SZA's beauty brand, Love Island Beyond the Villa, and Doechii's 5-year success story | Popping In Vol. 16
SZA's dropping an anti-beauty brand, we're going back to the Villa, and Doechii's a creative genius.
As someone who was raised on the internet, I never thought I’d find myself seeing Trisha Paytas at Radio City Music Hall, but you know what they say: never say never. In a weird way seeing her reminded me that it’s never too late to start a new journey or chapter in your career. She’s lived so many lives and even admitted that five years ago she wasn’t sure if she’d be alive to see 2025, and now she’s selling out Radio City Musical Hall. I never thought I’d be so inspired by the same woman who sings “I Love You, Jesus”
I also saw Drop, the new movie starring Meghann Fahy, this week and shared my thoughts on TikTok. Becoming an AMC A-List member feels like I’ve truly leveled up in life.
ICYMI - I got laid off and am taking this as a sign from the universe that I need to take this free time and really figure out what the hell I’m doing on the internet - the podcast, my Substack, TikTok, YouTube, I’m still trying to figure it out but nonetheless I’m excited to be dedicating some more time to this newsletter because I really find so much joy in writing it every week and want to keep this community growing.
This week on the podcast we covered Coachella weekend one, Katy Perry going to space, Lorde teasing a new era, Aimee Lou Wood’s beef with SNL and more. I’ll link it below if you’re interested in listening (or here if you’re interested in watching it.)
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But if you already listened to this week’s episode (thank you!), here are some extra moments from the week that are Too Pop to Handle!
SZA Launches New Beauty Brand “Not Beauty”
Right before she kicks off her Grand National Tour with Kendrick Lamar, SZA dropped her lip combo that will “last as long as her shows”. She says that Not Beauty isn’t her venture into the beauty world as much as it is her “filling a need”. There will be three lip glosses in the initial launch each priced at $23 and exclusively available at pop-ups along the Grand National Tour. SZA is such a unique musical artist in the way she releases music in an unconventional cadence, so launching a beauty brand that’s not a beauty brand is actually incredibly on-brand for this diva.
Peacock Announces ‘Love Island: Beyond the Villa” ft Love Island USA Season 6 Cast
I got a text! It says PPG is back on top. Peacock has made a truly genius decision by bringing back (most of) the cast of Love Island USA Season 6 for a reality show following the cast after they left the Villa. It was last summer's number-one reality series in the U.S. and Peacock's most-watched original reality competition series of all time - this is a no-brainer. The show follows JaNa Craig, Aaron Evans, Miguel Harichi, Leah Kateb, Kaylor Martin, Connor Newsum, Serena Page, Kenny Rodriguez, Olivia Walker, and Kendall Washington with other Islanders making appearances throughout the season. I was confused as to why Kordell won’t be a regular cast member but our Season 6 winner is putting his acting chops to the test in a new scripted TV show - how fun! Also noticeably missing is Rob, however after being on two seasons of Love Island and not finding love, I don’t know if I’d go back on either.
Doechii Releases ‘Anxiety’ Music Video, Referencing Original 2020 Video
I will find any excuse to talk about Doechii, and it’s for good reason! She has continuously given us top-tier songs, performances, looks, etc and I just can’t get enough. This week she dropped the official music video for her first top 10 single, Anxiety, and there are layers to this music video. Right off the bat, she’s directly referencing her original video for the song she dropped 5 years ago where her career really started. The video perfectly tells a story of how Anxiety can make you feel - trapped in a whirlwind of repetitive, unresolvable situations. She also snuck in an homage to the sample she uses (Gotye’s ‘Somebody That I Used to Know’) by recreating the music video within hers. And to top it all off, the twins she’s sitting between!? Her younger sisters! This video truly speaks to her artistry and storytelling on another level and I cannot get enough of it.
And that’s a wrap on this week’s newsletter! Drop a comment down below and let me know your favorite pop culture moment from the week. I can only cover so much!
Don’t forget to tune into this week’s podcast episode and if you want a little more of me, I uploaded a reaction video to Addison Rae’s new song ‘Headphones On’ to my YouTube channel. Chat with you soon! 💖