Every year introduces various fads that will only be challenged against the test of time: the ‘80s gave us big hair and at-home fitness DVDs, the early 2000s provided low-waisted jeans, and Britney Spears and the 2010s gave rise to Tumblr and “Pretty Little Liars.”
Yet, that begs the question: What’s the trend of 2023? The answer: Women.
Women have taken over the summer of 2023 from music to sports and everything in between. This summer is paving roads for future generations by illustrating the positive influence of the feminist movement on all aspects of pop culture.
Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie,” arguably the most anticipated film of the year, did not disappoint fans or at the box office. In less than three weeks, “Barbie” is the first feature film directed by a woman to surpass $1 Billion.
“It’s been amazing to walk around and see people in pink,” Gerwig said in an interview with the New York Times. “Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine something like this.”
Underneath its pink and shiny plastic exterior, “Barbie” is a story of motherhood, sexism and self-discovery. Throw in a couple of music numbers, some sparkly outfits and Ryan Gosling, and Gerwig created a future cult classic that resonates with all audience members.
“My hope for the movie is that it’s an invitation for everybody to be part of the party and let go of the things that aren’t necessarily serving us as either women or men,” Gerwig said. “I hope that in all of that passion, if they see it or engage with it, it can give them some of the relief that it gave other people.”
While “Barbie” continues to conquer the silver screen, the FIFA Women’s World Cup has dominated households and sports bars across the globe. Fox Sports reported that the USWNT’s 3-0 victory over Vietnam clocked over 5.2 million viewers, making it the second-most watched group stage telecast ever on English language television.
“Coming from a time when football was a predominantly male game and we had to try to establish ourselves in our own right, to now having men starting conversations about women’s football, it makes me emotional,” former Australian player Joey Peters wrote in The Guardian. “There’s no talk of gender – it’s just football. There’s respect.”
In addition to increased viewership, the Women’s World Cup continues to shatter attendance records. According to Sports Business Journal, 1,367,037 packed into Melbourne Rectangular Stadium to watch Sweden’s penalty shootout win over the USWNT in the Round of 16.
“I hope that in the summer when we play the World Cup it’s a big, big thing,” professional player Alisha Lehmann said in an interview with Sportsmanor. “I hope that it will push women’s football more forward.”
However, the summer of Feminism is incomplete without mentioning Taylor Swift. The hype surrounding the pop sensation’s Eras Tour has been rightfully dubbed “Taylormania,” as the numerous enraptured fans of Swift can only be compared to peak Michael Jackson and The Beatles.
According to CNBC, Swift’s tour is estimated to accumulate over $1 Billion by the time she completes her international leg, surpassing the previous $853 million set by Elton John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour.
Not only is the multi-award winner one of the highest-paid entertainers in the world with a current estimated net worth of more than $700 million (not including the tour), the Federal Reserve says Swift’s Eras Tour boosted the economy and could potentially contribute $5 billion.
“Taylor Swift is a force to be reckoned with,” said Julie Calvert, President and CEO of Visit Cincy to WKRC. “The economic impact Swift creates is staggering, as fans travel from far and wide to attend her concerts, filling hotels, restaurants, and local attractions. Swift’s influence on tourism is a testament to her ability to captivate audiences and drive economic growth.”
The women of 2023 have proven to significantly impact the world from the screen to the pitch and even on stage in front of sold-out arenas. As the summer comes to a close, these strong and successful women have proven without a doubt that they are just beginning to show what they are capable of.
