A brief overview of what is currently trending in news, culture, and/or trending hashtags and formats.
Jimmy Kimmel: ABC has “indefinitely” suspended Kimmel’s late-night talk show after pressure from the FCC regarding his remarks about Charlie Kirk, sparking First Amendment concerns.
D4vd: The body found in singer D4vd’s impounded Tesla has been identified as Celeste Rivas, a missing California teen.
A deeper dive into a subject that is impacting culture on a macro level, beyond just the social space.
Dancing with the… Influencers?
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What It Is: Dancing with the Stars is officially back, with Tuesday night’s season premiere featuring performances from celebs like Robert Irwin, Lauren Jauregui, Jordan Chiles, and more — but the buzziest name on the call sheet might surprise you. The announcement of social media influencer Alix Earle joining the cast made a lot of noise on social, with many applauding the show’s marketing and casting teams’ decision. Earle’s large and devoted fan base almost ensures that her fans will tune into the show every week and even throw watch parties to show their support.
Beyond Dancing with the Stars, other legacy TV shows like Saturday Night Live and The Bachelorette are following suit, opting to cast comics like Veronika Slowikowska and Jeremy Culhane, and creators like Taylor Frankie Paul who have established followings on TikTok to connect with new audiences. Other influencers-turned-reality stars like The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ Whitney Leavitt and Jen Affleck are competing for the Mirrorball this year, showcasing a continuing shift in what defines “celebrity” in today’s culture and the influencer-driven era of the internet.
The Brand Takeaway: The growing presence of influencers and content creators in mainstream media reinforces the idea that celebrity status and stardom is no longer defined solely by mainstream fame and legacy, but by digital and social influence, cultural relevance, and audience connection. Brands must be able to adapt to these changing definitions and tap into influencers who are shaping trends, conversations, and culture to maintain relevance in the digital era. Influencers are increasingly becoming staples in mainstream entertainment because they can connect with and engage audiences in ways traditional media sources can’t, providing brands with broader appeal and access to untapped potential.
Four must-click links that crossed our feeds today.
A movie adaptation of The Summer I Turned Pretty has been announced following the highly-anticipated series finale.
TikTok users are practicing the “firefighter/fireman method” in a lighthearted trend that highlights what scenarios they’re always ready for.
Three years after being ousted from The Try Guys, Ned Fulmer is launching a new podcast called “Rock Bottom.”
Camp Rock 3 is officially in production.
Reasonable Doubt Season 3 - Hulu, 9/18
The Voice Season 28 - NBC, 9/22
America’s Got Talent Season 21 - NBC, 9/23
Him - Theaters, 9/18
A Big Bold Beautiful Journey - Theaters, 9/18
Apollo 13: 30th Anniversary - Theaters, 9/18
Am I the Drama? - Cardi B
I’m Only F***ing Myself - Lola Young
Unerthed: Hole Erth Unplugged - Toro y Moi
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