This week Daysia has a lot of thoughts on Jesy Nelson’s solo debut and Hannah’s head is empty except for counting down the days until Succession returns.

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Daysia and Hannah

This Week's Fixations

Daysia: Breakups are hard. When Jesy Nelson left Little Mix in December, I was bummed (I was re-entering my Mixer era) but not shocked. She has been vocal about the struggles and pressures of being in a girl group, which have led to an eating disorder and suicide attempt. I understood why she would want to leave since it’s quite hard to be compared to three other women, despite their attempts to protect you.

Now, as Nelson unveils her debut single as a solo artist, some folks have questions—and criticisms. From what I understand, she never wanted to stop her music career, but she wanted to stop being a part of a girl group. Fair! I believe her when she says that she can feel and act more like herself now, rather than worry about how her decisions reflect on the band or how the band reflects on her self-image. This happens with almost every artist that breaks off from the group that made them famous.

However, I do not think the pressure is off now that she’s gone solo, just different. In fact, I think she’ll face even more scrutiny now—with her creative and aesthetic decisions—that she is alone. With a history of blackfishing, it’s hard to watch Nelson’s debut and not see the blatant co-opting of Black culture. That’s not unique to Nelson, but it’s hard to see the “BOYZ” music video and not be shocked that Nelson is, indeed, a white woman.

Ultimately, “BOYZ” is not so much of an homage to Diddy’s “Bad Boy for Life” as it is a rendition. Yes, it is a love letter to, and co-signed by, Diddy. But it’s hard to conceptualize the new direction Nelson is going in when the debut felt like a copy, rather than a new take, of the past. I hope that Nelson finds herself like she says she’s doing, but I hope it doesn’t require her continually cosplaying as a woman of color.

I highly recommend reading this Q&A with Nelson in Vulture, which is the most balanced and nuanced conversation I’ve read of hers thus far. One excerpt that gets to what I was feeling about her debut:

“There’s a striking sense that Nelson views social media as a source of emotional burden, the very thing that drove her to attempt to take her life eight years ago; now, when any backlash arises from that source, especially directly related to her public presentation, that line between malicious trolling and fair criticism seems to blur and erode internally.”

Other unhinged things to note this week: Grimes and the Communist Manifesto… Meghan Trainor and Daryl Sabara shit side-by-side??? Ariana Grande and Kelly Clarkson’s reaction to this The Voice contestant’s whistle note!!!

Hannah: I texted Daysia that I did not know what to write about because my head is empty except for thinking about the return of Succession. There are only nine days left until the premiere of season three and I can hardly wait!

We are being flooded with Succession promo right now as basically every single lead character has been on the cover of a magazine right now (check out TMT for proof). And I’m not complaining!

The mind games have already started with the promotional posters that were shared on Twitter and Instagram showing different combinations of characters. I’m excited to see how the opening credits change. The attention to detail is one of the things I love most about the show.

And I know I shared photos of Nicholas Braun last week but there was a profile of him in The New York Times this week and he was tall (obviously) and dressed for fall.

Also, I’m not sure whose side I will be on in Kendall v. Logan showdown but I’m Team Ronan always (sorry not sorry).

Has Lorde Dropped a New Album?

Lorde’s big press tour appears to be over (for now?), but last week she sparked engagement rumors at Variety’s Power of Women Gala,

ICYMI: PinkPantheress released a new banger, “I must apologise.”

Too Many Tabs

Evening Standard Magazine’s Kerry Potter had tea with Matthew Macfayden—who is decidedly not Tom Wambsgans—and dished about Succession season three.

For the new Mic, Jamal Jordan spoke to Issa Rae about her effect on and the future of Black television.

Teen Vogue’s P. Claire Dodson interviewed Olivia Rodrigo about navigating newfound fame and adulthood, originality in music, and sorting through the mess of life through music.

Plus… Angelina Jolie: Marvel star, Kieran Culkin on adjusting to the spotlight decades into his career, Kumail Nanjiani on changing his image, Matthew McConaughey on the gubernatorial race rumors, Billy Porter on first times and his new single, a Goop-y mess, and Sex Education’s groundbreaking disabled sex scene.