The Most Memorable Pop Culture Moments of 2024
Each year in pop culture brings a few certainties: the rise of new pop stars and power couples, the fall of others, the birth of new nepo babies, and press tours that seem never to end. Both an Olympic and an election year, 2024 was ripe with historic firsts and nostalgic comebacks.
This time last year, Kate Middleton was unknowingly making her last public appearance for the following six months. Taylor Swift once again dominated the Grammys, using an acceptance speech to announce The Tortured Poets Department. Soon after, Beyoncé announced her first country album, and many others followed suit. In the spring, Hailey Bieber revealed her baby bump, and Justin Timberlake faced scandal—but didn’t interrupt his world tour.
Come summer, we let loose to the soundtrack of Charlie XCX’s Brat, finding release ahead of election season. In August, the internet became an uncharacteristically hopeful place as athletes broke records and found love at the Paris Olympics. In the fall, the VMAs minted Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan as breakout stars, and store shelves filled with pink and green everything as the Wicked release neared closer.
Relive all the highs and lows ahead with the 11 most memorable pop culture moments.
Taylor and Travis’s Big Week
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The year started out with a bang for America’s preeminent power couple. In early February, Taylor Swift took home her fourth Album of the Year Grammy, bringing her total Grammy count to 14. Just a week later, all eyes were once again on Swift, as she cheered Travis Kelce on toward his third Super Bowl win. Afterward, she joined him on the field for a kiss that will surely make the history books.
Royal Photoshop Gate
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In March, rumors were swirling about Kate Middleton’s whereabouts as the days since she last made a public appearance grew. On Mother’s Day (celebrated throughout England in early March) she posted a photo with her children, an apparent attempt to quell questions about her wellbeing. It was shared by dozens of news outlets, who quickly rescinded it when it became clear it had been photoshopped. Kate later apologized, blaming the obvious errors on her amateur experimentation. Later that month, she announced she was undergoing cancer treatment, and questions about her whereabouts were put to rest. In June, she made her first public appearance since the diagnosis.
Baby Bieber
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In May, after months of speculation, Hailey Bieber announced she was expecting a baby with husband Justin. Her maternity style, like all of her outfits before, quickly became the subject of much attention. In August, the stars welcomed a son named Jack Blues Bieber.
Justin Timberlake’s Arrest
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“This is going to ruin the tour. The world tour,” was world heard ’round the world in June, when Justin Timberlake was pulled over by a cop apparently too young to know who he was. He later pleaded guilty to drunk driving, and the show went on, with Timberlake’s Forget Me World Tour continuing on schedule
Bennifer Breakup
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The year 2021 was marked by Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s reunion after decades apart. But sadly, their nostalgia-fueled reunion was shortl-ived, and in 2024, they split. Their official divorce announcement was preceded by months of speculation, as their joint public appearances became increasingly rare, their house was put on the market, and they were spotted sans wedding rings. Just shy of a month after Lopez filed for divorce, the pair was inexplicably seen making out. Though a reunion doesn’t seem likely, they continue to support each other’s professional endeavors.
Brat Summer
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Few could have predicted that neon green would be the color of the summer, but after Charlie XCX released her album Brat, it was inescapable. The ethos of the album came to define the summer, spurring viral dances, offering an alternative to the long-reigning clean girl aesthetic, and even infiltrating marketing around the presidential race.
The Olympics
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In August, all eyes were on the Olympics. In her record-breaking third Olympics, gymnast Simone Biles took home the all-around title and helped Team USA secure the gold in the team finals. Katie Ledecky brought her total Olympic medal count to 14, and Sha’carri Richardson had her own redemption arc having been disqualified from the 2020 Olympics but returning this year to take home gold and silver medals. The theme seemed to be women being really good at what they do, and looking great doing it.
Lana Del Rey’s Surprise Wedding
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In late September, Lana Del Rey did the most Lana Del Rey thing and married alligator tour guide Jeremy Dufrene. Their nuptials were held at the Lousiana Bayou where Dufrene runs his swamp boat tours. She later showed off her engagement ring at InStyle’s Imagemaker Awards.
Chappell Roan’s Rise to Fame
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Back in 2023, Chappell Roan was still spending summers working as a camp counselor. This year, she topped the Billboard charts, inspired viral dances, performed at MTV’s Video Music Awards and on Saturday Night Live, and earned her first six Grammy nominations. She’s known for her drag-inspired costumes. Standouts include the Statue of Liberty look she wore at this summer’s Governor’s Ball, and the Joan of Arc cosplay she donned for the VMAs.
That’s That Me Espresso
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Sabrina Carpenter has been a working musician for years, but 2024 was the year she became a household name. Her breakout single Espresso was the song of the summer by all metrics, spending 14 weeks oscillating between the top three spots on Billboard’s Global 200 chart. A successful stadium tour, a spot opening at The Eras Tour, and performances at the VMAs and on Saturday Night Live cemented her status as an A-lister. And in a surprise twist along her path to fame, she was tangentially involved in the takedown of New York Mayor Eric Adams.
Wicked
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One of the most anticipated releases of the year came in November when Wicked hit theaters. Opening weekend brought in $114 million, making it the third biggest debut of the year thus far. Both Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande earned Golden Globe nominations for their work, and are expected to be up for Oscars. Should she win an Academy Award, Erivo will join the ranks of EGOT winners.
