Mebounds and Fridge Cigs All Week Long!
It's Cannes-versation Starters time
Hi chat! This Monday’s Conversation Starters is coming to you live from Amsterdam. As they say here, “Goedemorgen!” (And yes I just Googled that and yes I’m embarrassed to admit that). We are en route to Cannes, I have a short layover here omw to Nice, then a short car ride to the Festival and off we go!
As a reminder, Paid subbies look out for our special edition, Cannes-versation Starters newsletters starting Tuesday! If you’re not a paid subbie this is the week to do it and at $8/month it’s less than a cup of coffee in LA or NY. I’ve been yapping with my friends who have attended the Festival in years past to get an idea of the best content I can provide for y’all. Based on what they’ve told me, I’m telling you to stay tuned for major Marketing and Advertising announcements and product updates, definite boots on the ground industry gossip and of course who’s taking home Festival winnings and accolades. As always, lmk if there’s anything specific you want to see or have me cover – I got you!
Now that we’ve got that housekeeping out of the way, one thing I did notice as I touched down in AMS town: Sol De Janeiro is alive and well internationally. I’m not kidding – I deplaned into Schiphol Airport and was immediately met with a giant SDJ pop up in the middle of the terminal. And let me tell ya, it was swarming with Gen Alpha. So much so, that I waited for a bunch of them to clear out before attempting to take a photo.
Now I know they are there for the body and hair mists a la millennials of the Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works era but I have to spiral for a sec because I started to worry if there is eventually going to be a body mist to the cellulite cream pipeline with these kids? The brand has this strange opportunity to take them through varying stages of development into adulthood, which feels weird to say but we know they’ve got to be thinking about it right?
Cultural Currency
While you come for entertainment, stay for the culturally-driven industry trends that are no doubt coming soon to a consumer shelf near you.
Angel Reese fans want her to trademark the term “Mebounds” after her viral TikTok video. I don’t have too many opinions on Angel Reese, as I know there are enough already online. What I will say about her is that she really does know how to take any opportunity – good or bad – and spin it to her benefit. This entire thing started because people were chirping online that she misses so many shots, so rebounds her own misses – aka, “Mebounds” – and she said bet, let me own it, trademark it and make that money honey. She ain’t no diva.
Chicken Shop Date’s Amelia Dimz is Charli xcx’s Apple dancer at her London show.
Diet Coke and Coke Zero are being referred to as “Fridge Cigs” by the internet kids. Andrea from Snaxshots went as far as to refer to Mountain Dew as this.
Everyone is divided on Sabrina Carpenter’s upcoming album cover art. Man’s Best Friend is releasing August 29 and people need to touch grass because the discourse online on this one got out of hand for me. I truly do not need to hear every single person’s thoughts, feelings, opinions on every single topic of conversation.
Conversation Starters
Ryan Murphy’s ‘American Love Story’ offers a First Look at Paul Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon as JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. You guys. I know I have to make a video on this. I know. You’ve been asking me for JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette lore for the longest time. And I actually have an entire script written up, it just never felt like the right time. But I think we just got gutpunched with the right place, right time because I have so many thoughts on this First Look. But first, I need to tell you lore.
ROSÉ and Alex Warren have been teasing their upcoming collab. The Blackpink singer commented on a recent TikTok of his, "can somebody tell me who that is?" and he teased that they’ve got to release the track this month, before his full album drops July 17. I like this back and forth via TikTok. Knowing Alex Warren came from the Hype House that TikTok built, it feels very organic to continue to build off his loyal audience there.
Ice Spice has been cast in the new SpongeBob movie, Search for SquarePants and will release an original song for the film. Regina Hall is also tied to this movie, along with her Peacock project with Jennifer Garner, so 2025 is a good year to be Regina Hall.
Rachel Zegler makes her Evita debut in London and performs ‘Don’t Cry For Me Argentina’ on a balcony outside of the theatre. Thoughts online were mixed though generally positive and I really appreciate this sentiment. It feels very intentional to bring the song to “the people” and in the streets while those who could snag a ticket to the inside have to watch from a screen. It’s making the production’s point so clearly and I kind of love it.
Hailee Steinfeld and Josh Allen share wedding photos via her newsletter site, Beau Society. I mean they look hot. They are hot. I hate to be this old doll but the instant I saw the wedding photos and felt the love, I was like omg I need them to have a bundle of Steinfeld-Allen baby athletes running around. I am who I am and I’m sorry.
Bonus Conversation Starter: Cece Winan’s NPR tiny desk was the emotional breakdown I needed. I think we can all admit times have been trying and my mental health has admittedly taken a hard beat. This gave me hope in so many ways and I think it’s interesting to consider how and why we turn to faith in these moments but that’s a conversation starter for another day.
Weekend Watchlist
Catch up on last weekend’s watchlist!
One Last Thing
I’m literally obsessed with this trend of seemingly alpha girlfriends coercing the internet to pay attention their beta boyfriends adorable little hobbies. The first one I saw is below which had me cackling – when she says, “come on boo boo,” I just about lost it and there are more cute ones if you follow the trail – I am liking this and this one too.
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