Hi, we know that it has been a while, but we’re back with the 90th (!) issue of the letter and some news.

This is Daysia’s last letter, but make sure you are following her on Twitter so you can see what she covers for NBC News!! Although it won’t be the same, you may still see updates from Hannah every once in and while with her pop culture thoughts.

In the final edition of this Pop Cult era, Daysia is looking ahead to pop culture moments and Hannah rounds up her favorite celebrity Halloween costumes.

We want to say thank you SO much for reading this lil’ letter with our deranged thoughts on pop culture, it’s been an absolute joy for us to have a place to compile our Twitter DMs, voice memos and text messages and share them with you.

So long for now!

Love and light,

<3

Daysia and Hannah

This Week's Fixations

Daysia: There are so many things to look forward to in the coming months! I’m listing what I’m anticipating most here as we wrap up the newsletter and approach the end of the year: new Niall Horan music (which he announced on Instagram Stories this Friday), Michelle Yeoh receiving her flowers at the Oscars (because what was better than Everything Everywhere All at Once this year? It’ll be a crime if she’s snubbed!), the response to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Broadway production of Bad Cinderella (which has a wild premise and looks… bad, obviously. I sense some more Broadway drama incoming!), and an alleged new SZA album (teased after the release of the “Shirt” music video):

Plus, Succession season 4!

Hannah: Hallo-weekend is here and there are some great celeb costumes this year. I’m not the biggest fan of Halloween but I do love a good, clever costume, especially by celebrities who have access to costume makers, make-up artists, and SFX artists. Go big or go home, in my opinion!

Although Vanessa Hudgens is a staple at this time of year (she is the Mariah Carey of Halloween), I have to say that I think this year’s Queen of Halloween is Keke Palmer!

I feel like 2022 has, deservedly, been the Year of Keke and she absolutely went all out as both Rapunzel and Rogue. I love the originality (and that she is giving the people what they want!) and also the commitment from the sets to the special effects.

A great group costume is always fun and Lili Reinhart, Madelaine Petsch, and Camila Mendes as the (a lil’ bit sexy version) Sanderson sisters from Hocus Pocus are so good!

I don’t generally pay attention to Addison Rae but her Lady Gaga costume is excellent—iconic and OG Lady Gaga.

Incredibly timely couples costume by Hayley Kiyoko and Becca Tilley as Velma and Daphne. Jinkies!

And finally, I cackled at Frankie Jonas and his girlfriend, Anna Olson, dressing up as Joe Jonas and Taylor Swift (I wonder if he borrowed the actual shirt from Joe’s closet?).

What were your favorite celeb costumes this year? Plus, Vulture has compiled a big list of the best celeb costumes this year.

Has Lorde Dropped a New Album?

Charli XCX shared that she and Lorde almost teamed up for an iconic Halloween costume moment.

Lorde also shared a bit of intel on her new music recently!

ICYMI: Rihanna dropped her first single in six years for the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack, “Lift Me Up.”

Too Many Tabs

Angelica Jade Bastién breaks down Brangelina and their relationship with the media throughout the years in light of the couple’s divorce returning to headlines and newsfeeds.

Lexi McMenamin profiled Phoebe Bridgers covering how the artist’s anger is reflected in her music and her activism.

For Men’s Health, writer Clover Hope spoke to Jonathan Majors about his three upcoming movies, his determination, and facing fear.

Nylon’s Steffanee Wang spoke to Tove Lo about her new album Dirt Femme, settling into marriage, getting comfortable in her own skin, and making club bangers.

The New York Times’ Dave Itzkoff intended to talk to James Corden about his new mini-series Mammals, but they ended up talking about that notorious egg order—to Corden’s disdain.

Plus… all hail the Queen of Halloween, Issa Rae’s in her “mogul era,” an oral history of Lilo and Stitch, Wendy Williams is doing OK! (hopefully?), director Dan Levy, Usher will make anyone MELT!, Sydney Sweeney as Barbarella!, Fleishman is in Trouble is coming soon, Jada Pinkett Smith is exactly the type of celeb I want a memoir from, speaking of memoirs mark your calendars for January 10, and the new Ant-Man movie looks good!