In this week’s handle with care, Spider-Man news and a recap of hometowns on “The Bachelorette.”
Arguably a bigger holiday than Christmas, Spotify Wrapped dropped this past Wednesday. I usually have a pretty good idea of what mine would look like — Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande are always in my top two artist spots, pop is my top genre, and there’s some indie pop sprinkled in there. These were my results this year:
There were many variables this year that affected my Wrapped, starting with Ariana Grande’s album “Positions” that was released in the fourth quarter of 2020. I had songs from that album in my top 100 last year, and this year. Similarly, Taylor Swift released “evermore” last December, right after the 2020 Wrapped came out. There were 12 songs just from that album that made it in my top 100, with “gold rush” (!) and “champagne problems” being #4 and #5.
Olivia Rodrigo’s emergence as a pop star had a major effect on everyone’s Wrapped. “drivers license” was my #2 song, and it came out in January. Dua Lipa is in the third spot because “The Moonlight Edition” of “Future Nostalgia” came out in February, and because her music is my favorite to spin to when I’m working out. Lorde released her album “Solar Power” in August, and while it got a lukewarm reception, I enjoyed it! “Solar Power” (the single) was my #1 song; it was a mainstay on my playlists during the summer. “Our Song” by Anne-Marie and Niall Horan is my third most-played song simply because I stan Niall Horan (and that song is so damn catchy).
I’m always a little surprised to see who makes it on my top artists, particularly in the last spot. In 2019 it was Maggie Rogers, last year it was Vampire Weekend, and this year it was ABBA. I am my mother’s child! In fact, both of my parents love ABBA. While I didn’t win my dad’s hazel eyes in the gene pool, I’m pleased to get their taste in music. In the very beginning of summer, I had a week-long ABBA listening party in my room, AKA when I listen to music hanging upside down from my bed, right in front of a fan. That fifth spot easily could’ve gone to Olivia Rodrigo, HAIM, MARINA, Japanese Breakfast, or Clairo. If anything, my Spotify Wrapped is proof that I am consistent with my listening habits, and that I should expect similar results year after year.
RIP
Fashion designer Virgil Abloh passed away last Sunday after a battle with cancer. He is known for founding his own brand, Off-White, as well as his work with Louis Vuitton. He was 41 years old.
Welcome home, cheater!
Jasmine Cephas Jones and Anthony Ramos ended their engagement this week, according to E! News. They started dating when they joined the original Broadway cast of “Hamilton,” and they got engaged in December 2018. Rumors that Ramos cheated on Cephas Jones made the rounds on TikTok, but there was no official reason given for the split.
Pixar is shaking in her boots
The first look of “Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse” was released last night, and surprise! It’s going to be multiple parts!
Celina Smith… star or actress?
Answer for yourself!!!
This week in The Bachelorverse
It’s official…
Clayton Echard is the next Bachelor. And they absolutely used Rodney’s whole underdog arc for these promotional materials!!
The audacity!
Trigger warning: stalking, harassment. Variety exclusively reported that Cassie Randolph — who received former Bachelor Colton Underwood’s final rose — was asked to appear in his Netflix series, “Coming Out Colton.” Why this was even asked of her is ridiculous seeing as Randolph has a restraining order against Underwood, likely due to allegations that he stalked her and placed a tracking device on her car. Disrespectfully, I hope his little series flops!
The Bachelorette Week 7 (Hometowns) Recap
In a non-pandemic world, hometowns are when the Bachelorette visits her final four suitors’ hometowns. The contestants usually introduce the lead to something that shaped them, a hobby of theirs, or a special place during the day portion, and in the evening they meet their family. And every family that meets the lead on these shows wants to know one thing: if they can see a future with their son/daughter even though they are in other relationships at this point. This season, it wasn’t quite safe enough to visit each man’s hometown, so home was brought to Minnesota. When I watch “The Bachelorette,” I always reference BachelorData’s posts. They posted the hometowns chart, which shows the order of the dates, who gets eliminated, and who is the last man standing.
The first date of the episode is Brandon, who is from Portland, Oregon. He takes Michelle to an indoor skate park to skateboard, because it’s something he loves doing with his younger brother. Unfortunately for Brandon, he did not show out for Michelle or the cameras. I am truly questioning if this is something he actually knows how to do! That evening, Michelle meets Brandon’s mom, Carmen, his dad, David, and his (cute) brother, Noah. Brandon’s family likes Michelle, and when they both say goodbye to his family, they sit outside and talk. Michelle tells Brandon that she’s falling for him — a milestone in a “Bachelor” relationship. After this date, Brandon seems to be in a good spot.
Rodney’s hometown date is up next, but his date actually harkens back to his limo gimmick where he dressed up as a teacher’s apple. They go to an apple orchard to pick apples and ride bikes. I don’t think there are apple orchards in Rancho Cucamonga anyways! I noticed this way after watching the episode, but in Michelle’s poem on the poetry group date, she said she was “never the girl invited to cute dates at the apple orchard in the fall.” And now I’m crying! In the evening, Michelle meets Rodney’s mom, Carrie, and his stepdad, Tyree. Rodney had already primed Michelle on Carrie during their one-on-one date earlier in the season. During Michelle and Carrie’s conversation, Michelle tells her that Rodney makes her laugh the most out of any of the guys left. Carrie seems convinced, but obviously still worried about Rodney getting hurt.
Joe gets a real hometown date because he is famously from Minnesota. He takes Michelle to tour his high school, where the final stop is the gym that is decorated for prom. Again, referencing her poem, where she said she was “picked last for prom.” Personally I think prom is a cringe date theme, but Michelle is into it. They dress up, dance, take pictures in a photobooth… the works! Time to meet the family: Joe’s parents, Julie and David are there, as well as his brother Dan, and sister-in-law, Hanna. As seen from Joe throughout the season, and now on this hometown date, the men in this family are quite reserved. David tells his son to “express himself” to Michelle. At the end of the night, Joe does just that and tells Michelle that he is falling in love with her.
Nayte’s hometown date is the last one, and Michelle says she’s nervous about it. They are doing his favorite activity to do in Austin, Texas: paddleboarding! Not the first thing you think of when you think of Austin, but it’s fine. He tells her his family doesn’t really talk about their emotions, and that he’s never introduced a woman to his family. Nayte’s mom, Leanna, and stepdad, Charles meet Michelle, and Leanna has a present for Michelle: Canadian candy for her students. Although it was a warm welcome, the parentals are skeptical about a potential proposal. Charles ultimately isn’t convinced Nayte will be ready for an engagement at the end of this, but he and Leanna like Michelle. Michelle on the other hand… she’s worried.
On the day of the rose ceremony, Michelle has a couple of surprise visitors outside her hotel door. It’s Serena P. and Bri from her season of “The Bachelor,” and they want the goss. Before filming her season, Michelle had told them that she wasn’t sure if she could be engaged at the end of this, but she sees it for herself now. The men arrive at the hotel for the rose ceremony, and Michelle hands roses to Brandon, Nayte, and… Joe. Rodney, thee underdog, is being sent home. They have one last talk where he tells her he’ll always care about her. I want a Rodney “Bachelor” season… short kings need love too!
Tom Holland is officially going to do more “Spider-Man” movies with Marvel. “Spider-Man: No Way Home” producer Amy Pascal confirmed another trilogy to Fandango earlier this week. On the plus side, Tom Holland is my favorite Spider-Man, so it makes me excited to see even more of him as the iconic character. This also means it’ll be weird for me to watch him play anything other than Spider-Man. But I would do it too for a check!!
This was one of those weeks that was like… a real bummer! Anytime there’s a week of straight up bleak news, I have to avoid going on the bird app. I did some Christmas decorating with my mom to distract myself and listened to my holiday playlist. I hope all of you had a good week, and thank you for reading! 💗