Main Squeeze Issue 02.

MAIN SQUEEZE

POP CULTURE: THE CELEBRITY OF IT ALL

ABOUT O4.

And why I’m a pop culture girlie.

THEARTOFBEINGA POPDIVA O6.

A deep dive into my favourite queens of pop BOOKNERD

13. Quick reads that will keep you hooked.

INYOUREARS

15. The pop culture podcasts worth subscribing to.

18.

MOVIESTOADDTO YOURLETTERBOXD

Films that are nothing short of entertaining

21. Reality TV whiz Jacqui McGregor talks us through her favourite TV moments

BRAVOORBRAVADO?

Welcome to Main Squeeze. A culmination of all the things I love; that have a squeeze on my heart Whether that be places, people, experiences, food, drink, art, music, clothes – you name it. If it’s my main squeeze, this is where you’ll hear about it

I’ve devoted this second issue to the popular culture that consumes my day-to-day That inspires the way I speak, what I listen to, what I read and watch. From my favourite pop stars to podcasts, I hope you enjoy this read and that some of my main squeezes become yours

WHYI‘MAPOP

CULTURE GIRLIE?

Is it such a bad thing to be mainstream? To like the things that lots of people like? The things that are considered popular? We often feel this pressure that anything mainstream isn’t good. Pop stars are brushed aside for their talent and artistry or accused of being industry plants. Reality TV is considered trash and influencers are criticised for having no talent But there’s so much to love about popular culture. It’s a reflection of our society whilst simultaneously being a true form of escapism; of entertainment

Whether it’s a huge fantastical tour or middle-aged women fighting at dinner in Bermuda, I’m here for it. The lives of famous people are fascinating and they forever will be, so this issue is dedicated to the celebrity of it all

THE ART OF BEING A POP DIVA

The legends of pop music that are worth listening to.

There’s many a diva in the history of pop music. From Madonna to Mariah to Kylie and Britney. Women who have broken down the expectations society puts on women one hit song at a time They’ve embraced their sexuality, been unapologetically extra and always put on a show I love them all.

Since I was a little girl, I’ve been in my bedroom blasting their songs on my CDs Singing with a hairbrush and putting on performances for my family Many of my idols now run multimilliondollar businesses, are mothers and so much more (á la Rihanna putting on an incredible Super Bowl halftime show pregnant with her second child).

Whilst I’m a fan of many pop divas, this is a breakdown of my favourite superstars of the moment The ones that have a huge space in my heart Who rarely make hits I don’t like or put on a performance I’m not blown away by. Many of them have just dropped new music or are about to, reigniting their musical squeeze on my heart I hope after reading this you’ll understand why they deserve a spot on your Spotify playlist

Then when I was 24-years-old and I didn’t think she could go any further, she dropped RENAISSANCE. An album with the most insane production. Whether it’s the interpolation of hit songs, genre mashups or ad-libs of icons from the black Ballroom scene, there’s not one song I don’t love. And after two visual albums, she gave us zero visuals Just an iconic tour featuring herself as the opening act, a multitude of custom couture outfits from Loewe to Mugler and Balmain and her own daughter Blue Ivy Carter making her stage debut

Possibly my one regret in life will be not travelling to Europe or the USA to witness the spectacle live but at least we have the film. Which made me cry, laugh and, as always, left me speechless

And now I’m 26 and she just released COWBOY CARTER On the first listen, I was overwhelmed. From her covers of Jolene and Blackbird to collaborations with Miley Cyrus, Post Malone and a slew of black country artists. My soul has been fed with another genrebending album that is so referential yet so uniquely Beyoncé.

The thing I love about Beyoncé is the level of detail she puts into her work

Whether it’s the historical references on Lemonade and COWBOY CARTER or the LGBTQIA+ creatives she chooses to highlight on RENAISSANCE to the level of performance, sound arrangement, choreography, art direction, stage design and costumes. No detail is left behind and no performance or album is the same. Her dedication to reinventing herself and making a statement is what makes her a true artist.

Pictured above: Forcing my friends to watch Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé during my 25th birthday weekend

ESSENTIALVIEWING

Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé

Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé

2014 VMAs Video Vanguard

Daddy Lessons at the CMAs

Lemonade 2016 VMAs Medley

Beyoncé - Super Bowl XLVIIl

Halftime Show (2013)

DUALIPA

Miss Dula Peep. A newer icon on the block who’s absolutely killing it with everything she does. The first time I heard Dua Lipa was back when I worked at Topshop and Be The One was on the shop playlist. Whilst she rose to fame with New Rules, she truly came into her own on Future Nostalgia.

After becoming a meme for her One Kiss dance that gave us nothing, Lipa put it on herself to considerably improve her stage presence. The album was not only jam-packed with absolute bangers but her dancing, confidence and it-girl factor solidified her as a certified superstar If you’ve given Dua the miss, I highly recommend watching her Studio 2054 livestream concert

Streamed amidst worldwide lockdowns, Lipa put together a show drenched in sweaty club nights and fluorescent lighting with features from Kylie Minogue, Elton John and other stars no less It’s my go-to Friday listen when I want to party.

In May, she’ll be releasing her third studio album radical optimism. If the first two singles Houdini and Training Season are a true taste of the album, this won’t be a sonically drastic change from Future Nostalgia. That said, it seems like she’s leaning into a tough-girl persona; who can take on anything now she’s on top of the world

Not only is Dua Lipa talented but she’s also mastered being a cool-girl pop star. I never feel that she’s trying hard. Her stylist Lorenzo Posocco is killing it every event she appears at. Her Service 95 editorial platform complete with her newsletter, podcast and book club make me want to travel where she goes, read what she’s reading and listen to who she’s talking to. The ultimate influencer if I do say so myself.

ERUTUF NOSTALG I A

DIVAS

ARIANAGRANDE

I’ve been a fan of Ariana since she dropped The Way feat. Mac Miller. The Mariah Carey-esque high-pitched whistle tones on her first studio album were something that 16-year-old me could not get enough of I’ve had every one of her albums on repeat since then She’s had her ups and downs in recent years and fair enough that’s rubbed a few people the wrong way. However, regardless of what she goes through, she knows how to turn it into a good pop song. Like her current single yes, and? which debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

Whether you like her or not, there’s no denying the girl can sing She sounds just like the record live (if not better) and puts so much emotion into her performance (probably due to her Cancer energy). She also has a cracking sense of humour (watch her SNL monologue if you don’t believe me) Whilst I stan all of her eras, some must-watch performances are Excuse Me I Love You on Netflix to experience her iconic Sweetener/Thank U Next tour and her Positions Vevo performances on YouTube. Her latest studio album Eternal Sunshine is no disappointment and to no surprise, has been on repeat from the moment it dropped

BOOK NERD

Quick reads you won’t be able to put down.

IN YOUR EARS

Tune in and stay up to date with these weekly podcasts.

SENTIMENTALGARBAGE

I was first introduced to this podcast when host Caroline O’Donoghue and author Dolly Alderton did their miniseries Sentimental in the City analysing Sex and the City TV show and movies. Since then I’ve been tuning in weekly to see what culture society makes us feel ashamed of O’Donoghue and her dynamic cast of guests will be discussing. From movies to mistresses, the compelling passion from the host and guests always has you coming back for more.

LEGENDSONLY

T. Kyle and Bradley came into my life when I listened to their first podcast It’s Britney Bitch that details 20 years of Britney Spears life (literally each episode is a year) Hilariously well-versed in pop culture, these two created another podcast where they could talk about all their favourite legends of the pop world From high fashion looks to TikTok trends and new music, these two talk with vivacity and a mean soundboard of iconic memes that’ll keep you laughing.

SICKOFMYSELF

This 2022 film by Norwegian director Kristoffer Borgli, follows the life of Signe. A barista jealous of the attention her boyfriend is getting from his successful contemporary art career, she does the only rational thing and makes herself physically ill as a means to gain sympathy online This dark humour draped in aesthetic Scandi fashion straight out of Copenhagen Fashion Week will have you stunned at the lengths people go to for the limelight Whilst also making a subtle commentary of the ways we as a culture are obsessed with portraying our lives online

LASOCIEDADDELANIEVE

Based on the true story of a 1972 Uruguayan Rugby team who’s plane crashed into the remote Andes mountain range, La Sociedad de la Nieve (The Society of the Snow) is a film written and directed by J A Bayona. A gripping and graphically accurate detailing of the events that transpired, the film equally focuses on those who did and didn’t survive. The production on this one also sets it apart. Filmed in both the harsh Andes mountains of Argentina and Chile and the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Spain, the lengths the cast and crew went to in creating this film is astonishing

THEHANDOFGOD

Italy, the 1980’s and Diego Maradona This Paolo Sorrentino coming-of-age film is as picturesque as it gets Following the life of 17-year-old Fabietto in Naples, you’ll be filled with all the emotions from laughter to tears. Most importantly, it will make you want to book a flight to Italy and ride around on a Vespa once you’re done watching

THE ABC OF CULT CLASSICS

High-brow to low-brow, the list of classic films that make culture is endless. From Mary-Kate and Ashley to James Bond, here’s a breakdown of my nostalgic faves and new-age loves.

nchormanA

ring It On lueless

evil Wears Prada

asy A

orrest Gump

rand Budapest Hotel

ow to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

Love You, Man

ohn Tucker Must Die nives Out

egally Blonde

ean Girls

otting Hill

ne Day

assport to Paris

emember the Titans

he’s the Man

he Truman Show

ncut Gems

eronica Mars

ild Child

uantum of Solace -Men

ou Got Served

oolander

What’s the first reality TV show you became obsessed with?

The Hills Lauren Conrad was iconic At 14-years-old, I thought my adult life would be just like LC’s.

The most iconic reality TV moment?

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Amsterdam dinner is up there but also can’t go past ‘David’s dead’ from Celebrity Big Brother UK Season 17.

Your top three Real Housewives franchises? Beverly Hills, New York City (minus seasons 11-13), and Salt Lake City

What do you think makes an iconic reality star? They need the perfect balance of confidence, craziness, wit and kindness. They need to also be confrontational (I need drama) and transparent (get those skeletons out of the closet early).

Marry, Shag, Kill: Andy Cohen, Mauricio Umansky and Scott Disick? Tough one… I’d shag Mo, marry Andy Cohen and kill Scott.

Tell us your most controversial take on one of your favourite Bravo shows Vanderpump Rules should have been cancelled five years ago. The drama was at its peak when the cast were nobodies, broke, actually worked at SUR and when Lisa Vanderpump was at her prime.

What’s the one thing you love the most about Reality TV?

The unhinged characters Scripted TV could never write what they say or do!

What show do you recommend people who may not be familiar with the reality TV to watch first?

Depends on what avenue of reality TV they want to get intothere are so many!

If it’s Housewives, Beverly Hills is the easiest to start with - it’s got money (honey) plus all the drama and craziness that comes with it

Below Deck is another one I recommend (forget season 1 and start from season 2 with Captain Lee). Beautiful locations on a lush yacht contrasted with the crew below deck and their drama

were a guest on Watch What Happens at reality star would you want on with you?

hard! One of the Richards sisters (Kyle, Kathy). You’ll get their crazy and kooky ut would be able to ask about SO many about Hollywood from the 70s onwards, all the current Bravo tea. Oh and Bowen

Yang would be my bartender

What reality competition show do you think you could win and why?

If Big Brother was to go back to its original early 00’s format, I think have the chance to win as I have the perfect balance of being diabolical to create interest and drama but likeable enough for people to want me to stay and win.

Or The Block, self explanatory. I love my little DIY projects. We’ve talked about doing it together before and I’d make you cry everyday which would be good TV.

THANKS FOR READING MAIN SQUEEZE