Now, as I sit and watch the hideous beast that is Hollywood eating disorders and body trends rear its head during a cultural return to conservative values, I am reminded of the mindset I have fought so hard to recover from, and it frightens me.

Brontë included characters and dynamics that challenged Victorian norms and were typically silenced, focusing on a young woman and a non-white social outcast. The book is not a love story; it is a testament to some of the unheard voices of her time. Stripping away the layers of social commentary is disrespectful to her original message and the people it represented.

The Academy’s mission statement states that their goal is to “recognize excellence in the recording arts and sciences,” yet they don’t define what “excellence” is. Is it commercial success or critical acclaim?

Sure, Sabrina Carpenter’s lyrics are not for everyone. They’re flippant and rather “horny on main,” as the author said, performing a kind of tongue-in-cheek reclamation of hyper-sexualization. Yes, many of her lyrics are entirely unserious. But that is the point.

We can admire artists from afar and definitely love their music, but we must recognize our place as fans and not friends. Artists do not owe fans anything, not even their art.

The tendency for popular comments to form an individual’s opinion in this manner is largely rooted in generational insecurity. They can be accredited to the social frameworks that permit unmitigated opinions and standards, ultimately leading to groupthink.

Maybe people aren’t planning to vote for Kamala in November just because Charli XCX mentioned her once, but at what point could someone’s political world become so saturated with celebrity culture, Instagram posts, and TikTok trends that it’s hardly based on the actual campaign anymore?

My issue with Sabrina Carpenter is not her chosen genre nor her melodies. They are catchy and everything pop songs should be. My issue lies in the lyrics.

As a WashU student likely flooded with work, you deserve a show (or a StudLife article) that takes no brain energy to understand.

Join us on a tour of second-hand embarrassment: here are some of our favorite salacious pop culture moments from the past year.