With the world opening up there are a lot of things that are starting back up again, including live music. Live music has an impact on so many people, including myself. I was able to attend the Dan and Shay concert in Louisville, Kentucky on Thursday, September 23.
This is the first arena concert that I have attended since before the pandemic. Even though we are still in the pandemic, and there are different variants around the United States, it seemed like all of that went away during this concert. The email that all the audience got before the concert said that they recommend that the attendees wear a mask while in the arena. Once in the area there were only a few people with masks on. The staff for the venue wore mask and the security in the arena, but the security officers in lobby did not have masks on. I am not sure if they were required to wear them or not. This was different than what the world has been used to, but it felt like things were back to normal.
The show itself was incredible. Multiple people in the crowd said that Dan and Shay sounded just like their studio recordings. This means a lot to the fans and for people who are interested in music because it shows how real they are with their music. The audience could tell that they missed performing in front of people because there were certain points of the show that it looked like Shay Mooney was crying and they both looked very emotional during different performances.
Another thing that is really cool about this artist is that after the concert when people post about the concert and tag them in it, they reply to them! Not many music artist do this because they are so busy, but I saw a lot of people reposting where they either liked a post or replied to an instagram story. They even replied to two of my instagram stories and liked an instagram post that I tagged them in.
Overall the experience and atmosphere was amazing. The Covid-19 procedures were not as enforced as I thought they would be, but everyone still had a great time. Let live music happen again!
Julianne Hough, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Usher set out to be judges on the newly planned CBS show “The Activist”. The three would judge six activists in a competition to see which group could perform best in challenges for health, education, or environment. Despite their efforts, once the show was announced, it received backlash for how trivializing it was.
The problem is that it is insensitive. Real activists go to work every day to fight for injustices and changes all around the world. To make a game show out of this is just a mockery of the true efforts put into a job of this sort. The show is set up to be a reality competition meaning that their personalities will be judged just as much as their “activism.” Reality shows produce drama. It would be contradicting to have activists belittle other activists just for a winning spot on a game show. In addition to this, if one contestant has a personality that is unlikeable to most, anything that activist is fighting for will ultimately be put in the same negative category as its campaigner.
This show will also make advocacy look like an easy job. According to the game show, all you have to do is team up with another person and create fundraisers and social media campaigns for it to work. It understates the hate and negativity that real activists have to overcome. The atmosphere of the game show will encourage people to work for change. However, this isn’t reality. Look at any present-day activist; typically there are so many controversies attached to their names. When you go onto their social media sites you see hateful comments ridiculing them for the work they do. This is an easy way out that capitalizes off the hard work of people genuinely trying to make a change.
What happens to the losers when the competition is over? Does this mean that their activism is less important than the others? This show is a bad idea because it could negatively impact a campaign. Some people even compared this show to the Olympics naming it “the oppression Olympics” while others compared it to The Hunger Games. This is just like saying “Whose position on a highly debatable topic is better?” One group wins and two groups lose. Shouldn’t all logical and genuine advocacies be implemented and rewarded? Not according to this game show.
Global Citizen and the judges went on their social media platforms to bestow public apologies. Following this, the show has been reformed into a one-time documentary. This is a prime example of the ignorance of advocacy today. To most, it is just a trend to keep up with which takes away from the true causes.
I would like to start off by saying that I have no qualifications to be judging outfits that cost more than my car on celebrities that make more money in a month than I will ever make in my life, but I don’t care and I will judge them anyway. After all, money can’t buy taste. I also do not recognize some of these people I have featured, and I did not research them to avoid bias.
The theme for the 2021 Met Gala is American Fashion. This theme leaves a lot open to interpretation. I am judging each outfit one a few things: how appropriate the style is for a black tie event, the consideration of the theme, and the overall look.
My interpretation for the theme does not focus on the fashion, but on the American aspect. To me, American fashion could be culturally inspired from western culture, indigenous culture, or patriotic.
With that out of the way, possibly my favorite look was Quannah Chasinghorse. She was beautifully on theme, drawing on indigenous culture. The overall look is great for a themed gala. This doesn’t look like a costume or too casual, very elegant overall. I am in LOVE with the colors.
I absolutely love a matching outfit, but I think Helen Lasichanh and Pharrell Williams missed the mark on this one. It was on theme, but not quite what I would expect at a black tie event. I love the western look overall, but I wish it was a bit more formal.
Hailee Steinfeld looked so glamorous in this outfit. I really feel like the theme was considered, but I can’t figure out how.
Kehlani looked incredible in this trendy suit. I do think this was themed because of the Space Race, while I wouldn’t have thought of this I think it’s neat. She wears this very well and I do think it’s appropriate for the event.
Hunter Schafer is also very spacey, but I do not like it. I think the outfit is unflattering and looks very cheap like a halloween costume.
I have nothing to say about Laura Harrier. Her dress is pretty basic. Joseph Altuzarra, however, did stray from the normal men’s attire often seen at the Met Gala. The look is pretty basic and I don’t really think it fits the theme, I am just proud it’s not a plain tux.
Kid Cudi definitely went all out compared to many other attendees. Do I like this? Not in the slightest. I do think this is on theme though. I can’t quite put my finger on why, but this feels very American to me.
Michael Kors put zero effort into this, so I will put zero effort into considering his outfit. Regina King however did but in some effort. I really don’t know what to say about her look. I just looked at it so long I think I had to include it. Not on theme, not even that cute, but it fits her very well even if it’s not that great looking.
This dress on Margaret Qualley looks very Little House on the Prairie to me, so it’s on theme. It’s a very cute dress, but entirely too casual for a gala.
This is honestly what I was expecting. No doubt the theme was in mind while planning this outfit and for a themed gala, the look is perfect on Rosalía.
No fabric is more American than denim. This silhouette is really pretty too. However, this is still a bust. This outfit is honestly not appropriate for any sort of event, sorry CL.
Lili Reinhart looks so cute in this pink dress. I believe I saw somewhere that these flowers are actually the state flowers for each state, if that is true this is perfectly on theme. This is actually one of my favorite looks.
Kate Hudson missed the memo about the theme. I included this because it’s still really cute and on trend. I love the feathers in this look.
I don’t love the feathers in this look. This was a bust for sure. Anja Rubik not only disregarded the theme, but also didn’t look gala worthy at all.
Venus Williams also doesn’t seem to have taken the theme into consideration, but she does look fabulous. This classy look is great for a black tie event and it is very flattering on her.
Hamish Bowles (middle) did choose a very basic color scheme but I appreciate the way that he did incorporate the theme into his look. Emily Blunt (right) seems to have put the same amount of effort into her look. It’s very classy and subtly incorporates the theme.
Kacey Musgraves disappointed me. I am familiar with her and I know she could do so much better. This was very low effort. I don’t see a theme and I also don’t see that she is remotely close to black tie attire either.
Jennifer Lopez nailed this look. Do I love this outfit? No, but she looks so good in it. It is on theme, very western inspired, but it’s also somehow glamorous. JLo knocked it out of the park.
Denim makes this look on theme. I actually think this is ugly, but it’s because of the denim. Looking past the denim because it’s on theme, this dress is really pretty. The shape of it is so glamorous, I hope Lupita Nyong’o got this dress made in silk, too.
I appreciate when the guys have fun with the theme too. It’s not that hard and Tyler Mitchell proves it with this simple, but themed suit.
This vintage dress on Imaan Hammam is so perfect. I like to think this is themed, but in a subtle way.
I like to give credit where credit is due and say that Pete Davidson did not wear a boring tux. He wore a boring dress and a suit jacket.
Let me be clear, I don’t like this dress. I know I am not alone in this because I have seen Ciara on a worst dressed list. However, this football inspired dress is on theme. Much like the denim dress on Lupita, I like the shape and I hope Ciara considers this style dress in different fabrics.
Megan Fox probably didn’t consider the theme when picking an outfit for the night, but this looks so good on her I don’t really care.
Chloe and Halle Bailey also look so fabulous that I don’t really care that they aren’t on theme.
I am in love with this outfit on Maluma. The theme is present and the outfit looks very nice. I love this color on him and I think the jewelry dresses this up enough to be worn at a theme gala.
On the other end of the spectrum, while on theme, this look on Megan Raponoe is honestly a little tacky. The bare minimum was done and a plain black suit would’ve been better.
Anok Yai looks out of this world in this celestial getup. I can see a subtle theme here and this is definitely black tie worthy. This dress is gorgeous on her.
While not on theme but still fabulous, Ayesha and Stephen Curry coordinated in this gala worthy getup. I love the look on both of them. Did I mention they match?
Nikkie de Jager looked fantastic in this historically inspired gown. I love the color and symbolism behind this look.
Karlie Kloss and Wes Gordon look fantastic. Did you know that the rose is the national flower? I really hope this was the inspiration behind their outfits. If so, on theme and perfect.
This look on Debby Harry is definitely on theme, but I don’t like it. I think this looks tacky and thrown together at the last second. Honestly, I can’t even picture this concept as being cute in any way.
This looks so 70s cool to me! This is on theme enough for me and its very nice on Ben Platt. However, I do think that it’s a little casual for the Met Gala.
Kim Petras knew what she was doing when she decided to wear this monstrosity. It’s on theme, but it’s entirely too much for an event like this.
Iman looks radiant in this outfit. I don’t see how this fits the theme, but regardless this showstopping outfit is another one of my favorites.
Cordae Dunston and Naomi Osaka tried and missed. I do not think there is one good quality about either outfit.
Lil Nas X showed up and showed out. He wasn’t on theme, but he was so fabulous it didn’t matter.
Finally, Rebecca Hall also looks very Little House on the Prairie but make it edgy. I am not a fan.
SkyHawkie Talkie 