does being a gifted kid make for a burned-out adulthood?
Mental Health

How being labeled “gifted” can rearrange your life — for better and for worse.

By Constance Grady
The fight over Jordan Chiles’s bronze medal is barely about gymnasticsThe fight over Jordan Chiles’s bronze medal is barely about gymnastics
Culture

The Olympian was asked to give her medal back — and the racist attacks began.

By Alex Abad-Santos
What George Orwell’s 1984 can teach us about 2024What George Orwell’s 1984 can teach us about 2024
Audio
The Gray Area

Orwell prized clear communication, so why are people misusing his name?

By Sean Illing
Industry is the soapy, sleazy spectacle prestige TV is missingIndustry is the soapy, sleazy spectacle prestige TV is missing
Culture

How is a show about banking more fun than anything else?

By Kyndall Cunningham
The case for pole dancing in the OlympicsThe case for pole dancing in the Olympics
Culture

Pole dancing is basically gymnastics. But the world isn’t ready for it.

By Celia Ford
Tim Walz is riding the wave of the vibes electionTim Walz is riding the wave of the vibes election
Culture

This moment is all about feelings. Enter a friendly Midwestern governor armed with dad jokes.

By Rebecca Jennings
Paris reminded us why we love the OlympicsParis reminded us why we love the Olympics
Today, Explained newsletter

Paris hosted a great Olympics. That’ll probably be the exception going forward.

By Bryan Walsh
Who is Noah Lyles? The star sprinter’s Olympics went perfectly — until it didn’t.Who is Noah Lyles? The star sprinter’s Olympics went perfectly — until it didn’t.
Olympics

The Olympian won gold in the 100 meters, then caught Covid and came up short in his signature event.

By Kyndall Cunningham
Everything you need to know for breaking’s Olympic debutEverything you need to know for breaking’s Olympic debut
Culture

Rule number one: Don’t call it breakdancing.

By Aja Romano
Why readers love — and love to hate — Colleen HooverWhy readers love — and love to hate — Colleen Hoover
Culture

It Ends With Us is at the center of Hoover’s very polarizing body of work.

By Constance Grady
I’m a Black vegan. Why don’t you see more of us?
Future Perfect

People of color are more likely to be vegan. But the animal rights movement still has a white face.

By Noella Williams
Why India’s star wrestler was disqualified at the OlympicsWhy India’s star wrestler was disqualified at the Olympics
Olympics

Vinesh Phogat was just ounces away from a medal.

By Ellen Ioanes
Those Olympics AI ads feel bad for a reasonThose Olympics AI ads feel bad for a reason
Culture

It’s not just Google’s “Dear Sydney” commercial that feels soulless and strange.

By Rebecca Jennings
Why “pop-up” restaurants are everywhere nowWhy “pop-up” restaurants are everywhere now
Play
Video

The post-Covid pop-up boom, explained.

By Edward Vega
What AI in music can — and can’t — do
Future Perfect

Music production is getting easier. Does that make it better?

By Adam Clair
Can men’s gymnastics be saved?Can men’s gymnastics be saved?
Audio
Today, Explained podcast

Just as the US team enters its influencer era, the sport is in trouble.

By Denise Guerra
The misleading controversy over an Olympic women’s boxing match, briefly explained The misleading controversy over an Olympic women’s boxing match, briefly explained 
Sports

Conservatives are capitalizing on the abandoned Khelif-Carini fight to levy anti-trans attacks.

By Li Zhou
J.K. Rowling’s transphobia: A history
Culture

An exhausting — if not exhaustive — timeline of J.K. Rowling’s transphobia.

By Aja Romano
3 unexpected winners — and 1 predictable loser — from the Paris Olympics so far3 unexpected winners — and 1 predictable loser — from the Paris Olympics so far
Olympics

Forget the medals — these athletes won the internet’s love.

By Izzie Ramirez, Meredith Haggerty and 1 more
An influencer is running for Senate. Is she just the first of many?An influencer is running for Senate. Is she just the first of many?
Culture

Caroline Gleich’s Utah Senate campaign is a sign of the blurring lines between digital creators and politicians.

By Rebecca Jennings
Legendary activist Kimberlé Crenshaw on why those white people Zooms give her hopeLegendary activist Kimberlé Crenshaw on why those white people Zooms give her hope
Culture

The scholar who coined “intersectionality” explains why those fundraisers from white Harris supporters really do matter.

By Constance Grady
Simone Biles’s legacy is equal parts dominance and resilience Simone Biles’s legacy is equal parts dominance and resilience 
Culture

The GOAT just took her team to another Olympic gold.

By Alex Abad-Santos