The Top Cultural Moments of 2024: A Year in Review
As the internet continues to evolve at breakneck speed, it’s easy to get lost in the noise. That’s why we’ve taken the time to sift through the cultural cream that rose to the top of the World Wide Web in 2024. From film favorites to tech flubs, and from charming catchphrases to societal trends, we’ve got you covered.
Challengers
The sizzling tensions of Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers inspired memes, breathless text posts, and horny fan edits of the three lead characters. The online frenzy around Challengers made them fair game for fan editors who knew the people needed their tennis fantasy fix ASAP.
Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, The Tortured Poet’s Department, and Travis Kelce
For the past year, we’ve seen so much Taylor Swift on our feeds that she has become the moment. Her Eras Tour and relationship with footballer Travis Kelce – both the talk of 2023 – remained top of mind in 2024 as Swift played stadiums worldwide and managed to make it to her beau’s Super Bowl game on time.
Pro-Palestine campus protests
Across the country, college students protesting the war in Gaza demanded that their universities divest from financial support of Israel. These protests, which included on-campus encampments and demonstrations, drew varied reactions from law enforcement.
"Would you rather be alone in the woods with a man or a bear?"
This simple question, first shared on TikTok, opened a dialogue about gender-based sexual and physical violence: If left alone in the woods, would you feel safer being there with a man or a bear? Women answered, overwhelmingly: the bear, adding comments like, "The worst thing the bear can do is kill me."
Zendaya’s Dune: Part Two red carpet style
Zendaya and her longtime stylist, Law Roach, delivered incredible looks for the Dune: Part Two press tour, including a matching jumpsuit moment with co-star Timothée Chalamet. But the ‘fit that topped them all was a vintage Mugler chrome bodysuit with revealing cutouts.
Tween girls at Sephora
For about a month between January and February of this year, the internet had a lot to say about tween girls shopping at Sephora. TikTok videos purported to show display cases at the makeup store wrecked by overeager young women. However, the larger conversation revolved around whether young girls should be in the store at all – and if the products they love from brands like Drunk Elephant, Glow Recipe, and Charlotte Tilbury are suitable for young skin.
TikTok "ban"
After years of threats by the U.S. government, a TikTok "ban" is finally underway. The move could have enormous implications for creators who create primarily for TikTok, and the bill may face a long uphill battle in the U.S. court system.
"Who TF Did I Marry?"
"Who TF Did I Marry?" is an 8-hour video series that made creator Reesa Teesa the talk of the internet throughout February and March. The 52-part saga, posted to TikTok, details Teesa’s marriage to a "pathological liar" and "narcissist" whom she calls Legion.
Chappell Roan’s star-making ascent
The slow and steady rise of singer Chappell Roan was supercharged this year by her performances at Coachella, where her whimsical outfits, undeniable stage presence, and progressive pop proved to be a powerful combination.
The rise (and fail) of AI
The meteoric rise of OpenAI in 2023 has upended content across the web in 2024. We’re seeing the application of artificial intelligence across almost every major platform to varying degrees of effectiveness. In April, a screenshot of Google’s AI tool recommending readers put "glue on pizza" raised eyebrows and set tongues wagging on X.
Stanley cups and the dangers of overconsumption
The Stanley tumbler, a 40-ounce reusable stainless steel cup, is portable and durable and should reduce reliance on single-use plastics. Instead, it became a symbol of overconsumption early this year when people began sharing their enormous Stanley Cup collections, and videos surfaced of Stanley-seekers outrunning each other to nab a limited-edition Valentine’s Day colorway.
Jett and Pookie
Jett Puckett has a special nickname for his wife, Campbell. To him, she is "Pookie," and she always looks "absolutely fire." The couple’s TikTok content, featuring their date night outfits and weekend outings, delighted viewers who especially loved listening to Jett wax poetic about Pookie’s appearance.
