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Feuds, reunions and celebrity churches: the biggest pop culture moments of 2019

We’re recapping the year that gave us the Church of Kanye.
December 19, 2019 2:48 p.m. EST
January 2, 2020 1:18 p.m. EST
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As we close out another year and ring in a new decade, it’s time to look back on the pop culture moments that defined 2019. Some feuds ended while others began. Some celebs committed to marriage, while others committed to Instagram handles. Whether you sobbed at the end of The Big Bang Theory or at the end of Game Of Thrones, 2019 had a little something for everyone, including those looking for a new religion. Praise Yeezus.

BEST REUNION: Taylor Swift and Katy Perry

One of the longest running and most public feuds in recent years has undoubtedly been between Taylor Swift and Katy Perry. What started as a fight over backup dancers turned into “Bad Blood” and later “Swish Swish,” before the women finally called a truce, extending literal olive branches and breaking bread together. Or at least cookies. Showing that they are truly done with the drama and want to instead focus on lifting other women up, Swift and Perry hugged it out as a hamburger and fries in Swift’s video for “You Need To Calm Down,” because one thing that brings everyone together is delicious fast food.
 
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A happy meal

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BIGGEST FEUD: Taylor Swift and Scooter Braun

Taylor Swift may be ready to make nice with Katy Perry, but the popstar has no love for Scooter Braun. After Braun purchased Big Machine Records, the label where Swift began her career and released her first six albums, Braun became the owner of Swift’s discography. Swift has vowed to re-record and re-release her albums in November 2020 when she’s legally allowed to, adding that Braun has repeatedly blocked her from performing her own music, something Braun denies. The he-said, she-said battle continues to rage on, with Swift ending 2019 by accepting the first Woman of the Decade award from Billboard and calling Braun the definition of ‘toxic masculinity’ in her speech. Peace may come eventually, but it’s not gonna happen in 2019.

MOST UNEXPECTED SIDE HUSTLE: Kanye West Starts His Own Church

Kanye West starting his own church is at the same time the most and least shocking celebrity side hustle of 2019. He gave us fair warning with “Jesus Walks” and now West is proving that if he talks about God his record will get played. The rapper released his Christian music album Jesus Is King on October 25, which arrived after months of West celebrating his weekly Sunday Service, even bringing his church to Coachella in May. While preaching alongside Joel Osteen in November, West said his commitment to a higher power means that “now the greatest artist that God has ever created is working for him.” Light on the humble, heavy on the servant.

BIGGEST #TBT FASHION MOMENT: J Lo Revives the Versace Dress

Jennifer Lopez turned 50 in 2019 but no one told Jennifer Lopez. The multi-talented entertainer enjoyed one of her greatest years professionally and personally, getting engaged to Alex Rodriguez, performing around the world with her It’s My Party Tour, hosting SNL, landing on the cover of People Magazine’s People of the Year issue and getting a Golden Globe nomination for her role in Hustlers. So, how does one celebrate a year like that? If you’re J Lo, you walk the runway in Milan wearing a version of the iconic Versace dress you wore to the 2000 Grammy Awards and look better than you did 19 years ago.
 
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So this just happened... @donatella_versace #jungledress @versace #stillgoingstrong #20yearanniversary #catwalk

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MOST ICONIC FASHION MOMENT: Timothee Chalamet’s Glittery Bib

Timothee Chalamet pulled double duty in 2019 as one of the most exciting new actors to watch in Hollywood and one of the most exciting new fashion icons to watch in Hollywood. The 23-year-old Little Women star was named the year's most stylish man, thanks in large part to his daring fashion choices, which included his Louis Vuitton harness. Chalamet wore the black sequined accessory during the 2019 Golden Globes, later clarifying on The Ellen DeGeneres Show that the harness was actually a bib and was in no way sexual. Tell that to the millions of people with crushes on you, Timothee.
 
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momma !

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BIGGEST ROYAL MOMENT: Baby Archie’s Arrival

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed their first child in the spring, with new mom Meghan delivering baby Archie on May 7. Seventh in line to the British throne, baby Archie enjoyed his first international trip to South Africa in the fall and has been the bright spot in his parent’s year. Baby Archie’s birth clinched the top spot for biggest royal news, but second place goes to his mum and dad and their ongoing legal battle. The new parents made history in 2019 when they launched a lawsuit against the Mail on Sunday for the paper’s relentless and vicious attacks against Markle, with the couple receiving support from female members of the UK parliament.

MOST SHOCKING DOCUMENTARY: Leaving Neverland

In 2019, viewers were shocked to see Surviving R. Kelly and Leaving Neverland, two documentaries that featured emotional and often difficult to watch interviews with the alleged victims of R. Kelly and Michael Jackson. R. Kelly is currently awaiting trial after charges were levied against the singer following the release of the doc. But it was the Emmy-winning Leaving Neverland that got a big push after Oprah Winfrey returned to television to film a follow-up special that included an interview with director Dan Reed as well as Jackson’s alleged victims Wade Robson and James Safechuck.

MOST SHOCKING COURT CASE: Jussie Smollet

On January 29, Empire actor Jussie Smollet told police he had been attacked by two men outside a Chicago nightclub. Smollet reported that the men yelled racial and homophobic slurs, poured an unknown liquid on him and placed a noose around his neck. An outpouring of support for Smollet from fans and friends flooded social media in the immediate aftermath, but the story took an odd turn when it appeared that Smollet may have staged the attack. Smollet was charged with filing a false police report and surrendered to police. The charges were dropped in March, but with the court file sealed, it’s still unclear exactly what did or did not happen to Smollet.

BIGGEST TV GOODBYE: Game of Thrones tied with Big Bang Theory

Television said goodbye to some huge shows this year, but two of the biggest were undoubtedly Game of Thrones and The Big Bang Theory. Both shows made history with their audience numbers and saw huge turnouts for the final seasons. The Big Bang Theory aired its finale on May 16, wrapping up after 12 seasons, 279 episodes, 10 Emmys and countless take-out meals. Game of Thrones left fans divided with its May 19 finale, ending after eight seasons, 73 episodes and 59 Emmys, making it the most awarded TV series of all time.
 
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♥️

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MOST DEVASTATING GOODBYE: Luke Perry

In 2019, we lost many talented performers and celebrities, including writer Toni Morrison, musician Nipsey Hussle, and actors John Witherspoon, Cameron Boyce, and Luke Perry. In March, fans and friends of Perry were shocked when the actor suffered a fatal heart attack at age 52. Perry was mourned by director Quentin Tarantino and actors Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio on the red carpet for his final film, Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. On the small screen, Perry was remembered by his Beverly Hills 90210 cast mates and his Riverdale character Fred Rogers was laid to rest, with the series dedicating the second half of Season 3 to the beloved actor.

BIGGEST WEDDING: Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin

Justin Bieber made Hailey Baldwin one less lonely girl when the pair said ‘I do’ in front of friends and family during their September 30th wedding. The couple had already made things legal in 2018 but celebrated with 154 of their loved ones in South Carolina during a surprisingly traditional affair.
 
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My bwide (say it out loud even if your a thug it’s cute)

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BIGGEST INSTAGRAM POST: Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston put Instagram on a break when she finally joined the social media channel in October, crashing the site after she made her debut with a picture of a few friends. Six, to be exact. Aniston set a new Guinness World Record by hitting one million followers in five hours and 16 minutes.
 
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And now we’re Instagram FRIENDS too. HI INSTAGRAM

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BEST INTERNET BOYFRIEND: Keanu Reeves

In 2019, longtime fans of Keanu Reeves finally got to see the actor at his rightful place – on top of the box office. The Canadian starred in Toy Story 4, John Wick 3 and Always Be My Maybe, got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, confirmed his return to The Matrix, reunited on-screen with Winona Ryder, filmed Bill and Ted’s long-awaited third film, did nice stuff for fans, was not a creep, and dated an age-appropriate woman. Excellent.
 
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My ex-boyfriend came to the show. I told him it’s never gonna work.

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[video_embed id='-1']etalk's most memorable interviews of 2019[/video_embed]

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