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Welcome to Hot Takes, Soft Blankets a newsletter by Cultured and Cozy, where the top pop-culture and current events, and a dash of cozy things are delivered to your inbox twice a month.
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I am 100% here and rooting for the rise and stardom of Sabrina Carpenter. After being completely and unnecessarily dragged in 2021 due to her speculated relationship with Joshua Bassett (re: “Driver’s License by Olivia Rodrigo) she is staying booked and busy. She’s even blessing us with *gasp* a cover of Wham’s “Last Christmas” (arguably the best holiday pop song) with none other than Chappell Roan.
In a released video snippet, you can hear Sabrina say “You look so beautiful!” and Chappell Roan respond with, “I look…straight.”
Golden Globe 2025 nominations are IN!
Emilia Pérez, starring the recently engaged Selena Gomez, leads the pack with 10 nominations. I am deeply pleased that Wicked’s Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande both received nominations for their roles in the top-grossing musical ever, because THEY WERE INCREDIBLE. Ms. Ariana Grande had me audibly cackling in the theater with her performance.
One category caused me to do a double take: Best Television Series for a Musical or Comedy, where Nobody Wants This is up against The Bear, Abbott Elementary and Only Murders in the Building. Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to announce that I have actually watch all the shows in this awards category and can safely say to include this entire array is simply chaotic. My best wishes to Only Murders in the Building, although the ending was a slap in the face, the writing was incredible this season.
Other delectable pop-culture tidbits:
149 shows and 51 cities later, Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour is over.
Stylist Magazine, in a genius move, gave the world an early Christmas present and gifted us with an incredibly necessary Adam Brody editorial spread.
What I’m Listening to, Reading and Watching:
I’ve seen more snow in Maine in one week than I did in an entire year in Boston, so I’m locked in and ready for my first winter here. The candles are lit, the Christmas tree lights are on, I’m blasting through as many holiday movies as possible, and my heating bill is through the roof! Perfect. Here’s what I’m up to:
Watching: Dune: Prophecy. My entertainment palate is all over the place as it includes everything from Keeping up with the Kardashians all the way to Dune. And if you throw an origin story on top of it, I’m in. Dune: Prophecy has a Game of Thrones after-the-throne vibe set in the Dune fantasy world and although I only know the very basic lore from the movies, it’s been fun as a viewer to link movie characters to their ancestors in Dune: Prophecy.
Reading: The Wedding People by Alison Espach. I recently stopped by an boozy book fair (yep, like the Scholastic Book Fair but for adults and with espresso martinis) and one of the vendors said this book was her favorite of the year. Set in Newport, RI, it’s a humorous and tender tale of crossed paths and chance encounters.
Listening to: One of my favorite podcasts, Today, Explained just covered an episode on the UnitedHealth CEO shooting, highlighting the frustration of our broken healthcare system. The public’s response to the shooting and the shooter’s arrest has been wildly divisive and interesting.