Review

By ANTONIA ZONG ‘22 Managing Editor

The 64th Annual Grammy Awards kicked off April 3 on ABC, awarding 2021’s most successful artists and its most notable music. This week however, without a slap. Artists from all over the world donned designer garments on the red carpet, including Olivia Rodrigo, J Balvin, Lady Gaga, BTS, and much more. The Song of the Year category had commendable contenders, with “Leave the Door Open ‘’ by Silk Sonic claiming victory over ten other entries. Other notable works in the category include “Drivers License’’ by Olivia Rodrigo, “Peaches” by Justin Bieber FT. Giveon & Bernard Harvey, and “Kiss Me More” by Doja Cat. Though Olivia Rodrigo went away empty-handed in this category, her Grammys debut proved to be more than worthwhile. Rodrigo snagged the Best New Artist award along with Best Pop Solo Performance with her blockbuster hit “Drivers License.” An even bigger win came later with her album, Sour winning Pop Vocal Album. Record of the Year also went to Silk Sonic’s “Leave the Door Open,” along with Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance. The ever-famous Album of the Year award was given to Jon Batiste’s “We Are,” defeating other memorable albums such as Taylor Swift’s Evermore, Billie Eilish’s Happier Than Ever, and Planet Her by Doja Cat. Fans descended on social media later that night, expressing their confusion over the lesser-known artist’s win. Thus, it must be emphasized that Pop is not the only genre that reigns over the music industry. Best Pop Duo/Group Performance went to “Kiss Me More” by Doja Cat and SZA, and even though Doja Cat was dangerously close to a bathroom mishap, she still made it onstage to deliver an emotional award speech. Regarding performances, Billboard named BTS’ “Butter” performance as the best performance of the night. Complete with James Bond undertones and ‘smooth like butter’ choreography, the global sensation danced their way to a standing ovation from the audience. Smooth vocals and sleek black suits made for an enrapturing performance, and the group was well on their way to becoming the talk of the night. While BTS fell short in winning the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category, they nonetheless made history by becoming the first Korean act to perform at the Grammys. Tributes have always played a large role in music award shows, and the 2022 Grammys was certainly no exception. In a tribute to Ukraine and its citizens, John Legend was joined by Siuzanna Iglidan, Mika Newton, & Lyuba Yakimchuk to sing a medley of soulful numbers to the war-ridden country. To introduce the performance, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a passionate speech encouraging support toward Ukraine’s cause. John Legend then commenced the performance with his new song, “Free,” and was later joined by Siuzanna Iglidan who played the bandura (Ukrainian folk instrument) in accompaniment to Legend. Ukrainian singer Mika Newton sang a verse in his native tongue, and Ukrainian poet Lyuba Yakimchuk completed the performance by reciting poetry praying for the safety of her family and homeland. Lady Gaga also provided the music

world with an emotional tribute to an old friend, Tony Bennett. Performing “Love For Sale” and “Do I Love You,” the jazzy and soulful stage featured a video montage playing in the background while The artists who Gaga paid homage to the 95 year-old curmade an impact rently battling Alzheimer’s Disease. with their music When Lil Nas X enters the stage, it’s almost certain that the stage won’t be and artistry will dull. Performing a medley of three songs remain as victors along with Jack Harlowe, a flashy stage of “Dead Right Now,” “Montero,” and of the night. “Industry Baby” made for a thrilling interlude between award announcements. Though the 2022 Grammy Awards certainly had its ups and downs in its execution of an exciting award show, the artists who made an impact with their music and artistry will remain as victors of the night.

Music’s biggest night showed triumphant victories and shocking disappointments. Read below to see highlights of the night. Photo from Piqsels

Read it or watch it: “Bridgerton” season 2 has arrived!

By JORDAN KRAMER ‘24 Co-Entertainment Editor

Forget the Duke —Anthony Bridgerton is now the best man (and Rake) to grace Victorian England! That is, in the hit book seriesturned-television show Bridgerton, which finally returned for a season two on March 25th. Julia Quinn wrote the Bridgerton series, an 8-book historical romance, where each book stars one of the Bridgerton siblings’ marriage story. The first book centers around the oldest daughter Daphne and the Duke’s love story, and that was made into an eight episode series. Viewers (myself included) absolutely devoured season 1 and were blown away by the story, music, outfits, and sets! Having read both the book and watched season 1, it is clear that the writers of the show stuck closely to the plot of the book. There were more side storylines in the television show to keep people entertained, but they didn’t take away from Daphne’s love story. However, the same cannot be said about season 2 of Bridgerton, which is very contrasting to the second book in the series, The Viscount Who Loved Me. Anthony Bridgerton is the oldest son in the family, and he is in search of a wife. Luckily for him, the Sharma sisters have come to London, and the youngest daughter Edwina is his perfect match. Much to the Viscount’s annoyance, however, Edwina’s older sister, Kate, hates his entire being. The two are constantly bickering and simply cannot get along. This is a big problem for Anthony because Edwina wants her sister’s approval of her future husband. The set up is the same for both the television season and the book, but things begin to differ after.

In the book, although Anthony is courting Edwina, neither person is that invested in one another. Anthony is simply looking for a viscountess to help him with his duties and start a family, and Edwina only wants a kind and respectable husband. Due to the low stakes of their arrangement, when Kate and Anthony realize they may have feelings for one another, Edwina doesn’t feel betrayed or upset. The television adaptation changes it up and has Edwina fall in love with Anthony. This creates a love triangle, and when Edwina realizes Kate’s attraction towards her fiancé, she is greatly upset. Oh yes, and in the show Edwina and Anthony become engaged, and Edwina ends up leaving him at the altar after seeing how he looks at Kate! The relationship, if you could even call it that, between Edwina and Anthony in the book ends very quickly. The second largest difference between the show and the book is the bee scene. Kate gets stung in both versions, and Anthony becomes frightened because that’s how his father died. In the show, he just becomes very distressed, and Kate ends up hugging him to Having read the book calm him down. In first, I have to say I the book though, Anthony becomes think it did a better so horror-struck he job in telling the epic love story of attempts to suck the venom out of the sting: weird, I

Anthony and Kate. know. Their mothers catch him doing this, and it looks like they are engaging in, uh, other activities. Because of the time period, this means that the two must wed, and that is what happens. Anthony and Kate get married halfway through the book, so their married life is very prominent. In the show, there isn’t even a wedding scene! In the last episode, the two confess their love for one another, and the show then cuts to the With season 2 of “Bridgerton” out, fans want to know whether to watch the show first or read the book! Photo by Jordan Kramer ‘24/Canva.com

future, after the two had tied the knot. The last major difference of the two are the inner conflicts of Kate and Anthony and how it plays out in their romance. Kate is terrified of storms in both versions of the story, although it is mentioned more in the novel. At one point, Anthony is there to comfort her during a storm, which grows the love they feel for one another. Anthony’s reasoning for not caring about love in his marriage is explained in more detail in the novel, too. Anthony believes that since his strong dad died so young, there would be no way he could possibly outlive him, so what’s the point of trying to find true love? The Viscount’s inner conflict is entirely missed in the television show, and I think it would’ve added more depth to his character. Having read the book first, I have to say I think it did a better job in telling the epic love story of Anthony and Kate. However, the television show has great characters that are shoved to the side in the book. The Featheringtons are a hilarious family, and Lady Featherington will do anything to bolster their popularity. Also, we know the identity of Lady Whistledown in the show, but not the book yet. Knowing that Penelope is the secret gossip writer, we see how she does it, and the secrets she must hide from her friends and family, most notably Eloise. Eloise in the show is a much more focal character, and we see her feminist ideas really expand in season 2, something very refreshing for the time period. Once again, the sets, music, and outfits were all incredible and jaw-dropping, just as it was in season 1. I would recommend watching the newest season and reading the book as well. Although the two have many differences, both are able to craft a story that is hard to stop watching or reading!