Top 10 Most Noteworthy Pop Culture Moments of 2011

2011 has been a year of ups and downs for everyone.  Lucky for us, our mistakes were probably never on the cover of US Weekly or People Magazine.  Here’s a list of the best and worst of pop culture in 2011. 
 
1. Lindsay Lohan
2011 was anything but a good year for Lindsay Lohan.  I mean, the girl only made news when she has a court date, misses a court date, goes to rehab, or shows up late for her community service stint at the city morgue.  But amidst her busy schedule, she found time to pose for the cover of Playboy, so I guess 2011 wasn’t as terrible for her as I originally thought. 
 
2.  Beyonce’s Pregnancy
Beyonce and Jay-Z may be my favorite celebrity couple, so I’m definitely biased with this.  But honestly, after years of dating and keeping their relationship out of the public eye, it was so exciting to hear that Beyonce was finally going to be having destiny’s child.  2012 will absolutely be a great year since the world gets to welcome the newest (and arguably the most successful) celebrity baby. 
 
3. Sophia Grace and Rosie
Even if you’re not a Nikki Minaj fan, you can’t deny the absolute heart melting qualities of Sophia Grace belting out “Speaker Bass” in her adorable tiara and tutu, while her cousin Rosie supportively stands by her side and dances.  These little girls took the Internet by storm and caught the attention of Ellen Degeneres, where they ultimately appeared as guests and got to meet Nikki herself.  In a world of pop culture where people thrive off of shows like Toddlers and Tiaras, it was refreshing to watch little girls do something they love without donning a spray tan.
 
4. A Royal Wedding
Who woke up at 5 am to watch Kate Middleton get every little girl’s wish to become a princess granted?  I know I did, and I also know why everyone was so hyped about Pippa Middleton.  After everyone got over the fact that Kate was becoming a princess, it was time to move back to the commoner of the Middleton family, Pippa.  As soon as she walked out of the limo and took hold of the train of Kate’s wedding dress, everyone in the world swooned over her butt.  Some of us may have thought this hype would blow over after the wedding, but no, Pippa’s butt is still getting the same (if not more) attention as it did the day of the wedding.  Kim Kardashian better watch out!
 
5. Rebecca Black
Not sure what day of the week comes after Friday?  You’re in luck!  Rebecca Black has that answer for you.  Or are you one of those people that have trouble deciding which seat they should take when they are getting into a car?  Don’t worry, Rebecca Black has the SAME problem!  Regardless of how bad this song actually is (and you can’t deny this), it was guaranteed to be heard at Friday night parties for far too long.  Here’s to hoping that 2012 brings back musicians with talent, like Aaron Carter.
 
6. Kim Kardashian’s Engagement, Wedding and Divorce
It really is a struggle to keep up with the Kardashians anymore.  I mean, Kim not only got engaged in 2011 (with one of the biggest rings I have EVER seen), got married (her wedding cost a mere $10 million dollars), and then after a grueling 72 days, she filed for divorce.  Keep in mind, this all happened before anyone truly figured out who the heck Kris Humphries was. 
 
7. Planking
Hey, see that ATM machine over there? I’m going to go lay on it.  That’s basically the premise of planking, a trend that took the Internet by storm this year. Celebrities such as Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, and Kristen Bell took to this strange trend too and began posting pictures of themselves in unlikely places all over the Internet.  I mean sure, laying on top of inanimate objects and taking pictures of yourself is as cool as it gets, I just hope that 2012 will bring back the duck face. 
 
8. Schwarzenegger/ Govenator/ Sperminator?!
Having an affair is commonplace for celebrities.  Having an affair with a housekeeper or someone who works for you is even more common for politicians.  But Schwarzenegger (or whatever rendition of his name you prefer) takes the cake.  Not only did he have an affair with his long time housekeeper (who he continued to have work for him and his family) but he ended up having a child with her, who he refused to acknowledge for close to 14 year.  I mean personally, I could see how someone would want to trade a Kennedy for a housekeeper.
 
9. Justin Bieber
I have Bieber fever just as much as the next person, but the LAST thing I would ever think of doing is announcing to the world that Bieber was the father of my child.  I mean sure, Bieber is great, but I would not publicly declare my love for him or even worse, lie and say he fathered my baby- for several reasons a) I love Selena Gomez, b) He’s a few years younger then me and I just don’t like younger guys, and c) Being sued for slander just does not seem like a fun time.  So until those factors all disappear, I’ll stick to singing One Time in my room and I think Mariah Yeater should do the same.
 
10. Virtual Models
The Victoria’s Secret Fashion show is simultaneously the best and worst night on television.  I love seeing the new designs and watching the musical performances, but after watching those perfectly chiseled bodies walk down the runway for an hour does something to a girl’s psyche.  Luckily, after a few jokes and bashing their dance moves, it’s easy to forget about their perfection.  On the other hand, what’s detrimental to women and their body image is the fact that H&M has recently decided that their clothes don’t look good on real people, so they just decided to photoshop heads of real women onto computer generated “women’s bodies” for their online store and advertisements.  The company is trying to make it seem like this is acceptable by comparing these “virtual models” to mannequins.  Well, last I checked I have yet to see a human head on a mannequin’s body and I am pretty sure I have never mistaken a mannequin for a real person (except for when I awkwardly apologize when I run into them). 
 
Overall, 2011 has been a year filled with ups and downs, moments of hilarity and moments that really made you question the sanity of humanity.  If 2011 is any indication of the ridiculous antics of what we have to look forward to in 2012, then I am ready to bid adieu to this year.