As the year winds down, it’s impossible not to reflect on the moments that brought us together, made us laugh, and set the internet ablaze. 2024 was a year of seismic shifts, blending pop culture, politics, unexpected rivalries, and unfiltered entertainment into a heady mix we won’t soon forget. From Charli XCX’s Brat Summer and Sabrina Carpenter kissing an alien at the VMAs to Drake’s beef with Kendrick Lamar and “holding space” for the lyrics of Defying Gravity, here are some of the highlights that made this year unforgettable.

Holding Space for the Lyrics of Defying Gravity

As Wicked fever swept the nation, the internet couldn’t get enough of memes about “holding space for the lyrics of Defying Gravity.” Even Cynthia Erivo herself joined in on the fun, capping off a year of wickedly good cultural moments.

Gypsy Rose Blanchard “The D is Fire”

Gypsy Rose Blanchard—fresh from her December 2023 release—had the internet talking when she defended her then-husband in a string of fiery clapbacks—leaving us with some great one-liners like “The D is fire” and the even more explicit “…besides, they jealous because you are rocking my world every night.” No one delivers a one-liner quite like Gypsy.

Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez at the Golden Globes

Now what were these two queens gossiping about? When pop royalty Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez were caught chatting during a commercial break at January’s Golden Globes, the internet went into overdrive. Lip readers speculated about drama involving Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet, but Selena quickly shut down the rumors, revealing the conversation was far more lighthearted—and none of anyone’s business.

Zendaya’s “Challengers” Press Tour Outfits

By April, Zendaya had the world in a chokehold during Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers press tour. Teaming up with her longtime stylist Law Roach, she delivered one jaw-dropping look after another, each inspired by the movie’s themes. The result? A cultural reset for method dressing and a press tour no one will forget.

Drake and Kendrick Lamar Beef

March brought the culmination of a long-simmering feud when Kendrick Lamar took aim at Drake on Future and Metro Boomin’s “Like That.” What followed was a lyrical slugfest that produced some of the most cutting diss tracks of the decade, with Kendrick’s “Euphoria” and Drake’s “Family Matters” standing out as highlights.

Brat Summer

With the release of her sixth studio album Brat, Charli XCX—certified 365 party girl—not only delivered chart-topping hits but also inspired an entire cultural phenomenon that defined the year. The “brat summer” aesthetic—bold, carefree, and party-forward—dominated social media and even earned “brat” a spot as Collins Dictionary’s Word of the Year.

Chappell Roan as Lady Liberty at Gov Ball

The year wasn’t short of iconic and memorable moments by Best New Artist nominee Chappell Roan—but when the singer stepped onto the Governors Ball stage painted green from head to toe and carrying Lady Liberty’s torch, she cemented herself as the festival’s breakout act. Emerging from a giant apple, her performance became one of the year’s most talked-about moments.

Sabrina Carpenter Kissing an Alien at the VMAS

At the VMAs, Sabrina Carpenter delivered a performance for the ages, closing her hit song “Taste” by locking lips with a dancing alien. The internet erupted, and the moment instantly became the night’s most buzzworthy highlight—even Britney Spears reacted to the performance, asking “Why didn’t she kiss a girl?” in an Instagram video.

The Birth of the Celebrity Look-a-Like Contests

What started as a Timothée Chalamet look-alike competition in Washington Square Park—featuring none other than Chalamet himself—snowballed into a global phenomenon. By year’s end, cities around the world hosted similar events, from Harry Styles in London to Paul Mescal in Dublin.

Moo Deng: The Pygmy Hippo That Stole The World’s Heart

Move over Peppa Pig, a new main pork girly has entered the villa. 

Moo Deng, whose name translates to “bouncy pork,” became the internet’s new It girl this past February after keepers at her zoo began sharing content about the pygmy hippo on social media. With her tiny stature and signature wiggle, the chubby creature quickly became a meme.

Moo Deng’s viral fame took a bizarre twist in October when she was credited with “predicting” Donald Trump’s presidential win. In a widely shared video, her handlers presented her with two cakes—one marked with Trump’s name and the other with Kamala Harris’s. Without hesitation, Moo Deng waddled straight to the Trump cake, sparking both amusement and disbelief online.

Interest in Moo Deng has surged far beyond the zoo’s gates, with the young pygmy hippo capturing the attention of brands, sports teams, public transit campaigns, and even encyclopedias—inspiring memes, viral trends, and countless shoutouts. Not even Peppa has achieved this level of fame.