2023 is filled with many surprising moments that spark conversation. On TV and in movies, the Succession finale shocked fans with its twist ending, and Barbie's powerful monologue earned applause everywhere.
But if you expand the scope to all of Hollywood, it has been a year. The usual Hollywood couples break up, and we don't see a hardcore pairing. Many well-loved celebrities have died unexpectedly. A scandal breaks out and has everyone talking. Let's face it - even your father found out about Scandoval against his will.
Here are 10 moments that totally blew up our group chat this year and continue to stick in our minds.
Rihanna's Super Bowl performance
Everyone was afraid to comment on her baby bump, so we all said, "Do you see what I see?" Of course, when she finally confirmed she was indeed pregnant, we were all horrified. — Jillian Gendulco
celebrity breakup season
2023 has brought the most unexpected celebrities together, like Kendall Jenner and Bad Bunny, while some of our most beloved couples have broken up, like Jenner and Bad Bunny. Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn's breakup after six years set the tone for two famous Arianas - Grande and Ma Madix — experienced some of the most jaw-dropping breakups this year that unfolded like true-crime scandals. If you needed more proof that love is dead, Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello filed for divorce and Hugh Jackman ended their marriage after 27 years. Every year is filled with heartbreak, but 2023’s unfortunate ending is different. — Jack Viswanath
#scandoval
Scandoval wasn't just a pop culture moment; It was a months-long collective obsession. It dominated the conversation from the time the news broke in March to the three-part Vanderpump Rules Season 10 reunion in June and beyond. Whether she's sitting in a chair looking for plot clues (the lightning necklace!) or sharing hot takes on the off-camera drama that's playing out in real time (Raquel/Rachel files a restraining order against Shayna!), the whole group chat is buzzing with energy. James came to support Ariana when he hilariously called Sandoval a "worm with a mustache." — Brad Witt
The Weirdest Met Gala Looks
For me and my closest friends, the Met Gala is basically akin to the Super Bowl, and our group chats are filled with our favorite looks from the night. What about this year? I should say that the frenetic onslaught of texts and voice messages led to more unique looks than we're used to seeing at the Met Gala. Is Jared Leto wearing a literal cat suit? Is Doja Cat's feline prosthetic too realistic? False eyelashes on Rihanna’s sunglasses? Hollywood is so camp, but I can't say that my girls and I don't totally live for it. —Olivia Rose Rush
Succession Final Season
All about the final season of Succession My phone keeps blowing up like clockwork every Sunday night at 9pm with memes being sent and “OMG, this happened” texts. Season four does a great job of keeping the proverbial water cooler busy. It literally has everything from ridiculously large bags and PTSD to the 2016 election. I miss the opening theme song...and baby girl Kendall Roy. — Marina Watts
America Ferrera's Barbie Monologues
Barbie marked the first time I'd seen a movie alone in a theater, but when America Ferrera's monologue came on, my seatmate and I connected. As expected, the scene set off a group chat among my friends and I, who waxed poetic about how it was relatable, healing, powerful, and a little tragic at the same time. Give the Oscar to America. — Alyssa Rapid
Timothée Chalamet & Kylie Jenner Dating
You know it's a moment when pop culture news not only goes viral among your friends, but sparks family group chats. For my family and friends, Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet struggled to establish their relationship at Beyoncé’s concert in September . Rather than balking at the relationship itself, my friends and I had fun imagining what Chalamet and Kendall Jenner's (now ex-boyfriend) boyfriend Bad Bunny would talk about. Meanwhile, like everyone else, my dad can't understand how the star of his favorite movie ( Dune ) ended up marrying a Kardashian and just jokes that Kris Jenner must be behind it . —Gabriel Bundy
Matthew Perry dies
My family group chat usually consists of my dad sending random spam-like Facebook posts while the rest of us ignore him. But when Matthew Perry died, we all responded. Perry was one of the few celebrities whose passing was felt by generations of our family, and each of us remembers our own fondness for and memory of Chandler Bong Joon-ho. — Jack Viswanath
Hairless style
When we found out that Harry ditched his delicious waves in favor of a super short buzz in November, my group chat went into mourning. He looks equally handsome with short hair, but this change is undoubtedly the biggest shock this year. — Kelsey Stegman
Traylor's Kiss
As a new Midnight- era Swift, I'm surprised by how tight Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's romance has become on me and my circle. "Buenos Aires Kiss", combined with the changes in the lyrics of "Karma", completely unleashed our inner Delulu. This is a love story, baby. — Alyssa Rapid
