Happy New Year, divas! New year, new us. In 2026, aka the 10th anniversary of 2016, we’re leaving behind toxicity and mediocrity and championing only the trends, podcasters, and pop stars that truly serve us.

Allow me to set the scene. We’re waving goodbye to the Alex Warren-ification of pop music whilst ushering in a new era of unique, innovative pop girlies like Adéla. We’re saying “ta-ta” to purity culture as we gleefully embrace Sabrina Carpenter and gay hockey smut. We’re respectfully laying the full season binge to rest and bringing back the delightful insanity of cult-like behavior over weekly TV episodes.

Like a wise woman once said: “I’ve seen it. Yeah. I don’t know how widespread, but you know, I am in queer media.”

As a self-declared tastemaker in queer media, I gift you: my ins and outs for 2026.

2026 Pop Culture Ins & Outs

INS:

• Indie songs in show soundtracks

Because “Bad Things” by Cailin Russo is one of my favorite hyperfixations of 2025.

• Empty Netters

I’m just in love with Dan and Chris Powers and the concept of straight men getting so invested in queer media.

• Weekly TV episodes and cult behavior around TV shows

The Summer I Turned Pretty, Love Island USA, and Heated Rivalry have made me the woman I am today. More please.

• Olivia Dean, Adéla, Zara Larsson, Ravyn Lenae

One thing about me is I know my pop girls, and these ladies are the ones to watch.

• DCOMs

I lived through the Disney Channel golden era and thus I need more deliciously nostalgic films like A Very Jonas Christmas.

• Watch parties at bars

These are the moments I really feel alive. Culture is grown folks screaming and sobbing when the producers finally make Nicolandria happen.

• Actual background checks for men on dating shows

No more men with secret wives and children and/or men who… make chicken smoothies.

• 2016 vibes (the positive ones)

Like how blasting “Hotline Bling” in the car on the way to school felt.

• Any and all projects featuring Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie

I will buy whatever they sell me in ads, I will go see whatever movies they’re in, I will start a petition for them to host an award show.

• Yearning, men who seem like they were written by women

Like Conrad Fisher but less creepy, more romantic.

• Touching grass

You know you’re overdue.

• Individual style/taste

Demi Lovato once said, “Who said I can’t wear my converse with my dress,” and we need to bring back that energy. Stop listening to TikTok shop and start listening to your heart.

• Life-changing pop girl collabs

I’m talking Billie Eilish and Addison Rae, Chappell Roan and Olivia Rodrigo, Reneé Rapp and SZA.

OUTS:

• Songs that have vanilla, Utah, The Voice vibes dominating the charts

Between “Beautiful Things,” “Ordinary,” and “Lose Control,” I feel like we are good on this genre. All set. Finito.

• Dating apps

Nothing makes me wanna d*e quite like Hinge does. Let’s bring back approaching people, courting them, friends-to-lovers arcs, just anything else.

• Forcing celebs to come out/explain their sexuality

PSA: They don’t owe you any info about their personal lives, even if they’re playing queer characters.

• Purity culture and freaking out about Sabrina Carpenter album covers

“You need to calm down. You’re being too loud.” – Taylor Swift

• Reboots

Must we ruin the great films and TV shows of our childhood with half-assed new versions that don’t even feature the original casts?

• Biopics

Repeat after me: Not every single famous person ever needs a biopic. It is in fact okay to write new stories, original movies, etc.

• The ChatGPT therapy trend

If you can buy three or four $10 lattes a week, you can probably splurge on a real therapist.

• Snapchat

This was popular when I was 14… I am 26. Why are we still doing this…

• TikToks about acting like a grandma in your mid/late 20s

You’re welcome to knit or whatever, but I’ll be at the club and on cool trips with my friends.

• Bazillion dollar concert tickets

God forbid a woman wants to enjoy some live music! I’m exhausted from fighting Ticketmaster battles and my wallet is tired too.

• QR code menus

Why are we encouraging phones at the table? Why do none of these menus ever load? All I want is a damn menu that I can hold in my hands.

• 2+ year waits in between TV show seasons

Girl, if it’s been more than two years I do not care what happens to the characters. I’ve moved on. I’m at the cottage.

• Dubai chocolate

This isn’t even personal, just an overexposure thing.