2011 was a year of both triumph and tragedy; tornadoes and earthquakes in strange places, tsunamis, wars, Bin Laden, Gaddafi and Mubarak's all gone, but this list is not about any of the important things that happened this year. This indulgent and shallow list is of the "Top 11 Biggest Moments in Pop Culture" because frankly, we like to be entertained.
So get ready for the first annual list of moments that rocked the world, had us engaged, disgusted, hopeful and downright irate. Let's begin, shall we?
#11 Planking takes over the world
You've seen the pictures. You've probably participated. The craze of taking a picture laying flat on strange objects and posting them on social networks took over in 2011. There were injuries and even a death, but that did not stop the world and a number of celebrities from making fools of themselves and their children on the Internet. Not everyone should be a parent.
#10 Charlie Sheen goes postal & gets pink slip
Charlie Sheen has never been stable, but this year he went off the deep end and became one of the 15% unemployed in America. President Obama doesn't need this. It all started in January with trashing the Plaza hotel room, dodging rehab, media rants dissing "Two And A Half Men" and its producers, flings with "goddesses," and more coonery eventually contributed to his ousting.
Soon after, in another series of peculiar interviews, he coined the terms, "Tiger Blood," and "Winning," to which T-shirts, buttons and other memorabilia were made. He then joined twitter, went on an ill-received comedy tour and now has a new sitcom premiering on FX next year called Anger Management. Talk about a downgrade.
#9 Katy Perry matches Michael Jackson's record
Pop starlet Katy Perry made history by tying Michael Jackson's record of 5 #1's from a single album and being the only female artist to ever achieve the feat. Granted, her accomplishments weren't met without their share of criticism, due to the price slashing and last minute remixes which helped catapult her into the number #1 position, but she still deserves recognition. If only a remix and discount could fix her marriage.
#8 When turning a ho into housewife goes wrong
We all knew it wouldn't last. The writing was on the wall as if it were 1999 and I was Beyonce. Kim Kardashian and basketball player Kris Humphries became engaged after dating 6 months and after 72 days of marriage, divorce papers were filed citing "irreconcilable differences. Humphries is trying to get the marriage annulled, due to fraud. He knew who she was when he married and and still decided to partake in the staged $10 million dollar wedding. No sympathy here.
#7 It's over! Don't call, text, BBM, call my Mama or come to my job
A number of high-profile relationships came to an end this year, including Kobe & Vanessa Bryant, Ashton Kutcher & Demi Moore, Bishop Eddie Long and Vanessa Long, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shiver and more. The common reason? Cheating husbands.
#6 Those we lost
2011 was filled with much sadness as we lost a Hollywood Queen, a Hip-Hop icon, a pioneer and visionary, one of R&B's soul diva and a UK singer/ songwriter whose music and voice resonated with all generations.
Elizabeth Taylor, at the age of 79 passed away from heart failure. She was one of the last of Hollywood's golden era and her legacy of class, sophistication, philanthropy and many classic films will forever live on.
He was on his way towards a comeback and had just performed on stage for the first time in 15 years, and suddenly, in the blink of an eye, he was gone. Rap legend Heavy D, who helped usher is a new era of music (New Jack Swing) is remembered for his stage presence, and being an overall lovable, positive, giving and charismatic individual. Elements all represented in his music. Heavy D passed away suddenly at the age of 44 from a blood clot.
The inspiring innovator that changed the world today as we know it, Steve Jobs passed away after an ongoing battle with cancer. Jobs has changed the way we communicate, we work, we live and in many ways we don't even realize yet. RIP to a forward thinking pioneer in technology.
We knew might happen, but hoped it wouldn't. UK Grammy Award winner Amy Winehouse was unable to overcome her problems with substance abuse and passed away due to alcohol poisoning at the age of 27. Winehouse in her short recording career produced some of the most honest, insightful and timeless music ever.
R&B legend Vesta Williams was the under-appreciated heart and soul of a genre, who is remembered not just for her amazing vocal ability, but more so for the amazing human being that she was. At the age of 53, an enlarged heart caused her death, but her personality, kindness, beauty and talent will never be forgotten.
#5 Hats on hats on hats as a Prince Is Married
The First Missionary Baptist Methodist Episcopal Church of God in Christ members ain't got nothing on on the hats of the Royal family and friends. Prince William married Kate Middleton in a lavish spectacle watched by over 700 million people worldwide. Many of us remember when Princess Diana passed away and have watched her two boys grow into men. This wedding would have made her proud.
#4 GUILTY! GUILTY! GUILTY!!
Deuces! Dr. Conrad Murray was found guilty of manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson. Justice was served. The Doctor was also sentenced to the maximum time allowed of 4 years, but with overcrowding and a recent change in California law, Murray will likely only serve two years. Of course, this does not bring the King of Pop back, but it does bring peace to the Jackson family and millions of fans. It also will make other board certified doctors think twice before enabling an addicted celebrity who needs help.
#3 The British invasion
UK Grammy Award Winner Adele slayed all of our souls without effort with her sophomore album 21, which is inching towards 15 million copies being sold worldwide, 5 million of those within the US. No one saw it coming. The release of "Rolling In The Deep" in February brought success and fame to the singer and number of dreadful covers as well. There are gospel versions, country versions, hell probably a punk rock version somewhere. Although a vocal hemorrhage and corrective surgery has slowed down Adele, her album sales remain consistent.
#2 Oprah says goodbye
Oprah Winfrey, the real Queen of all Media retired from her highly successful daytime talk show, which has been the closest friend to a number of middle aged white women for 25 years. Oprah ended her show in grand fashion in Chicago with some of the BIGGEST stars in the world in attendance. Beyonce, Madonna, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Frankin, Michael Jordan, Will Smith, Tom Cruise and more helped the world's most powerful woman sign off for good.
#1 SHE is with child
A Queen giving birth to one who will bring peace, prosperity and love to all. Reaching? Sure, but who cares, Beyonce is with child!! One of the world's biggest pop stars, who we have watched grow and blossom from one fourth third of Destiny's Child to an iconic megastar became pregnant with her first child with Hip-Hop King, Jay-Z.
We first learned of the pregnancy at the 2011 VMA's as Beyonce walked the red carpet with her hand over her belly. It was officially confirmed during a show- stopping performance of "Love On Top," which ended with Bey dropping the mic, rubbing her belly and Jay-Z rejoicing in the audience. A memorable moment indeed that ultimately became the most tweeted about single event in history per second. BeyMOMce is due at any moment and the world awaits the birth of music royalty.
Honorable mentions:
The cancellation of legendary ABC Soaps "All My Children" and "One Life To Live"
The end of Harry Potter
Rebecca Black's viral video "Friday"
Rihanna drags Ciara on twitter
The launching of Pop Addicts in October
Do you agree with our year end list?
http://popaddicts.com/pop-addicts-pr...lture-of-2011/
