Nepotism - noun - the practice among those with power or influence of favoring relatives, friends, or associates, especially by gifting them jobs.
Before
Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce was a superstar in the NFL world. The go-to tight end on the Patrick Mahomes-led Kansas City Chiefs, the most recent dominating football franchise since Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.
And sure, Travis Kelce is a nine time Pro Bowler and seven time All-Pro selection with four of those being first team nods. He
may hold the record for most consecutive and overall seasons with 1000 receiving yards (seven seasons strong)...but what the heck does Travis Kelce know about acting?
Reports indicate that Travis Kelce will be acting in none other than a Ryan Murphy original. Yes,
that Ryan Murphy - the creator of shows like American Horror Story, Dahmer, and Glee…The Ryan Murphy who has 38 Primetime Emmy noms (and six wins), two Grammy’s and a Tony - just cast football professional and boyfriend of Taylor Swift in a scripted television series.
Which TV Show Is Travis Kelce Starring In?
The show is called
Grotesquerie, and will also star Niecy Nash-Betts(who previously worked with Murphy on Dahmer) and Courtney B. Vance (who you may recognize from Murphy’s American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson).
Nash-Betts confirmed the news in an Instagram shortly after
People reported Travis Kelce’s premier acting endeavor. She says,
"Guys, guess who I am working with on
Grotesquerie?" the actress teased before showing Kelce, who said, "Jumping into new territory with Niecy!"
Judging by the teaser Ryan Murphy shared, a phone call from Niecey Nash warns of something bad happening that only her character can see.
And while Ryan Murphy has a habit of including unlikely stars in his shows (think Kim Kardashian in
AHS), Travis Kelce’s inclusion begs a bigger question:
Is Trav the world’s first nepo boyfriend?
After the
nepotism baby exposure that led countless celebrities to unnecessarily defend their names, we learned a ton about the state of the industry. Publications like Rolling Stone are riddled with nepo babies whose famed parents landed them the internship. Your favorite actor, singer, model, etc. is most likely a descendant of your mom’s favorite actor, singer, or model.
But the thing is, we already
know that Kate Hudson is Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn’s kid. We know Lily Rose Depp’s parents…and the Jenners…and Angelina Jolie…and Miley Cyrus…I could go on. The point is, we didn’t care.
In today’s entertainment industry, it’s hard
not to find a nepo baby. But as long as they’re good at what they choose to do, no one cares. Which is why I worry for Travis Kelce.
Travis is the face of brand deals galore. Especially since his
New Heights podcast (alongside his brother and fellow NFL icon, Jason Kelce) is the hottest sports podcast on socials right now. Dating Taylor Swift may have been the best thing to happen to the Travis Kelce brand in general, because now he gets to go beyond sports and into bigger realms.
The 34-year-old KC Chiefs’ tight end’s previous TV endeavors include a cringe-worthy dating show called
Catching Kelce and hosting Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?
So, yes, the question must be raised: can Travis even act? If we’re being completely honest, I can’t guarantee that answer. Murphy has a way of making any non-actor
(see: Kardashian) into a passable star with camp lines and witty delivery…but I’m worried about Kelce.
Let’s all admit that when he began dating Swift, Travis Kelce got catapulted into superstardom as the
First Boyfriend of The Era’s Tour… But have we taken it too far by launching an acting career? Is there a time when we should stay in our respective lanes?
I’m all for Travis getting the recognition he deserves..and I think the Kelces are
our Royal Family…but I’d rather see a Keeping Up With The Kelces moment than watch Travis potentially fail at acting.
What would make sense? Travis Kelce in couture runway settings, or collaborating with high fashion brands to create exclusive lines. Travis and his family having their own reality show. Expanding their football empire in a number of ways.
What doesn’t really make sense? Casting Travis in Ryan Murphy’s Grotesquerie…but you bet I’ll be tuning in anyway.
Popstars have been the backbone of the music industry for decades upon decades. There were OG divas like Whitney Houston and Britney Spears. There were Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, and Rihanna. But it felt like we were in need of a fresh sound.
Most of our original pop girls are onto ventures like starting beauty lines, starring in films, writing books, and starting families. There wasn’t an immediate need to release albums or tour anymore. So the takeover of male artists on Billboard charts ensued.
Of course, the shine to Taylor Swift will blaze on. But the world grows tired of hearing the same few artists over and over. As always, there’s a bright new, shiny Next Big Thing on the horizon.
The summer of 2024 proves that you don’t necessarily need to be a “new” artist to rise to superstardom. Ever since Coachella, it has become clear that there are two Next Big Things in the realm of pop music:
Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan.
Both Carpenter and Roan signed to labels when they were young. You may know Carpenter from opening for Swift on
The Eras Tour or her stint as a Disney star. And you may know Chappell as the opener for Olivia Rodrigo on The Guts Tour.
Chappell has been signed to Atlantic Records since she was 17 - back when she uploaded an original song called “Die Young” to YouTube. Under Atlantic, Chappell released an EP and eventually, in 2020, released “Pink Pony Club.” Not long after, she was dropped.
Everything shifted in September 2023. After being dropped from the label, she remained independent until releasing her debut album,
The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, through Island Records.
Come 2024, Chappell toured the album in two parts, captivating fans' hearts with her wit, her live vocal ability, and her homemade tour outfits that were equally as camp as her music.
In the meantime, she remained in control of her social media accounts. Regularly posting funny TikTok anecdotes, capturing more fans in her web along the way. Although Chappell’s album was receiving rave reviews, we were still a little ways away from the world finding her.
Once she joined friend Olivia Rodrigo on
The Guts Tour (previously appearing as The SOUR Tour opener), Roan’s streams saw a 32% increase. But this was only the beginning.
April 2024 marks the complete juggernaut of Chappell Roan’s career. She’s no longer a best-kept secret. Chappell Roan - who sings candidly about sexuality and celebrates being gay in her drag-inspired makeup, her wild red hair, and her Lady Gaga-esque dedication to dramatics - was about to become the next mega-popstar.
The Rise Of Chappell Roan
In early April, Chappell released “Good Luck Babe” as the next single from
The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. It felt like the start of the rest of her career. Her way of telling the world: here I am to give you the latest, refreshing pop music. And while I’m at it, shine light on the LGBTQ+ community.
The song received 7 million streams in the first week, “Good Luck Babe” became her fastest song to reach 100 million streams in no time. And then came the Coachella performance.
Chappell was set to perform in the Gobi tent. If you’re clued in to Coachella lore, the tents are generally smaller venues compared to the stages. It’s not typically reserved for bigger artists because they draw larger crowds.
However, during Chappell Roan’s Weekend I set, the Gobi tent overflowed with fans and new listeners alike. The world was watching on the Coachella livestream. And thanks to social media, thousands of TikToks and Instagram Reels were sourced and shared to
millions of viewers.
Chappell Roan caught the world’s attention by being true to herself. Her humility and humor make her relatable - she often displays emotions on stage no matter what they are. Her avant-garde makeup and outfits pay homage to fabulous drag queens and are reminiscent of Lady Gaga in 2010.
And of course, her music brings back a sense of fun to the world. Each song is catchy, daring, and reveals Roan’s true colors. After Coachella, her monthly listener count on Spotify saw a 500% increase to 7 million.
The Year Of Chappell Roan Continues
Since then, the world’s attention is on Chappell Roan. Her monthly listener count sits at over 24 million. She’s dined with new friend Elton John, who shared her album with Ed Sheeran, who also adores it.
She took the stage at Gov Ball 2024 inside an apple, dressed as the Statue of Liberty, holding a massive joint…to a massive crowd - bigger than the headliners. She’s as in-demand as it gets right now…publicly declaring she turned down a visit to the White House until there’s liberty and justice for all.
In an audacious performance, Chappell Roan declares herself as “your favorite artist’s favorite artist.” And she’s not wrong anymore. It’s no longer simply an outrageous statement. Simply put. Chappell Roan is a sensation.
She receives acclaim from Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, SZA, Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, and so many more. And has been candid about struggling with her recent rapid rise to the top - breaking down onstage, sharing with viewers on TikTok that many pop girls are really just as nice as they seem.
As she continues to grow and flourish in the public eye, Chappell Roan’s bearing up under the burden of pop princess. It’s something she has in common with another rising star, Sabrina Carpenter - who often goes viral for her off-the-cuff comments and sexual innuendos.
A new voice of our generation - Chappell Roan is a breath of fresh air. The people love honesty, they love personality, and they love fine music. Thank goodness Chappell Roan has all three.
You can stream Chappell's The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess here:
The first looks at Gladiator II are here — starring Paul Mescal, Lee Pace, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, and more — and we can’t get enough.
Finally, a movie that will unite all genders. It’s like
Barbie and Oppenheimer in one: Gladiator II. One of the most anticipated films of the past few years, Gladiator II is a sequel to the 2000 smash hit Gladiator. The original box-office hit was a cultural phenomenon that still resonates in our film landscape today.
Written by David Franzoni, John Logan, and William Nicholson,
Gladiator starred Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Tomas Arana, Ralf Möller, Oliver Reed, and more. Who amongst us doesn’t remember Russell Crowe’s epic performance, which arguably formed the basis of the modern action hero?
Ridley Scott returns as director with an entirely fresh cast and the ambitious goal to make an equally iconic film — and I can’t lie, the first look is promising. The film is coming to theaters on November 22, 2024 — I’ve marked the date on my calendar already. The countdown’s already begun, and I feel like I’m watching water boil as I wait for each new morsel of information and each thrilling image. Well, we’ve finally got the first look at
Gladiator II, and it’s only made me hungry for more.
Here are our thoughts on all things Gladiator II and why we can't wait to return to the Colosseum:
The Sequel To End All Sequels
Gladiator II is not just a sequel; it's a cultural phenomenon in the making. The original Gladiator won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for its lead, Russell Crowe. Its sequel promises to deliver an equally impactful cinematic experience by retaining the core of what initially made the film successful: historical accuracy buoyed by exciting action.
Scott may be returning for another round in the Colosseum, but he’s not merely doing a victory lap. The stakes are high, especially considering the mixed reviews of his last effort,
Napoleon. One of the biggest flops of the last year, Napoleon attempted to do a lot of what Gladiator II is aiming to achieve. They’re both action dramas based on historical figures. However, where Napoleon dragged, Gladiator II needs to soar. The upcoming Scott effort has got to be fast, furious, and, let’s face it, hot. Napoleon wasn’t necessarily full of heartthrobs, but Gladiator II is. Thank goodness for us. If anything, this fact alone will get people in seats when it opens in theaters — just look at the crowds that The Iron Claw brought in despite its depressing subject matter.
The long-awaited sequel is, in many ways, a true follow-up to its predecessor. The film picks up decades after the events of the original. As Maximus dies, he thinks of his wife and son, Lucius. Now, this seems like a hint at a sequel, which focuses on Lucius who’s now living in Numidia, an ancient kingdom in Africa. However, Roman soldiers invade his new home and Lucius is forced to become a gladiator.
Ridley Scott's direction is known for its grandeur and meticulous attention to detail, and "Gladiator II" is no exception. The story draws from real-life historical events to explore not only the physical battles but also the political and emotional struggles that define the era. The film promises breathtaking visuals, intense battle sequences, and the epic cinematic experiences that Scott is famous for.
Here’s what we know so far about the ins and outs of Gladiator II.
What We Know About Gladiator II
Each new day brings fresh information. And the new images in the first look are the most revealing tidbits we’ve received yet.
The cast is one of the most intriguing parts of the movie.
Paul Mescal is obviously the most impressive cast member in the lead role, partly because he’s such an unexpected choice — but we’ll get to that. The other cast members are equally exciting. From the returning cast to new additions, every single name on the
Gladiator II bill is super.
Denzel Washington is set to play Macrinus, a former slave turned wealthy powerbroker in Rome. Returning to her central role as Lucilla, Connie Nielsen is back. Djimon Hounsou is also back as Juba. Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger play alongside each other as the twin emperors of Rome, while Pedro Pascal plays Marcus Acacius, a former Roman general who becomes a gladiator as punishment for insubordination.
Pascal, known for his roles in
The Mandalorian and Game of Thrones, has become famed on the internet for being a gentle giant. But in this role, his gentleness is replaced by ferociousness as he takes on the role of a fighter who has learned from the best. “He’s a very, very good general, which can mean a very good killer,” Pascal told Vanity Fair. Yet, he admits he was still afraid to spar with Mescal. “He got so strong. I would rather be thrown from a building than have to fight him again.”
Which brings us back to Paul.
The Paul Mescal of it all: Aftersun, Normal People … Gladiator?
It’s surprising how famous Paul Mescal has become for someone with relatively few credits. But his breakthrough role as Connell in Sally Rooney’s
Normal People alongside Daisy Edgar Jones made him an instant heartthrob and one of the internet’s boyfriends. Following it up with Oscar-bait Aftersun cemented him as one of the greatest actors of our generation. And he can do it all, which he proved in his role in the recent theatre production of A Streetcar Named Desire in London — which he was appearing in when he got the Gladiator role. But just like the other dramatic virtuoso of our time, Timothee Chalamet, he made a choice that no one would expect for his first major blockbuster: an action movie. And unlike my dear Timmy, he has the body for it.
Gladiator isn’t a superhero film. It’s not just muscle, Marvel body, and special effects. On the contrary, part of what makes the original stand out from the souped-up action mega-movies that followed it was its core. At the center of this story isn’t merely history but also an emotionally-driven narrative. Dune is the same, which is why it worked. Also, such a project requires a lead actor who can handle the pathos as well as the physicality. Paul Mescal, who was a Gaelic football player before becoming an actor, is a rare specimen who can do both.
“I’m used to being physical in my body,” he told
Vanity Fair in a tell-all interview about getting the role and the grueling process of training and filming. Mescal also spoke about how balancing the physical and emotional elements of the film contributed to his excitement to take on the challenge of this role. “[It’s about] what human beings will do to survive, but also what human beings will do to win. We see that in the arena, but also in the political struggle that’s going on outside of my character’s storyline, where you see there are other characters striving and pulling for power. Where’s the space for humanity? Where’s the space for love, familial connection? And ultimately, will those things overcome this kind of greed and power? Those things are oftentimes directly in conflict with each other.”
But don’t worry, he’s taking the physical aspects just as seriously. “I just wanted to be big and strong and look like somebody who can cause a bit of damage,” he said. “Muscles start to grow, and that can be deemed aesthetic in certain capacities, but there is something about feeling strong in your body that elicits just a different feeling. You carry yourself differently … It has an impact on you psychologically in a way that is useful for the film.”
Although Mescal insists that the physicality isn’t merely aesthetic, we can’t deny that it’s part of why we’re rushing to see the movie — I told you it was going to unite moviegoers of all genders and sexual orientations. While all straight men love any excuse to ponder the Roman Empire (check), the rest of us aren’t
dismayed by Paul Mescal’s thighs (double check, one for each leg). Infamous for gallivanting around in short shorts, Mescal’s physicality is part of his draw, but never has it been put to such good use. This is our Brad Pitt in Troy. Our Kellan Lutz in that awful Hercules film … and that awful Tarzan remake. Our Brendan Fraser in the less-bad 1997 Tarzan. Except with an actor whose acting is as good as his looks.
The press tour we’re all waiting for
Needless to say, with a cast this good, I can’t wait for the press tour. We’re in an era when the
marketing magic behind the movies we love is more transparent than ever — but also more entertaining. After press tours like Barbie, Dune 2, and Challengers, big-budget movies these days have to come with big-budget press tours.
So this fall, we’re in for a parade of our favorite, great actors. I can’t wait to see them bantering on red-carpets, playing with puppies, and revealing more about life on set. But most of all, I’m hungry for each glimpse of the movie we’re going to get from here on out.
Not just anyone can earn the title “People’s Princess.” I mean, the moniker was first used to describe Princess Diana, so the bar is astronomical. It describes someone who isn’t effortlessly iconic yet feels relatable. But this is a tough balance to reach — especially for celebrities who are, by definition, not relatable. And many a female celeb — think Jennifer Lawrence and Anne Hathaway every 5 business years — has earned this title just to have the world turn on her and suddenly hate her for no reason. It’s called being
woman’d, and it’s the flip side to being the people’s princess.
So, this title doesn’t come without its risks. But my god, the rewards are worth it. Everyone loves you. You book job after job. No one can get enough of you.
In the music world, the people’s princess is currently Sabrina Carpenter. You can’t go anywhere without hearing either “Espresso” or “
Please, Please, Please” — and surprisingly, you don’t want to. If I don’t get my daily dose of “Espresso,” my mental health suffers. She’s also dominating the festival circuit and just wrapped up an opening spot for Taylor Swift's Eras tour. And her album Short and Sweet is on the way and I’ve already pre-saved it to Spotify and am mentally preparing for the Ticketmaster queue for her solo tour.
Somehow even more ubiquitous than our Pop Princess is the preeminent Ayo Edebiri. Across demographics, fan bases, and generations, everybody loves her. She seemingly arrived out of nowhere with a refreshingly relatable persona backed with earnestness and raw talent. She has the wide-eyed charm of
Call Me By Your Name-era Timothee Chalamet. The viral interview acumen of early-career Jennifer Lawrence. And the infectious grin of a young Julia Roberts. How could she not be the people’s princess?
Over the last two years, she went from being a niche comedian [Popdust named her as one of the best
comedians to watch in 2019] to a household name. And while it might seem like she’s everywhere now, she's been working for years behind the scenes as a writer, basement comedian, and voice actor before finally getting the recognition she deserves. It doesn’t hurt that she’s a master of press tours. Combined with her It-girl style (lots of Loewe, naturally), her witty answers to interview questions often go viral and become memes and ongoing jokes. Making us feel like we’re in on the joke with her is a classic people’s princess move.
If you’re still wondering where she came from and where she’s going, we’ve got the full scoop.
What has Ayo Edebiri written for?
Before she was one of Hollywood’s most in-demand actors, Edebiri was making a name for herself behind the scenes as a writer. Or versatile queen, she did it all. She was also a comedy writer on one-season (not) wonders like
The Rundown with Robin Thede and Sunnyside on NBC. She also joined the writing staff of Big Mouth for the show's fourth season, where she eventually became the voice of Missy in 2020 — replacing Jenny Slate amidst the Black Lives Matter Movement.
After a few uncredited acting roles and small roles from 2014 -2020, she started with comedy sets on Comedy Central which eventually led to a show with frequent collaborator Rachel Sennott. Their scripted digital series
Ayo and Rachel Are Single aired on Comedy Central in May 2020. Amongst people in the industry, this was her breakthrough. But her major breakout role came two years later in The Bear.
What is Ayo Edebiri in?
When everything happens, it all happens at once. In 2020, though she’d had scripts floating around development offices and stints in writers' rooms before, Ayo started booking jobs, both as a writer and as an actress. And those jobs often ended in more jobs — and even awards.
It started with the show
Dickinson. This underrated AppleTV+ dramedy stars Hailee Steinfeld as a young Emily Dickinson in an anachronistic rendition of the writer’s young life. And in the second season, a surprise: a guest appearance by Ayo Edebiri herself. Edebiri was a writer on the show when she appeared as an actress. There, she first worked with director Christopher Storer, who is best known for creating The Bear.
Storer, a Chicago native, based
The Bear on a sandwich shop called Mr. Beef and its owner Chris Zucchero. The Bear was already cooking by the time he met Edebiri, so to speak. So when he imagined the casting for Sydney, he imagined Ayo. She submitted a self-tape for the role and the fit was just right. Audiences thought so, too. The Bear was an instant hit, and Ayo its breakout star.
It’s hard to eclipse the attention of a
White Boy of the Month. So, while the internet was infatuated with Jeremy Allen White and his chef-boy tattoos (this was before the now-infamous Calvin Klein ad), it’s a wonder they had room to fawn over anyone else. Yet, Ayo’s charm cut through the noise, and she became one of the most talked about young actors — in and outside of Hollywood casting rooms and voting rooms.
For her first season of
The Bear, Edebiri was nominated for a bevy of awards, including the Gotham Independent Film Award for Outstanding Performance in a New Series, the Critics' Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series. She also won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series.
After that, she was everywhere. You might have seen her in a recurring role in the beloved
Abbott Elementary, a too-small role in niche Indie comedy Theater Camp alongside Molly Gordon, who would go on to be in The Bear, and in an episode of Black Mirror.
2023 was a giant year for Ayo in movies. She was in the
definitive queer movie of the year, Bottoms (also the best dressedmenswear film of the year), alongside Rachel Sennott. But that wasn’t enough. She starred in The Sweet East — a bizarre indie drama alongside Talia Ryder, Jacob Elordi, and Jeremy O’Harris — and lent her voice in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.
She’ll be making another turn as a voice actor alongside Maya Hawke in this summer’s
Inside Out 2 and premiered her latest movie role in Omni Loop at SXSW this year in Austin, Texas.
But one movie she wasn’t in?
Banshees of Inisherin, the 2022 Martin McDonagh film starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson that earned Barry Keoghan an Oscar nomination (pre-Saltburn). Yet, it’s the reason behind the running joke that she’s Irish (she is). Let’s get into it.
Why do people say Ayo Edebiri is Irish?
It all started, as many things do, on a red carpet. Before
Bottoms finally made it the cinemas worldwide to raucous, roaring, lesbian applause, it was a strange indie film premiering at SXSW 2023. This was the beginning of Ayo’s rise to People’s Princess-dom, and co-stars Rachel Sennott and Nicholas Galitzine were beginning to get some attention, too.
But instead of talking about
Bottoms on the red carpet, Ayo took that time to talk about something nearer and dearer to her heart: the proud and gorgeous nation of Ireland. In an Irish accent and straight face, she joked that she had played the role of Jenny the donkey in Banshees. Thus, an Irish queen was born.
“I lived in Ireland for about four months, and I got really in character, and I was on all fours for four months, and it was really painful — but beautiful as well,” she said.
Since then, she — and the proud and gorgeous nation of Ireland — have run with the bit. She thanked Ireland in an award acceptance speech. She celebrated St. Paddy’s with Paul Mescal. She’s been embraced by Irish publications. God bless the Irish. I just need her to do an Actors to Actors Series conversation with
Bridgerton’s Nicola Coughlan.
Is Ayo Edebiri dating Jeremy Allen White?
Alongside the speculation around her Irishness, Ayo, like every famous woman, has received a lot of interest in her dating life. Rumors abounded that she had a short fling with fellow Irish icon Paul Mescal, and if it’s not true, don’t tell me. But lately, fans are hoping real life imitates fiction and that Ayo Edebiri is dating Jeremy Allen White.
The rumor began in Chicago. While on location for
The Bear, the cast has become a Chicago tourist attraction. You don’t pay rent in Chicago if you haven’t seen White in his Nike Cortez sneakers or Matty Matheson enjoying some local fare. So it’s no surprise a video went viral of the cast hanging out at a Chigaco baseball game. But a curious moment in the footage sparked some attention. For a second, White seems to rub Edebiri’s back. That’s it. That’s the proof. But fans are convinced it was more than friendly.
Who knows? Maybe they are dating, or maybe they’re just playing the press tour game like all movie stars playing love interests do these days. Their characters also have a will-they-won’t-they dynamic, and I’ll be sitting waiting for
Season 3 to reveal their fates.
When is The Bear Season 3 coming out?
The Bear Season 3 will be released on June 27, 2024. If you’re anything like me, you’re counting down the days to get your fix of Ayo Edebiri at her best. The People’s Princess surely can do no wrong in my eyes. I can’t wait for a new season of her as Sydney — including her directorial debut in one of the episodes. Stay tuned for our full review on the Season!
If there’s one thing I consistently endorse, it’s the power of a music festival. You get the best bang for your buck by having the opportunity to see dozens of artists all for the price of one weekend pass…and you get the chance to find your next favorite artist.
At their core, music festivals are relatively the same — overpriced drinks, under-seasoned food options,
more overpriced drinks, and, without a doubt, an overflowing port-a-potty or two. You’ll walk at least 10,000 steps per day, your feet will be screaming for help at the end of the night, and your willpower will for sure be tested.
From
Sea.Hear.Now in New Jersey to Coachella in California, festivals are a little hellish. But they’re incredible. All of these Survivor-esque factors make music festivals fun because you’re all struggling together…but the music makes it worth it.
And this past weekend, thousands flocked to Flushing Meadows Corona Park, New York to see the iconic East Coast festival: Gov Ball. If you’re from the Tri-State area, it’s a guarantee that you or someone you know has attended the Governor’s Ball at least once.
Yet, many warned me that Gov Ball was not what it used to be. However, I wasn’t going to resist such a star-studded lineup. Not only were headliners powerhouses like Post Malone, The Killers, and SZA…but the supporting acts were just as tempting: Sabrina Carpenter, Renee Rapp, and Chappell Roan were some of the names to watch.
So I put on my comfiest sneakers, and I went to Gov Ball 2024. And the big secret of it all is that I had a blast.
Brandon Flowers — lead singer of The Killers — declared them “the purveyors of some of the finest rock and roll music” and I can’t say I disagree. Whenever I see The Killers, I’m entranced.
Whether it’s their gospel church-inspired set, with background vocalists, cries of “can I get an AMEN?”, and a minutes-long chant of “I got soul, but I’m not a soldier”...The Killers set is always spiritual.
They play a plethora of their hits from albums like
Hot Fuss — where you get instant classics like “Somebody Told Me”, “Mr. Brightside”, and “All These Things That I’ve Done.” You get newer songs like “Caution” and you come away convinced that rock and roll will never die.
By far the finest vocalist at the festival was Renee Rapp, who is on her
Snow Hard Feelings tour. Rapp has had a blockbuster few years, with her show Sex Lives of College Girls, and playing Regina George in the Mean Girls reboot. Songs like “In The Kitchen” and “Pretty Girls” went viral on TikTok.
With a similar stage presence to Billie Eilish, Renee Rapp donned baggy clothes and sunglasses. She crawled around stage, stared longingly into the camera as she sang, and bent forwards and backward up and down the catwalk.
But what really comes through is her voice. She can belt a ballad with the best of them — powerhouses like Jennifer Hudson, Demi Lovato, and Adele. She touches your soul with heartbreaking lyrics, and cracks you up with quips like “I wish this song weren’t written about a man, either.”
If you get the chance to see her live, go.
Chappell Roan
They need to study the rapid rise of Chappell Roan in the history books. She’s instantaneously synonymous with LGBTQ music icons like Lady Gaga. Her album,
Rise and Fall of a Midwest Person, was originally a favorite of TikTok users…but quickly zipped up the charts.
Her Coachella performance played to a packed tent at full capacity…so there was high anticipation for her Gov Ball mainstage performance. She starts the show by entering in an apple, dressed as the Statue of Liberty, smoking a huge joint — which is the epitome of Chappell Roan.
Roan and her all-female band were captivating from start to finish. With Chappell’s dramatic flare and her band’s ability to absolutely rock out, the whole crowd was entranced by Chappell…including myself.
Sabrina Carpenter
Another rapidly rising star is Sabrina Carpenter. She opened for Taylor Swift on
The Eras Tour and also had a major Coachella performance. She’s seen chart-topping success with both “Espresso” and now “Please, Please, Please,” and let’s not forget her newly hard-launched relationship with Saltburn’s Barry Keoghan.
Ever since her love triangle with Olivia Rodrigo and Joshua Bassett, Carpenter’s love life has been a major topic of conversation…and inspired much of the
emails I can’t send album. Gearing up for her latest era, with millions more monthly streamers, Carpenter has all the star power of the next big pop princess.
She mashed up songs like The Cardigans’ “Lovefool” and her own “Feather”, she belted “because i liked a boy”, and of course sang “Please, Please, Please” for the first time. Big dance breaks, amazing vocal runs, and her quick wit make Sabrina a must-see.
Post Malone
Post Malone’s set provided one of the lighter moments of the festival when he brought up two individual audience members to perform his ballad, “Stay”, together. If you’re familiar with the song, you know it’s a beautifully haunting slow song.
So, of course, he brings a guitarist — who does fine — and a girl to sing with him. Normally, you’d expect the person who offers to join a famous headliner onstage to be able to sing..so when this girl failed to hit the first note, the crowd knew we were in for a treat.
However, Post Malone sang along and remained professional. Of course, he’s a great performer himself, but this alone lands him a gold star.
Although you’re encouraged
not to drive to Gov Ball, I live 40 minutes away and am a public transportation hater. After a few arduous bouts with the subway and buses, I needed to drive there on Sunday or my body would revolt.
Luckily, there was parking available at Citi Field and right next to where the subway drops commuters off. If you’re brave enough to take a ride-share service, I’d recommend leaving at an off-time where you won’t hit traffic from festival-goers or New York City partiers.
If you can afford it, I’d say VIP made my experience 1000x better. It gets you a guaranteed front-row view of the stage and you won’t feel claustrophobic or have to shove fellow audience members out of your way. There are plenty of areas to sit and relax while watching the show, which is something GA doesn’t provide.
However, the food options were quite limited in the VIP areas. So I tried my luck in the GA food vendor areas and ended up waiting for 20 minutes in endless lines. But what did truly saved the weekend was the private bathroom and bar options to avoid those long lines.
Overall, Gov Ball was so much better than anticipated…and I look forward to next year.
Between Ticketmaster crashing and people reselling their tickets for thousands of dollars, the mayhem that the Eras tour has caused so far is ridiculous.
Sales for her European leg have started. To avoid the chaos that ensued when the US tickets were released, there is no general sale for these tickets. Only those people who’ve registered for the pre-sale will get a code to buy tickets on their city’s selected date.
Some lucky fans have managed to secure tickets at cost price. If you’re wondering just how you can too, we scoured the internet to find the best tips and hacks.
Here’s every tip we found, according to Tiktok:
Have your payment information already logged into your Ticketmaster account to save time when checking out
Turn off all other devices using the wifi and sit near the router when buying tickets
If you received a code with multiple emails, try buying with different emails on different devices and go with whichever queue moves the fastest
Refresh the page when the countdown is over to be in the front when joining the queue (this one seems a little risky – but apparently, it works)
Don’t be picky, you want to be there, so take whatever tickets are left!
If you reach the ticket buying page and there are no tickets left, keep refreshing the page as more may potentially be added
If you didn’t get chosen for a code when registering, then you can try for resale tickets Luckily, you can only sell resale tickets at cost value in a lot of places in Europe – Unlike in the US where tickets were resold for thousands of dollars
Happy ticket hunting!
Disclaimer: these hacks have not been verified by Ticketmaster. They are based on advice from the TikTok below:
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