What the Culturati 50 Loved in 2025

As we put together our best-of-2025 lists, we asked 50 influential people in the arts and entertainment to share their favorites. For New York Magazine’s first “Culturati 50,” these tastemakers—the people who shaped the entertainment world this year—reviewed the movies, TV shows, music, books, plays, and other enjoyable things that stood out to them. Their choices are wonderfully unique and reflect their individual tastes: Lorde admits to watching fewer than 150 movies in her life, but reads about one and a half books each week (including Patricia Lockwood’s newest novel). Lindsay Lohan appreciates the “quiet beauty” of Peter Hujar’s Day, and Claire Danes loves podcasts and practices saying “I Don’t Think So, Honey!” when she has free time.

 

Looking at what everyone chose as their favorites, a few clear trends emerged. Sinners was the most popular film, Adolescence the most beloved TV show, and Oh, Mary! the top Broadway production of the year. While most people (79%) identified a song of the summer, opinions were widely varied. Interestingly, The Rehearsal both increased and decreased people’s fear of flying. Many of the people we surveyed, including Rachel Zegler, Supriya Ganesh, and Gabby Windey, turned to the writings of Joan Didion for inspiration. It was also fascinating to learn how and why they enjoyed different forms of culture – often fitting episodes or albums into busy schedules, or using them to prepare for work (like Ben Ahlers listening to Kendrick Lamar’s GNX before an audition). It became clear these 50 influential people were also inspired by each other’s work. For example, Chase Sui Wonders enjoyed Lola Tung’s performance in The Summer I Turned Pretty, and Lola Tung was moved by Sadie Sink in John Proctor Is the Villain. Sadie Sink, in turn, watched season two of Severance during breaks from rehearsals, and this pattern continued throughout the group.

The Culturati 50

Hideo Kojima praised the show’s brilliant use of single-take filming and direction, noting how it powerfully highlights the central ideas and vividly portrays the fear and pain felt by children growing up and their families.

Mara Brock Akil noted that her shows, Adolescence and Forever, both explored the specific struggles faced by young men, and she playfully acknowledged the success of her work by saying, ‘The white boys have been killing it.’ She highlighted that these projects aimed to bring attention to these unique challenges and offered a fresh perspective.

Honestly, being part of this project gives me a really good kind of nervous energy. The situations feel intense, but they’re things I totally understand – like what the studio is focused on, or even just wondering who someone new on set is. As an actor, I usually prefer not to know all the behind-the-scenes stuff, and seeing it all laid bare is a little frightening, but in a way that makes it exciting.

Chase Sui Wonders is really afraid of flying, especially after a couple of scary flights that left her feeling helpless. Ironically, she’s also really interested in how planes actually work, so she always pays close attention to the pilots before getting on a plane. Once, after watching the TV show The Rehearsal, she was so focused on the cockpit that a pilot noticed and, treating her like a child, invited her inside and let her try on his hat. When she asked if he’d seen the show, he had no idea what she was talking about.

Claire Danes says Mike White consistently creates fantastic and engaging television, and she’s admired his work for about twenty years.

Sadie Sink praised the show’s team-building trip, saying it helped broaden the scope of the story. She also highlighted Tramell Tillman’s exceptional performance.

Penn Badgley shared that he and his wife found ‘The Pitt’ to be a welcome distraction and a genuinely touching show to watch after the birth of their twins. He described a show with heart and substance as a rare and appreciated thing.

“The single most important show is The Real Housewives of Salt Lake.” — Morgan Bassichis

Stephanie Wambugu says the book Too Much resonated with her because she read it while living in London with someone she loved deeply. As an American, she connected with the story in a way she hadn’t when she first watched Girls as a teenager – at that time, she was too young to understand the awkward and relatable experiences the characters went through. She felt Too Much reached her at the perfect moment in her life.

Zach Woods highlighted a particularly funny moment in The Chair Company: a character looking through a hole in a desk. He also quoted a memorable line from the show: ‘Fuck! You handed me that piece of paper too hard!’

Let me tell you, watching “Is It Cake?” is strangely satisfying. It’s like a little burst of ASMR, especially with the reveal of whether something is actually cake or not. Honestly, it’s become a bit of a comfort show for me – I often have it on while I’m cleaning or just doing chores. There’s something so calming about it; it’s not overly stimulating, and it’s just… cake. Or is it? That’s the fun of it! I’ve even gotten my friends hooked – it’s become our little inside joke.

Justine Lupe admitted the storyline involving incest made her uneasy, but she was more frustrated by the public’s reaction. People questioned the creative choice, and she found herself thinking, ‘This is Mike White – he does unexpected things!’ While it bothered her, she didn’t want the storyline removed entirely.

Counterpoint: “I loved the incest story line. I was like, ‘Come on. Let’s go for it. Bring the teeth! Freak us out, Mike!’ ” — Lorde

But was it as alarming as …

“The fact he used that dirty blender.” — Heidi Gardner

“Everyone asking Gaitok, ‘How’s your head?’” — Jeff Hiller

“The family having to lock up their phones. Those people needed their phones.” — Bess Wohl

“Natasha Rothwell’s hot son.” — Branden Jacobs-Jenkins

Ben Ahlers believes Jack and Bertha’s new acquaintance, Jack, are kindred spirits, both driven and self-reliant like George Russell. He feels the show needs someone forward-thinking and entrepreneurial, like Jack, rather than a traditional figure like the Duke, especially given how quickly things are changing. Although he hasn’t seen the scripts for the next season, he’s eager to be involved in any way possible. He also thinks Bertha will miss Gladys now that she’s moved away, pointing out how easily they could visit each other. He imagines Jack would be a good match with several characters, creating interesting dynamics – with Gladys due to their different social classes, or with Bridget as a return to his roots. He’s particularly enthusiastic about a potential spin-off featuring Aunt Agnes and Jack, believing they’d have great chemistry. He also notes that Oscar is spending all of her money, and feels Jack and Agnes would get along famously if they teamed up.

Cat Cohen shared their love for The Real Housewives of New York City, saying the show changed them after watching it from the start, and they’d love to see Alex McCord and Simon van Kempen return to the cast.

Julio Torres described an Instagram account run by a woman in Dubai who categorizes things—like restaurants—based on whether they’re frequented by ‘billionaires,’ ‘millionaires,’ or ‘normal people.’ The account’s assistant names the place, and she gives it a classification. She works in real estate and shares advice, such as suggesting people avoid studio apartments and instead consider buying villas.

Gabby Windey described the show The Hunting Wives as highly entertaining, even if a bit over-the-top. She jokingly commented on the actresses’ appearances, saying Malin Åkerman looked great and she understood the appeal of showing skin. Windey also enjoyed the show’s wigs and thought Malin Åkerman and Brittany Daniel had good on-screen chemistry, though she wasn’t entirely convinced by their characters’ lesbian relationship, suggesting a short haircut might help sell it.

 

Lola Tung said she recently watched the show for the first time and really enjoyed it. She identifies with the character Marnie and appreciates how well the show captures the feeling of the early 2010s, even though she was quite young at the time—around 12 years old—when it originally aired.

As a huge football fan, I always find HBO’s Hard Knocks completely captivating. There’s just something about watching training camp and the brutal process of making the final roster that’s endlessly dramatic. The show follows a different team each season, and this year it was the Buffalo Bills. What really struck me wasn’t just getting to see Josh Allen and Sean McDermott up close, but how the show beautifully captured the connection between the team and the city of Buffalo – it really felt like the Bills are Buffalo, and it was genuinely moving to watch.

Park Chan-wook is referring to YouTube videos that claim the former Korean president, Yoon Suk Yeol, was involved in corruption.

Parker Posey discovered the show Love Is Blind through her younger castmates while performing in the play The Seagull/Woodstock, NY. They all enjoyed discussing it as if it were a daily soap opera.

“She reversed the punch line and started with the punch.” — Ramy Youssef

Counterpoint: The Case for Nate Bargatze: “He got a lot of pushback online, but in the room, it was really funny. There was a dip where it became not funny and a little sad. Then it was like a phoenix rising from the ashes. It suddenly became funny again. I liked that he undercut the typical polished awards-show demeanor. He was just a guy hosting a show full of a ton of famous people.” — Chase Sui Wonders

Adam Scott said people were really unfair to Carolyn. He believes she was being strategic and was punished for it.

It’s complicated. I’m trying to explain things from both sides of his personality. You have to understand he’s essentially a three-year-old – going through a rebellious phase, but also facing a huge decision. If he goes through that door, he could disappear, potentially die. And the person he loves is waiting on the other side. It’s a really difficult situation – what would anyone do?

“It’s a moral gray area, and that’s the beauty of it.” — Ethan Slater

Manon Bannerman, who plays Katseye, expressed a conflicted reaction to a recent plot point involving the character Mark. She explained that while she enjoys the storyline for entertainment purposes, she feels it’s morally questionable that Mark’s inner self, or ‘Innie,’ took control of his body from the original Mark, or ‘Outie,’ who had already established a life. Despite her reservations, she’s eager to see how the story unfolds, but acknowledges the ethical concerns involved.

“That’s not for me to say ❤️” — Benito Skinner

Chase Sui Wonders submits her mom’s finale appearance:

“My mom is at the blackjack table with Bryan Cranston. She came to visit me on set in Vegas. We were filming on the live casino floor because you can’t shut it down. So we’re around all these real people. There was a scene where Bryan Cranston is betting a lobster at one of the tables, and we needed people to fill in the scene. My mom was watching behind the scenes, and Evan Goldberg was like, ‘Why didn’t you get in there?’ She came up to me — I was about to do a scene — and she’s like, ‘Evan would like me to go into hair and makeup.’ I was like, ‘What, why?’ She got a lot of screen time. Then I come to the table and shout a bunch of expletives. She’s a diva now. A nepo mom at work.” — Chase Sui Wonders

“I’m never scared to go on planes! I love flying ☺️ ☺️” — Lindsay Lohan

Supriya Ganesh believes that better communication could fix a lot of problems. She also jokingly insists that the pilot of the downed plane was definitely listening to the song ‘Bring Me to Life’ at the time of the crash.

The Culturati 50

Penn Badgley described a scene in a Ryan Coogler film—where the history of Black music is powerfully brought to life in a juke joint—as a truly moving experience. He said he was deeply touched while watching it alone and felt it was a masterpiece. He recalled thinking, ‘This is a fucking work of art.’

Wunmi Mosaku was surprised to learn that Michael B. Jordan didn’t use any prosthetics for his role in the movie. She noticed a natural difference in his appearance – his co-star, Stack, has dimples, while Smoke doesn’t – and realized it was simply because Michael B. Jordan held his face differently while playing Smoke. Mosaku pointed out that Smoke rarely smiles, perhaps only twice throughout the film.

Owen Cooper said the moment when Michael B. Jordan’s character opened the door and saw the pale man was deeply unsettling.

Park Chan-wook, who was a student in Korea during the 1980s, said he was deeply moved by seeing a failed revolutionary depicted on screen.

I don’t really watch many movies – I’ve probably seen fewer than 150 in my entire life. But when a movie does connect with me, it really hits hard, and I absolutely loved One Battle After Another. It felt incredibly engaging. I’m much more of a reader, so when I watch a film, I tend to analyze the writing and dialogue – almost like I’m reading a script. I thought the dialogue in this movie – things like ‘Lunatics, haters, and punk trash’ – was fantastic.” — Lorde

You know, watching Benicio Del Toro nail that sobriety test scene was a highlight for me. As a critic, I really appreciate when actors take risks and add their own spin to a role – those moments that clearly weren’t dictated by the script. He completely owned that scene, and that line about ‘a few small beers’? Pure gold. It’s those little improvisational choices that elevate a performance, and he did it brilliantly.

“I love Leo being funny and relate deeply to forgetting passwords.” — Jeff Hiller

James Gunn says Zach Cregger’s movie is exceptional—unusual and unpredictable in its style and how it’s made, but still easy to enjoy, and genuinely frightening.

Zach Woods described a scene where Eva Victor’s character finds a stray cat, holds it, and simply says, ‘Yep, I love you.’ He explained that this moment perfectly captured how the movie made him feel about Victor’s work as an artist.

Claire Danes Didn’t See Any of Them: “I really wanted to see ‘The Naked Gun,’ I really wanted to see ‘Sinners.’ I really wanted to see ‘One Battle After Another.’ Alas, I had One Kid After Another.”

True Whitaker praised Jacob Elordi’s performance as Frankenstein, noting that Elordi conveys a great deal of emotion through his expressions, especially in the early parts of the role, despite having limited dialogue. Whitaker described being deeply moved by Elordi’s subtle performance.

Sabrina Impacciatore praised the film’s use of the actual voice recording of a young girl, calling it a respectful, inspiring, and well-integrated choice. She noted the recording had a lasting impact and evoked a powerful sense of helplessness that left her deeply affected.

The Accountant 2: “I love this. Leave me alone.” — Adam Scott

Julio Torres praised Emma Stone’s performance in Bugonia, particularly her skillful use of language and convincingly cruel portrayal of a character who expertly manipulates others, much like some commentators and politicians do.

Black Bag: “It was fun, exciting, clever, and made me feel clever.” — Ethan Slater

Stephanie Wambugu says there’s a dance scene in a particular movie that she’ll never forget.

Chase Sui Wonders described the film The Housemaid as intentionally over-the-top and visually stunning, noting that everyone in it is attractive.

Wunmi Mosaku describes “My Father’s Shadow” as a film following a father and his two children during a single day’s trip from their village to Lagos. She contrasts it with typical ‘Nollywood’ movies, noting its more artistic and less sensational style.

As a movie lover, Justine Lupe’s comment really struck me. She was talking about school shootings and said, ‘I just don’t know why else there would be a gun floating over a house.’ It’s a haunting image, and it perfectly captures the surreal and terrifying feeling of gun violence becoming so commonplace it feels like something out of a nightmare.

Branden Jacobs-Jenkins explained that the character of Aunt Gladys isn’t meant to be taken literally. Instead, she represents the filmmaker’s difficult childhood experiences and how those experiences affected his relationships with his parents when he was growing up.

Karly Hartzman believes it’s important to support films with truly new stories, especially since so many movies these days are just remakes or continuations of existing franchises.

Brittany Snow described the movie as being about the importance of setting boundaries with family, specifically when it comes to letting distant relatives stay with you.

Regina Hall recently met David Corenswet and was pleasantly surprised by how charming and kind he is in person. She said he looked even better than he does in photos or on camera, and she needed a moment to take it all in. She truly believes the camera doesn’t capture how handsome he is.

I was walking down the aisle at the Marty Supreme premiere when a woman’s hair got tangled on a button of my pants. The lights were dimming, and everyone was telling us to sit down because the movie was about to start. Her friends were telling her to stop pulling, as it was hurting her. It was just a random accident, one of those things that happen off-camera. But I really enjoyed the movie – it was super engaging. My younger brother was fantastic in it, and I’m incredibly proud of his success. I feel like I’m passing the baton to Timothée now; I think he’s going to win an Oscar, and he deserves it. It’s his moment to shine.

“I watched Hot Spring Shark Attack while high on edibles. Incredible film.” — Supriya Ganesh

 

Stephanie Wambugu shared that watching the movie When Harry Met Sally at a crowded London cinema, shortly after calling off her engagement, was incredibly emotional. She said it was the first time she’d cried so deeply since childhood.

I recently saw “Never Over, Jeff Buckley” at the Angelika in New York with my parents, and honestly, it was a profoundly moving experience. It’s rare for a film to truly get to me, but this one actually made me cry – it was the first time that’s ever happened, and I think that speaks volumes about its emotional impact. A really special film.

Playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins jokingly complained that he fell asleep during every movie he saw in theaters this year, adding that the comfortable seats at Alamo Drafthouse were perfect for taking naps.

Penn Badgley noted that The Last of Us was a turning point for Pedro Pascal’s career. He explained that Pascal’s subsequent roles came after he’d already become a major star, but The Last of Us was where he really started to gain widespread recognition.

After my shows, fans often ask me to sign their Labubus, which is kind of funny. They’re basically furry teddy bears, and Sharpies just don’t work on fur – the ink won’t show up! I always try, but it’s tough.

Bess Wolh bought what she thought were Labubus toys for her three daughters, but it turned out they were actually Lafufus, which caused her kids to become very upset and cry.

“I think it’s a good cultural artifact for this year. Barbie, Brat, Labubu.” — Julio Torres

“His name is Chad.” — Amaya “Papaya” Espinal

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I recently came across a really insightful quote from Zach Woods about Peter Beinart’s book, “Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza,” and it’s been stuck with me. He pointed out how, often, privilege lets us shield ourselves from the realities that allow our comfortable lives to exist. When those harsh realities break through – especially now, with everything visible on social media – it can be incredibly jarring. It almost feels like a moral obligation to keep watching, to stay informed. But Woods makes a great point: figuring out what actually helps is more important than just being constantly overwhelmed by how awful things are. He described the book as a way to confront what’s happening without falling into this endless cycle of just consuming tragedy after tragedy.

Megha Majundar describes Mizuki Tsujimura’s Lost Souls Meet Under a Full Moon as a story about encounters between people who are still alive and those who have passed away, all taking place in a Tokyo hotel.

I couldn’t put down Dana A. Williams’s book, Toni at Random, as soon as it came out. It’s all about Toni Morrison’s time as an editor at Random House, and I was completely hooked – that’s how Branden Jacobs-Jenkins felt about it too, and he shared that right away!

Adam Friedland says he’s a big fan of Woody Allen, having seen all his films and read his biography five years ago. He considers himself a completist when it comes to Allen’s work.

 

I just finished reading “107 Days” by Kamala Harris, and wow, it really captured the rollercoaster of the 2024 election. It genuinely gave me hope at times, but also made me feel incredibly anxious when things weren’t going well. Rebecca Yarros really hit the nail on the head with that description!

Supriya Ganesh praised Kiran Desai’s The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny, calling it a daring, sensual, and politically charged novel. She described certain sections as intensely personal and revealing.

Richard Siken’s poetry collection, I Do Know Some Things, explores themes of loss and recovery, focusing on his stroke and the passing of his parents. Comedian Ramy Youssef describes the poems as deeply moving, saying they prompt readers to pause and reflect on their loved ones.

I recently came across a truly moving book, A Beginner’s Guide to Dying, penned by Simon Boas, a British aid worker who sadly passed away at just 47. What struck me most was that even while facing his own mortality, he took the time to share his reflections on death and life, creating something genuinely helpful and comforting for anyone grappling with these big questions. It’s a surprisingly hopeful read, considering the subject matter.

Brittany Snow carries Meg Josephson’s book, Are You Mad at Me?, with her and uses it as a way to reflect on her interactions. She highlights passages and makes notes, particularly when doing interviews, to help her recognize and address when she’s overanalyzing what she says.

Bess Wohl praised Amity Gaige’s Heartwood for its compelling blend of a fast-paced crime story and a touching mother-daughter relationship. She found the book so engaging she didn’t want it to finish, and it also satisfied her wish to imagine life as a park ranger.

Stephanie Wambugu praises four recent novels: Television by Lauren Rothery, Great Black Hope by Rob Franklin, Flat Earth by Anika Jade Levy, and Nymph by Stephanie LaCava, describing them as intelligent, insightful, and beautifully written.

In Perfect Victims and the Politics of Appeal, Mohammed El-Kurd challenges us to reject any stories that excuse genocide or colonialism. Morgan Bassichis highly recommends this book and suggests sharing it widely.

Jeff Hiller says his favorite kind of book is celebrity memoirs, and he particularly enjoyed three this year: Uptown Girl by Christie Brinkley, Say Everything by Ione Skye, and When the Going Was Good by Graydon Carter.

This year, I relocated from New York to Los Angeles. I started reading Joan Didion’s Goodbye to All That during my subway commute, which, in retrospect, wasn’t a great idea – I ended up crying on the train! Then I picked up The Year of Magical Thinking without knowing much about it, and that proved to be another emotional experience best not had in public. — Supriya Ganesh

Gabby Windey is currently reading The White Album and is really enjoying it. She appreciates the author’s honest, and sometimes bleak, perspective, and how abruptly things can end in the stories, which feels authentic. She admits to skipping some of the more obscure passages, like one about a water plant, saying she doesn’t need that level of detail.

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve read Joan Didion’s The Year of Magical Thinking – it’s a book I keep coming back to. As an actor, I find grief is such a powerful emotion to explore. It feels like most of the characters I’ve played are dealing with loss, either of someone they loved or of their former selves. Even in Evita, there’s a sense of her mourning the time she doesn’t have left – it’s a really particular kind of sadness, realizing your years are limited.

I really enjoyed Kate Riley’s Ruth and Ariana Reines’ Wave of Blood. Reines is a writer I particularly value; she has a way of processing the world that really resonates with me. I also loved Jackie Wang’s Alien Daughters Walk Into the Sun and Sarah Hoover’s The Motherload – they’re just incredibly captivating. Being from outside America, I recently started reading Walt Whitman to better understand American culture, and I’ve been reading a lot of Frank O’Hara too. His concise poems felt comforting while I was away from New York. I kept returning to After the Ecstasy, the Laundry, a book on spirituality that I’ve found helpful over the past couple of years. I was exploring faith and looking for something beyond myself. I also read A God in the House, a collection of poems about faith, which I thought was great. That led me to Whitman as I was grappling with some big questions. Then I dove into memoirs by women in their 30s and 40s living in New York – they’re similar to reading blogs or magazines. And of course, I read the latest book by Patricia Lockwood. I always enjoy getting lost in her unique and imaginative writing. — Lorde

Music

Darren Criss praised Sabrina Carpenter’s success, specifically highlighting her strong creative partnership with Amy Allen and John Ryan. He noted her exceptional songwriting and effective branding, saying that while ‘branding’ can sometimes have negative connotations, it’s perfectly acceptable—and even impressive—when an artist like Sabrina does it well.

I recognized the artist, but I didn’t fully appreciate her talent until my daughter played her entire album for me. I was really surprised – it reminded me of bands like Fleetwood Mac and ABBA. – Adam Scott

True Whitaker said Addison’s new song is fantastic. He was thrilled when it was released this summer and loved listening to it while driving around Los Angeles, describing it as a perfect song for a road trip.

Supriya Ganesh really enjoys Lorde’s latest album, especially the songs ‘Favourite Daughter’ and ‘David’. She says it resonated with her because she’d been exploring her own identity and understanding of gender over the past few years.

Lorde has been really struck by artists creating genuinely human work. She felt this especially with the album Baby, believing it had a raw, emotional quality that would be difficult for artificial intelligence to replicate. She describes it as visceral, powerful, and captivating – something you can feel.

Comedian Ego Nwodim observed that Justin Bieber’s recent work, specifically his album Swag, feels very carefree and uninhibited. She admitted she doesn’t closely follow his career, but noted a relaxed quality to his current music, suggesting he’s embracing a more ‘I don’t care’ attitude.

Lara Raj of Katseye has been captivated by Rosalía’s album ‘Lux’ since its release, calling it the best thing she’s ever heard.

Actor Adam Scott describes The Voidz, the band led by Julian Casablancas of The Strokes, as taking Casablancas’ talent for catchy melodies and hooks to an even more experimental level. He marvels at Casablancas’ ability to create compelling music, saying The Voidz pushes his unique style even further.

Taylor Swift’s life is like that of a showgirl, according to Gabby Windey, who jokingly said she loves to immediately read Swift’s lyrics—and smoke a joint—when a new album is released at midnight.

As a total music and film buff, I’ve been really into FKA Twigs’ ‘Eusexua’ lately, and Branden Jacobs-Jenkins totally nailed why. It’s one of those albums that just works no matter what I’m doing – I can throw it on while I’m working, cooking, even getting a power walk in. Honestly, it gives me such strong vibes of both Madonna’s ‘Ray of Light’ period and Tori Amos’ ‘Choir Girl’ era. It’s a really cool blend of those iconic sounds.

Okay, so I just listened to ‘Geese, Getting Killed,’ and honestly, it’s just good. Sombr described it perfectly – it’s delightfully random. There’s this one line where the artist casually drops, ‘I was a sailor,’ and it completely caught me off guard. It’s unexpected and genuinely funny. The whole track feels like a stream of consciousness, and it works really well.

Lily Allen, West End Girl: “There’s just something satisfying about a woman scorned.” — Justine Lupe

Amaya “Papaya” Espinal recalls hearing Bad Bunny’s song, ‘DtMF,’ everywhere in her neighborhood. She explains the song resonates deeply with the Latino community, as it’s about capturing memories through photos and appreciating the present moment. She says listening to it still gives her goosebumps.

Summer songs need to be happy and lighthearted – the kind you blast in the car with the windows down, enjoying the sunshine. They just instantly make you feel good. Actress Chase Sui Wonders was recently listening to Romy Mars’s song ‘A-Lister’ on repeat.

 

Playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins said, “It was ‘Sugar Sweet’ by Mariah Carey featuring Shenseea and Kehlani, and honestly, we all missed how great it was.”

Playwright Bess Wohl said Alex Warren’s film, ‘Ordinary,’ was playing in her house all summer. She admitted she didn’t fully understand the movie’s message – whether it was encouraging viewers to be normal or to reject normalcy – but she found it memorable and enjoyable.

Hideo Kojima recalls spending time in Okinawa during early summer, watching the ocean from his hotel window while listening to Fontaines D.C.’s album ‘In The Modern World’ and anticipating the warmer weather.

Lorde said Justin Bieber’s song ‘Daisies’ came the closest to fitting what she’d consider a perfect summer hit. She wants those songs to be playful and flirty, and admitted she’d love to create one herself, though she’s not sure if that’s her style. Ultimately, she’s content letting other artists take the lead on that kind of music.

Ariana Madix said Zara Larsson’s music video for ‘Midnight Sun’ was amazing because Larsson actually filmed it while standing in front of the midnight sun in Sweden.

Sadie Sink said that even though Lady Gaga’s album was released in March, she felt that the song ‘How Bad Do U Want Me’ really defined her summer.

 

You know, it’s weird, but I can’t get Yung Bredda’s “The Greatest Bend Over” out of my head. I heard it everywhere all summer long, and now it just pops into my brain at the most random times – like, in the middle of the night! I have no idea why, but it’s stuck with me, that’s for sure.

James Gunn says his current favorite song is “This Summer” by Sleigh Bells, but he acknowledges his musical taste is unique and personal.

Counterpoint: There Was No Song of the Summer: “And I feel like we have to be okay with that.” — Julio Torres

Gabby Windey talked about being fascinated by people who cheat, particularly powerful CEOs. She described feeling like a higher power was observing the situation, almost as if they were saying, ‘We’ve got you now.’

Penn Badgley shared that his five-year-old son was fascinated by Kendrick Lamar, asking, ‘Who is that man on that cool car?’ His son couldn’t stop talking about him for weeks, even bringing him up during walks: ‘I’m thinking about Kendrick.’

“Kendrick’s flare jeans! He’s never beating the cutie-patootie allegations.” — Ariana Madix

And don’t forget …

Brittany Snow jokingly admitted she’s been obsessively reading fan theories about Taylor Swift, even though she’s sure they’re incorrect. She just can’t help herself!

The Blue Origin space trip took me into my next social-media break.” — Sadie Sink

“Elon and Trump tweeting about their breakup.” — Adam Friedland

“Blue Ivy’s dancing specifically.” — Jeff Hiller

Owen Cooper has loved Oasis since he was a little kid. He found out about a tour on Instagram while heading to a different event called ‘Adolescence.’ He was so excited, he went to the concert with his whole family and a friend. He says he couldn’t stop screaming and it was the best night of his life.

The Culturati 50

I really enjoy listening to podcasts – I love having voices in my ear. I used to run a lot, but now I have kids, so I don’t as much. Luckily, living in New York, I can listen while I’m running errands or doing things like school drop-off. I get really into podcasts, then need to take a break – it’s a cycle. I’m a big fan of Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History and Freakonomics Radio, those kinds of social science shows. It’s funny, I feel like I have a relationship with the hosts, even though they have no idea who I am! Las Culturistas is fantastic, a really unique show. I always try to come up with a good response for their segments in my head, but I’m terrible at it. I find it much easier to focus on gratitude, like writing down what I’m thankful for, than to be critical or admit when I’m annoyed. But that show is my little reward when I’m doing unpleasant tasks, like cleaning the cat litter.

 

A few more favorites:

James Gunn, co-head of DC Studios, says he gets all his information about DC Comics from the podcast “Go Read Some Comics With Jenna.” He considers it a vital resource for his role.

Ramy Youssef frequently reflects on an episode of The Ezra Klein Show featuring Ta-Nehisi Coates, believing it perfectly captures what we need to grasp about the direction our country is heading.

Morgan Bassichis recommends the self-help podcast Being Well With Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson, hosted by a father-and-son team. She suggests it’s a clever way to offer friends gentle support – you can choose episodes that address what they might be going through.

Brittany Snow is fascinated by the unexplained. She’s drawn to metaphysical topics like ghosts, psychic abilities, and the possibility of life beyond Earth, finding comfort in the idea that there’s more to reality than we currently understand.

You know, as someone who loves watching streams, I totally get the hype around Kai Cenat. Honestly, you never quite know what’s going to happen when you tune in – it’s always unpredictable, which is great! And he just gets what Gen Z wants. He’s really smart about who he brings on his show, always picking guests that his audience will connect with, according to Amaya ‘Papaya’ Espinal.

Playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins describes “Sistas Who Kill,” a show his sister recommended, as a work that both honors, builds upon, and examines the world of true crime.

Jeff Hiller really enjoys listening to Amy Poehler’s podcast every week, and also appreciates the hosts of StraightioLab.

The Culturati 50

Benito Skinner says Cole Escola perfectly captures the feelings of his generation. He calls Oh, Mary! the best thing he’s ever watched, and says he still finds himself unexpectedly laughing about moments from the show.

“If they let me play Mary, I’ll buy everyone in Ohio a car.” — Meg Stalter

Amaya Espinal was completely blown away by Nicole Scherzinger’s performance, praising her incredible talent as a singer, actress, and dancer. She jokingly exclaimed that Scherzinger truly can do everything, especially as the original Pussycat Doll!

Mason Thames noted the powerful emotional impact of the show, saying that the audience was deeply moved, remaining seated and crying after it ended. He specifically connected this reaction to the character of John Proctor, suggesting he was perceived as a villain by many viewers.

Chase Sui Wonders described Natalie Palamides’ show, Weer, as a truly unique and powerfully physical performance. She was particularly struck by a surprisingly intense sex scene, and said the show evoked a complex range of emotions – laughter, discomfort, and tears – all at once. Wonders admitted she doesn’t usually enjoy clowning, but Palamides’ work completely changed her perception of the art form.

Wunmi Mosaku recently revisited Tarell Alvin McCraney’s play, The Brothers Size, after many years. She found the experience profoundly different this time, explaining that living in America, being married to an African American man, and identifying as Black in the country gave the play a new resonance. When she first saw it in the United Kingdom, she felt more removed from the story.

Regina Hall called the Broadway show MJ: The Musical spectacular, praising both the familiar songs and the amazing performances.

I recently encountered a line in Will Arbery’s “Evanston Salt Costs Climbing” that’s really stuck with me. Zach Woods, who’s involved with the play, shared that there’s a moment where a ghost suggests our purpose isn’t to fix the world, but simply to understand people. It’s a surprisingly profound idea, and honestly, I’ve been turning it over in my head ever since. It’s a small line, but it packs a real emotional punch and shifts your perspective.

 

Morgan Bassichis described a recent event at Artists Space featuring Gregg Bordowitz, a renowned writer, artist, and AIDS activist. Bordowitz’s work, presented in June as part of an exhibition curated by Arnold J. Kemp, uniquely combines complex ideas – from theory and history to personal feelings and social connection – leaving Bassichis feeling uplifted.

Playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins noted a resurgence of risk-taking in recent theater, pointing to works like Joshua Harmon’s We Had a World, Bess Wohl’s Liberation, Nia Akilah Robinson’s The Great Privation, and Nazareth Hassan’s Bowl EP as examples.

Jeff Hiller really enjoyed both “Can I Be Frank?” and Josh Sharp’s “Ta-da!”, finding them both humorous and heartwarming. He was particularly impressed with the intelligence behind each show. He also noted that “Prince Faggot” prompted a lot of deep thinking about power – what it means to have it, how to gain it, and whether it can be given up.

As a fan, I totally get what Wunmi Mosaku means! She said it felt like the actor was speaking directly to me—like that iconic line in Oh, Mary!—and even though breaking the fourth wall can sometimes feel a bit over the top, with him it felt surprisingly personal and intimate. It wasn’t showy, it just…connected.

Claire Danes said that after watching The Picture of Dorian Gray, she felt tired and thought Sarah Snook really needed a long nap.

Bess Wohl was deeply moved by Audra McDonald’s performance in Gypsy. She described being breathless watching McDonald portray the emotional turmoil of motherhood with incredible vocal power, and felt the performance was unforgettable. Wohl admitted she was profoundly affected and thought it would take her a long time to recover from the experience.

Julio Torres praised Rachel Zegler’s performance as Evita, noting it was vocally demanding but also captured both a playful sensuality and a naive quality. He specifically highlighted the impact of her rendition of ‘Don’t Cry for Me Argentina’ from the Palladium balcony, with onlookers naturally drawn to the scene – a moment that felt like a successful modernization of the show. Torres suggested that Zegler’s performance, along with the show’s use of humor, represented a uniquely human response that artificial intelligence, like ChatGPT, couldn’t reproduce.

Parker Posey raves about Andrew Scott’s performance in Vanya, calling him incredibly talented. She says he brilliantly brought all the different characters to life, embodying a huge amount of human emotion and experience – like a sponge absorbing everything around him.

The Culturati 50

Darren Criss says whenever he gets a rare moment to relax, he loves returning to the world of Hyrule and playing side quests in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom with Link, for as long as he can.

I’m really into The Binding of Isaac. It’s a pretty straightforward game, honestly. You basically just collect items as you go, which makes you stronger, and try to beat each level. It’s all 2D and has this really cool, retro feel to it. I think that simplicity is a big part of why I enjoy it so much.

“When I’m stressed, I open my oldStardew Valley file and check up on my farm.” — Rachel Zegler

Katseye played Overcooked! 2:

Sophia says she and Yoonchae play a multiplayer game together, but Yoonchae enjoys it so much she often plays by herself. Sophia is impressed and says it’s difficult to do!

You know, I finally got the hang of it – I was practicing on the plane! It’s definitely a challenge, super stressful even, but honestly, it’s a blast. I get frustrated and definitely let out a yell or two, but I just can’t stop playing. It’s addictive!

Daniela: All six of us have never played a video game together.

Megan: Oh, right! Remember when we used to play Among Us? That feels like ages ago – about three years, actually. We played it during our breaks when we were at Dream Academy, didn’t we?

Daniela: Oh my God, that was a lot of fun.

The Culturati 50

Rachel Zegler described seeing a striking art installation called “The Spell or the Dream” at Somerset House in London. Created by Tai Shani, the piece featured a large glass coffin containing a blue woman who appeared to be sleeping and breathing. Zegler was deeply moved by the artwork, admitting she struggled to fully understand it but felt grateful to have experienced it.

Stephanie Wambugu praised Sam McKinniss’s “Law and Order” paintings at the Jeffrey Deitch gallery, calling them excellent.

“Death Becomes Her. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed harder watching a musical.” — Ben Ahlers

Claire Danes called the Jack Whitten exhibition at MoMA “astonishing.” She was surprised to learn he lived and worked in the same neighborhood, Soho, where she grew up, as she hadn’t encountered his work before. She particularly praised his painting ‘9.11.01,’ calling it the most impactful depiction of that event she’d seen.

I stumbled upon John Ajilo – you can find him on Instagram as @jazzajilo – performing somewhere, and honestly, it completely made my day. I was instantly hooked and just wanted to watch him forever! I stood there grinning like an idiot for ages. Seriously, who wouldn’t love seeing these little guys dance and groove around in a place like Penn Station? It’s pure joy.

Lindsay Lohan highlighted three favorites: ‘The Wastive’ for its creative use of recycled materials, ‘Cybroc’ for its quirky and fun approach, and ‘Peter Hujar’s Day’ for its subtle and lovely aesthetic.

Zach Woods described a hilarious video series called ‘Pipe Rocks’ created by comedian Conner O’Malley. Years ago, when Woods and O’Malley both performed at the Upright Citizens Brigade in New York, O’Malley would film himself riding a bike and approaching people in expensive cars. O’Malley would deliver bizarre, over-the-top compliments about their vehicles – always without showing his face. Woods recalled one instance where O’Malley told a Mercedes driver, “God’s a pimp you’re an angel / I pray that I might die for you!” He described O’Malley’s performance as completely unhinged and strangely fixated on the cars themselves.

Katseye’s song ‘Gameboy’ is surprisingly addictive. As Branden Jacobs-Jenkins puts it, this ‘American K-pop’ track taps into a very specific nostalgia for early 2000s girl-group pop—think Blaque, Cherish, 3LW, or early Destiny’s Child. It reminds him of a time when artists like Mýa were at the top of their game, and he feels like Lara Raj is bringing that same energy back. He’s excited to see how this new sound connects with the past.

Here’s a list of people and projects featured in various media. Photos are credited to Getty Images (featuring O’Brien, Glaser, Erivo, Einbinder, Bob The Drag Queen, Carolyn Wiger, Boston Rob, Scorsese, Polley, Carpenter, Rae, Lorde, Dijon, Lamar, Gaga, Gallagher, Culkin, Burr, and Zegler). Television shows and films come from Apple TV (including The Studio, Severance, and projects with Washington), HBO (The Rehearsal, The Pitt, The White Lotus, The Gilded Age, Girls, Last of Us), Bravo (Real Housewives), Netflix (Adolescence, Too Much, The Hunting Wives, Frankenstein), and Warner Bros. (One Battle, Weapons, Sinners, Superman). A24 is credited with Sorry, Baby, Marty Supreme, Materialists, and Eddington. 20th Century/Marvel is working on Fantastic Four, while Amazon Prime features Accountant. Focus Features presents Bugonia. Individual photographers include Marc Brenner (Scherzinger, Snook), Julieta Cervantes (Gyllenhaal, McDonald), Emilio Madrid (Escola, Clooney, Odenkirk), Matthew Murphy (MJ), and Daniel Rampulla (Burgess, Monsoon, Gilpin, Krakowski). Finally, Instagram features posts from Bieber, Rosalía, Beyoncé, and millionaire.diva, and Labubu is a featured retailer.

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2025-12-01 14:11