Esperanto Magazine — 15 The Buzz Edition 2023 | MONSU Caulfield

THE BUZZ EDITION

ISSUE 04 2023

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Esperantomagazine.com Instagram: @esperantomagazine Twitter: @esperantomag Facebook.com/esperantomagazine

EDITORS

Caitlin Cefai Sarah Louise

ART DIRECTOR

Alyssa Maggio

SUBEDITORS

Edie Hopgood Angel Tully

CONTACT

Esperanto Student Magazine MONSU Caulfield Inc. Level 2, Building S, 2 Princes Avenue, Caulfield East, VIC 3145 +61 3 9903 2525 editor.esperanto@gmail.com creative.esperanto@gmail.com

LEGAL

Esperanto Magazine is published by MONSU Caulfield Inc. Views expressed within do not necessarily reflect those of MONSU Caulfield Inc, the editorial panel, the publisher, or any other person associated with Esperanto.

PUBLISHER

MONSU Caulfield Inc.

PRINTER

Printgraphics Printgreen

PAPER

Pacesetter Laser Recycled

TYPE CREDITS

Neuzeit Grotesk, ITC Franklin Gothic LT Pro

WRITERS

Clara Yew, Erin Constable, Parisa Sarmady, Xenia Sanut, Caitlin Cefai Edie Hopgood, Ava Toon, Saskia Mortarotti, Shabnam Sidhu, Alleisha Pereira-Stephens, Sydney Reyes, Emilia Bajer, Zayan Ismail.

ARTISTS

Jennifer Hoang, Parisa Sarmady, Caitlin Cefai, Edie Hopgood, Saskia Mortarotti, Emilia Bajer, Jennifer Chen, Jacquelyn Affidon, Eleanor Truong, Simonnette Labiran.

We would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land where Esperanto has been created, the Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri peoples of the Kulin Nation as Traditional Owners and Custodians. We pay respect to their Elders past, present and emerging. Sovereignty was never ceded.

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BUZZ EDITION

CONTENTS 06 08 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 26 28 30 33 34

BuzzWords Words by Clara Yew Festival Features & Failures Words by Erin Constable, Artwork by Jennifer Hoang Sam Levinson: Misunderstood Artist Or Hollywood Creep?

Words and Artwork by Parisa Sarmady The Eras Tour Of Ticketek Words by Xenia Sanut, Artwork by Caitlin Cefai It’s Britney Bitch.

Artwork by Edie Hopgood The Reinvention: On Lady Gaga’s Chameleonic Persona Words by Ava Toon The Rise Of The Sneakerhead Words and Artwork by Saskia Mortarotti Hinged Wide Open Words by Shabnam Sidhu Twitter Rewind Words and Artwork by Alleisha Pereira-Stephens Idol Institution: Debunking K-Pop Myths Words by Sydney Reyes, Artwork by Simonnette Labiran My Disney Prince Words and Artwork by Emilia Bajer Generation Spend Words by Edie Hopgood, Photography by Jacquelyn Affidon & Eleanor Truong Don’t Let The Ship Sink Words by Zayan Ismail Think Of The Children!

Words by Caitlin Cefai, Artwork by Jennifer Chen

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Pop culture, paparazzi, internet trends and hot takes: welcome to The Buzz Edition.

What is the deal with child stars?

Why is every influencer telling us to buy luxury brands? Why was ‘Euphoria’ such a hit, but ‘The Idol’ such a flop? The Buzz Edition is here to answer all of your burning questions, and more.

For our final edition of 2023, we wanted it to go off with a bang, and cause some Buzz. So, we gave our contributors the all clear to investigate, scrutinise and tell all of you lovely readers the real deal on the most topical, trending and thinky conversations of this year.

Treat this edition like the ‘We Didn’t Start The Fire’ of 2023.

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BUZZ EDITION

BUZZ Words by Clara Yew @gottabeyew

Buckle up besties, because, in a few short paragraphs, I’m going to teach you some of the words a-buzz in cyberspace, so you can keep up with the Zoomers.

My high school students sometimes crown me a “boomer”, despite me being closer in age to them than their parents. In an attempt to prevent you, dear reader, from being labelled “cringe” and “outdated” I have sourced the cyberspace for slang, memes, and references that will showcase your critical understanding of the current pop culture climate. Go forth and prosper. Godspeed.

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Z words Clout Chaser

Glow-Up

An individual who actively seeks attention, popularity, or social influence by associating with, or latching onto influential or trending figures. It’s like riding the coattails of fame and hoping some of it will rub off.

A radical transformation or evolution, especially in appearance, style, or confidence. It’s like the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly but with more highlighter and less chrysalis.

/klaut ˈʧeɪsər/ (Noun)

“Did you see that guy trying to get a selfie with Doja Cat? Classic clout chaser move, mate.”

Delulu

/dɪˈl(j)uːl(j)uː/ (Noun)

Originating from the word delusional, it describes a state of being where a person chooses to indulge in unrealistic fantasies about their life.

“When I’m being delulu, I tell myself he didn’t text back because I left him speechless.”

See also: 1. “Being delulu is the solulu” 2. “Let the delulu be trululu” Ghosted

/ɡoʊstɪd/ (Verb)

/ɡloʊ-ʌp/ (Noun)

“The glow-up scene in ‘She’s All That’ is pretty problematic because it implies that to be worthy of her classmates’ attention she had to impair her vision and splash out on a makeover.”

Nepo Baby

/ˈniːpəʊ ˈbeɪbi/ (Noun)

Derived from ‘nepotism,’ it designates an individual who gains fame, influence, or success primarily due to their family connections, rather than personal merit or talent. This breed of pop culture protagonist often enjoys the privileges of a Hollywood childhood and a silver spoon.

“I got this clerkship because my surname is on the door ­— perks of being a nepo baby!”

The act of suddenly cutting off all communication and contact with someone, usually in the context of dating or friendship. It’s like disappearing into thin air, leaving the other person wondering what happened.

Stan

“Call me the Phantom of the Sydney Opera House, because no one in this country has been ghosted more than me.”

“K-pop fans stan like their lives depend on it and I respect and fear them.”

/stæn/ (Verb)

To intensely support, adore, or idolise a person, character, or group. It’s not just liking or loving; it’s a level up where you’re ready to go to war for your faves.

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See also: 1. Swifties 2. The BTS Army

So, here we are, at the end of our whirlwind tour through the buzzing beehive of contemporary language. Now, armed with this newfound knowledge, you can confidently embrace ‘stan’ culture, chase clout like a sheepdog, and beware of being ‘ghosted’ in this fast-paced digital age.

Our lexicon, shaped by the people, mirrors the ever-changing landscape of our society.

And because I am delulu, below you will find me trying my hand at creating slang too.

Housemate-In-Law

/haʊs.meɪt-ɪn-lɔ/ (Noun)

An individual who is always in your shared abode yet doesn’t split the rent. This person is often the best friend or romantic partner of an existing housemate. It’s like adopting a stray cat that comes by to use the Wi-Fi.

“Libby’s best friend keeps doing our dishes and bringing food over — best housemate-in-law ever.”

BUZZ EDITION

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FESTIVAL FEATURES & FAILURES Words by Erin Constable @erinconstable Artwork by Jennifer Hoang @jenniferhoangs

If I have to see the Jungle Giants at one more Aussie Festival I am going to lose it.

After COVID, my friends and I rushed at any chance to secure a festival ticket, including to the infamous Splendour in the Mud. I’m talking Grapevine, Beyond The Valley (that year it was in the CBD), Ultra, FOMO, Laneway, Groovin The Moo and so many more.

You would catch us staying in the mosh for hours to not lose our prime location, with one brave waterboy blessing us with H20. You’d catch me only dancing with my arms ‘cause of how jam-packed the crowds were. Not to mention the cesspools of mixed sweat and sunscreen that manifest in this environment.

I am no longer rushing to get these tickets.

Let’s pinpoint why:

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Splendor in the Mud 2022 A cancelled day one, 15-hour waits to get to the campsite, muddy tents, wet socks, more wait times (this time for a bus home) and a Meningococcal outbreak. The recent Burning Man fiasco triggered memories of those three days when anything I dropped was lost to an endless mud pile forever. So then, how was Splendour ‘23?

I heard ticket sales were down after the most talked about festival of 2022.

2.

The Jungle Giant Effect The lingering effects of COVID-19. Following the pandemic, we craved live music and Aussie musicians filled that void whilst our borders were still closed. Notably, the Jungle Giants. Seeing them live the first time was cool. Seeing the same set at the fifth festival in a row and wondering if you will ever escape the opening funk of ‘Heavy Hearted’ is less cool. Even worse when you are covered in mud.

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The Lost Headliners Looking into our festival lineup future, we have nothing breathtaking to look forward to. Major artists like Taylor Swift, The Weeknd and Beyoncé all are in the midst of whirlwind global tours.

There is no time to stop by BTV on NYE. Maybe the Aussie classics need an international superstar (I wouldn't recommend Lizzo at this time) to drive ticket sales.

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So, what’s Australia's saving grace? Techno.

Not all hope is lost in Australian live music — although admittedly live music without the instruments.

The Melbourne techno scene is the only remaining blood flow to the heart of Australian festivals. This year’s Boiler Room tickets sold out almost instantly.

My whole feed was unfortunate people (not me) scrambling on Melbourne Gal Pals and Insta stories to score any unwanted tickets. I don’t even want to look at the Tixel resale value because it might tempt me to sell mine in this economy.

But these tickets are going for a premium not just for the Boiler Room music and reputation, but for the techno culture that's been cultivated. It’s the fashion (picture the bleach flower hats, white singlet and jorts), the TikTok hype and the fact that every university sharehouse has its own DJ decks.

For me though, it’s the people. My recent favourite festivals have been in smaller venues with the most intimate crowds. At Paradigm Festival and Piknic Electronik, you had enough space to dance freely.

Good drops were felt by the whole crowd moving as one, but this time we could dance individually. You can pass people without pushing, go pee when you need to, and not have to fight tooth and nail to meet back up with your friends.

During this cost of living crisis, these are the festivals I will sacrifice my humble dollar for.

Note: Upon reflection, I may just be getting older, or I may just need a new Jungle Giants album before standing through another set.

BUZZ EDITION

SAM LEVINSON:

MISUNDERSTOOD ARTIST OR HOLLYWOOD CREEP? Words and Art by Parisa Sarmady @sarmadystudio.ai If you’re on the internet, then you’ve definitely heard of Sam Levinson. In a meme, heated tweet debate, or subreddit discussing the controversy of his body of work.

But, for those of you who may not be familiar with him, he’s the creative mind behind HBO’s ‘Euphoria’, ‘The Idol’ (yes, that nightmare of a show) and Netflix’s ‘Malcolm & Marie’.

From violent depictions of intimacy, to minors using hard drugs, to abusive relationships displayed graphically on screen, Levinson has not hid behind camera tricks to portray the taboo parts of life. But, many believe he has done so in poor taste, glamorising substance addiction, abusive relationships, and hardcore sex. Too much, perhaps, for mainstream media.

Despite all of the criticisms, for its prior seasons and plot holes, the hit HBO series ‘Euphoria’ has been renewed for a third season. I cannot be the only one wondering how our homegirl Rue (Zendaya) managed to graduate high school, let alone escape the drug dealer she still owes $10,000.

Aside from the show’s messy plot, it’s Levinson’s depiction of teenagers and messaging that are the most concerning.

When watching ‘Euphoria’, it’s almost easy to forget you’re watching teenage characters navigate the complexities of adolescence, as most of the cast are in their mid-twenties to early thirties. And even though they’re supposed to be high school students, the characters are often dressed in clothing that would almost never pass a high school dress code, thus making it easier to view the cast as adults.

On top of that, is the over-sexualisation of the female characters in the show, to the point it straight up feels like you’re watching a porno. For example, every time Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) appears in a scene, her character is often partially naked (unnecessary at times), having sex; a pure manifestation of the male gaze.

Let’s focus on the fucking mess that is Kat’s (Barbie Ferreira) storyline, and how the show encourages us to perceive her. Her character arc is rooted in her (a sixteen-year-old) engaging in online sex work,

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and Levinson tells us we’re supposed to believe it is empowering and sexually liberating. To make matters worse, the target audience for this show is supposed to be adults?

But, I have to give it to Levinson, regardless of all this, ‘Euphoria’ is a refreshing coming-of-age story that we usually don’t get to see on our screens, and a visually beautiful one at that. We get to immerse ourselves in taboo perspectives and themes, in a raw and unfiltered manner that mainstream television often fails to achieve or acknowledge. Whilst at times problematic, it’s crucial these stories are told to help tell neglected truths and combat stigmas. Perhaps he needs to refine some of the depictions of minors, but there is a lot of truth to exploring sexuality in your teens.

However, with Levinson’s ‘The Idol’, this isn’t the case. The plot surrounding the cruel reality of the music industry sounded quite intriguing at first.

However, upon watching the show, it truly felt like porn disguised as barely-quality television. It’s also — to no surprise — saturated with the male gaze. Superstar Jocelyn (Lily-Rose Depp) is constantly treated as a sex object through the camera lens, with no other purpose than to please a male audience.

Levinson also includes uncomfortable commentary on rape culture and even goes as far as to code the violent sex scenes in the show as desirable and sexy.

Not to mention there’s a scene where a fake sexual assault allegation is made with the intention of ruining a man’s career, which is quite irresponsible writing and directing, as it’s already a struggle for victims/ survivors to be believed in this day and age.

From what I’ve seen, Levinson’s handling of sensitive topics lacks consideration, which means his work has the potential to contribute to the perpetuation of harmful narratives that carry real-world implications.

Yes, his writing and cinematography can be breathtaking and touching at times, but with the amount of excessive nudity and sex scenes in his shows, I think Levinson may be in the wrong industry.

Despite all of this, Levinson must be doing something right, because we as an audience simply can’t get enough of his work.

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BUZZ EDITION

THE ERAS TOUR OF TICKETEK Words by Xenia Sanut @xendelsan Artwork by Caitlin Cefai @caitiece Let me say, straight out the garden gate, that I’m not a hardcore Swiftie.

Or at least, I haven’t been an entirely loyal one. My earliest Taylor memory is singing ‘The Way I Loved You’ in the shower with all the dating experience, but mainly hyperactive imagination, an eight-year-old could muster. Taylor was the soundtrack to all my romantic daydreams, but when my ‘not-like-other-girls’ phase began, her mainstream popularity was packed away for safekeeping.

Later, when I could fully embrace my love for her lyricism and imagery, she announced that she was combining all her albums into a single show, and the glitter and red lipstick couldn’t be contained.

I was in Japan and had just started my two-week course at a local language school. I squealed into the pillow of my host family’s guestroom when I saw Taylor announce the international leg of her Eras Tour on Instagram.

As my closest friends don’t wear Taylor-tinted glasses, I knew I’d be going solo if I could get my hands on a Melbourne ticket. But as I was going to pretend money was no object, Sydney was on the table too. Sitting in class during the pre-sales was going to slightly hinder my scheming, but because this was a fight I was going to win, I headed off to school with ‘Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince’ playing.

I joined the queue 90 minutes before Wednesday’s presale during my cycle to school. When I got to class, I immediately opened Twitter for updates and tried to distract myself with Japanese grammar and vocabulary for the next four hours. I watched as the allocations for the Sydney shows sold out and scrolled through frustrated netizens’ comments on how unfair it was that people who joined the queue later were having more success than them.

My class was over by the time I moved to the Melbourne queue where I happened to be in a Japanese karaoke booth, belting out my frustrations at the blue loading bar. It took me four more hours, and some further distractions at a thrift shop, before I finally squeezed past the loading page door and collapsed on the ticket sales floor. Basket in (virtual) hand, I scrambled for any of the remaining packages, but because my data connection was so slow, it was yanked out of reach before I could run to the check-out.

Nevertheless, I was not going to be thwarted a second time, so before Friday’s presale, I sponged up all the Ticketek insider advice that the Google algorithm could give me. Connecting my laptop to the school wi-fi, and my phone to my 3G meant I could have two different IP addresses and hopefully double my chances. I joined the queue only 10 minutes before the pre-sale opened, since the order changed with every refresh and I didn’t want to waste my time. Whether my strategy worked, or it was just pure luck, I’ll never know.

But about an hour into the presale, a D Reserve ticket for Sydney’s Friday show fell from the virtual heavens. I spent the rest of my last day at Japanese school booking accommodation and flights which — along with the ticket — was just under $600. As I was receiving my Japanese school graduation certificate, I knew exactly how I was going to celebrate this milestone — rent another karaoke booth and belt ‘The Way I Loved You’ and the entire Taylor Swift discography all afternoon long.

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BUZZ EDITION

ITS BRITNEY BITCH. Collage by Edie Hopgood @edie.hopgood

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BUZZ EDITION

THE REINVENTION: ON LADY GAGA’S CHAMELEONIC PERSONA Everyone’s watched female celebrities (think Amy Winehouse or Britney Spears) face public hate campaigns. The fear and uncertainty that permeates existing as an aging, feeling, breathing woman in the public eye is inescapable. In order to maintain relevance, there is immense pressure to change oneself to be more accepted by others.

The dilemma of reinvention — walking a tightrope between commodifying yourself for the public while staying true to your personal values and image — is something that Lady Gaga has navigated incredibly well.

With that being said, here are four of Lady Gaga’s most career re-defining eras.

Words by Ava Toon

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The ‘Fame (Monster)’ Era:

The ‘Joanne’ Era:

establishing icon status

Feminine Americana

TIMELINE: 2008–2010

TIMELINE: 2016–2017

DEFINING QUALITIES: Inspired by icons such as David Bowie, Madonna and Freddie Mercury, Gaga wanted to create a unique, shocking and theatrical performance persona. In 2008, she debuted her signature sound and look: avant-garde makeup, wigs, and futuristic costumes. Her debut album, ‘The Fame’, catapulted her to stardom, resulting in a collaboration with Beyoncé on her sophomore album ‘The Fame Monster’. Her boldness and individuality gained her a cult following, the self-proclaimed Little Monsters.

DEFINING QUALITIES: After her fourth album ‘Artpop’, Lady Gaga completely switched her electronic and synth-pop sound to a pop, country, and rock combination in her album ‘Joanne’. Although ‘Joanne’ didn’t go as viral as her previous albums, it was still a dramatic change from her older work.

Delicate, romantic, emotionally charged, and in her words, “a raw American vibe,” fans saw a more relatable side of Gaga that had never been seen before.

FASHION MOMENT: In her nearly ten-minute music video for ‘Telephone’, the singer dressed as an exaggerated 1980s yellow-haired Madonna. The music video also featured her famous blue telephone-shaped hat, which became a popular Halloween costume for fans.

HIGHLIGHT: Her most controversial moment and most famous fashion ensemble were at the 2010 VMAs. Her iconic meat dress, made from raw beef, sparked outrage on the internet. The polarizing dress was actually a protest against the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy, which was the American military’s way of silencing LGBTQI+ service members.

FASHION MOMENT: She switched out her bold makeup looks and wigs for her baby-pink cowboy hat and blonde hair, creating a perfect transitional period into her more commercially “serious” role in ‘A Star Is Born’.

SURPRISE: To promote ‘Joanne’ and further immerse herself into her work, Gaga had a string of performances in different dive bars across the US, which were live-streamed and a shock to fans. Just like whenever she enters a new era, Gaga was fully committed to this transition from a religious theme to an Americana theme.

The ‘Born This Way’ Era:

The Starlet Era:

rebirth, religion and LGBTQI+ rights

from song to screen

TIMELINE: 2011–2012

TIMELINE: 2018–Present

DEFINING QUALITIES: After establishing herself and her recognizable style, Gaga decided to pivot her image and sound. ‘Born This Way’ surrounds self-expression and sexual empowerment. The single and music video became a gay rights anthem, and Gaga started the Born This Way Foundation, which aims to support LGBTQI+ youth.

DEFINING QUALITIES: Arguably her most ambitious reinvention of all, Lady Gaga went from being only known as a musician to being known as both a singer and a critically acclaimed actress. Her intimate and heartbreaking lead role in ‘A Star Is Born’ garnered respect from an internationally wide audience.

HIGHLIGHT: At the 2011 Grammy Awards, she performed ‘Born This Way’. In the iconic performance, she had a literal ‘re-birth’ where she stepped out of a gigantic, glowing egg, that she claimed was actually a ‘vessel’ designed by Hussein Chalayan.

Before performing, she stayed inside the vessel for three days straight.

CONTROVERSY: Fan and tabloid speculation of her relationship with co-star Bradley Cooper was in every crevice of the internet, particularly in 2018-19. Later proven to be false, some fans were even convinced that Gaga was pregnant with Cooper’s baby.

STYLE MOMENT: Gaga was one of the few celebrities who nailed the theme at the 2019 ‘Camp’ Met Gala. With a total of four outfits worn that night, Gaga reminded the public that despite her recent mainstream looks throughout the ‘A Star Is Born’ press tour, she hadn’t forgotten her roots in flamboyant and extravagant fashion.

CONTROVERSY: Gaga combined religious iconography and baptism with overt sexuality and violence in her song and music video ‘Judas’. Some people loved it, others found it disrespectful or blasphemous.

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BUZZ EDITION

THE RISE OF THE SNEAKERHEAD Words and Artwork by Saskia Mortarotti

“You can tell a lot about people by their shoes, where they going, where they have been.”

These wise words from Forrest Gump’s mother ring true.

The shoes people wear can speak volumes about their identity, especially for the subcultural group known as ‘sneakerheads’.

To wear or not to wear? To resell or not to resell?

Which size is in most demand? Lots of questions.

Sneaker enthusiasts have elevated sneaker collecting from a mere hobby to a lifestyle. Where a passion for sneakers meets entrepreneurship, for sneakerheads, the world of street fashion has become a high-stakes investment game. A game that does not escape controversy.

There is a perception that sneakerheads are making serious bank. The reality? Some are… others aren’t.

I know various sneakerheads, many even. Coming out of school and joining this community was not an uncommon career path among my peers. Yet, their experiences are distinct. Speaking to the sneakerheads in my life, the casual resellers — who collect sneakers for pocket money or personal use — have confidently shared with me that they’ve made a profit from their sneaker purchases. However, for others, who took the leap of making their sneakerhead identity a career, they have experienced a financial loss.

Sneaker purchasing is a battle. Brands deliberately drop a limited amount of stock, inciting hype among punters. When shoes are released online, sneakerheads are up against fellow peers who may have the advantage of using 'bots' — automated software designed to complete online checkouts faster than humans. This is a particular point of controversy in the community. So, if you don’t have bots, it’s all up to luck and is a serious gamble. In the heat of feeling as though you’re a part of a competition, it is easy to get lost, and at times, sneakerheads don’t get it right.

Whilst many see significant initial gains, the sustainability of the hustler lifestyle proves difficult, often meaning the generous income is short-lived. Foreseeing market trends and projecting popularity is a skill, and the

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sneakerhead space can be brutal. Navigating this world and making tough decisions as to whether to wear, sell or hoard, are pivotal and can lead to the shattering of the financial reality of this lifestyle.

Controversy lies in the grey areas of these supposedly entrepreneurial endeavours. It’s reasonable to suggest that the successful ones are making a living off of the ignorance of their clientele. They purchase sneakers at a market price, reselling them to the average person at a significantly scaled-up price. This markup is posed and justified as due to a process of ‘sourcing.’

This process can include simply posting into a Facebook group and asking fellow sneakerheads whether they have the shoe, purchasing it from them for a low cost, and reselling it to their customer for triple the price. The framing of sourcing relies on the customers’ ignorance of these sneaker communities and lack of understanding that they could obtain them that same way for less. Nonetheless, other customers are just lazy, and would prefer to pay excess for shoes they don’t have to endeavour to source themselves.

Whilst capitalising on customers’ ignorance is contentious, such mark-ups are often of no concern to people in the streetwear scene. The price of a shoe is seemingly worth the extortionate cost, as the community understands the buzz. In the end, it is the satisfaction of feeling ‘in the know’ when wearing these sneakers that make the cost worthwhile. While they appear casually dressed down, people within the sneakerhead community have a shared understanding that this approach is a flex and symbol of status. To them, owning a coveted pair of sneakers grants them membership to an exclusive club of enthusiasts who understand the allure.

In the end, sneakerheads leave an indelible mark on the world of streetwear. This new paradigm, whereby a hobby has metamorphosed into a lifestyle, and fervour for sneakers has converged with an entrepreneurial spirit, has changed the landscape of shoes and fashion forever.

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BUZZ EDITION

HINGED WIDE OPEN Words by Shabnam Sidhu @sidhushabnam_

I’ve been on dating apps for three years. I’ve had 27 first dates in the last year. I’ve experienced two failed situationships. Despite it all, I persevere.

I am convinced that one day, my endless swiping, monotonous conversations, and unfulfilling casual encounters will manifest into something much greater.

Sometimes I feel like a masochist. I give myself the time of day to invest in meaningless interactions. I meet people who bore me to death. I say ‘yes’ to experiences that leave me feeling like I’ve given up a part of myself to someone who couldn't care less about me. I go on dates with perfectly lovely people, yet I struggle to elicit a spark. I finally met someone I like and we get along so well.

I sleep with them. I want something more. I don’t see them again.

I am disappointed in my inability to sieve out the not-so-impressive suitors and incompatible matches. So, I abandon the apps and convince myself that I’ll meet someone organically. Then, I’m on Hinge again three days later, with a completely revamped profile, except this time, I’m increasingly unhinged.

I’ve reached a point where I’ve become so desensitised, that I have somehow become the most authentic version of myself on dating apps. Despite my track record suggesting otherwise, I like to think I’ve cracked the code to what makes the ideal dating app profile. Experts would tell you to be yourself and so, after some inward reflection, I’ve drawn a few conclusions about myself: 1.

I am shallow. For the most part, I swipe on appearances. I can’t necessarily pinpoint my exact type, but I do know that I’m drawn to profiles that are easy for me to make out who I’m swiping on.

You may or may not look like young Robert De Niro, but if I can catch a glimpse of something that aligns with my personality or interests through your pictures, I’m swiping right.

2.

I enjoy being nonsensical. I am well aware that my profile should clearly express what my dating intentions are. I’ve tried that and failed, so now, as long as it’s relevant, I say whatever amusing thing that comes to mind.

Whether it’s through my prompts or conversations with my matches, I sometimes enjoy saying things that are the slightest bit unconventional, in hopes of eliciting an equally zany response. If the other person humours me, I know I’ve met my match.

3.

I crave a relationship. However, like most people on dating apps, I don’t make my desire for one explicit. Instead, I’ve journeyed across the spectrum of what could come out of a dating app encounter. I’ve met people who want relationships; however, it was never a relationship with me.

Likewise, I’ve convinced myself that a short-term fling, a hookup, or something casual would inevitably turn into something more once they get to know me. Clearly not. Part of me is still insecure about my desire for something long-lasting and meaningful. I fear getting too emotionally slutty for someone who has only viewed the version of myself that I am on a good day.

Hence, here’s a glimpse into the latest version of my online dating profile.

View at your own risk.

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you know how they say you need to have at least one slightly provocative picture; this is mine

may or may not be interpreted as controversial in this day and age, but I rather someone see the wit behind it as opposed to take offence to it essentially, I just want someone who will not text ‘you up/come over’ at 2 a.m. but instead put in a little more effort and ask me out on a date

oddly specific but I like to think it’s kinda funny I just like how I look here I also love mandarin oranges!

there’s something about this selfie being rather unflattering that makes it ever so slightly feel real; unless I’m just gaslighting myself

people need to know that I am not a chill person and that I am very indecisive

you would think I’d be a lot more certain by now

Am I the reason that my dating life is an absolute trainwreck? Maybe.

Do I sometimes go on bad dates and meet people who I’m entirely incompatible with just for the plot? As of late, probably yes.

To quote the Dalai Lama, “Sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.”

If not for my turbulent dating life, I would have absolutely nothing to write about.

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BUZZ EDITION

let’s

rewind : 22

TWITTER REWIND Words and Artwork by Alleisha Pereira-Stephens @alleisha.stephens

In the ever-evolving landscape of social media, where Tweets can capture the zeitgeist in a mere 280 characters, only a select few have managed to transcend the digital realm and etch themselves into the archives of cultural history. In this exploration of ten of the most influential Tweets, we embark on a journey through wit, wisdom, and occasional whimsy. From global politics to pop culture moments, these Tweets have resonated with millions, shaping discourse, sparking movements, and providing unforgettable glimpses into the lives of their authors.

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BUZZ EDITION

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Greta Thunberg's Response To Misogynist Tweet:

Twitter’s Witty Response To Facebook Outage:

“yes, please do enlighten me. email me at smalldickenergy@getalife.com” @GretaThunberg

“hello literally everyone” @Twitter (now @X)

How do you respond to a Tweet by a man who denies the basic rights of women? It’s simple, give him a taste of his own small dick energy.

When Tate, a man who has built a career as a professional misogynist, boasted of his sports car collection and their ‘enormous emissions’, it could be assumed that he was looking to diminish Thunberg’s commitment to climate injustice. Thunberg however, rather than choosing to argue with the petty Tweet, instead opted to end Tate’s manhood in just 9 simple words.

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Jack Dorsey’s First Twitter Message:

“just setting up my twttr” @jack Nearly 17 years ago, Twitter’s co-founder Jack Dorsey posted the platform’s first-ever message: ‘just setting up my twttr’. In light of his 2021 resignation and Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter for $44 billion, this Tweet serves as a relic from Twitter’s early days.

I can’t deny, however, that this otherwise mundane feeling Tweet is a far cry from the controversial ones of today.

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In October 2021, Facebook crashed for several hours, dragging WhatsApp and Instagram down in its wake. Twitter, therefore, had centre stage. It was an opportunity for some attention, and also the perfect time to take a not-so-subtle jab at their rivals.

In saying that, the Tweet garnered the responses of companies worldwide, including Instagram and WhatsApp. If you can’t beat them, join them, right?

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Shaquille O’Neal’s Amusement Park Struggles:

“im at knots berry farms n my butts 2 big 2 fit in da seats on ride. ahhhhhh (dats me yellin)” @SHAQ I’m not sure if this Tweet affected as many people as it did me, but I think it’s iconic.

It humorously portrays the challenges of a 7’1” man trying to enjoy an amusement park ride.

It’s both poetic and relatable, offering representation for individuals with larger body types.

Representation for the big butts.

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2020 Presidential Election

Cher’s Self-Aware Tweet:

“We did it @JoeBiden” @KamalaHarris

“Whats going on with my career” @cher

The 2020 U.S. presidential debate was a moment in history recognised worldwide, with people glueing themselves to their phones, laptops, and televisions as the vote count continued to rise.

In the midst of the pandemic, where political tensions were at an all-time high, ‘we did it Joe’ swiftly transformed into a defining meme of that era. Among heightened political tensions and global uncertainty, this Tweet encapsulated the collective relief and optimism felt by many — Trump was no longer president.

I could ask myself the same thing Cher.

I’ve seen others label Cher’s Twitter account as something of postmodern poetry, and I cannot deny that her tweets, while obscure, are definitely relatable. She may be the Goddess of Pop, but we can’t deny that she is self-aware.

8 9 Kim Kardashian’s Obscure Surfing Tweet:

Kylie Jenner’s Cereal Revelation:

“kowabunga dudettes. i’m so pumped to be on this surfing kick. who else surfs out there? gnarly day in the h2o. ridin waves!” @KimKardashian

“last night i had cereal with milk for the first time. life changing.” @KylieJenner

Have you ever encountered something so obscure that it prompts you to pause, read it once more, and then again, only to realise it was authored by Kim Kardashian?

Yes, that’s precisely the reaction both I and society experienced when we came across this Tweet.

ly descended from another planet as a social experiment to gauge our reactions. This Tweet certainly falls into that category.

Now, don’t get me wrong, dry cereal can be a delightful snack occasionally. But favouring it over cereal with milk? It feels like the moment when Twitter truly became divided.

Britney Spears’ Intriguing Thoughts On Lady Gaga:

“Does anyone think global warming is a good thing? I love Lady Gaga. I think she is a really interesting artist.” @britneyspears

This Tweet is a perfect representation of my intrusive thoughts.

Britney’s social media presence often ventures into the realm of the unusual, leaving her followers both amused and bemused. Having seen her whirl around in interpretative dance videos, little fazes me now. As it turns out, this Tweet was a two-part response to a question from a fan. Even still, the combination of topics is something to giggle at.

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50 Cent’s Humorous Take On Taking Out The Garbage:

“I can’t belive my grand mothers making me take Out the garbage I’m rich fuck this I’m going home I don’t need this There are moments when I wonder shit” if the Kardashian and Jenner fami@50cent

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The mental image of 50 Cent donning a snapback and gold chain, while handling a garbage bag for his grandma, struck a chord with many, myself included. The humour lies in contemplating whether he composed this Tweet before, after, or even during his trash duty. Nevertheless, there’s a genuine and authentic quality to this one.

It vividly demonstrates that, regardless of one’s wealth, when your grandmother requires assistance with the trash, you have no choice but to slip into your shoes and head out the door.

BUZZ EDITION

Words by Sydney Reyes @sydneyreyesss Artwork by Simonnette Labiran @1800simo_

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IDOL INSTITUTION: DEBUNKING K-POP MYTHS We can’t talk about the pop culture of the last decade without mentioning the Asian representation that is Korean pop music, or K-pop for short. Now part of the top ten biggest music markets in the world, Korean music has made a name for itself in the global scene. It is a rigorous, intricate and creative industry that gives higher visibility for Asian music to shine.

I am delighted to have the privilege of providing you with insider information on this enigmatic industry.

To ease you into the world of Korean pop music, I have some debunks and recommendations for you, and together we will go on a journey to musical discovery.

It can be confusing at first, a whole new language. However, do not fret! This contributor’s expert knowledge is here to help you down the rabbit hole. I’ve been in the scene for six years, after all.

MYTHS BUSTED: 1. K-pop music does not go deep.

Totally untrue! As a matter of fact, heaps of K-pop songs tackle important topics such as mental health, following your dreams, and a lot of personal stories these idols — the term for stars — have gone through.

Thoughtful “fan songs” also exist, where idols express love and gratitude to their fans. Many idols are also involved in making their music. You can see their hard work translated into these songs.

Here are a few examples of tracks with great messages and meanings: G-Idle’s ‘Queencard’ — Song on body positivity and self-empowerment Agust D’s ‘Strange’ feat. RM — A social commentary on the negatives of capitalism Mamamoo’s ‘Hip’ — About being confident and soaring!

Stray Kids’ ‘My Pace’ — Don’t compare yourself with others and take your time!

BTS’s ‘Silver Spoon’ — Another social commentary on generational differences

process as reality TV. This allows fans to connect with trainees long before they officially debut as idols, strengthening their fanbase early.

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Male idols’ careers end after military enlistment K-pop fans are more dedicated than you think.

All Korean, able-bodied men are required to go to the military and serve their country for at least 18 months.

Honestly, as a fan, it feels like a long time without new music. Despite this, the wait will always be worth it when you see your favourite male idols again.

They’ll emerge looking dashingly older (and bulked up) as ever. As someone who is also waiting for my favourites to return (looking at you, Jin *cries*), I know everything will be okay. This is a normal process for boy groups and their fans. But, I promise you, they bounce back.

Here are a few of my K-pop recommendations.

They’re great songs for beginners, and each has different vibes so there is something for everybody.

Give them a try!

BTS — ‘Home’ iKon — ‘Love Scenario’ NewJeans — ‘Hurt’ Twice — ‘The Feels’ IU — ‘Palette’ feat. Gdragon Red Velvet — ‘Bad Boy’

Tomorrow x Together’s ‘MOA Diary’; Seventeen’s ‘Thanks’; Lesserafim’s ‘Fearnot’ — Some fan songs for their respective dedicated fandoms 2. K-pop idols become famous out of nowhere Idols do not just debut out of the blue, fully skilled.

They go through a meticulous process of training in order to reach the stage. Lessons in vocals, dance and rap are done to nurture the raw talent these trainees have. Once they are ready and chosen, they can finally start making music — otherwise known as “debut”. Some companies even broadcast this

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BUZZ EDITION

MY DISNEY PRINCE Words and Artwork by Emilia Bajer @emi.com.des

With Disney’s live actions being put out readily, there are constant debates about whether their portrayals of beloved stories are successful. Or even needed. As consumers of film, we not only want to see new content, new worlds and characters, but we want to seek life messages and in a sense, wisdom.

Disney’s ‘Mulan’ (1998) isn’t just about sacrifice and winning a war, it’s about breaking gender stereotypes and finding your place within the world. ‘Tangled’ (2010) isn’t just a fairy tale about a long-lost princess with magical hair, it’s about learning to get out of your comfort zone and following your dreams.

What also made Disney’s past animations so successful is the fact that they were built from existing fairy tales and legends from various countries and cultures. In today’s society, as we grow in multiculturalism, portraying ethnic characters and stories is more important than ever, as a means of representation.

What better way to be introduced to new cultures than to read myths, legends and fairy tales all over the world?

As someone with a Polish background, I have created a Disney Prince based on the legend of ‘Smok Wawelski’, the Dragon of Wawel (pronounced Vah-vell). To summarise, the story centres around a Dragon who lives in a den under Wawel Hill in Kraków, and terrorises King Krakus’ kingdom.

The many knights and their strength do not kill the beast. What does, however, is a young shoemaker named Skuba, who uses only his wit. He baits the

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Dragon into eating a sheep that has sulphur and pitch resin stuffed into its wool, eventually blowing up the fire-breathing creature. A classic tale of an underdog and using one’s brain rather than brawn.

If this story was developed further, the character’s design would go through many iterations; hence I would just like to preface that this is simply my own interpretation. Now, despite the legend taking place in medieval Kraków, I would initially design Skuba’s outfit based on Kraków’s folk costumes, as I find the colours and motifs very reflective of Polish culture and something that audiences would recognise. To fit within the bounds of a Disney Prince, along with Skuba being a shoemaker, he would also be the King’s son. A Prince sheltered by his paranoid father, who refuses to let his son outside palace doors. Such obstacles help shape Skuba’s character, to show that he is more than just his wealth or social standing.

To somewhat illustrate his Polish ethnicity, I’ve given him a hooked nose, which is a feature not usually found on animated characters. Small decisions like designing a character with a hooked rather than button nose can immediately create diversity and help with on-screen representation. From such a secluded upbringing, Skuba’s story would help young people, especially young boys, to realise that physical strength or status isn’t everything; perseverance and believing in oneself are more important.

Even if it isn’t something we readily seek, we all deserve to see a little bit of ourselves on the screen.

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BUZZ EDITION

GENERATION $PEND Words by Edie Hopgood @edie.hopgood Photography and Modeling by Jacquelyn Affidon @jmaffidon & Eleanor Truong @nguyethatrg

At one point or another, we have all looked at influencers and content creators in envy. Idealising what seems like a glamorous life full of PR events, free gifts, and social media stardom. Despite this idealisation, and our insatiable desire to blow up online in this modern day, I have always wondered how realistic these goals are. Sure, it would be nice to be the next SophaDophaa or to have your whole wardrobe and skincare routine posted to you free of charge — but how attainable is that, really?

From a pandemic to a cost-of-living crisis, we can all say we’ve felt a need to indulge ourselves more so recently — even if our purse strings haven’t allowed it.

This poses new conflicts within the influencing and content creation realm, begging the question; Are the products being promoted to us even attainable anymore?

It can be quite paradoxical scrolling on TikTok. One minute you’re seeing someone discussing what they’ve had to cut back on during the cost of living crisis, and the next you’re seeing a huge influencer spending $300+ on a single shopping trip. Everyone is entitled to their own indulgences, but are things like insatiable hauls and product promotions moving closer and closer towards tone-deaf territory?

I spoke to some local micro-influencers and content creators to see how they feel about their roles amidst this economic climate. These interviewees are all mindful purchasers and promoters themselves, so I hoped to gain insight into the paradox they feel can be present in their work. I asked them about their decision-making process when setting standards for which job opportunities they take and which products they endorse, and what moral reasoning of sorts, an influencer endures on a day-to-day basis?

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RUBY STALEY Content Creator, Copywriter and Editorial writer.

(She/They)

MAGGIE ZHOU Content Creator, Branded Content and Features Editor, Podcaster.

(She/Her)

Ruby has worked for publications such as Fashion Journal, Refinery29, Pedestrian and TimeOut.

Having been a content creator for ten years now, Maggie has always hoped to categorise herself as a “relatable everyday persona.” She joined Instagram at 13 years old, and like all of her friends at the time, began posting little squares of her life. At the age of 14, Maggie started her own BlogSpot to which she posted regularly from 2015-2018, and began regular posting on Instagram from 2019-2020.

There is obviously a glamorousness in this industry, Ruby told me. Things such as elaborate dinners, brand trips, and ‘free’ products, that she describes and acknowledges as “incredible perks” that are often notoriously unique to this field.

Ruby reminds me, though, that at the end of the day, nothing is free, and with what may seem like many privileges, there is almost always compensation on her end, whether it be through promotion or other work. She notes that she has never considered this as a full-time career, namely because, despite what people may think, there is definitely an unglamorous, mundane, and even lonely side to influencing.

Ruby is no different to the rest of us 20-somethings.

She is dealing with increased rent, food costs and utilities during the progression of this seemingly insurmountable cost of living crisis — which has actually pushed her to pick up extra freelance work.

R: “I’m lucky in the sense that I don’t rely on content creation to live, because during this time, it could possibly prove more difficult to make a regular income — brands have less money and so do consumers.”

Ruby states, however, that she never wants to make her followers believe that they need to spend money on anything that she promotes, or to be a part of the content creation ‘scene’.

R: “Especially with fashion, it’s about showing people different ways to express themselves and inviting them to jump on board. Because I don’t rely on my content creation work for my livelihood, I’m privileged in that I’m not needed to sell a certain number of products or make a commission, so I can take a more organic and less sales approach to creation.”

Maggie prides herself on remaining true to her values and beliefs and “how this translates into actions.” As someone who has a passion for slow fashion, she categorises herself as sustainable but makes no claims of perfection. This sustainable mindset extends to the brand deals she accepts, as she only works with those that she uses in her everyday life.

Her approach extends to the consciousness of special perks, such as being gifted items. In an effort to not want to seem “flashy” or like she “receives things in excess,” Maggie strives to be respectful of others' current circumstances as “it's a really tough time for a lot of people.”

M: “It's something that is on [my] mind when [I am] accepting the brand deals — I wouldn’t accept something that I felt was quite not reading the room at the moment.”

M: “In general, I would say that I'm very lucky and a lot of what my role consists of — in both the social media realm as well as working in a fashion publication — is quite glamorous. I think sometimes most people's answers to questions like this are ‘No it is a lot of hard work, it’s not always fun and parties and stuff’ which is completely true, but if I'm going to be honest and branch out from that… It's quite wild to think that sometimes we are able to get free items or free dinners... It is glamorous and I think we shouldn’t become so normalised and desensitised [to that].”

Maggie feels fortunate that she has both her fulltime job and her freelance/social media work. Being on the flip side of the screen, she has noticed that brands are tightening their budgets, but she doesn’t feel that this impacts her much, as her goal would “never be for someone to buy things, so [she doesn’t] measure in that metric.”

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BUZZ EDITION LUCINDA MCGARRITY Influencer, Full-time Student and Worker. (she/her) Lucinda says that her line of work came about “purely by accident” and that she has always enjoyed posting but only ever in a “silly way” — it was nothing that she ever took too seriously. Lucinda does not fit any particular niche category, allowing her to be approached by various brands and not be pigeonholed. Despite this, she holds herself accountable to the kind of brands that she works with, by having a list that she keeps track of.

L: “I am really protective of my engagement; I don’t want to lose it or that trust.”

She acknowledges that people often read the word ‘influencer’ as being ‘out of touch’ at times. Lucinda agrees that there are amazing perks to working in this industry, but they are in no way enough to allow or justify her pursuing it full-time. As for PR events, Lucinda says meeting other people is the best part, but that can be outweighed by the deadlines, crazy briefs, quick turnarounds, and mountains of emails. Admin is still rampant in this industry.

Despite being someone who is lucky enough to live at home during this time, Lucinda has still felt the impacts of this cost of living crisis in various ways. She also acknowledges that people all have different strains at this time and everyone has their own set of priorities as well.

Lucinda notes that if she doesn’t like a brand's product, she will never accept an invitation to work with them.

During this cost of living crisis, this is something she is particularly conscious of, as she doesn’t want to misrepresent herself to her followers.

L: “I might be getting sent some clothing but I’m not getting sent five outfits every single day. I'm not the hot IT fashion girl, but once you establish a community that's where it can become an unsustainable marketing tactic.”

L: “I would never want someone dropping thousands of dollars on outfits I was being sent that I didn't like myself.”

Lucinda herself said she has felt pressured in the past to keep up with new trending pieces, and that she particularly went through a phase of buying excessive amounts of new and expensive dresses she simply couldn’t afford. This reflection allows her to remain mindful of the content that she produces, now that she has a platform that provides her with influence and reach.

L: “I never want to get to the stage where I have more things than I know what to do with. Nobody needs that and why would I deserve this when somebody else might be going without — especially in a field where you’re trying to be relatable?”

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DON’T LET THE SHIP SINK Words by Zayan Ismail @zayanisml

There’s something fascinating about the human condition’s prying eye. You might be having the worst day, religiously single and completely devoid of excitement in your own life, and yet you find the time to scroll through Instagram, TikTok, Twitter (X or whatever you call it these days) to obsess over famous couples from distant lands. We indulge in their romance, look through what they are wearing, and see if they are engaged, hitched or expecting their next baby.

What makes us love, love? Is it pure optimism and our hope for humanity? Or is it as simple as vicariously living through other people’s relationships, to make ourselves feel better?

Like many things in our world today, there is a term for this — celebrity worship syndrome. It is understood that people admire those who are rich and famous in society and want to follow their lives closely. Sometimes, this goes as far as stalking and breaching privacy — à la paparazzi madness with Princess Diana and Britney Spears. I took it upon myself to explore some celebrity couples that fans love to ship: Rekha & Amitabh Bachchan Now this is a niche relationship that my own mother still follows to this day. Bollywood superstars Rekha and Amitabh have never actually been together, but after their casting for the film ‘Do Anjaane’, Rekha went on the record to profess her love for Amitabh.

Like most Bollywood Dramas (or tragedies), Amitabh of course was married to someone else that I dare not speak of whilst writing about Rekha. Legend has it that she is still single to this day, waiting for her eternal love to come again. Rekha, the legend and icon herself, represents a story of tragedy and triumph for us singles from the South Asian diaspora.

Mary-Kate Olsen & Olivier Sarkozy Anybody who followed the Olsen twins from a young age know how bizarre this coupling came to be. So, when my childhood fave twin sister Mary-Kate started dating and eventually got married to Olivier Sarkozy,

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the half-brother of the former President of France, I had to diligently follow through. I was equally sad and happy for Mary-Kate when she got a divorce in 2021. It seemed like one of those strange affairs, where she really gave herself away for love. We rarely saw any pictures and the few we saw were from social dinners and galas. Whilst that ship has sunk, I thoroughly enjoyed watching my ‘Sweet 16’, ‘So Little Time’ and ‘Two Of A Kind’ star’s taste for men unravel throughout the decade.

Zendaya & Tom Holland This ship is still very much afloat. It all started with Spiderman, blossomed into a friendship and then the romance began. When my bestie and I (members of the Beyhive) saw videos of them at Beyoncé’s special Birthday Renaissance show, we couldn’t help but smile. From basketball games to vacations, these two seem to be enjoying their lives and making the most of each day. When I see such wholesomeness I can’t help but feel hopeful about my own prospects of finding someone that’s genuine and fun to be around.

Carrie Bradshaw and Mr. Big Okay hear me out — I don’t care if it's fictional, but in my eyes and in many others, this ship is strong for life. Through all its toxic and crazy turns, we ultimately followed Carrie and Big for decades. As I often reflect upon their relationship, I think about the many times we have shouted at Carrie for making all the wrong decisions. Big was by no means the down-to-earth sweet guy without an ego. Slowly but surely, it all faded away and the love affair organically came into place. Sometimes your soulmate or perfect match comes through with the abs and flows of life — that ship is strong and it can set sail even in the toughest of seas and in our hearts.

And so this is love. From Rekha & Amitabh to Brangelina — I guess our vicarious desire to obsess over relationships never ends. We are always rooting for all things wholesome. After all, who doesn’t love love?

BUZZ EDITION

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THINK OF THE CHILDREN! Words by Caitlin Cefai @caitiece Artwork by Jennifer Chen @slorpentorpentine Behind the glitz and glamour of million-dollar Calabasas mansions, court-side seats at Lakers’ games, and award shows with stars decked out in designer haute couture, exists an industry that actively employs children as young as infants without batting an eye.

Welcome to the glue trap that is child acting in Hollywood. Money-hungry parents throw their confident, charming and wide-eyed children into arguably one of the most lucrative and exploitative industries in the Western world — and those kids are too young to understand.

Children with a passion for performing are stripped of a regular suburban childhood out of the public eye, and instead become gold mines for greedy directors, multinational brands, and distant relatives who come out of the woodwork expecting a payday.

And it doesn’t stop at acting. These children are thrust into the world of fashion campaigns and modelling, attempted (and often failed) music careers, and complex networks of fake inter-studio relationships, while every moment is captured on camera.

The joy of the spotlight that comes with talk shows, social media virality, global press tours, and brand deals, quickly becomes tabloid news.

Substance abuse later in life as a result of the pressure placed on these children is not uncommon, and as the lines blur between what is PR and what is reality, the paparazzi are there to capture it all.

Yes, there are former child stars turned A-list celebrities with portfolios and bank accounts to make your eyes water. But, for every child star that took the world by storm, there exists one that haemorrhaged from the blunt force of global fame before they could even get their driver’s licence.

Take controversial beau Leonardo DiCaprio. With his soft eyes and sexy smile he is the ultimate celebrity superstar. Not only is he an Academy Award-winning actor with talent ranging from unforgettable dreamy romance roles in ‘Romeo + Juliet’ and ‘The Great Gatsby’ to iconic dramas like ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ — he is perhaps the loudest celebrity voice for climate change.

But, he had his start in acting in 1991 when he was just 17 years old. On the precipice of adulthood, DiCaprio was pulled into a tornado of million-dollar movie deals and heartthrob magazine covers.

‘What’s Eating Gilbert Grape’, and ‘The Basketball Diaries’ were just two of the films where DiCaprio was in his late teens and already being flaunted as “the next River Phoenix” (The New York Times, 1995).

Alongside the dark post-mortem comparison, DiCaprio’s own parents said Leo was not going to stop until

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he became a star, telling journalist Jesse Green “we think he’s actually an alien, wired a different way than us”.

While DiCaprio may have made it without too much scandal, the same cannot be said for his 90s child star counterpart, Macaulay Culkin. The actor of ‘Home Alone’ fame was thrust into one of the most ‘successful’ child acting careers of all time. However, he is not so often remembered for his roles in ‘Richie Rich’ and ‘My Girl’, but rather for the tragic events of his personal life that left a mark on his reputation.

Torn apart in a brutal custody battle during his teen years, Culkin quickly made the headlines when he removed his parents’ authority over his trust fund when he was still a teenager, sparking rumours of emancipation. Later arrested in Oklahoma for drug possession in 2004, he disappeared under the radar for the entire 2010s, appearing in the occasional paparazzi pic looking worse for wear.

Now in a relationship with fellow former child actress Brenda Song — yes, London Tipton from ‘The Suite Life’ franchise — Culkin has two children, and has not yet returned to the silver screen. In fact, his brother Kieran is now the family star, recently ending his five-year stint as a lead cast member of the Murdoch-family-inspired drama ‘Succession’.

The difference between the brothers’ fame-aftermath is that Kieran isn’t 10 years old.

The same comparisons can be made between America’s sweetheart Hilary Duff, and party girl Lindsay Lohan. Both were former Disney Channel actresses with titular roles like Hallie and Annie Parker in ‘The Parent Trap’ and the title role in ‘Lizzie McGuire’. Lohan went on to face a tabloid frenzy after she was arrested for assault in 2007; found by police drunk and disorderly on the streets of New York City. Duff’s most controversial moment in the press was when she dyed her hair blue in 2021.

It begs the question, what about being a child star can so easily set you on the wrong path?

Consulting perhaps the three most famous child stars turned A-List celebrities, I turn your attention to the Disney Channel triad of Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus, and Demi Lovato.

Each played the lead in their own original series, each went on to have global superstardom music careers. Cyrus notoriously went full ‘good girl gone bad’ during her 2013 MTV performance of ‘Blurred Lines’, humping a foam finger while wearing a barely-there latex bodysuit. Not to mention her rollercoaster relationship with ‘Hunger Games’ star Liam Hemsworth, whom she divorced in 2020. Lovato on the other hand is most well known for her various stints in rehab; admitting in her documentary ‘Dancing With The Devil’

BUZZ EDITION

THINK OF THE CHILDREN

that she used hard drugs throughout her teens, right into the pandemic lockdown in 2020, before overdosing. Gomez is a mix of the two other women, having had her own stint in rehab, but her biggest tabloid story remains her legacy as Justin Bieber’s on-againoff-again ex-girlfriend.

Reporting on their childhoods spent in the spotlight, each cannot deny the pressure of long hours, global fame, and expectations that would even be considered overwhelming for an adult. In her series ‘Used To Be Young’, Cyrus detailed a working day as a child actor, explaining that she would fly-in-flyout from LA in one day, spending the morning doing press runs in another state, before flying home to shoot episodes of ‘Hannah Montana’. Lovato labelled her childhood stardom as “traumatic” in an interview with Spin, while Gomez told People Magazine her experience was “beautiful but tragic”.

For some child stars, the problems came not from the pressures of work schedules or fame, but rather the way it corrupted their family life. Like Macaulay Culkin, Nickelodeon star Jennette McCurdy faced a family life that pushed her in and out of the industry.

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In her book ‘I’m Glad My Mom Died’, McCurdy detailed the emotional manipulation by her mother that led to an eating disorder, financial abuse, and an ultimate departure from the acting industry.

What can give us hope is that all these people are now doing well: Gomez runs her award-winning makeup company Rare Beauty, Lovato is rebirthing her hits as a rock album, Lohan has just welcomed her first child, McCurdy has taken up a career in writing and podcasting, Cyrus is on the heels of her eighth studio album release. But, the success of these former child stars does not negate the tragedies of being a full-blown celebrity at the age of 15.

When the curtain is pulled back on the money-making machine that is the child acting market, there is little room to feel confident that these children’s best interests are being kept at heart. In the age of nepo baby criticisms, we can at least have faith that children who are raised by parents in the entertainment industry will likely have better safeguards in place than those up-and-comers who are thrown into the unknown.

All we can hope is that someone is thinking of

BUZZ EDITION

WANT TO CONTRIBUTE TO ESPERANTO IN 2024?

We want you to be safe from sexual assault and

sexual harassment. If you, or someone you know, needs help, here’s what you can do.

Call Monash Security

For immediate response on any campus, contact

Download from the app store or view online at monash.edu/campus-support

Monash Security on 03 9905 3333 or just dial 333 on any Monash phone, in the first instance, as

they know the campus layout and building details

so will be able to contact police and guide them to

your location. For an immediate response on or off campus, call 000 for police or ambulance.

Talk to a member of our Safer Community Unit The Safer Community Unit is a central point

of enquiry for information, advice, support and

coordination in managing inappropriate, concerning or threatening behaviours. You can contact them

Monday to Friday 9am—5pm on 03 9905 1599 or

at safercommunity@monash.edu. The team have

Talk to the South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault (SECASA)

SECASA counsellors are located within the University Health Services (UHS) at Clayton (Monday, Tuesday) and Caulfield (Monday), appointments can be made by contacting the UHS on 03 9905 3020. You can

also make appointments off-campus with them at a

variety of locations. To contact SECASA (24/7) call 03 9928 8741 or visit their website to learn more.

specialist knowledge, training and experience in

Report a sexual assault anonymously

harassment.

sexual assault to SECASA, information can include

responding to reports of sexual assault or sexual

Access our confidential counselling service

At www.sara.org.au you can anonymously report a when and where the incident took place and a

description of the offender. You have an option to

are on the hunt to join the provideand your artists contact information.

We have free and We confidential counselling andfor new writers

psychological services.

All counsellors have received Esperanto team!

If you are interested in contributing in 2024 please

For all this information on support, advice, sexual assault andcontact trauma-specialised training from us on editor.esperanto@gmail.com forand allmore writing enquries referral and reporting options, please view and and creative.esperanto@gmail.com for all things art!

the South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault (SECASA). Drop in or call 03 9905 3020 to make an appointment.

download Monash’s Respect.Now.Always. Support App at www.monash.edu/campus-support.

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As the Esperanto 2023 print partner, we hope you enjoy this issue as much as we enjoyed printing it. contact us at printlove@printgraphics.com.au

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