It’s difficult to try and recall anything that took place outside the past 11 months. I think we can all agree that 2020 has felt like the year that will never end.
But hope is on the horizon with only a month left to go! So as we prepare to say good riddance to this crapshoot of a year, check out these 10+ pop culture moments from the past decade that sound fake but actually happened .
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Colin Kaepernick takes a knee during the National Anthem.
Colin Kaepernick was one of the first athletes/celebrities to proudly proclaim “Black lives matter!” for all to hear.
His decision to kneel before the San Francisco 49ers took the field helped spur the social justice movements we’re seeing in the United States and around the globe.
Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries divorce after 72 days of marriage.
To say that Kris and Kim’s short-lived marriage was a tumultuous affair would be an understatement. Kris has since gone on record accusing Kim of cheating and being unfaithful during their union.
When Lady Gaga wore a meat dress as a political statement.
When Gaga showed up to the VMAs dressed as if she’d just come from a slaughterhouse, it turned a few heads.
What many people initially believed to be a statement against animal rights, turned out to be a convoluted commentary on the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, according to Billboard .
When people willingly poured buckets of ice over their head to raise awareness for ALS.
The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge was started by golfer Kris Kennedy. He did it as a way to raise funds and awareness for his wife’s cousin whose husband was diagnosed with the disease.
After going viral, the social media trend is said to have raised more than $200 million.
Facebook buys Instagram for $1 billion.
It’s not the acquisition itself that sounds fake, but rather the price that Facebook paid. As I mentioned, Mark Zuckerberg bought Instagram in 2012 for $1 billion.
As of 2018, Instagram was worth $100 billion .
Oprah Winfrey calls it quits.
Oprah was foundational in helping to make daytime TV and talk shows what they are today. It seemed as if she would simply go on forever, much to the delight of her legions of fans.
But after 25 incredible years, Oprah defied expectations and walked away.
The Second Coming of the British Invasion.
Not since Beatle-mania swept the globe had there ever been anything quite like One Direction. The boy band and its members became the very definition of overnight success.
It also introduced the world to Harry Styles , which I think we’re all grateful for.
When the entire world was singing along to Carly Rae Jepson.
” Call Me Maybe ” is a song that was impossible to get away from. The track infiltrated the airwaves around the globe, launching Carly straight to the top of the charts almost overnight.
Migos introduce Mumble Rap.
Call me a gatekeeper, call me out of touch, but I just don’t get Mumble Rap. I’m not saying that there isn’t the odd song that catches my fancy. I’m just saying that on the whole, I agree with Snoop Dogg.
All these rappers sound the same.
Caitlyn Jenner transitions to female.
For years there had been speculation that former Olympic decathlete, Bruce Jenner, might transition to female. In 2015, via the cover of Vanity Fair , she reintroduced herself to the world as Caitlyn!
Tekashi 6ix9ine becomes a world record holder.
In my opinion, the success of 6ix9ine is not only a sad commentary for the Hip Hop community but music as a whole.
But clearly, my opinion is that of the extreme minority, considering how many billions of streams this kid has racked up over the years.
Kobe and Gianna Bryant pass away in a tragic helicopter accident.
This one still doesn’t feel real. It goes without saying that 2020 has been an unprecedented year, but the loss of Kobe and Gianna still ranks as one fo the most shocking headlines of the decade.
Kanye West’s big announcement.
Kanye has all the tact and precision of a rhinoceros running blindfolded through a shopping mall. You truly never know what he might say or do.
For example the time he announced he’d be running for President of the United States.
Donald J. Trump is elected President of the United States of America.
I’m not an overly political guy. I don’t pretend to have an expansive knowledge of foreign policy or domestic affairs.
But I know enough to be able to spot a circus when I see one. And Donald J. Trump , well — he may just be the greatest Ringmaster that ever was.
When Kim Kardashian broke the internet with her *Paper* magazine cover.
Anyone who has seen the photos knows that they’re way too NSFW for me to get away with showing here.
Reportedly, the magazine’s website received more than 50 million hits, which accounted for 1% of all global internet activity that day!
