This week, Daysia talks about stinky celebs and Hannah has a newsletter recommendation for those who love movies. Plus, we have a dream casting moment this week! Who should be the new Blossom in the live-action Powerpuff Girls? 

And of course, we’re counting down the days until Solar Power. One week to go!

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Daysia and Hannah

This Week's Fixations

What’s taking up our brain space this week?

Daysia: I do not understand how we continuously receive word of celebrities’ bathing habits. Who’s asking? Why are we asking? I do not want to know! I already know what’s coming! I don’t know if it’s some new-wave wellness Goop™ery, but there are more than a handful of white celebs who have declared themselves Team Stink the past few weeks. Let’s recap:

• Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis 

• Jake Gyllenhaal

• Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard

And who’s on the right side of history you may ask? 

• Jason Momoa

• The Rock—an admission that gave us this incredible Twitter interaction

• Chris Evans

• Cardi B

And despite speculation that Jack Harlow was stinky, further examination of the Pitchfork “Over/Under” video used as evidence of this reveals that he thinks bathing (as in a long bath) is overrated. However, he showers “religiously,” a quick five-minute wash daily. “I’m environmental,” he says. Good for him! Being conscious about water usage and keeping ourselves clean aren’t mutually exclusive! 

I remember when the leg washing debate of 2019 hit our group chat, and I (a leg washer) said that POC are held to a different standard of cleanliness than white folks, which makes discourse like this so odd and divisive. I stand by this! I also think that the makeup of the above lists are a product of these standards. Insider’s Anna Medaris Miller and Canela López unpacked this issue—and the importance of finding a happy medium between bathing too much or too little—in a recent article: “Hypercleanliness has long been pushed on people of color, who some say do not have the same privilege to dial back [bathing habits] as their white peers.”

Hannah: Keeping it short and sweet this week: I’m recommending that if you’re interested in movies and reading about what other people think about movies to subscribe to Ty Burr’s newsletter. The former film critic for The Boston Globe, Burr has the knowledge and insight that really helps you understand what makes movies great (or not so great). With a wide range of recommendations from new to old, indie productions to the latest from streaming giants, Burr’s (multi) weekly dispatches have caused my to-watch list to grow even longer.

Dream Casting

Chloe Bennet is out! Who should be the next Blossom?

As we’ve all heard, the live-action Powerpuff Girls series has been a bit of a trainwreck! First, they scrapped the entire pilot, now Chloe Bennet—the would-be new Blossom—is exiting the series ahead of the reshoot. New casting begins this fall, and we have some ideas one who should replace Bennet as leader of the iconic superhero trio.

• Madelaine Petsch: She’s an obvious choice, looks-wise, with her signature red hair. She’s also already in the CW universe as a character in Riverdale, so she gets the vibe. But that also probably renders her unavailable for this role.

• Lana Condor: She’s done darker action roles in the past, with roles in X-Men Apocalypse and Deadly Class. The character description for Blossom says she “has repressed kiddie-superhero trauma that has left her feeling anxious and reclusive, and she aims to become a leader again, this time on her own terms.” Condor’s performance in To All the Boys was all about navigating anxiety, coping with loss, and discovering oneself—albeit in a different way. It would be a great chance to showcase all of her talents!

• Zendaya: OK, this is obviously wayyyyyy below her paygrade. But with her performances in Euphoria and Spider-Man, we can totally see Zendaya as the troubled main character superhero. 

• Malese Jow: Someone suggested this on Twitter, and we think that’s a great pick! She’s already been introduced to the CW universe in The Flash—which also gives her superhero experience. 

• Debby Ryan: Similar to Madelaine Petsch, Ryan definitely fits the profile looks-wise and the former Disney Channel darling turned Netflix Original TV star has the resume that would be perfect for this role. She’s been quiet in terms of acting so this could be a great role to fill her free time with.

Has Lorde Dropped a New Album?

No, but we have one week to go! The New York Times’ Joe Coscarelli profiled Lorde ahead of the new album, and it’s all about living life! Away from everything, reclaiming private time as a public person. We should all take a page from her book.

In the meantime… Lizzo finally dropped new music! Listen to her new single “Rumors” featuring Cardi B. Plus, the elusive PinkPantheress released the delightful TikTok earworm "Just for me."

Too Many Tabs

Nick Miller expert and writer Bolu Babalola interviewed Jake Johnson for Bustle, asking him about the romance, masculinity, and warmth he exudes in his personal life and through his characters.

Variety’s Ellise Shafer profiled Olivia Rodrigo for the magazine’s latest “Young Hollywood” issue, describing her as the “voice of her generation” and taking a quick tour through her journey to pop stardom.

For the New York Times Magazine, ​​Ligaya Mishan wrote about the visibility of Asian women in music, the history of Asian representation in pop, and the conflict between self-erasure and self-Orientalizing.

Plus… a Ted Lasso review, Victoria Justice in a Netflix romcom, AUSTIN BUTLER AND LILY ROSE DEPP???, Dylan O’Brien is out here doing TikTok dances, Billie Eilish’s synesthesia, Nick Cannon doesn’t subscribe to monogamy, and Shia LeBeouf appears to be attempting a comeback.