Key Takeaways:
- The year 2025 was marked by significant events in pop culture, including the engagement of Zendaya and Tom Holland, and the marriage announcement of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.
- Beyoncé won the Grammy for Best Album and introduced her daughter, Blue Ivy, as a new force in the music industry.
- The year saw the rise of new trends and phenomena, such as the "6-7" phrase and the popularity of K-pop.
- Several notable celebrities passed away, including Robert Redford, Diane Keaton, Hulk Hogan, Ozzy Osbourne, and Malcolm-Jamal Warner.
- The year ended with the Oscars race heating up, with "One Battle After Another" emerging as a favorite, and the entertainment industry facing significant changes with the potential acquisition of Warner Bros. by Netflix.
Introduction to Pop Culture in 2025
The year 2025 was a remarkable one for pop culture, with a wide range of events, trends, and phenomena that captivated audiences around the world. From the engagement of Zendaya and Tom Holland to the marriage announcement of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, the year was marked by significant moments in the lives of celebrities. The year also saw the rise of new trends and phenomena, such as the "6-7" phrase and the popularity of K-pop. In this article, we will take a journey through the highlights of pop culture in 2025, from the inexplicable to the familiar.
January Highlights
The year began with several notable events, including the engagement of Zendaya and Tom Holland, and the Golden Globe win of Demi Moore for her performance in "The Substance". The month also saw the release of "Onyx Storm", the third installment of Rebecca Yarros’ romantasy series, and a Nirvana reunion at the FireAid fundraiser. The Australian Open tennis tournament was also a highlight, with U.S. tennis star Coco Gauff mourning the temporary loss of TikTok’s app.
February Highlights
In February, Kendrick Lamar made history as the first solo hip-hop artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime show. The month also saw the Grammys, where Beyoncé won the award for Best Album for "Cowboy Carter", becoming the first Black woman to win the top prize in the 21st century. The month also saw the emergence of a new trend, with 87-year-old Doug Turner’s hand-penned party invitations going viral on social media.
March Highlights
March was a significant month for the film industry, with the Oscars taking place. The month saw the victory of Sean Baker’s "Anora" and its star, Mikey Madison, as well as the win of Adrien Brody for "The Brutalist". The month also saw the performance of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande at the Oscars, and the controversy surrounding the Netflix contender "Emilia Pérez".
April Highlights
In April, the Thailand-set third season of "The White Lotus" premiered, and Katy Perry’s return from an 11-minute trip on a Jeff Bezos Blue Origin rocket was widely mocked. The month also saw the emergence of Blue Ivy as a new force in the music industry, with her performance on Beyoncé’s "Cowboy Carter" tour. Hailey Bieber also made headlines with the sale of her Rhode skincare and makeup brand for $1 billion.
May Highlights
May was a significant month for the film industry, with the Cannes film festival taking place. The month saw the premiere of "Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning", and the MET Gala’s focus on menswear and Black style over the centuries. Taylor Swift also made headlines with her purchase of the rights to her first six albums, and the "Chicago Pope" memes went viral.
June Highlights
In June, the summer season kicked off with the premiere of "KPop Demon Hunters", which became a surprise hit. The month also saw the new season of "Love Island USA", and the controversy surrounding Sabrina Carpenter’s album cover for "Man’s Best Friend". The month also saw the Glastonbury Festival in Britain, where the rap-punk duo Bob Vylan sparked a police probe after leading a chant calling for "death" to the Israeli military.
July Highlights
July was a significant month for music, with the reunion tour of Oasis and the Gallaghers. The month also saw the premiere of "Sydney Sweeney has great jeans", and the announcement of the end of Stephen Colbert’s show in May 2026. The month also saw the saga of the Coldplay KissCam, and the loss of three ’80s icons: Hulk Hogan, Ozzy Osbourne, and Malcolm-Jamal Warner.
August Highlights
In August, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announced their engagement, which became one of the most liked posts in Instagram history. The month also saw the premiere of "Love Story", and the emergence of Blue Ivy as a new force in the music industry. The month also saw the release of Taylor Swift’s new album "The Life of a Showgirl", which set sales records.
September Highlights
September was a significant month for the film industry, with the Emmys taking place. The month saw the win of Seth Rogen’s movie-biz satire "The Studio", and the triumph of "The Pitt", the edgy medical drama starring Noah Wyle. The month also saw the loss of Robert Redford, Hollywood’s golden screen idol turned influential activist.
October Highlights
In October, the "6-7" phrase became a viral sensation, with many people using it to describe their experiences. The month also saw the premiere of "Saturday Night Live", hosted by Bad Bunny, and the release of Taylor Swift’s new album "The Life of a Showgirl". The month also saw the shocking Louvre heist, and the loss of Diane Keaton, famous for her fedoras, vests, and especially "La di da, La di da".
November Highlights
November was a significant month for the film industry, with the release of "Wicked: For Good", the second installment of the "Wicked" series. The month also saw the win of Jonathan Bailey, aka Fiyero, as People’s Sexiest Man Alive, and the emergence of Robert Irwin as the winner of "Dancing with the Stars".
December Highlights
In December, the Oscars race heated up, with "One Battle After Another" emerging as a favorite. The month also saw the Golden Globe nominations, and the potential acquisition of Warner Bros. by Netflix, which faced antitrust challenges and a hostile takeover effort from Paramount. The month ended with the entertainment industry facing significant changes, and the world looking forward to what 2026 would bring.