2025 was a year that felt like a mash‑up of pop culture headlines and headline‑making headlines.
Winter: TikTok’s Unfinished Saga
After months of anticipation, the U.S. ban on TikTok never materialized. President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump both showed no interest in enforcing the law that was slated for January. Users rushed to other platforms, notably the Chinese‑owned RedNote, while Trump repeatedly delayed the ban until September, when he struck a deal to transfer majority ownership of TikTok to Americans.
The Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show
Kendrick Lamar headlined the Super Bowl LIX halftime show, drawing an average of 133.5 million views—the most‑watched halftime ever recorded. Cameos included SZA, Serena Williams, and Samuel L. Jackson, who dressed as Uncle Sam and narrated the performance. Lamar’s rendition of “Not Like Us” escalated Drake’s lawsuit against Universal Music Group for promoting the song. In October, a federal judge dismissed Drake’s defamation suit, marking the end of a feud that spanned much of 2024 and part of 2025.
Spring: The Labubu Craze
A toothy plush doll called Labubu, sold in blind boxes by Pop Mart, ignited the biggest collectible craze of the year. The dolls were described as creepy or slightly ugly, but their popularity created a lucrative resale market. Fake versions, dubbed Lafufus, also circulated. A life‑size Labubu sold for more than $170,000 in China, and heists involving the dolls drew local police into California.
Celebrities Take to Space
Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket carried a female‑only crew to space, including Katy Perry, CBS Mornings co‑host Gayle King, Lauren Sánchez, Aisha Bowe, Amanda Nguyen, and Kerianne Flynn. The flight, the first all‑female spaceflight since Valentina Tereshkova in 1963, produced viral moments such as Perry holding a daisy while singing “What a Wonderful World.”
Summer: K‑Pop Demon Hunters and the Sydney Sweeney Controversy
The animated film “KPop Demon Hunters,” produced by Sony Pictures Animation and released on Netflix, made the Saja Boys and HUNTR/X worldwide superstars. The songs “Your Idol” and “Golden” topped charts for months and received Grammy and Golden Globe nominations. Netflix announced the movie as its most‑watched film of all time and noted its eligibility for the 98th Academy Awards.
A controversial American Eagle denim campaign featuring actor Sydney Sweeney sparked accusations of promoting eugenics. Critics pointed to perceived racial undertones, while right‑wing commentators praised the ad as a blow to “wokeness.” Trump called it “the ‘HOTTEST’ ad out there.” In an interview with People magazine, Sweeney, 28, said, “I’m against hate and divisiveness. In the past my stance has been to never respond to negative or positive press but recently I have come to realize that my silence regarding this issue has only widened the divide, not closed it.”
Parasocial Relationships Go Too Far
Fandom toxicity reached new heights as “Love Island USA” and “The Summer I Turned Pretty” issued anti‑bullying PSAs. Internet sleuths continued to harass contestants for on‑screen behavior, and fans turned grievances about fictional characters into vitriol toward the actors who portray them.
Kiss Cam Scandal
A viral moment at a Coldplay concert in July involved a married CEO, Andy Byron, and his chief people officer, Kristin Cabot, who ducked from the kiss cam. Lead singer Chris Martin speculated they were having an affair. The scandal led both Byron and Cabot to resign from the data company Astronomer.
Fall: Taylor Swift’s New Era
Taylor Swift released her 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” in October, reuniting with producers Max Martin and Shellback. The album contains a dozen tracks, some of which appear to reference Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, who proposed to Swift with a garden proposal and a massive diamond ring.
Jimmy Kimmel’s Suspension
ABC pulled “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” from the air after Kimmel joked following the death of right‑wing media personality Charlie Kirk. The move sparked free‑speech debates, with protesters outside Disney’s studios and celebrities threatening to break ties. Kimmel returned within a week, criticizing Trump while attempting to smooth tensions over his comments about conservatives’ reaction to Kirk’s death.
Gen Alpha’s “6‑7” Lingo
The numbers six and seven entered Gen Alpha slang, often accompanied by a double‑hand gesture. Teachers banned the slang in classrooms, and In‑N‑Out Burger reportedly removed the number “67” from its ticket order system amid the trend.
The Diddy Trial Ends
In October, Sean “Diddy” Combs was sentenced to more than four years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. The seven‑week trial concluded with convictions on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution; he was acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. Diddy pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing.
Louvre Heist
On October 19, thieves stole an estimated $102 million worth of French crown jewels from the Louvre in broad daylight. Using a furniture‑elevator truck, they drilled into display cases and fled on scooters. The haul included jewels tied to Empress Marie‑Louise, Empress Eugénie, and 19th‑century queens Marie‑Amélie and Hortense. The four thieves remain at large.
Winter Part 2: Media Mogul David Ellison
David Ellison, 42, expanded his Hollywood influence by acquiring Paramount in an $8 billion deal. He now battles Netflix over Warner Bros. Discovery’s film and television assets, a contest that could shape future entertainment offerings.
Pop Stars Clash with the White House
The White House faced criticism for using copyrighted music in social‑media posts. In November, Olivia Rodrigo accused the Department of Homeland Security of using her song “all american b‑‑‑” in a pro‑ICE video. Sabrina Carpenter rebuked the White House for using her track “Juno” in a similar video, calling it “evil and disgusting.” The video was deleted. SZA joined the chorus, accusing the White House of “rage baiting artists for free promo” after it used her track “Big Boy.”
Key Takeaways
- TikTok’s U.S. ban stalled, leaving users on alternative platforms.
- Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show set a viewership record and resolved a long‑running lawsuit.
- The Labubu plush craze sparked a resale market and police‑involved heists.
- A high‑profile spaceflight, a viral kiss cam scandal, and a crown‑jewel heist defined the year’s cultural headlines.
2025 proved that pop culture can be as unpredictable as it is unforgettable, with every headline turning into a meme, a legal battle, or a headline‑making moment.
