Is Addison Rae the Next Pop Princess or Just a PR Plant? The Internet Has Thoughts
Certified bops. Polarizing bikinis. Alleged industry planting. And one handshake with him. Addison Rae’s new pop era is in full swing—and like clockwork, the backlash is bubbling louder than a club remix of Aquamarine. With vibey synth beats creeping onto curated playlists and Pitchfork of all places calling her debut “legitimately good,” Addison Rae seems to be slipping from TikTok fodder into full-blown pop girl territory. But if your FYP is anything like mine, then you know the internet has a lot to say about it—and not all of it is cute. So what’s the drama? Why are people so mad about Addison Rae… again? Addison Rae Backlash, Explained: Why the Internet Is Mad (Still) Even with co-signs from Charli XCX and a growing catalogue of dancefloor-ready tracks, Addison’s road to music credibility is riddled with speed bumps—and yes, it all starts with that handshake. In 2021, Addison voluntarily introduced herself to Donald Trump at a UFC event, like she was meeting her dad’s problematic golf buddy. It didn’t go down well. Fans who value basic human rights were understandably rattled, and the Trump-supporter accusations stuck harder than her lip gloss in a heatwave. Things got messier when internet sleuths pulled out receipts: a now-deleted “All Lives Matter” post from 2020 and her then-flirtationship with Bryce Hall, an open Trump apologist. Cue widespread digital side-eyes. Addison eventually apologized, telling the LA Times she didn’t support Trump and was “just being friendly.” Which… okay, girl. That’s one word for it. The Bikini, the Choreography, and the Controversy Parade Addison’s “minor offenses” have kept her trending—whether she meant to or not. Exhibit A: That white bikini. The one that had “Father” and “Son” scrawled across each boob with “Holy Spirit” (presumably on the crotch). It was giving theology, but make it slutty. Christians were not amused. Exhibit B: The infamous Tonight Show moment where she performed viral TikTok dances… that she didn’t create. Many felt she used her platform to profit off the work of (often Black) creators without giving them proper credit. And then there’s the general TikTok-to-mainstream pipeline struggle—where influencers-turned-musicians (especially women) get raked harder than actual pop flops. Is She an Industry Plant or Just Really, Really Committed? Here’s where things get tinfoil-hat-level spicy. Some Reddit threads and TikTok comment sections have taken a sharp left into conspiracy-ville, accusing Addison of being a highly curated “industry plant.” Apparently, Addison’s fame can’t possibly be organic—it must be the product of shadowy PR teams rigging streaming numbers, planting fan responses, and hiring screaming mobs to swarm her in public. Yes, when fans crowded her in NYC, Twitter trolls insisted they were paid actors. (No proof, of course—just vibes and paranoia.) The same people think Addison’s positive press is bankrolled, not earned. But let’s be real: that kind of energy has been hurled at almost every pop girl who got too popular, too fast. Final Verdict: PR Puppet or Pop Star in Progress? Listen. Is Addison Rae breaking new artistic ground with her breathy vocals and synth-heavy beats? No. But that’s not the assignment. She’s not trying to be Björk—she’s aiming for bimbo euphoria with a budget and a whisper track. And honestly? She’s getting closer to the bullseye than most of her TikTok peers. So, if Diet Pepsi slaps and 2 Die 4 is already a playlist staple, maybe Addison doesn’t need to justify her rise at all. As RuPaul would say: Let the music play. If she’s the real deal, we’ll find out soon enough.
The 7-Point Rule: TikTok’s Favourite Styling Trick That Makes Your Outfit Make Sense
Coco Chanel once famously advised that we should all remove one accessory before leaving the house. The goal? Elegance via restraint. But fast-forward a few decades—and a few thousand #OOTDs—and the problem isn’t knowing what to take off. It’s knowing what’s missing. We’ve all had that moment: you’re fully dressed, technically stylish, and yet something feels… off. Not wrong, just underwhelming. Like your outfit ghosted its own potential. Enter: TikTok’s now-viral 7-Point Rule—a little fashion math (don’t panic) that’s currently saving wardrobes and mirror meltdowns everywhere. So, what is the 7-Point Rule? It’s less about what you wear and more about how much your outfit is doing. Think of it as a checklist-meets-scorecard that helps you figure out why one outfit looks editorial and another just looks… dressed. Each piece you wear gets assigned a point value. Staples earn one point, while statement pieces earn two. The goal is to hit that sweet spot: a total of seven to eight points. Too few? Your outfit might feel flat. Too many? You might be tipping into chaos (though, if that’s the vibe, by all means—go for 11). Let’s break it down. 1-Point Items: The Foundations These are your everyday essentials—reliable, neutral, maybe even a little boring on their own. But they build the canvas. TLDR: If your outfit is made entirely of these, you’re probably not getting compliments from strangers. Yet. 2-Point Items: The Disruptors This is where the personality kicks in. These pieces draw the eye, add texture, or disrupt a neutral palette with something interesting. Rule of thumb: If your aunt would ask “what are those?” when you walk in, it’s probably worth two points. A 7-Point Outfit in Action Let’s say you’re wearing: Total: 10 points. Technically over—but maybe you want to be a little much. The beauty of the 7-point rule isn’t that it boxes you in, but that it explains the feeling. Feeling like an outfit is “too busy”? Count the points. Something feels missing? You’re probably sitting at a sad 5. Is this rule for everyone? Nope. But it might help those of us who vacillate between dressing like a Sim with only base-game clothing or going full Pinterest board explosion. It’s not gospel—just a gentle guide. Because sometimes, you need to take something off before leaving the house. Other times, you just need to add a red shoe and a cat-eye. And thanks to the 7-point rule, you might finally know which.
Faith Morey Is La Mode Magazine’s 96th Edition June 2025 Cover Star
We are proud to unveil the phenomenal Faith Morey as the cover star of our 96th issue — a woman who doesn’t just wear elegance, she commands it. Gracing the June edition of La Mode Magazine, Faith steps into frame not merely as a model or muse, but as a force — of fashion, femininity, and fearless authenticity. Her presence, both bold and unapologetic, anchors this month’s theme: “Beyond Beauty – Her Story, Her Style.” But this isn’t just a theme — it’s a movement. A celebration of women who turn their personal narratives into power statements. Women who live fashion with purpose. Women who rise from the pages of their past and rewrite the rules — in stilettos, strategy, and strength. Faith Morey embodies this spirit in every frame, every word, every win. From high fashion runways to the heart of advocacy, from motherhood to mogulhood, Faith’s story is layered, luminous, and legacy-bound. This cover isn’t about the surface.It’s about the substance. Dive into this special issue for exclusive interviews, arresting visuals, and the unfiltered essence of a woman who is so much more than a beautiful face. This is her truth. Her style. Her power. Cover Credit Cover Personality: @moreyfaithPhotography : @lucasworksMakeup : @BeatbyKweencindyCustomized swimwear: @tmo_internationalGraphics: @benzikmediaPublisher/Editor in Chief: @sandraodigeInstagram: @lamodemag
After Beyoncé’s Historic Win, the GRAMMYs Suddenly Split the Country Category. Coincidence?
In February, Beyoncé made history at the GRAMMYs—again—becoming the first Black woman to win Best Country Album for her genre-bending opus Cowboy Carter. She beat out names like Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson, Kacey Musgraves, and even Post Malone (yes, that happened). And while the Beyhive rejoiced, the industry? Well… let’s just say it’s reacting in classic fashion. Fast-forward a few months and the Recording Academy has announced a structural change: the Best Country Album category will now be split in two—Best Traditional Country Album and Best Contemporary Country Album. The only category tweak ahead of the 2026 GRAMMYs, and its timing couldn’t feel more… precise. Beyoncé herself seemed stunned by her win, thanking “all the incredible country artists that accepted this album,” and subtly calling out the genre’s historically rigid boundaries: “I think sometimes genre is a cold word to keep us in our place as artists.” She wasn’t wrong. Despite Cowboy Carter’s chart dominance and cultural reach, Beyoncé was snubbed by the CMAs—yet again. (The same CMAs that gave her backlash for daring to perform Daddy Lessons with The Chicks in 2016.) When she announced Cowboy Carter, she even acknowledged the cold shoulder, writing: “It was born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed…and it was very clear that I wasn’t.” But let’s talk about that new GRAMMY split. According to Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr., the proposal for a two-category system had been submitted multiple times before, but only now did it get approved. The stated goal? To reflect the diversity within the genre. The real question: whose diversity? The Traditional Country definition is heavy on “fiddle,” “banjo,” and “adherence to sound structures.” It reads like a musical history class designed to gatekeep. Meanwhile, fans across social media have been quick to point out the suspiciously strategic timing. One tweet simply read: “Best Traditional Country Album. How subtle.” Another? “A Black woman won best country album, NOW we need two categories? Interesting.” Some fans have called it what it feels like: a post-victory reshuffle designed to quietly keep future Cowboy Carters from sweeping “traditional” territory. Others noted how no one blinked when country music flirted with pop for years—but the moment Beyoncé dominates, the Academy suddenly rediscovers genre purity. Because let’s be honest: Cowboy Carter wasn’t just an album—it was a movement. It pulled dusty corners of country into the light, reclaimed Black influence in a whitewashed genre, and still had time to serve looks, lyrics, and a historical reset. So, is the category split progress or preservation? Evolution or exclusion? A long-overdue update or a cleverly veiled reaction? Maybe it’s all of the above. But as one viral tweet so perfectly put it: “Rules always change when Black people start breaking in.”
Wizkid Did Not Come to Play at Chanel’s Tribeca Artists Dinner
A Chanel dinner in NYC. A documentary premiere. And Wizkid in the mix like it’s second nature. Fresh off the premiere of Wizkid: Long Live Lagos at the Tribeca Film Festival, the star showed up to the 18th annual Tribeca Festival Artists Dinner hosted by Chanel—because apparently, being a global music icon wasn’t enough for the week. Now he’s adding Chanel-approved dinner guest to the list. The soirée, which brings together award-winning filmmakers and the artists who created original works for the festival, was packed with Hollywood’s finest. Blake Lively was there. Robert De Niro? Of course. Jon Hamm, Whitney Peak, Anna Osceola—and Wizkid, who pulled up like he belonged (because he did). Let’s not forget the real moment: Wizkid: Long Live Lagos isn’t just a music documentary. It’s a love letter to his city, his sound, and the story behind the stardom. With appearances from Femi Kuti, Julie Adenuga, and Jada P, the film traces how a kid from Surulere became a legend with stadiums on his checklist and Lagos in his lyrics. The Chanel dinner was a fitting follow-up—culture meeting couture, and Wizkid sitting right where he should be: in the heart of it. Credit: Wizkid/Instagram
Justin Bieber Posts Shirtless Selfies and Emotional Notes About Forgiveness—Plus a Rare Glimpse of Baby Jack Blues
If you’ve been anywhere near Instagram lately, you might’ve noticed Justin Bieber is back in his feels—and this time, there’s a baby involved. On Wednesday, 11 June, the pop star posted a raw black-and-white selfie on his Stories with the quiet but heavy declaration: “The secret to life is forgiveness.” The image was soundtracked by “Forever” by The Little Dipper—a dreamy, melancholic touch that somehow made it feel even more personal. But that was only the beginning. What followed was a six-photo carousel of blurred, broody selfies—some shirtless, some pensive, all oozing that very specific kind of mid-20s existentialism we’ve come to expect from Bieber. Mixed into the soft-focus haze was something much rarer: a sweet, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it glimpse of his 9-month-old son, Jack Blues Bieber, cuddled close in a moment that felt almost too tender for the timeline. This new wave of Bieber introspection arrives on the heels of a series of cryptic posts about love, trust, and authenticity. “If I have to do something to be loved, that’s not love,” he recently wrote, in what many are interpreting as a subtle takedown of the transactional nature of fame—and maybe even fame-adjacent relationships. Since renewing his vows with Hailey Bieber in 2024 and stepping into his new role as a dad, Justin seems to be entering what we’ll lovingly call his Dad and Sad Era™—a chapter defined by emotional honesty, filtered selfies, and a whole lot of soul-searching about what it means to be loved for who you are. He’s not always clear. But he is vulnerable. And on Instagram these days, that might just be the clearest form of connection we get.
Sabrina Carpenter Drops “Man’s Best Friend” Album News With a NSFW Twist—Yes, That’s the Actual Cover
If you thought Sabrina Carpenter was done playing with double meanings and dominance metaphors—think again. The GRAMMY-winning pop provocateur just announced her next album, Man’s Best Friend, and the internet has not taken a collective breath since. Set to drop on August 29, the album will feature nine explicit tracks—including her latest single, “Manchild,” which has already begun clawing its way up Billboard’s Hot 100 like it’s got something to prove. (Spoiler: It does.) In just under a week, “Manchild” has fans quoting lyrics, fighting for their lives in the comments, and comparing its rise to Alex Warren’s viral hit “Ordinary.” But nothing has sparked more discourse than the cover. Or should we say—the two covers? Following her Primavera Sound Festival performance in Barcelona, Carpenter posted two photos that broke the internet in half. First: a sultry, hair-pulling glam shot that looks like it belongs in the Louvre—or a very expensive tab on OnlyFans. Second: a close-up of a dog collar reading Man’s Best Friend, worn by an actual dog, naturally. This unhinged one-two punch led fans to speculate which image was the cover. The collar? A decoy. The dog? Just vibes? Turns out, the NSFW shot is the official album cover. Carpenter confirmed it herself on Instagram, because of course she did. She knows exactly what she’s doing—and so does her audience. If the visuals are anything to go by, Man’s Best Friend is shaping up to be equal parts pop performance, gender play, and brat-coded chaos. Brace yourselves. She’s about to go full alpha.
Champagne, Curls & Chic Conversations: Inside Leevenchybrand’s Spain Beauty Hair Workshop
Beauty tips were shared. Champagne was poured. And yes—there were snacks. Leevenchybrand Spain hosted its exclusive Beauty Hair Workshop on June 7th, and if you missed it, we’re here to make you feel just a little jealous. Held in a gorgeously styled venue that looked like Pinterest met Paris, the event was all lush florals, crisp white linens, and signature Leevenchy red-and-white branding that whispered “luxury” instead of shouting it. We love a brand with taste. Guests arrived ready to glow up, and the energy? Impeccable. Think glam meets girl talk, with a few industry pros sprinkled in to keep things elevated. This wasn’t one of those “lecture you into beauty” affairs. It was hands-on, glass-in-hand, conversation-heavy, and stylishly social. People weren’t just learning about hair—they were learning with each other, over bubbly and bite-sized deliciousness. And let’s talk about the food table: a colourful lineup of fresh fruit, dips, veggie sticks, chips, and canapé-style goodness that looked straight off a lifestyle blogger’s feed. Instagrammable? Absolutely. Delicious? No crumbs left to tell the story. As the event wrapped, guests received sleek white goodie bags with black handles—because Leevenchybrand doesn’t just serve looks, they send you home with one too. See pictures below:
Prince William’s Subtle Jab? Royal Quips About Family Drama While Taking Over Harry’s Old Army Role
It’s no secret that the British royal family is full of drama. Just watch a few minutes of The Crown, and it’s enough to clue you into the fact that family tension is just as woven into the fabric of the Royals as tea and corgis. But even though there are always whispers of royal drama, it’s very rare to hear a member of the fam actually comment on it. That’s why all of Prince Harry and Meghan’s yapping on Netflix and in Harry’s memoir was such a revelation. And it’s why it’s a pretty big deal that Prince William may have just referenced some of the drama himself. On June 4, Prince William visited the Army Air Corps in Wattisham, Suffolk, as part of his official role as Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps. It might have been just another day on the royal job if not for the fact that it was pretty much assumed that the title of Colonel-in-Chief was going to go to William’s estranged brother Prince Harry — that is until Harry stepped back from royal duties and moved to California in 2020. Harry trained as an Army Air Corps pilot in 2009, so now that William has this job, he’s in charge of his brother’s former regiment. Kinda awkward, especially since, by all accounts, the brothers don’t talk much these days. William subtly addressed the rift with his brother, or at least how family can be a “mixed bag” during his June 4 visit. Here’s what Prince William had to say about the rift with the Duke of Sussex. What did Prince William say about his fight with Prince Harry? During his June 4 visit to the Army Air Corps, Prince William met with some soldiers. According to the Daily Mail, he asked them, “Is the pace of life good at the moment [?],” and one soldier responded it was “a mixed bag.” In response to that, William said, “Families okay? See you enough? Some of them might not want to see you that much. It’s a mixed bag sometimes.” He may have been joking, but the comment seems a little pointed and like he could be speaking from experience. Perhaps William was referring to the brother who didn’t want to see him so much he moved halfway around the world. The princes were reportedly last in the same place when they both attended their uncle Robert Fellowes’ memorial service in England in August 2024, but they didn’t cross paths while there. It might be a while before we see these two interact again.
David Beckham to Be Knighted by King Charles in Prestigious Ceremony
It’s official: Beckham is going Bridgerton. After years of whispers, eye-roll-inducing delays, and an OBE that felt like a mere appetizer, David Beckham is finally being knighted by King Charles III. Yes, the football legend-slash-global heartthrob-slash-Posh Spice’s eternal accessory will soon be known as Sir David Beckham. The announcement comes as part of King Charles’ 2025 Birthday Honours list, where Beckham is being recognized for his decades-long football career, global philanthropy, and something the monarchy’s PR team calls “contributions to British society.” (We’d argue the Armani ads alone qualify.) And while he’s getting knighted, Victoria Beckham won’t be Dame’d just yet. As tradition goes, the wife of a knight becomes a Lady, which means—brace yourselves—Lady Victoria Beckham is officially a thing. Someone call Shonda Rhimes. We smell a Spice Girls x Bridgerton crossover and it reeks of tiaras, scandals, and dangerously high heels. To be clear, this title upgrade has been a long time coming. Beckham received his OBE back in 2003 and was first nominated for knighthood in 2011. But after some bureaucratic back-and-forth (and those leaked emails, remember?), the monarchy is finally putting some respect on his name. Or rather, “Sir.” It also helps that David has grown chummy with the King. In 2024, he was named an ambassador for The King’s Foundation, supporting projects tied to education, health, and sustainability. Apparently, they bonded over their shared passion for community impact—and now Charles is taking things a little further by bestowing one of the highest royal honors available to commoners with great abs. Whether or not this signals the Beckhams’ official entrance into aristocratic society is unclear. But if nothing else, it gives The Crown writers some juicy post-season six material. In the meantime, we’ll be brushing up on our curtsies. Sir David and Lady Victoria? It just rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it?