By SAMMI STEIN
Undeniably, 2014 has been a very eventful year in pop culture. From dumping ice water to highly anticipated celebrity weddings, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram were buzzing throughout the year. Here is the JerEcho‘s list of the top 10 pop culture moments of 2014.
“Frozen” Obsession
Although the popular Disney film was released in November of 2013, fans of “Frozen” are simply not willing to “let it go.” The year’s best-selling DVD and album on iTunes and two-time Oscar winner “Frozen” captured the hearts of children and adults alike. Not only has the film inspired a new trend of baby names, but also “Frozen”-themed wedding dresses, theme park rides, and toys. Click here to read our Frozen Review.
Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon
“The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” premiered on February 17th, and drew 11.3 million viewers on its debut. As the fifth permanent “Tonight Show” host, Fallon had big shoes to fill. However, the hilarious New York native proved himself a successful comedian and late night host through his original comedy sketches, music parodies, and celebrity interviews. Click here to see our review of the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
Sochi Winter Olympics
From the poor conditions at Sochi to the USA’s abundance of victories, the 2014 Winter Olympics attracted much discussion. #SochiProblems quickly became a popular hashtag as journalists and spectators experienced unfinished hotels and less than desirable surroundings. On a better note, the display of athleticism was, as always, extremely commendable. Click here to see our coverage of the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Ellen Selfie
Of all the selfies taken this year, the most talked about one has to be the famous “Ellen Selfie.” Taken at the Oscars, the photo captures a bunch of A-list celebrities including Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Julia Roberts, and Brad Pitt. DeGeneres’s tweet of the picture became the most retweeted tweet of all time.
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West Wedding
Any list of top moments in pop culture would be incomplete without mentioning the ever popular Kardashian family. The reality star and her groom tied the knot at the Forte di Belvedere in Florence, Italy on May 24th. Between the extravagant Givenchy Haute Couture gown and the $400,000 venue, the lavish affair cost a whopping $12 million according to published reports.
ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
From June 1 to Sept. 1, Facebook users shared more than 17 million videos related to the Ice Bucket Challenge, a campaign designed to raise awareness and money for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. A-list celebrities as well as everyday users posted videos of themselves getting dumped on followed by challenges to others to take part. Overall, the ALS association raised over $94 million this year, making the Ice Bucket Challenge an extraordinary success.
Pharrell’s “Happy” Takes Over
Named the most popular song of 2014 by Billboard and Facebook, Pharrell William’s catchy tune gives us both smiles and headaches. The upbeat and clap-happy song has truly been embraced this past year, selling over 12 million copies worldwide. Click here to see how we used “Happy’ in our 2014 lip dub.
Fault in Our Stars
Released on June 6, the contemporary drama based on the bestselling novel by John Green brought audiences all over to tears. The film, starring Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort, follows the love story between two teenagers, Hazel and Gus, who meet at a cancer support group. From the passionate fan base of the book to John Green’s impressive social media presence, it is easy to see how the movie became a large box office success. Click here to see our coverage of the Fault in Our Stars.
World Cup
From June to July, the FIFA World Cup dominated both television and social media. Hosted in Brazil, the international sporting competition broke several national viewing records, highlighting the growing popularity of the event throughout the world. Germany earned its 4th World Cup Champion title, defeating Argentina 1-0 with only seven minutes remaining.
Celebrities We Lost
Unfortunately we lost some of the most renowned celebrities in Hollywood. Among them are comedian Joan Rivers, comedic legend Robin Williams, and Academy Award winner Philip Seymour Hoffman We are still grieving the loss of these iconic individuals. RIP.
