10 Major Pop Culture Events That Happened 2017
Thankfully, 2017 is almost over. Doesn’t it feel like this year simultaneously flew by and dragged at a glacial pace? We’ve all been through a lot in the past 365 days, and hopefully 2018 will be a bit brighter. But despite the fact that 2017 was, for the most part, a garbage fire of a year, we did have more than our fair share of pop culture moments that will go down in the history books. From the launch of the powerful #MeToo movement to the debut of Riverdale, 2017 gave us a lot to laugh, contemplate, and tweet about — so we compiled just a few of the most influential moments in entertainment from the past year into one handy-dandy list. Check out our picks and let us know if there's anything else you'd add!
Christopher Polk1/11Beyoncé’s Babies Make Their Debut
Beyoncé broke the internet in early Feburary when she announced her pregnancy on Instagram, and the photo took on a new life, with artists recreating it in lip art and in … cheese? The twins, Sir and Rumi, made a lot of appearances on Mom’s Insta in utero before making their debut in a glorious, iconic photoshoot. We have a feeling big things are in store for the Carter Twins in 2018.
Matt Winkelmeyer2/11Colin Kaepernick Continues to Take a Knee
Pro football player Colin Kaepernick made headlines last year when he began taking a knee during the National Anthem at games to protest police brutality and racial injustices in the United States — but the impact of his protest has reverberated well into 2017. His actions made a splash on both sides, with some, including President Trump, decrying his kneeling as "unpatriotic." Many others, however, agreed with Colin. Taking a knee became popular form of protest at games and has since turned into a movement of its own. In December, Beyoncé presented Colin with the Muhammed Ali Legacy Award and praised his “selfless heart.” (The award is given to athletes who work for positive change during their career.) Colin is currently an NFL “free agent,” which means he isn’t signed to a team, so it remains to be seen what 2018 holds for him. We’re pretty sure he’s got something amazing planned.
Photo: Courtesy the CW3/11We All Moved to Riverdale
What was Wednesday like before Riverdale? We honestly don’t remember. The CW show, based on the Archie comics, became a massively popular sensation for viewers of all ages, and its dark, mysterious storylines had us all captivated … and obsessively following its stars, like Cole Sprouse and Camila Mendes on social.
©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection4/11Get Out Breaks Box Office Records
The unforgettable horror movie Get Out — a movie loaded with thrills, WTF moments, and precise, thought-provoking social commentary — grossed over $150 million at the box office, making it the highest-grossing debut for a feature-length film based on an original screenplay. Director Jordan Peele is also planning more movies like it, and we can’t wait!
Mike Coppola5/11Rihanna Rules the Met Gala
Rih always kills it at the Met Gala, but her Rei Kawakubo design for the 2017 event was on a whole other level. The avant-garde look blew up Twitter immediately, and we’re still thinking about its intricate details even months later.
Composite. Courtesy of YouTube/Moviecliptrailers, Wikimedia Commons.6/11The Babadook Becomes the Star of Pride
Horror movie “star” the Babadook became an unlikely queer icon thanks to Tumblr, and everyone was Baba-shook. A whole new world of inclusiveness and self-expression was born and the creepy character even became a popular figure during Pride Month.
Getty Images7/11The Kardashian-Jenner Pregnancies
Where were you when you heard the news of Kylie Jenner’s supposed pregnancy in September? Her sister Khloé was [also rumored to be pregnant,] (https://www.teenvogue.com/story/fans-khloe-kardashian-proof-pregnant) but despite fans’ speculations and their best efforts to get the sisters to confirm, mum’s the word with the K-fam. We’ll just have to wait and see if Kylie debuts an infant on her Snapchat in 2018.
Courtesy Netflix8/11We Went Back to the Upside Down
Stranger Things 2 hit Netflix during Halloween, and pretty much everyone in the world binged the series ASAP. This installment gave us new characters to love, an IRL couple to ship, and a chance to reconnect with the residents of Hawkins, Indiana. Is it time for Stranger Things 3 yet, and will Zac Efron be there? We’re compiling our theories now.
TaylorSwiftVEVO/Youtube9/11Taylor Swift Enters a New Era
Taylor Swift debuted her latest album, Reputation, in November but not before leading fans on a wild search for clues in its videos and singles. The shady references in the “Look What You Made Me Do” video were a pop culture moment in themselves! “Dark Taylor” has arrived, indeed.
Composite via Getty Images10/11The #MeToo Movement
Earlier this fall, powerful movie executive Harvey Weinstein was accused by a number of women of sexual misconduct, assault, and rape. And as many brave women like Asia Argento, Rose McGowan, and Lupita Nyong'o came forward to tell their stories of sexual harassment, a new online movement known as #MeToo was born. A way for women to stand in solidarity against sexual harassment and abuse — not to mention the culture that allows it to continue and flourish — the conversation has eventually grown, with women of all stripes coming forward to tell their truths and offer one another support.
