2024 in Superlatives: Pop Culture's Best, Weirdest, and Wildest Moments

1. Best Bad Grammar

“That’s That Me Espresso”

Sabrina Carpenter is an absolute genius when it comes to unserious lyrics. She gifted us the catchy summer bop “Espresso,” complete with the delightfully nonsensical hook, “That’s that me espresso.” It turned into a lifestyle mantra, a hilarious sign-off, and everything in between.

And just when we thought she couldn’t top it, she hit us with another zinger months later: “Where art thou why not uponeth me?” Truly, her creativity knows no bounds.

2. Best Comeback

Simone Biles’s Return to the Olympics

Reuters

After stepping back from the Tokyo Olympics due to the “twisties,” Simone Biles proved why she’s the GOAT with an epic return in Paris. She bagged three golds and one silver, and in a heartwarming moment, she and Jordan Chiles graciously celebrated Rebeca Andrade’s victory on the podium.

3. Best Yeehaw

Cowboy Carter by Beyoncé

Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter was more than a genre shift—it was a heartfelt homecoming. Collaborating with country legends and spotlighting rising stars like Shaboozey, she delivered a masterpiece. No visuals yet, but the anticipation for her Christmas Day halftime show is palpable.

4. Best Flop

The Glasgow Willy Wonka Experience

What was supposed to be a magical event turned into a chaotic disaster. Children expecting chocolatey fun found a bleak gymnasium, a tired oompa loompa, and a masked figure ominously called “The Unknown.” With a budget that seemed non-existent, this event will go down as an all-time flop.

5. Hater Anthem of the Year

“Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar and Drake’s diss track war was unforgettable, but Kendrick’s “Not Like Us” took the crown. His biting lyricism shone with lines like, “I hate the way that you walk, the way that you talk, I hate the way that you dress,” cementing his role as the ultimate hater in music history.

6. Best Olympic Crushes

Kim Ye-Ji and Stephen Nedoroscik

Charles McQuillan

Kim Ye-Ji redefined coolness with her sharpshooting skills, while Stephen Nedoroscik stole hearts with his nerdy charm on the pommel horse. The Paris Games brought us many unforgettable athletes, but these two stood out for their unique appeal.

7. Best Usage of a Churro

Challengers

Zendaya’s Challengers was packed with sizzling drama, but nothing topped the scene where Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist’s characters share a churro. It’s arguably the most unforgettable cinematic use of a snack in recent history.

8. Best Summer Trend

Brat Summer

Byrdie/Charli XCX

Thanks to Charli XCX’s brat album, summer 2024 was all about letting loose. From the lime-green aesthetic to viral dances and the iconic tweet “Kamala is brat,” this phenomenon took over clubs, campaigns, and even politics.

9. Best Alternative to a Dating App

“Is Somebody Gonna Match My Freak?”

Tinashe’s viral single doubled as a matchmaking anthem. Its playful vibe made it the perfect icebreaker, and the dancing couple in the video was a bonus!

10. Biggest Rise

Chappell Roan

AFP

2024 was Chappell Roan’s year. Fans couldn’t get enough of her infectious songs, festival performances, and candid political stances. With her star steadily rising, the world is ready for more in 2025.

11. Most Likely to Have Chemistry With a Brick Wall

Glen Powell and Jonathan Bailey

Glen Powell charmed in Twisters and Hit Man, while Jonathan Bailey smouldered his way through Wicked. These guys could create sparks with anything, from co-stars to props—heck, even CGI tornadoes.

12. Longest Album, Spiritually

The Tortured Poets Department by Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department is a sprawling masterpiece that demands your full attention. It’s a journey through Swift’s lyrical genius, worth every moment of introspection it inspires.

13. Best Relationship to Come Out of Love Island

JaNa Craig, Serena Page, and Leah Kateb

Forget romantic connections—this trio stole the show with their ride-or-die friendship. From defending each other in the villa to gifting vintage couture, they set friendship goals like no one else.

14. Best Lyric

“I’m Looking for a Man in Finance”

TikToker @girl_on_couch’s hilarious summer hit perfectly summed up modern dating woes. Why not cut to the chase with, “I’m looking for a man in finance, trust fund, 6’5”, blue eyes”?

15. Word of the Year

Demure

Jools Lebron’s TikTok trend brought a refreshing shift from chaos to mindfulness. Suddenly, everyone was embracing the “very demure” lifestyle, from their wardrobes to their daily habits.

16. Wildest Thing to Say While Getting Arrested

“This Is Going to Ruin the Tour”

The American Hotel/AFP

When Justin Timberlake was arrested for a DWI, his dramatic proclamation became an instant meme. What tour? We may never know.

17. Cutest Rising Star

Moo Deng

Khao Kheow Open Zoo on Facebook

This adorable pygmy hippo melted hearts worldwide, becoming a viral sensation as fans flocked to Thailand’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo. Her moisturized shine and quirky antics had everyone smitten.

18. Biggest Heartbreak

The Bennifer Divorce

Reuters

Two years after their fairytale wedding, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck called it quits. J.Lo’s self-funded music projects added even more emotional weight to this devastating split.

19. Most Tears Shed

The Wicked Press Tour

Reuters

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo turned every Wicked interview into a heartfelt moment. Their tears mirrored the audience’s collective emotions, setting the tone for the upcoming sequel.

20. Best Place to Set Your Dating App Radius

Celebrity Lookalike Contests

What started as Timothée Chalamet impersonators snowballed into events featuring doppelgängers of nearly every Hollywood heartthrob. Who wouldn’t want to meet a “celebrity” date?