The pop culture events that changed the world

From Rihanna'smaternity outfits to Matt Hancock’s reality TV rehabilitation and the internet chaos of the Depp v Heard trial, Amy Erancombe looks back on every era-defining viral moment

THIS year has been a chaotic — and at times cursed — cultural hellscape. In just 12 months we’ve lived through three prime ministers, the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter, the fifth (or was it sixth?) downfall of Kanye West, and many other internet-busting events. So as we draw towards the end of this year of mayhem, we’ve been reflecting on the truly bonkers and downright revolutionary pop culture moments that have happened since January. Ones that didn’t just trend for a day, but collectively changed us — both for better and for worse.

Rihanna’s maternity fashion, a new era for motherhood 

The year got off to a good start when Rihanna announced she was expecting in the chicest way possible. In true Rhi Rhi fashion, she broke the news with a photoshoot wearing a quilted Chanel jacket that revealed a baby bump adorned with over $20,000 worth of jewellery — and she didn’t stop there. The rest of her pregnancy was a triumph of crop tops, low-slung jeans, belly-grazing jewels, sheer dresses and maximalist coats unbuttoned to reveal her growing belly.

Countless think pieces congratulated the star for her takedown of dowdy maternity wear and for ushering in a cool era for motherhood. In fact, US Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour even honoured Rihanna at the Met Gala with a statue of the pregnant Fenty boss in a red lace Alaïa catsuit from her Vogue cover. “[Pregnancy’s] a long nine to 10 months. You have to enjoy it,” Rihanna told Entertainment Tonight on the Met Gala honour. “Fashion is one of my favourite things, so, you know, we’re defying what it even means to be pregnant and maternal.”