From controversial tweets to unexpected career moves, this week in pop culture has been nothing short of chaotic. Kanye West is back in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, Justin Bieber is stepping into a new era, and Trisha Paytas is making her Broadway debut (yes, really). Meanwhile, Bachelor Nation fans may be in for some disappointment, and Timothée Chalamet just added another trophy to his growing collection.
Kanye West: New Week, New Controversy
In early February 2025, Kanye West, also known as Ye, ignited significant controversy with a series of offensive posts on X (formerly Twitter). His remarks included explicit admiration for Adolf Hitler, self-identification as a Nazi, and various antisemitic, racist, and misogynistic statements. These actions have drawn widespread condemnation from the public and fellow celebrities.
Actor David Schwimmer publicly called on X owner Elon Musk to remove West from the platform, emphasizing that such hate speech contributes to real-world violence against Jews. Schwimmer highlighted the disparity between West’s vast follower count and the global Jewish population, underscoring the potential impact of West’s words.
In addition to his incendiary posts, West faced backlash for promoting a T-shirt featuring a swastika, which he described as his “greatest art.” This move was met with outrage, leading to the removal of the product from his website due to policy violations.
Following these events, West’s account on X was deactivated. It remains unclear whether this action was taken by West himself or by the platform’s administration. Before the deactivation, West expressed gratitude to Elon Musk for allowing him to “vent,” likening the experience to a cathartic journey.
These developments have led to renewed discussions about the responsibilities of social media platforms in moderating hate speech and the consequences of providing a platform to individuals who propagate harmful ideologies.
Among these, a particularly shocking message read, “F* VIRGIL,” referencing the late fashion designer Virgil Abloh, who passed away in 2021 from a rare form of cancer.
This outburst was unexpected, given West’s long-standing friendship and professional collaboration with Abloh. The two had worked closely together since the early 2000s, with Abloh serving as the creative director for West’s agency, DONDA, and contributing to various projects, including the album art for “Watch the Throne.”
In the aftermath of Abloh’s death, West had publicly honored his friend, dedicating a Sunday Service performance to him and displaying the message, “IN LOVING MEMORY OF VIRGIL ABLOH, THE CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF DONDA,” during a livestream.
Fans and the public expressed their dismay at West’s recent derogatory comment. Many took to social media to voice their disappointment, with one user stating, “Dissing your best friend beyond the grave is too much,” and another adding, “Can’t defend this no more.”
Justin Bieber’s Comeback: New Music, New Look, Same Biebs
Justin Bieber is stepping into the spotlight once again with whispers of new music—and fans can’t stop talking about his fresh look. Gone is the clean-cut “Baby” Bieber of the past. Instead, he’s rocking a more laid-back, grunge-inspired aesthetic, with shaggy hair, oversized hoodies, and baggy jeans. His recent public appearances have fans reminiscing about his Purpose era but with a 2025 twist.
Bieber’s new sound reportedly leans into a mix of acoustic melodies and pop-funk vibes, creating anticipation for what some are calling “his most mature album yet.” After a few quieter years focused on marriage and mental health, Bieber is ready to reclaim his spot on the charts. Social media exploded with photos of his recent outings, where his casual style was both praised and poked fun at. TikTok videos comparing his current look to early 2000s pop stars like Aaron Carter have also gone viral.
Trisha Paytas on Broadway: A Meme Queen Turns Theater Star
In perhaps the most unexpected pop culture development this week, internet personality and YouTube star Trisha Paytas announced her Broadway debut. Known for her viral mukbangs, dramatic YouTube videos, and meme-worthy moments, Paytas’ transition into theater caught many off guard—but also intrigued them. She’s reportedly set to star in Chicago, playing the iconic role of Roxie Hart, a character that aligns with her larger-than-life persona.
Though some critics were skeptical about her ability to take on such a demanding role, Paytas has been sharing behind-the-scenes rehearsals on TikTok, proving that she’s serious about the opportunity. Fans are rallying behind her, calling this a full-circle moment for someone who has always dreamt of being a performer. Expect plenty of viral content as her performances begin, especially if she brings her signature chaotic energy to the stage.
Next Season of the Bachelorette on Pause?
In a shocking turn, early this week there have been rumors floating around social media that the 2025 season of the ABC show The Bachelorette, which usually occurs in the following months of the season of The Bachelor will not be happening this year. Though it has not been officially stated to be cancelled for 2025 it is understood that ABC will not be airing the show this year, as sources are saying it is “highly unlikely”. This would be the first time the show has skipped a season of Bachelor or Bachelorette since 2007.
It is rumored that a reason for the show being put on break could be due to the previous season with Jen Trann causing uncertainty for the following season’s airing. With Jen’s season ending in such heartbreak, disappointment, and betrayal viewers and ABC producers alike feel it may be a risk to go back into another season of the show so soon. Jenn’s season came with an insane amount of backlash from fans and negative media coverage calling out the franchise for casting incorrectly and ultimately putting the chosen bachelorette (Jenn) through a pretty bad experience. Viewers felt that ABC did one of the worst casting jobs for the show they’ve ever done and brought in insincere male contestants.
One thing that will brighten up any disappointed Bachelor franchise viewers’ moods is that there is going to be a new season of Bachelor in Paradise, which has not aired since 2023. In recent years the Bachelor Franchise has been rocky with timing, contestants, and outcomes from the relationships formed. It is clear that these types of outcomes are definitely having an effect on how the show operates.
Timothée Chalamet Wins Big: A Night of Awards, Bob Dylan, and Birthday Serenades
Timothée Chalamet is having a moment! Just two nights ago, he was honored with the first-ever Arlington Artist of the Year Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, all thanks to his upcoming role as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown. Fans are already calling it one of his best performances yet, and this award only adds to the hype.
The award was presented by none other than Josh Brolin, Chalamet’s Dune co-star. But the night wasn’t just about Timothée—when he found out it was Brolin’s birthday, he got the entire audience to sing “Happy Birthday” for him! Talk about a wholesome moment.
During his speech, Chalamet reflected on his wild career journey, joking about how he’s gone from playing Willy Wonka to now becoming Bob Dylan. He also shared how much he admires Dylan and hopes to create work that resonates as much as the legendary musician’s.
Chalamet wasn’t alone for the big night—his girlfriend Kylie Jenner was spotted in the audience, cheering him on. While the two usually keep their relationship low-key, fans couldn’t help but notice their cute moments together during the event.
Stay tuned, because Timothée Chalamet is just getting started!
