Biggest pop culture moments of 2023
2023 was rich in pop culture gold, from Gwyneth Paltrow’s court case to the Holly and Phil chaos, here are the biggest moments of 2023.
Jeremy Renner’s snowplough accident
At the beginning of the new year, fans were heartbroken to learn that actor Jeremy Renner had been involved in a serious incident while operating his snowplough, leaving him in a life-threatening condition in the hospital.
Air-lifted to the hospital, Jeremy faced severe injuries, including over 30 broken bones, a collapsed lung, and a pierced liver.
Against the odds, Jeremy managed to survive and spent the ensuing months in recovery, including the challenging process of learning to walk again. Remarkably, he has made astounding strides in his recovery and has not only returned to walking red carpets but has also resumed filming for his new show, “Mayor of Kingstown.”
Gwyneth Paltrow skiing trial
Gwyneth Paltrow, GOOP founder and actress, went on trial in the US this year, providing the world with some classic outfits, and moments of courtroom drama.
Paltrow was on trial responding to allegations from retired optometrist Terry Sanderson, who claimed she collided with him on a ski slope in 2016.
Sanderson sought $300,000 (£239,000) in damages, saying that the incident left him with broken ribs and head injuries. In contrast, Gwyneth asserted that he was the one who crashed into her, resulting in her losing ‘half a day of skiing’ with her family.
Ultimately, the jury absolved the actress of any fault and granted her a $1 counter-claim. On the final day of the trial, as she exited the court, Gwyneth leaned down to Sanderson and quietly expressed, ‘I wish you well.’
The trial featured several peculiar moments, from Gwyneth’s remarks about losing ‘half a day of skiing’ to Sanderson being questioned about likening his opponent to ‘Godzilla’ or ‘King Kong coming out of the jungle.’
Notably, Sanderson’s lawyer seemed a bit starstruck while cross-examining the actress, commenting that Gwyneth ‘probably had a better ski outfit’ than everyone else and expressing a touch of ‘jealousy’ regarding her height, stating, ‘I have to wear four-inch heels just to make it to 5’5″.’
Kanye West and Bianca Censori
Following his divorce from Kim Kardashian and the end of his relationship with Julia Fox, Kanye West grabbed headlines by ‘tying the knot’ with Bianca Censori, a Yeezy staff member.
Their relationship has been marked by numerous weird moments, with their choice of clothing standing out as they travelled across the globe. Bianca, on several occasions, donned a sheer, see-through bodysuit, seemingly nude and used items like cushions or teddy bears to maintain her modesty.
In contrast, Kanye opted for full coverage, concealing himself from head to toe.
Their European holiday encountered trouble, with Bianca’s daring outfits sparking local anger. Additionally, the couple faced consequences when they were banned from a boating company due to an alleged public indiscretion. In Venice, Italy, Kanye was spotted with his pants down and his backside exposed, while Bianca knelt before him on a canal, leading to the ban.
This Morning’s Phil and Holly
In May 2023, Phillip made a shocking announcement about his departure from This Morning. The revelation came after it was discovered that he had lied about having an affair with a young runner on the show. ITV confirmed that Schofield and the runner had been questioned years ago when rumours first emerged, but both denied the allegations. A new review was conducted into the circumstances of his exit. Phillip never returned to This Morning, and after an extended break, Holly returned to the daytime show alongside Jodie Gibson.
Addressing viewers, Holly expressed her shock and disappointment, stating that Phillip had chosen to resign from ITV and step down from a career he loved due to his actions. She thanked viewers for the supportive messages received during this challenging time. Holly continued to host the show with various co-stars. However, in October, she made a permanent departure after a disturbing plot to kidnap and murder her was uncovered.
Security officer Gavin Plumb, 36, faced charges of soliciting a hitman to murder Holly, which he denies. Holly, in an Instagram statement, announced her immediate departure from This Morning, stating, ‘After 14 years, I have informed ITV today that I will not be returning to This Morning.’
Will and Jada Pinkett Smith
In October, Jada Pinkett Smith disclosed that she and her husband Will Smith had been quietly separated for eight years. The actress also said that Chris Rock had asked her on a date after hearing rumours of her and Will’s impending divorce. Additionally, she revealed that when Will infamously slapped Chris at the Oscars, it marked the first time in years that he had referred to her as his wife.
In a surprising admission, Jada admitted to allowing people to believe she was unfaithful because Will wasn’t ready to publicise their split. Within days, she hinted at a potential reconciliation with Will and later dubbed the Oscars slap as the ‘holy slap,’ suggesting that it played a role in bringing them back together.
Lizzo’s lawsuit
In 2023, music icon Lizzo faced a significant legal challenge when a lawsuit was filed against her by several former backing dancers, accusing her of a range of offences, including sexual and racial harassment.
Three ex-dancers, Crystal Williams, Noelle Rodriguez, and Arianna Davis, alleged that Lizzo engaged in discrimination and fostered a ‘hostile work environment.’ Additionally, they claimed instances of sexual harassment, saying that Lizzo made them touch nude performers at a strip club in Europe. The allegations encompassed sexual, religious, and racial harassment, disability discrimination, assault, false imprisonment, and other charges.
Lizzo staunchly refuted these accusations, deeming them ‘outrageous’ and ‘sensationalised.’ She sought a complete dismissal of the case through legal proceedings.
Barbenheimer
Two major films – Barbie and Oppenheimer – were simultaneously released, but rather than sparking a rivalry, people collectively decided to attend both screenings.
This resulted in moviegoers donning vibrant pink outfits, including attire such as a half pink dress and half grey suit, when heading to cinemas on the release day.
Support from both Barbie and Oppenheimer enthusiasts propelled both films to success at the box office. However, Barbie emerged as the ultimate victor, generating over $1.4 billion (£1.1 billion) in global box office revenue, surpassing Oppenheimer’s $890 million (£734 million).
