New York — Just days into Q2, it’s hard to believe the breadth of what’s already unfolded in pop culture this year. From the silly and/or salacious to the genuinely harrowing, nary a week has gone by without something surprising, if not downright disturbing, in the world of media, entertainment and celebrity.
Here’s a chronological look at some of the most enduring pop culture moments and headlines of the year thus far.
Mickey Rourke’s GoFundMe controversy
A GoFundMe went viral in January to help the boxer-turned-“The Wrestler” star, 73, avoid eviction due to Rourke reportedly owing tens of thousands in back rent.
The Oscar nominee — who quickly denounced the since-deleted fundraiser and vowed revenge for the “scam” — was evicted earlier this month.
BTS announces first world tour since ending hiatus
The Grammy-nominated K-pop supergroup — comprised of RM, Jin, Suga, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook — announced in January they’re playing East Rutherford’s MetLife Stadium this August.
The 79-date world tour marks the boy band’s first since they went on hiatus to complete South Korea’s mandatory military service.
Beckham family feud
Brooklyn Beckham officially confirmed his long-suspected feud with David and Victoria Beckham. The 26-year-old says his famous parents have been “trying endlessly to ruin my relationship” with his wife, Nicola Peltz, 31, the daughter of billionaire businessman Nelson Peltz.
Most (in)famously, Brooklyn accused 51-year-old Posh, of having “hijacked my first dance with my wife” at their 2022 nuptials, during which he says the former Spice Girl “danced very inappropriately on me in front of everyone.”
Court releases Blake Lively’s communications with Taylor Swift, Ben Affleck, more
The stars’ texts and emails were released as part of a trove of court documents linked to the “Gossip Girl” star’s long-standing legal battle with Justin Baldoni. Lively, 38, in late 2024, accused her “It Ends With Us” director and co-star of sexual harassment during the film’s production, followed by a retaliatory smear campaign. Baldoni’s own $400 million defamation claims against her camp and $250 million libel lawsuit against The New York Times have been tossed. On Thursday, the judge dismissed Lively’s sexual harassment claims from the suit, leaving just three of the original 13 claims for their upcoming May court date.
Texts between Lively and best pal Swift, 36, suggested that, contrary to assertions by the pop superstar’s team, she had been very much in the loop about tensions surrounding “It Ends With Us,” and Lively’s allegations before they became public knowledge. In the wake of the communications’ release — which also included Lively and husband Ryan Reynolds’ appeals to Ben Affleck and Matt Damon for support — insiders told TMZ that Baldoni’s lawyers aimed to call Swift as a hostile witness.
‘Sinners’ makes Oscars history before the big night
Ryan Coogler’s vampire epic was nominated for a record-breaking 16 Oscars — more than previous record holders “All About Eve,” “Titanic” and “La La Land.” The beloved Best Picture nominee ultimately took home four Academy Awards, including best original screenplay for Coogler and best actor for Michael B. Jordan, who starred in dual roles as twins Smoke and Stack.
Nancy Guthrie disappearance
Among the most upsetting and disturbing stories of 2026 has been the abduction of “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy, who at 84 is mentally sharp but physically fragile. The matriarch was taken from her Tucson, Ariz. home in the early morning hours of Feb. 1. The FBI has released Ring camera footage of the suspect and multiple outlets, predominantly TMZ, have received alleged ransom notes.
Nancy has not yet been found, despite nearly two months of searches, an ongoing investigation, and a $1 million reward from the Guthrie family, as well as $100,000 from the FBI, $100,000 from an anonymous donor, and $2,500 from anonymous tip line 88-CRIME.
Bad Bunny rocks the Super Bowl
The Puerto Rican-born superstar paid tribute to his heritage throughout his Super Bowl LX halftime show, which took place almost entirely in Spanish, having previously noted dance was the only language that counted.
The “Tití Me Preguntó” artist’s performance, which included a duet with Lady Gaga, featured cameos from Latin icons including Pedro Pascal, Jessica Alba, Ricky Martin, and more.
The Grammy winner, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, smashed the social media viewership record, bringing in over 4 billion viewers globally.
‘Love Story’ madness
The romance between the late John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette reentered the public consciousness through the first season of FX and Hulu’s anthology series, “Love Story.”
The hit show — whose second season might center on Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton — is FX’s most-watched limited series on streamers Hulu and Disney+, and has reignited interest both in the couple as well as Bessette’s fashion. The series has even triggered an uptick in sales at C.O. Bigelow and reservations at the pair’s former haunts.
Shia LaBeouf arrested twice in NOLA
The Disney Channel alum, 39, was twice arrested in less than two weeks last month, first for an alleged brawl during Mardis Gras, and then within hours of making homophobic remarks during an extensive interview.
BAFTAs controversy
Tourette’s advocate John Davidson could be heard involuntarily using multiple slurs during the BAFTAs, including the n-word, when “Sinners” stars Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting on stage, as well as when their co-star Wunmi Mosaku was accepting the award for best supporting actress.
At least one Black BAFTA juror quit afterward. The BBC promptly came under fire for not editing the epithets out of the broadcast, as did the ceremony for placing Davidson near a microphone.
Zendaya and Tom Holland marriage rumors reignited
March kicked off with Zendaya’s longtime stylist, Law Roach, telling multiple outlets that fans had “missed” the “Spider-Man” stars’ nuptials.
While the Emmy-winning “Euphoria” star, 29, had already been spotted with what many clocked as a wedding band, much of the chatter had died down by the time the remarks were made. Others posited that the speculation might be a PR tactic designed to get people to Zendaya’s upcoming film, “The Drama,” about an engaged couple who might not make it to the altar.
Britney Spears arrested for DUI
The pop superstar, 44, was pulled over for erratic driving near her home in early March, with California Highway Patrol saying she “showed signs of impairment.” The Grammy winner was ultimately arrested for “driving under the influence of a combination of drugs and alcohol.”
Spears’ rep promptly released a statement describing it as “an unfortunate incident that is completely inexcusable,” and said she would “comply with the law.” The “Toxic” singer’s team said they hoped the incident would prove “the first step in long overdue change that needs to occur in Britney’s life.” Spears returned to Instagram March 27 — with her account currently private — with a snap of herself and one of her sons, thanking followers “for all your support.”
Florida woman opens fire on Rihanna’s home
A Florida woman, identified as 35-year-old Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, was charged with attempted murder after authorities say she used an AR-15 style weapon to fire 10 gunshots at the Grammy winner’s Beverly Hills mansion on an otherwise quiet Sunday afternoon.
No one was injured, but Rihanna was said to be “freaking the f out” in the aftermath. She was reportedly home along with the three young children, aged 6 months to 3 years, she shares with partner A$AP Rocky.
Michael B. Jordan wins big at the Oscars, where others face a rare tie
The Oscars’ most eyebrow-raising moment was the awards show’s sixth-ever tie — between live-action short film contenders “The Singers” and “Two People Exchanging Saliva.” But it was Jordan’s best actor win that many counted as the night’s best.
The 39-year-old Newark, New Jersey-raised star, now the fifth Black performer to win the award, made a point of commemorating his predecessors, including Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington and Halle Berry.
“To be amongst those giants, amongst those greats, amongst my ancestors, amongst my guys, thank you, everybody in this room and everybody at home for supporting my career,” said Jordan. “I feel it.”
‘The Bachelorette’/’Mormon Wives’ saga
“Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” breakout Taylor Frankie Paul, 31, was set to be the first “Bachelorette” not from Bachelor Nation. That was until news broke of fresh domestic violence allegations on-off partner Dakota Mortensen made against her. The latter show was canceled after video from a 2023 attack — for which Paul has pleaded guilty to aggravated assault — was publicized. Paul, who remains on supervised probation, has temporarily lost custody of her 2-year-old son, Ever.
Hulu and ABC, both owned by Disney, respectively halted production of “Secret Lives” Season 5 and canceled Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette.” The future of both franchises, as well as Paul’s custody battle, remains in flux.
Chappell Roan and Jude Law’s daughter and security guard
Soccer star Jorginho and wife Catherine Harding (also known as Cat Cavelli) — who shares 11-year-old daughter Ada with ex Jude Law, about 20 years her senior — accused the “Hot to Go!” singer, 28, of sending her security guard to chastise Harding and Ada on March 21, after the little girl walked past Roan’s table at a hotel, to ensure it was the pop star.
Roan, who has often pushed back against paparazzi and fans for what she has dubbed intrusive treatment, said, “I do not hate children” and refuted claims she even saw Ada or that the security was part of her team, which he confirmed days later.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.detroitnews.com ’
