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Olivia Dean is our Best New Artist, and I can scarcely believe how right the Grammys got it. In this episode of Queen Things, I’m still sitting with the joy of watching Olivia Dean win—her voice, her ease, her stage presence, and that unmistakable feeling that we’re witnessing the start of something truly special.  From there, we’ve got a full pop-culture rundown. I’m talking Grammys performances that delighted me, confused me, and confirmed some long-held suspicions about who gets praised for doing the least. I also reflect on influencer burnout, the identity wobble that comes with your twenties, when cultural commentary starts to feel less funny and more mean-spirited, and why I’m increasingly intentional about where I draw that line. And because things feel heavy right now, I share a few small but meaningful moments that have given me hope lately. Subscribe for monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/c/queenthingspod https://queenthings.substack.com/ Join the conversation: TikTok -@queenthingspod⁠,⁠ @iam_kjmiller⁠ YouTube - www.youtube.com/@iamkjmiller IG:⁠@kjmiller References: Olivia Dean Performing in 2020: https://www.tiktok.com/@barney3000/video/7602310010172984598?_r=1&_t=ZT-93cXKDAsPr3 Mikayla’s Post: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikaylanogueira/video/7600829055474142477?_r=1&_t=ZT-93cXK3wbe7a Real Housewives of Potomac: https://www.bravotv.com/the-real-housewives-of-potomac Aubrielle Smith’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aubriellesmithh/video/7602106196337626382?_r=1&_t=ZT-93cXI4s4plW Protest at Ohio State: https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2026/01/22/three-people-arrested-while-protesting-customs-and-border-patrol-recruiters-at-ohio-state-university/ The Kelly Clarkson Show’s Final Season: https://people.com/the-kelly-clarkson-show-ending-after-seven-seasons-11898089 KJ’s Top Three Kellyoke Performances: Happier Than Ever: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8b4cRb6Hl4 All By Myself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ao5DdGmOfzk&list=RDAo5DdGmOfzk&start_radio=1 7 Rings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptTiZpCnREY

This was supposed to be a chill listen. Instead, Olivia Dean’s The Art of Loving absolutely leveled me. In this bonus episode, I press play on the album for the very first time—snowed in, wig on, emotionally fragile—and talk through what it means to hear someone articulate love, heartbreak, growth, and self-trust with this much clarity at 26 years old. From bell hooks references in the intro to songs that feel like a breakup before the breakup, to a final track that left me fully undone… this album is tight, intentional, and quietly devastating. Headphones recommended. Feelings unavoidable. Take my survey here! https://forms.gle/yf5XvCUGyDn9tYUZ7 Subscribe for monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/c/queenthingspod https://queenthings.substack.com/ Join the conversation: TikTok -@queenthingspod⁠,⁠ @iam_kjmiller⁠ YouTube - www.youtube.com/@iamkjmiller IG:⁠@kjmiller References: The Art of Loving - Olivia Dean: https://open.spotify.com/album/0l8zYqoUeBYg47Gmevq9HZ?si=CKhDefgfQa6f0JQqGuvebA Olivia Dean on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olivia_Dean Olivia Dean on “Lady Lady” in Euphoria Magazine: https://www.euphoriazine.com/blog/2025/07/music/tracks-olivia-dean-lady-lady/

The Blake Lively / Taylor Swift text messages have been unsealed, and the internet has gone mad with "Taylor Swift is Over" rhetoric. But is she? And what do these texts *actually* reveal? I'm giving you something other creators won't...CONTEXT. Let's dive in, shall we? Take my survey here! https://forms.gle/yf5XvCUGyDn9tYUZ7 Subscribe for monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/c/queenthingspod https://queenthings.substack.com/ Join the conversation: TikTok -@queenthingspod⁠,⁠ @iam_kjmiller⁠ YouTube - www.youtube.com/@iamkjmiller IG:⁠@kjmiller References: Link to text messages here - https://annabower.substack.com/p/i-read-taylor-swifts-texts-to-blake Missing April 26th texts here - https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.634304/gov.uscourts.nysd.634304.1255.1.pdf 

I’m bald. And I want to talk about it. In this episode, I share what led me to shave my head after being diagnosed with alopecia areata — the grief, the relief, the fear, and the complicated feelings that come with seeing yourself differently in the mirror. We talk about identity, femininity, beauty standards, and what it means to navigate a very visible change as a woman who’s both deeply private and publicly online. I don’t have clean answers, just honesty about where I am, what I’m wrestling with, and how I’m learning to exist in this new version of myself. It’s gonna be raw, reflective, (hopefully) a little funny, and very human. Thanks for being here with me. Take my survey here! https://forms.gle/yf5XvCUGyDn9tYUZ7 Subscribe for monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/c/queenthingspod https://queenthings.substack.com/ Join the conversation: TikTok -@queenthingspod⁠,⁠ @iam_kjmiller⁠ YouTube - www.youtube.com/@iamkjmiller IG:⁠@kjmiller References: My TikTok on my decision to go bald: https://www.tiktok.com/@iam_kjmiller/video/7594273260175461645 The Anti-Cosmetic Surgery Essay Every Woman Should Read: https://fatherkarine.substack.com/p/the-anti-cosmetic-surgery-essay-every?r=48x4lz&utm_medium=ios&shareImageVariant=overlay&triedRedirect=true My IG Post on Using Soap: https://www.instagram.com/p/DTYrTOUkn8r/

What began as an off-the-cuff observation turned into a full-blown conversation after listeners weighed in on the differences between Beyoncé’s Renaissance film and Taylor Swift’s End of an Era. In this episode, I unpack your comments and explore what might actually be driving the contrast — race, leadership style, perfectionism, collaboration, narrative choices, or something deeper. This isn’t about competition. It’s about power, perception, and how different women are allowed to move through the world — and be believed when they do. Let’s talk about it. Also!  I want to know more about you. If you have a few minutes, take the listener survey below and tell me where you’re listening from, what you want more of, and what conversations you want this show to explore next. Take my survey here! https://forms.gle/yf5XvCUGyDn9tYUZ7 Subscribe for monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/c/queenthingspod https://queenthings.substack.com/ Join the conversation: TikTok -@queenthingspod⁠,⁠ @iam_kjmiller⁠ YouTube - www.youtube.com/@iamkjmiller IG:⁠@kjmiller References: The Art of Loving - Album by Olivia Dean: https://open.spotify.com/album/0l8zYqoUeBYg47Gmevq9HZ?si=0Liwb4fUQBKtPHnHq2Op1Q My TikTok on End of an Era vs. the Renaissance Documentary: https://www.tiktok.com/@iam_kjmiller/video/7591937416143850765 Taylor’s End of an Era Docuseries: https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-a948a435-fdcc-4cbe-b699-85dd62fec60b Beyoncé’s Renaissance Documentary: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance:_A_Film_by_Beyonc%C3%A9 Ashley Tisdale’s Article from The Cut: https://www.thecut.com/article/ashley-tisdale-french-mom-group-mean-girls-parenting.html @erica_mags TikTok about the article: https://www.tiktok.com/@erica_mags/video/7590906583794732319?lang=en Girl Get Up feat. SZA: https://open.spotify.com/track/2igNvPf7RLTZG688Mx8GtU?si=5dd8d1fe96454392

Happy New Year! Beyoncé is officially a billionaire—and the internet is losing its mind. I’m unpacking whether that milestone deserves celebration, side-eying the billionaire discourse, revisiting Taylor Swift’s End of an Era, and making bold pop culture predictions for 2026. Plus: Black News, celebrity MAGA turns, and some big personal announcements. Subscribe for monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/c/queenthingspod https://queenthings.substack.com/ Join the conversation: TikTok -@queenthingspod⁠,⁠ @iam_kjmiller⁠ YouTube - www.youtube.com/@iamkjmiller IG:⁠@kjmiller References: Taylor’s End of an Era Docuseries:https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-a948a435-fdcc-4cbe-b699-85dd62fec60b Beyoncé’s Renaissance Documentary: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance:_A_Film_by_Beyonc%C3%A9 Beyoncé Is Now a Billionaire: https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattcraig/2025/12/23/beyonce-is-now-a-billionaire/ 2026 Met Gala Hosts: https://www.vogue.com/article/beyonce-nicole-kidman-venus-williams-anna-wintour-2026-met-gala NickI Minaj and MAGA: https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/22/entertainment/nicki-minaj-donald-trump-fan All of Erica Manganelli’s Platforms: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@erica_mags IG: https://www.instagram.com/ericamags/ YouTube: ​​https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealEricaMags

In this December bonus teaser, I’m kicking things off with some housekeeping — including when Queen Things returns for Season 4. Then we dive straight into one of the most interesting conversations I’ve seen in pop culture lately: Charlie XCX’s Substack essay on the “realities” of being a pop star, and Swiftologist’s take on why pop doesn’t make icons anymore. From authenticity to escapism, parasocial closeness to moral responsibility, I’m breaking down what we actually expect from the artists we love, and what happens when relatability becomes the whole brand. It’s messy, it’s nuanced, and yes, I have thoughts. If you want the full episode — including my take on the Taylor/Trump discourse, Jaclyn Hill, DEI backlash, and this week’s Black News — become a Queen Things subscriber on Apple Podcasts, Patreon, or Substack. See you inside. Subscribe for monthly bonus episodes: https://queenthings.substack.com/ Join the conversation: TikTok -@queenthingspod⁠,⁠ @iam_kjmiller⁠ YouTube - www.youtube.com/@iamkjmiller IG:⁠@kjmiller References: Charlie XCX’s article: https://itscharlibb.substack.com/p/the-realities-of-being-a-pop-star The Swiftologist’s take on pop stardom: https://youtu.be/QvOjSFqVD2Q?si=tojZiHMxhg-4VmA9

In this December bonus episode, I’m asking one big question: Is relatability ruining pop? From Charli XCX’s Substack essay to Swiftologist’s breakdown of why pop stars aren’t giving us fantasy anymore, we dig into how the demand for “authenticity” is reshaping the entire genre. Plus: Taylor’s disappointing silence, Jaclyn Hill vs. the algorithm, a DEI debate with real consequences, and Beyoncé giving notes like only she can. It’s the final bonus episode before Queen Things returns — thank you for being a subscriber, and see you in the new year. Subscribe for monthly bonus episodes: https://queenthings.substack.com/ Join the conversation: TikTok -@queenthingspod⁠,⁠ @iam_kjmiller⁠ YouTube - www.youtube.com/@iamkjmiller IG:⁠@kjmiller References: Charlie XCX’s article: https://itscharlibb.substack.com/p/the-realities-of-being-a-pop-star The Swiftologist’s take on pop stardom: https://youtu.be/QvOjSFqVD2Q?si=tojZiHMxhg-4VmA9 @asian_soph’s TikTok on DEI: https://www.tiktok.com/@asian_soph/video/7580698868384288031?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7564432216270325261 Jaclyn Hill’s TikTok on Content Creation: https://www.tiktok.com/@jacattack/video/7579768517428366622?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7564432216270325261 Beyoncé and Brandy: https://www.theroot.com/breaking-down-beyonc-brandy-and-ray-js-social-media-d-2000077398 Michelle Williams Talking about Beyoncé’s Notes on Kelly’s Show: https://x.com/beyoncepress/status/1997379423230713961?s=20 Madeline (@say_qis) Talking about Asian Grocery Stores: https://www.tiktok.com/@say_qis/video/7546343858146118926?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7564432216270325261

Here’s a taste of my November bonus episode! In this teaser, I’m breaking down everything I loved (and didn’t) about Wicked: For Good: Cynthia Erivo’s show-stopping vocals, Ariana Grande’s glow-up, why some critics are reaching, and why Michelle Yeoh absolutely made sense in her role. The full episode goes way deeper, so if you want it all, unlock the bonus feed on Apple Podcasts, Patreon, or Substack! Subscribe for monthly bonus episodes: https://queenthings.substack.com/ Join the conversation: TikTok - @queenthingspod⁠,⁠ @iam_kjmiller⁠ YouTube - www.youtube.com/@iamkjmiller IG - @kjmiller References: ‘Wicked: For Good’: This All Could’ve Been Just One Good Movie: https://www.npr.org/2025/11/20/nx-s1-5612585/wicked-for-good-review-ariana-grande-cynthia-erivo

Welcome to your November bonus episode! This one’s got the full range — theater nerd realness, cultural analysis, and a very personal update I’m not sharing anywhere else. I start with my Wicked: For Good review (Cynthia Erivo’s “No Good Deed” has me ready to cuss her out in the street — respectfully), why the mixed reviews don’t land for me, and what Ariana Grande brought to Glinda that the stage show never could. Then I pivot into something deeper: a Cosmo article about the “female loneliness epidemic” that hit me harder than expected… and what friendship actually looks like at 39 when you’re the Type-A planner friend who keeps the group chat alive. And finally — because I want the bonus community to actually feel like a community — I share a personal update I’m not ready to talk about publicly, but that I know some of you might deeply understand. If you’re here for honesty, humor, and a little heart? This one’s for you. Subscribe for monthly bonus episodes and more: https://queenthings.substack.com/ Join the conversation: TikTok -@queenthingspod⁠,⁠ @iam_kjmiller⁠ YouTube - www.youtube.com/@iamkjmiller IG:⁠@kjmiller References: ‘Wicked: For Good’: This All Could’ve Been Just One Good Movie: https://www.npr.org/2025/11/20/nx-s1-5612585/wicked-for-good-review-ariana-grande-cynthia-erivo Does Anyone Care That Young Women Are Just as Lonely as Men Are?: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/relationships/a65554960/loneliness-women-mankeeping-female-friendship/

In this bonus Queen Things episode, I’m breaking down some of our best listener comments and exploring what they reveal about Taylor’s love of love, her lifelong grudges, and her reputation as pop’s “Capitalist-in-Chief.” From fan theories about “The Fate of Ophelia” to debates about her silence on social issues, I unpack why none of this surprises me—and why that’s exactly the point. Plus, a little Black News to close us out! Subscribe for monthly bonus episodes: https://patreon.com/2Queens2Crowns Join the conversation: TikTok -⁠@2queens2crowns⁠,⁠@iam_kjmiller⁠, @leta_bitchknow⁠ YouTube -⁠2 Queens 2 Crowns⁠ IG:⁠@kjmiller, ⁠⁠@letabknow  References: KJ’s YouTube Video, Taylor Swift is Exactly Who You Think She Is: https://youtu.be/vkChF5VO2yE?si=NmX4TcCTSAJ1KkZz Doechii’s Live From The Swamp Tour: https://www.livefromtheswamp.com/

It’s the Two Queens, Two Crowns season finale! We’re wrapping up the season by reading your comments on the “Life of a Showgirl” episode—talking Taylor Swift’s album discourse, the lightning bolt necklace drama, and the fine line between critique and conspiracy. Then it’s a full Black News roundup: Tyra Banks’s hot ice cream empire (yes, really), the Kehlani “Folded” challenge taking all the way over, and Rolling Stone’s top 250 songs of the 21st century (Missy Elliott at #1—we salute you!). Stay tuned for bonus episodes while we recharge for Season 4! Subscribe for monthly bonus episodes: https://patreon.com/2Queens2Crowns Join the conversation: TikTok -⁠@2queens2crowns⁠,⁠@iam_kjmiller⁠, @leta_bitchknow⁠ YouTube -⁠2 Queens 2 Crowns⁠ IG:⁠@kjmiller, ⁠⁠@letabknow  References: @justwaynecreative’s post about Taylor’s album being racially coded: https://www.tiktok.com/@justwaynecreative/video/7560093884991212855 Kylie’s new song: https://www.eonline.com/news/1423784/kylie-jenners-music-debut-fourth-strike-with-terror-jr Charlie XCX on SNL: https://people.com/charli-xcx-crashes-role-model-saturday-night-live-performance-change-11828701 Tyra Banks’ Hot Ice Cream: https://www.dailydot.com/entertainment/tyra-banks-hot-ice-cream/ Kehlani’s Folded: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFMYx1TibeQ Some of the Folded Remixes: https://www.vibe.com/lists/kehlani-folded-challenge-best-of-brandy-toni-braxton/ Rolling Stone’s 250 Greatest Songs of the 21st Century So Far: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-songs-of-the-21st-century-1235410452/

Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl is breaking records, confusing critics, and sending the internet spiraling.  We’re breaking down the tracks we love, unpacking the backlash (is she really a “trad wife”?), and enjoying this escape from reality. Subscribe for monthly bonus episodes: https://patreon.com/2Queens2Crowns Join the conversation: TikTok -⁠@2queens2crowns⁠,⁠@iam_kjmiller⁠, @leta_bitchknow⁠ YouTube -⁠2 Queens 2 Crowns⁠ IG:⁠@kjmiller, ⁠⁠@letabknow  References: The Life of A Showgirl: https://open.spotify.com/album/5HyZy1hYpNTiCLRRy4PeNc?si=A3Me4-qSTSaXxq_bqc1bKQ Taylor Swift’s Zane Lowe Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUZ9T-hstUI Taylor’s Jimmy Fallon Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qDW_ZKpvxI Caro Burke’s Take on TLOAS: https://www.tiktok.com/@caroclaireburkeee/video/7557727721527250190?q=caro%20burke&t=1759944113969

This week on Two Queens, Two Crowns, we get into Cardi B’s big album debut and the messy back-and-forth with Nicki Minaj that lit up social media.  We also celebrate Selena Gomez tying the knot with Benny Blanco (and unpack the side-eye from Justin Bieber’s posts).  Plus, we ponder the trending question: why do the pop charts feel so boring right now, even with big names dropping music?   And for Black News, Erica brings us joy with the return of Reading Rainbow—with a new Black host carrying the torch. Subscribe for monthly bonus episodes: https://patreon.com/2Queens2Crowns Join the conversation: TikTok -⁠@2queens2crowns⁠,⁠@iam_kjmiller⁠, @leta_bitchknow⁠ YouTube -⁠2 Queens 2 Crowns⁠ IG:⁠@kjmiller, ⁠⁠@letabknow  References: Cardi’s #1 album: https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/cardi-b-am-i-the-drama-numer-one-billboard-200-chart-1236077406/ Cardi vs. Nicki: https://pagesix.com/2025/09/30/entertainment/cardi-b-nicki-minaj-trade-barbs-in-another-explosive-social-media-war-missed-me/ Selena’s Wedding: https://pagesix.com/2025/09/28/celebrity-news/benny-blanco-shares-behind-the-scenes-photos-of-lavish-wedding-to-disney-princess-selena-gomez/ Selena’s mom responds to rumors: https://www.eonline.com/news/1423103/selena-gomez-benny-blanco-married-mom-mandy-teefey-reacts Selena’s Wedding Planners: https://pagesix.com/2025/09/28/celebrity-news/selena-gomez-and-benny-blanco-hire-same-wedding-planners-as-justin-and-hailey-bieber/ Justin’s carousel: https://pagesix.com/2025/09/28/celebrity-news/fans-troll-justin-bieber-over-cryptic-post-about-marriage-as-ex-selena-gomez-weds-benny-blanco/ Sam Murphy’s TikTok on pop music today: https://www.tiktok.com/@popsamcam/video/7555567238368087327?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7517361012459193886 Reading Rainbow’s return: https://www.today.com/popculture/tv/reading-rainbow-new-host-mychal-the-librarian-rcna234638

In this bonus episode deep-dive, we unpack why Cardi’s Am I The Drama? is hitting—from instant faves (“Hello,” “What’s Going On” with Lizzo, “Pick It Up” with Selena) to the precision diss tracks. We map the beef timeline for JT, BIA, and a few choice bars for Nicki, break down the sharpest lines, and talk the old-school rollout and why we think this album has Grammy written all over it. Then in Black News, we get into the Crissle-vs-Cardi pregnancy/tour discourse and Cardi’s response—real talk about timing, motherhood, and what stability looks like on the road. We’ve got our takes, we’ve got the receipts, and—per usual—plenty of laughs along the way. Subscribe for monthly bonus episodes: https://patreon.com/2Queens2Crowns Join the conversation: TikTok -⁠@2queens2crowns⁠,⁠@iam_kjmiller⁠, @leta_bitchknow⁠ YouTube -⁠2 Queens 2 Crowns⁠ IG:⁠@kjmiller, ⁠⁠@letabknow References: Cardi B’s Am I The Drama?: https://open.spotify.com/album/1LsNb6mVitbLZCxnRsbCDJ Twerk - City Girls and Cardi B: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QryoOF5jEbc KJ’s TikTok Review of the Album: https://www.tiktok.com/@iam_kjmiller/video/7551876376933059895 Wanna Be - Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, and GloRilla: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1_wJJh2GWA The Read Discusses Cardi B: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6ZWYaw9I2sbF44kxN8v2oy?si=v9DvYgAPRriddwO_7c3wxw Stefon Diggs’ paternity: https://pagesix.com/2025/09/19/parents/pregnant-cardi-bs-boyfriend-stefon-diggs-seen-leaving-hospital-with-baby-carrier-4-months-prior-to-paternity-suit/ https://www.eonline.com/news/1422861/pregnant-cardi-b-on-stefon-diggs-paternity-drama Cardi B’s Twitter Spaces Response to Crissle: https://x.com/sheisit/status/1969785090814496866