by Riley Coyne '24 on April 8, 2023
A&E Staff

---

Arts & Entertainment

---

Gracie Abrams is a rising singer-songwriter who has been making waves in the music industry with her emotionally charged lyrics and beautiful voice. Born in Los Angeles, California in 1999, Abrams grew up in a creative family, with her father being a film director. She was surrounded by music from a very young age and began to write her own songs when she was only thirteen years old. 

After graduating high school, Abrams moved to New York City to pursue a full-time career in music. She started posting her original songs on social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram, where she quickly gained a following. In 2019, she released her debut single, “Mean It,” which was produced with the help of Grammy-nominated producer Blake Slatkin. Her debut single was a commercial success, and this top hit helped to establish Abrams as an upcoming star in the music industry. 

Since then, Abrams has released a multitude of singles and EPs, including “Stay,” “This Is What It Feels Like,” and “Minor”, which includes her most streamed song of all time “I Miss You, I’m Sorry.” Her music is often known for its raw and honest lyrics that tug at the heart strings of listeners. Her songs explore the themes of love, loss, heartbreak, and self-discovery. Abrams also is extremely vocal about her struggles with depression and anxiety, and she uses her public platform to raise awareness about mental health issues. In an interview with Billboard in 2019, Abrams admitted that writing and performing music felt therapeutic for her. “A lot of the songs I write are therapy for me. They’re the way I work through things that are going on in my head.” She truly encourages her fans to reach out and seek help for their mental health if they need it. In an Instagram post in 2020, Abrams shared the following statement “It’s okay to not be okay. There’s no shame in asking for help. You’re not alone.” By being so open about such a taboo topic, Abrams is able to use her music to connect with others who may be going through similar experiences. 

Beginning on March 6^th, the 23-year-old artist kicked off her North American tour for her recent album released in February, titled Good Riddance. In the past, Gracie Abrams has toured alongside many other successful artists like Olivia Rodrigo, mxmtoon, and Conan Gray. Not only does she have her own tour coming up over these next few months, but in addition to that she is also touring with one of the most talented female musicians of this generation: Taylor Swift. 

With her unique voice, and deeply personal and relatable lyrics, Gracie Abrams has quickly become a favorite among fans and critics alike. As she gains popularity, it will be exciting to see where her career takes her next.

by Riley Coyne '24 on March 6, 2023
A&E Staff

---

Arts & Entertainment

---

Prior to the Kansas City Chiefs’ win in Super Bowl LVII, Rihanna gave a phenomenal halftime show performance, which was her first public performance in years. Prior to the game, many joked that Rihanna was the main event of the night rather than the football game.

Famous model and actress Cara Delevingne attended the Super Bowl in Arizona and wore a t-shirt that joked, “Rihanna concert interrupted by a football game. Weird but whatever.” Fans were thrilled to see Rihanna finally take the stage again, but they were even more excited when she revealed her special guest of the night: her baby bump. After the show, her team confirmed that she was in fact expecting her second child with A$AP Rocky. Rihanna was accompanied by hundreds of dancers dressed in white puffer jackets. The show-stopping choreography left many curious and questioning: Who was the mastermind behind this performance?

Rihanna’s Apple Music halftime show has sparked a wave of conversation on social media, particularly from those who danced alongside her in Arizona. Dancers took to TikTok to reminisce on being a part of such a great experience and to give credit to their choreographer.

The very talented Parris Goebel was behind the dance choreography for this year’s halftime show. The 31-year-old New Zealand native is a jack of all trades. Goebel is a professional choreographer, dancer, singer, actress, and author. Goebel has even said in the past that she doesn’t want to be called just a choreographer and previously stated in an interview: “I’m so much more than a dancer or choreographer. I am an artist. I am a free spirit. I am a creative. I am a muse. I didn’t choose this life; I was born this way.”

Growing up she was inspired by artists like Missy Elliot and Prince, and taught herself how to dance by watching and mimicking the moves in music videos. As she gained popularity on the internet, Goebel dropped out of school at age 15 to pursue her dream of dance full time.

Despite her many talents, she is best known for her hip-hop studio:  The Palace Dance Studio. World-renowned dance crew The Royal Family is based out of this studio and have gone on to win countless championships as well as dance for many celebrities. Having worked with Rihanna before, Goebel was basically a shoo-in for the choreographer position, especially since she has experience managing such large groups of dancers. In 2015, Goebel choreographed and took part in Justin Bieber’s “Sorry” music video. What’s not surprising is that this is not Goebel’s first time choreographing a halftime show. In 2020, Goebel was a co-choreographer of Jennifer Lopez and Shakira’s Super Bowl halftime show.

Considering all of her accomplishments, it is obvious that Goebel has had an extremely successful career thus far. From opening her own dance studio to writing an autobiography and becoming an Emmy award winner for Outstanding Choreography, Goebel has made a name for herself in an incredibly competitive industry. Who knows, maybe we will see her choreograph another Super Bowl halftime show next year!

by Riley Coyne '24 on February 22, 2023
A&E Staff

---

Arts & Entertainment

---

The start of a new year is always exciting for everyone, but it is especially sentimental for late night host Jimmy Kimmel, who has been on air now for two decades. ABC is celebrating 20 years of Jimmy Kimmel Live, which officially makes Kimmel the longest serving late-night host in the industry. While many congratulated Kimmel on his long-term success, there is one late night host who went above and beyond to support him, and it just so happened to be his name twin. Jimmy Fallon, host of The Tonight Show, sent an ice cream truck to Kimmel’s studio with a note taped on the window that read: “Congrats on 20 years! Honored to be the ‘other’ Jimmy.” Soon after, Kimmel took to his social media accounts, thanking his friend and fellow late night host for the ice cream.

For the 20th anniversary episode, we are going back to 2003 to when the  first episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live aired. Kimmel decided that in order to celebrate properly, they had to invite back the same guest stars. Special guests Snoop Dog, George Clooney, and the lead singer of Coldplay, Chris Martin, were all featured on the special anniversary episode, which took place on Jan. 26. During Kimmel’s opening monologue he said, “very few people expected us to make it this far, but we did.” He then added, “I made a great deal with the devil.”

Jimmy Kimmel has always been known for his sense of humor, so this anniversary episode was no different as the crowd continuously erupted with laughter throughout the prime-time special. When discussing how long the show has been on air, Kimmel gave viewers a visual by saying “When we started, there were no iPhones. There was no YouTube, there was no Uber, no Twitter, no Wi-Fi, no Netflix, no Google. We had Nokias and Ask Jeeves, and that was it. We’ve been through two wars, a worldwide pandemic, four presidents, one insurrection, at least three different Kanyes.” During the episode, Kimmel showed his immense gratitude for everyone’s support over the years and listed off many people to whom he owes thanks, such as his producers, band, announcers, friends, and family. He also mentioned that there have been around 3,588 episodes and that if you were to play all of them back-to-back, it would take 150 days.

In addition to this major accomplishment, Kimmel’s team recently revealed more good news for fans of the show. Back in September of 2022, ABC announced that he would re-sign his contract for another three years. After renewing the deal, though, Kimmel said in a press announcement, “After two decades at ABC, I am now looking forward to what they call ‘quiet quitting.’” Eventually, we will have to say goodbye to Jimmy Kimmel Live, but have no fear, it won’t be for at least a few more years.

by John Downey '23 on May 6, 2022
A&E Co-Editor

---

Arts & Entertainment

---

Inventing the Real Anna

The Hit Netflix Show and the Fascinating Story Behind It

Riley Coyne ’24

Anna Delvey—or, rather, Anna Sorokin—conned Wall Street businessmen, New York socialites, and billionaires, stealing their hearts as well as their money. She tricked the wealthiest of the wealthy into thinking that she was one of them, when in reality, she is a cunning scam artist who aimed to financially manipulate those around her. Sorokin claimed she would repay these wealthy men and women with money from a well-padded trust fund her father had created for her. She was able to play this part of a trust fund baby, using her unassuming character to her advantage—until it landed her in jail. 

A new Netflix original series, Inventing Anna, tells this fascinating story, with Julia Garner portraying the titular con artist. Notably, though, viewers must take this small-screen adaptation with a grain of salt: as the opening sequence of each episode clarifies, “this whole story is completely true. Except for all of the parts that are totally made up.”

If the intrigue of a true crime story wasn’t enough to capture audiences’ attention, the fact that the series is produced by screenwriter Shonda Rhimes surely captivated them. Rhimes is best known for her beloved medical drama Grey’s Anatomy. 

By and large, Inventing Anna is receiving positive reviews. However, some people have taken issue with Garner and her portrayal of Sorokin. Garner is a highly-regarded actress, with roles in successful projects such as Ozark, The Americans, The Assistant, and The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Despite her impressive credentials, certain viewers have taken to social media to express that they think her voice is “annoying” and “too high-pitched.” 

However, the real-life Sorokin is Russian and pretended to be German, so even though Garner’s accent may seem odd, it is in fact a blend of those two common accents. In a statement defending Garner from such criticism, Rhimes told T&C that “Julia [Garner] spent a lot of time perfecting Anna’s accent and ultimately, I think it was one of the biggest pieces in helping embody this character.”

With all of this recent buzz surrounding Inventing Anna and Sorokin, the popular Spotify podcast Call her Daddy decided to interview the real Sorokin. The conversation took place shortly after Sorokin’s release from prison via a video call from the ICE detention center that she is currently being held in. 

Alex Cooper, the host of Call Her Daddy, emphasized in a statement that it was difficult to conduct the interview given that Sorokin is in government custody and, as such, is only allowed a certain amount of time to talk on the phone. Cooper explained that “she had to log off and back on every fifteen minutes,” making the interview process long and tedious, but also expressed that she was determined to interview Sorokin. 

At one point in the interview, Cooper asks Sorokin if she considers herself to be a con artist. Sorokin’s response, in short, was “Absolutely not.” Sorokin also said that she is aware of the new Netflix series about her and her escapades but does not plan on watching it anytime soon.

by John Downey '23 on April 8, 2022
A&E Co-Editor

---

Arts & Entertainment

---

The Multitalented Tate McRae

A Look at the Popular Artist’s Rise to Fame

Riley Coyne ’24

Even from a young age, it was evident that the talented Tate McRae was born to be a star. The “you broke me first” singer did not always plan to pursue fame through singing, though. For much of her youth, McRae was a dancer, taking classes in styles from hip-hop and ballet to jazz and contemporary, realizing that she had a real passion for dance. 

As McRae’s passion grew, she began training more seriously, devoting her life to dance. Notably, at age 11, she was invited to compete in Berlin and placed in the competition. She soon went on to be a contestant on So You Think You Can Dance, and her performances blew the judges away week after week. On one occasion, after seeing McRae’s flawless back walkover, judge Paula Abdul exclaimed to her, “You are a gift from God.” 

After her stint on So You Think You Can Dance, McRae worked as a backup dancer for her fellow Canadian star Justin Bieber and assumed that the rest of her professional career would consist of such roles. Little did she know what life had in store for her.

McRae had amassed large followings on Instagram and TikTok, but got her “big break” on YouTube, following in a long line of popular artists discovered on the platform such as Bieber, Charlie Puth, and Alessia Cara. 

One day, when McRae was alone at home, she decided to create a YouTube account to showcase her dancing skills, only to find that the footage she planned to share had become deleted. This mishap turned out to be a blessing in disguise because it led her to post a song she wrote instead, and this video acquired over 30 million views. Soon enough, record labels began reaching out to her, and the rest is history.

McRae’s 2022 North American Tour kicked off in Vancouver, Canada on March 8. As part of the tour, she has been and will be performing in major cities across the U.S. such as Boston, New York City, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, as well as major cities abroad. 

In additionally exciting news for her fans, McRae released a new single titled “Chaotic” in late March. Between the success of her tour and the critical acclaim that the song is receiving thus far, it is certain that the talented Tate McRae is an artist to watch.

by John Downey '23 on February 10, 2022
A&E Co-Editor

---

Arts & Entertainment

---

The Legacy Thierry Mugler Leaves Behind

Remembering the Late Fashion Designer

Riley Coyne ’24

Manfred Thierry Mugler, the famous fashion designer who empowered people to dream big and pursue their passions, sadly passed away on Jan. 23 at 73 years old. The French creative director is the third visionary the fashion world has lost in a short period of time, the other two being Virgil Abloh and André Talley. In the days since his passing, Mugler has been remembered by his colleagues, clients, and fans for his astounding work.

Mugler’s runway shows were known for being extremely theatrical and entertaining. In addition to styling thousands of popular models, he has designed outfits for well-known celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Megan Fox, Cardi B, and Beyonce. For instance, he dressed Beyonce for her 2009 world tour and designed Kim Kardashian’s iconic “wet” dress that she wore to the Met Gala in 2019. This dress apparently took eight months for him to create, proving his dedication to his craft. 

Moreover, the fashion icon embraced queer culture, dressing men and women in exactly the same clothes. He also devoted himself to costume design for the popular entertainment company, Cirque Du Soleil, and even launched his own perfume line called “Angel.” Mugler was truly a jack of all trades.

Although Mugler was seen as an outlier in the fashion industry early on in his career, being an underdog benefited him in the long run, as it made him all the hungrier for success. Indeed, throughout his career, Mugler often said that he wanted to help people find what they were truly passionate about so they could not only pursue it but make a difference in their society. 

 The icon himself was also passionate about the ethical treatment of animals: he never used any animal skins, feathers, or fur in his work. When asked to explain the reason behind this choice, he said, “I don’t want to torture animals for that.” Notably, his stance has inspired other big names in fashion to stop using animal products, such as Dolce & Gabbana, who recently announced that they will stop using animal fur in their products and transition to faux fur, instead.

Thierry Mugler’s good nature, pursuit of beauty, and remarkable influence on the fashion world will not be forgotten.

by John Downey '23 on January 29, 2022
A&E Co-Editor

---

Arts & Entertainment

---

Money Heist Says Bella Ciao!

The Netflix Original Series’ Bittersweet Finale

Riley Coyne ’24

“How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard?” This question is one that both cast members and fans of Money Heist, one of the most iconic series on Netflix, are asking themselves as the show finally comes to an end. The beloved Spanish series, also known as La Casa De Papel, consists of five seasons in total: the last of which was released in early December of 2021. 

Money Heist has taken the world by storm, becoming a phenomenon not only in Spain, but also globally. When the show was first released, actor Álvaro Morte, better known as The Professor, insisted that the cast and crew had no idea the series would get so much love and attention from the international community.

In season five, the gang encounters their most difficult heist yet. Indeed, their previous heist, which constituted the premise of the show’s first few seasons, stands to finally be outdone as they attempt to enter The Bank of Spain. While this season features many of the show’s original characters, a few new faces make their debut as well. New allies and enemies are added into the mix, making for a suspenseful finale. 

Interestingly enough, just as they do for their first heist, the gang dress in red jumpsuits accented with Salvador Dalí masks to conceal their identities. They force the hostages they take to wear the same getup so that when the police intervene, they will not be able to differentiate anyone. This effective tactic puts the gang at an advantage. The constant back and forth between them and the police is comparable to a game of chess, and it leaves viewers constantly on the edge of their seats, waiting to see which side will get the checkmate. The Professor, the show’s criminal mastermind, always says that business and pleasure do not mix, even though he knows that viewers cannot help but love the morally-complicated characters in the gang.

The main message of the final season of Money Heist is that truly nothing is impossible. Of course, there are obstacles and challenges that the gang encounters along the way, but it only motivates them to continue with their plan. Indeed, the most prominent theme in Money Heist is resistance. The song “Bella Ciao,” which has essentially become the soundtrack for the series, is symbolic of freedom and resistance. It is an old Italian folk song that was originally used to protest unfair working conditions and later used by Italian partisans against the fascist party. In the show, the phrase “We are the Resistance” is periodically repeated to remind the gang of their purpose. What is it that they are resisting, exactly? To find out, stream Money Heist season five on Netflix.

by The Cowl Editor on November 18, 2021

---

Arts & Entertainment

---

Taylor Swift Releases Her First Short Film

Adapting Her Most Emotional Song to the Screen

Riley Coyne ’24

The short film, All Too Well, premiered on Friday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. Directed by Taylor Swift, it features Dylan O’Brien and Sadie Sink as the two main characters. These actors have a large age gap, as O’Brien is 30 years old and Sink is only 19. While it is not a problem considering the two are just acting, this significant difference in age was more than likely intentional on the director’s end. 

The song that inspired the film, “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)” by Taylor Swift, is a heart-wrenching story about a breakup with someone who is “so casually cruel in the name of being honest.” It is no secret that this song is about Swift’s ex-boyfriend, actor Jake Gyllenhaal. While Swift has never openly admitted such, the hints and details left in the song have been enough for listeners to put the pieces together over the years.

Gyllenhaal was 29 and Swift was 21 when the two broke up. This age gap is practically the same as that between O’Brien and Sink. Swift is known for being very particular and cryptic; her fans know that everything she does has reasoning behind it. Even the slightest details will most likely have underlying meanings, which is why fans are certain that O’Brien is acting as Gyllenhaal and Sink is acting as Swift in the short film.

“All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)” plays throughout the film in between dialogue, with the lyrics often aligning with what the actors are doing. For instance, when Swift sings, “There we are again in the middle of the night/We dance around the kitchen in the refrigerator light,” O’Brien and Sink dance in a dimly-lit kitchen with light from the open refrigerator illuminating the two of them.

Montages follow the couple during the highs and lows of their relationship, from a romantic weekend getaway upstate to a heated argument in the kitchen. Notably, the one time the music completely stops is during this scene in the kitchen. Sink’s character expresses how upset and hurt she felt at a dinner party where O’Brien’s character treated her differently around his friends. Shortly after this fight the two break up, and Sink’s character is left heartbroken and grieving over the loss of the relationship. 

The film then jumps to a scene titled “Thirteen Years Gone,” where a grown-up version of Sink’s character, played by Swift herself, speaks at a bookstore about her novel, All Too Well. It ends with the camera panning out and revealing O’Brien’s character watching in the distance, wearing his former lover’s scarf from their very first week together.

Sink and O’Brien did a fantastic job bringing these characters to life and Swift herself openly stated how proud she was of them. On The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, she said that the two “could not have blown me away more” and that “the chemistry between them is on another planet.” This short film was a major accomplishment for everyone involved, especially Swift, as it was the first film she ever directed. 

All Too Well: The Short Film is out now on Youtube, but be warned: viewers are guaranteed to shed more than a few tears.

by The Cowl Editor on November 4, 2021

---

Arts & Entertainment

---

“We Never Go Out of Style”

Fall Fashion Trends That Never Miss

Riley Coyne ’24

Fashion trends tend to fluctuate often, with new styles developing as quickly as the seasons change. One thing, however, remains constant: fall is always an exciting season for fashion trends. Indeed, the autumn weather being a happy medium between blazing hot and freezing cold allows for some leeway in what people decide to wear. Here are some timeless fall fashion trends that, as Taylor Swift would say, will never go out of style.

Flannels and plaid print will always be a fundamental part of the fall season everyone knows and loves. Flannels serve as the perfect casual look, and one can even throw on a beanie if their ears get cold, because: Who doesn’t love a good beanie and flannel duo? Plaid can also serve to be more lavish. For instance, plaid jackets or blouses are perfect to throw on for an event that requires more formal attire.

Next is the staple leather jacket that transitions the wearer from fall into winter. The wealthy will invest in jackets that cost upwards of millions of dollars; college students will buy theirs from affordable sources such as Forever 21. Leather pants are also a great asset to have in one’s closet. 

Another timeless fall jacket is the classic trench coat. GQ advises, “The best of this season’s trenches can be found at Louis Vuitton, where Virgil Abloh showed his extra-oversized Dries Van Noten and Fendi. Though if in doubt, head to Burberry and be done with it.” While trench coats tend to be more on the expensive side, there are still affordable options out there for those who do not have the budget to rock Fendi or Burberry.

Regarding footwear, ankle boots will always be a fall classic, whether they be Dr. Martens, combat boots, or ones with a bit of a heel. The best thing about them is their versatility. Every time fall rolls around, boot lovers can bring out their booties and dress them up with a cute dress or dress them down with a pair of straight jeans.

Sweaters are a usual go-to, but there are many different ways to spice them up: sweater vests with a long sleeve tee underneath them, or perhaps a turtleneck sweater, which is another fall necessity. For those who want to feel preppy, layer a collared shirt under a sweater vest and pair it with platform shoes.

Oversized blazers may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but contrasted with a tight dress or pair of jeans and fitted shirt, they make for a stylish outfit. Celebrities like Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, and Hailey Bieber have recently been spotted in their boxy blazers.

Whether one may be a fan of flannel or a bootie devotee, fall fashion has something for everyone.

by The Cowl Editor on October 28, 2021

---

Arts & Entertainment

---

Album Review: Chelsea Cutler’s When I Close My Eyes

Cutler Displays Growth and Gratitude on Her Sophomore Album

Riley Coyne ’24

Not many people have what it takes to give up their current life to pursue their dream, but Chelsea Cutler does. Growing up, music was always something she was passionate about, and her parents lovingly supported this passion. They enrolled her in guitar and piano lessons. While she loved music, soccer was also a major part of her life, which she continued at the collegiate level at Amherst College. Her time spent away from home while at school allowed her to start writing and producing her own music. Cutler started by posting covers on SoundCloud, quickly gaining attention, which then led to the official publication of her work. Rapidly gaining popularity, in 2017, Cutler decided to leave her college and sports careers behind to tour with Quinn XCII.

Cutler’s sophomore album, When I Close My Eyes, embodies personal growth, celebrates love, and expresses gratitude for overcoming obstacles in life. Her previous album How To Be Human had much more of an overall sad tone to it, as it was written during a time in her life where she was struggling with her mental health and depression. Even her EP, brent, a collaboration with fellow artist Jeremy Zucker, includes tear-jerkers that evoke emotion, as a lot of the record is focused on heartache. These earlier projects generated a media reputation for Cutler that is not necessarily true. In a statement, the artist expressed that “I know that people want sad songs because they want something to relate to and feel heard, and I totally understand that. But my depression and anxiety… things that I struggle with, and they’re big parts of my life, but I’m not a categorically sad girl.”

The first track on the album, “Forever,” is an upbeat song about finding someone that you can see yourself spending the rest of your life with. Cutler’s three-year relationship with girlfriend—and Providence College alum—Tilly Burzynski ’18 indicates that this song is about her. A supportive voicemail from Burzynski is included towards the end of the song: “Hi, it’s me, call me back when you get a break. I love you, okay? Keep your head up.”

One of the many singles on this album, “Devil on My Shoulder,” was released on Oct. 1, two weeks before the initial release of the full album. The symbolic “devil” that Cutler sings about is representative of her depression controlling her life. However, she acknowledges that her depression is a separate entity from herself. Speaking candidly about her struggle, Cutler shared the following in a very raw Instagram post: “For a long time I conflated the two and believed that my depression was a fundamental part of my identity. I don’t feel that way anymore. I know what my identity is and what my personality is.”

Unique vocals and the indie-pop vibe that Cutler is known for are apparent in the album’s title track, “When I Close My Eyes.” “Without You” and “If I Hadn’t Met You” focus on what life is like when you let go of the person you love. Cutler is a huge advocate for mental health and wellness, and in “If I Hadn’t Met You,” she mentions her struggles with anxiety. The lyrics “One, two, three medications, just so I can have a normal conversation,” normalize taking medication to better one’s mental health. 

Cutler’s music is incredibly vulnerable yet honest at the same time. The lyrics truly give listeners a glimpse into both the good and bad times of her life allowing fans to feel such a strong connection to her. Cutler is an amazing role model to young women who wish to pursue and produce music on their own, and hopefully a new generation of woman artists follow in her footsteps.