As the new year rolls around, it’s a time for reflection, resolutions and ratings. Whether you’re waiting for your favorite artist to drop a new album, a long awaited movie sequel to make its way to theaters, or your city’s sports team to maybe make it to a championship this year, 2024 has lots of big things to come.
I went out on the street (or in Norris, since let’s be real, IT’S COLD), to talk to Northwestern students about their 2024 predictions and what they’re looking forward to most.
First, I spoke with sophomore Angela Johnson about all things pop culture in 2024.
ANGELA JOHNSON: “In 2024, I hope that we get some new music. I would love to see some new albums from Taylor Swift, and SZA, and Billie Eilish, and Noah Kahan, and Gracie Abrams, and Lana Del Rey, and Ariana Grande. Just like, I would love some new albums from those people.”
Recently, Ariana Grande has been teasing new music, with her new single “yes, and?” scheduled to drop on January 12th. This will be Grande’s first time releasing solo music since her sixth-studio album “Positions”, which was released over three years ago. Grande’s fans can expect a huge year for the singer, as she is also set to star in the movie adaptation of the Broadway sensation, “Wicked”, which is set to release Part 1 in November 2024.
Speaking of movie-musicals, the long-awaited movie adaptation of “Mean Girls” the Musical starring Reneé Rapp hits theaters this Friday, January 12th.
JOHNSON: “I also think we’re gonna see the continued rise in success in 2024 of Renné Rapp. I love her so much, so I hope this happens. She is gonna be playing Regina George in the 2024 remake of the Mean Girls musical, so I definitely think after that comes out officially, people are gonna be obsessed with her. And she has really good music too so I definitely think she’s gonna get really popular this year.”
The movie takes a new musical spin on the 2004 classic starring Lindsay Lohan and Rachel McAdams and features a star-studded cast including Christopher Briney, Jenna Fischer, and Auli’i Cravalho. It also features Tina Fey and Tim Meadows reprising their roles from the original movie.
One of the biggest events coming up in 2024 is the Presidential Election. According to a recent study from the Pew Research Center, President Joe Biden’s approval rating is pretty low. Only 33% of respondents say they approve of the way President Biden is handling his job as president.
Junior Jimmy Oñate is one of many people who is worried about how this year’s election will go.
JIMMY OÑATE: “I think I’m a little more pessimistic, to be honest, going into 2024. I just know, like, the elections are coming up in November, so, to be honest, I don’t have, like, a good outlook on how the political state is gonna progress throughout 2024, especially at the end of the year.”
Freshman Jorge Martinez is also thinking about the possibilities the election may bring.
JORGE MARTINEZ: “I’m looking forward to the presidential election. I’m really excited. I think it has a lot of potential, not just for the new generation, but to influence national politics on a huge scale. I really do think that President Trump is going to be a huge force to reckon with, and his ongoing court challenges I’ve been observing closely. I really do think that the Supreme Court is going to have a huge say on whether or not he can even run in the first place.”
The looming presidential election weighs heavily on the minds of many Americans, but how do we find something to look forward to?
OÑATE: “I think I will balance out my negativity with some positivity. And I think there should be some good reggaeton music popping out. Um, I’ve been listening to like, really up and coming, really good artists. And so, I think there will be some good music dropping, at least for 2024. I’m interested to see how, oh, I forgot their name…But it’s Rosalía and like the new guy she’s dating… Jeremy Allen? It’s a new couple that I’m interested to see how they progress.”
Rosalía and Jeremy Allen White are not the only couple that will continue to be in the public eye this year. Many fans expect engagements from Tom Holland and Zendaya, and from Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, who have been taking the internet by storm recently. Similarly, the internet can’t stop buzzing about the futures of Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet as well as Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater.
MARTINEZ: “I think Bad Bunny is going to find another partner, and we’re equally going to be upset. Or at least I was upset when they were, when they were dating. And I think Taylor Swift and the football player are going to get really serious.”
However, while there is so much to wonder about and look forward to in 2024, sometimes, according to sophomore James Stiso, it is important to just look forward to the little things…
JAMES STISO: “I’m looking forward to warm weather, blue skies with just a little bit of clouds, nice sunsets that don’t happen at 4:30, but at 8, and sand volleyball, beach days…That’s what I’m looking forward to in 2024.”
For WNUR News, I’m Jessica Watts.
