Culture El Gato • Thursday, November 15, 2018 • www.elgatonews.com 13 Taylor Swift evolves from pop star to political spokesperson by Alis Patterson album’s release. To accompany Speak Now, Taylor released a perfume, reports an uncharacteristic registration surge of voters after Swift Media Production Editor Wonderstruck,its name coming from track nine off of the album, made her post in the typical age range of her fans, but will not say it From country star wannabe to international idol, Enchanted. After Speak Now came RED. RED was a little more somber was directly linked to her post. Taylor Swift truly has conquered pop culture. Oct. than her previous albums, featuring a lot of emotional love songs. Her next album is expected to come out in 2019, and needless to say 24 marked the twelve year anniversary of Swift’s first This would be the last country album Swift would create. The album it is highly anticipated. She has already teased that her next album will album release, which was her first step in becoming a was nominated for Album of the Year, but lost. Swift claims that the be incredible. Taylor has truly conquered the music video, in ways beyond country artist. This album paved the way for Swift to morning after she lost the Grammy, she knew her next album would her wildest dreams. She originally only hoped to be a country star, reach the success she now has. She was only sixteen when have to be pop, and it would be called 1989. but she has become a global superstar through her songwriting skills. she recorded the single, Tim McGraw, for the album. Little 1989 was the album that fully launched Taylor Swift into stardom. (Sources: Vox, Apple Music) did she know that she would one day be filling arenas for Her world tour for this album was record breaking, and she won her tours and selling millions of albums. Grammys for Pop Vocal Album and Album of The Year. Taylor Swift began her career as a curly-haired teen On her world tour, she brought out a special guest for who only wanted to pursue country music. Before she every show, usually one of her many famous friends. was signed to Big Machine Records, she used to travel to Throughout this era she did a lot of TV appearances different agencies with her mom and her demo CD in hand, and press for her album, and sales reflected this; the begging each agency simply to listen to the songs. Fast album sold over five million copies. forward to Swift’s second album, Fearless, which not only won Reputation, her next studio album, came Swift her first Grammy, but three other Grammys, including out in 2017, three years after the release of Album of the Year. Fearless produced the iconic singles, You 1989. This was the first album to break Belong With Me and Love Story. People criticised Swift for her two-year release cycle, taking a break having too many co-writers, and said that the success of after some drama with Kanye West. Taylor the album was due to anyone but her. So she did what any described this album as “therapeutic.” sassy teenager would do – she wrote every lyric and note as it explained her relationship with her for her third album, Speak Now. new boyfriend and what her break was like, K. Monsef Speak Now remained in the country realm, but started to producing hit singles such as Delicate and End have notes of pop. It even had a song, Mean, that fought back Game. Most recently, Swift spoke out on her political against all the critics that told her she had no talent. The Speak Now opinions, urging her followers to vote. This broke her famous career- era was very similar to the Fearless era, full of sparkly dresses and long refusal to talk about politics. Her encouragement of her fan’s quick one-liners in songs. Oct. 25 was the eighth anniversary for this participation in politics led to an influx of poll numbers. Vox.com S. Linden Royal baby is on the way Trader Joes offers a plethora of produce by Madeline Pollock the couple can now focus on by Lexi Kupor what may be an otherwise monotonous task. For Culture Editor “their little bump.” Media Production Editor example, brie falls under the name “Trader Jacques,” As the saying goes, “first It has been an event- Grocery shopping: it’s a task we observe start- while the famous mandarin orange chicken is comes love, then comes ful year for Meghan ing from a young age. It begins with sitting in deemed “Trader Ming’s.” marriage, then comes and Harry. On Nov. our mom’s shopping cart, grabbing at random Furthermore, this grocery store phenomenon a baby in a baby car- 17 of last year, the packages on the shelves and being the reason takes each holiday seriously. You can always count riage.” Prince Harry couple went public the employees call for a “clean-up on aisle four.” on their Pumpkin Joe Joe’s, an Oreo parody, to and Duchess Meghan with their relationship Before we know it, the time comes where we must complete your Halloween night, and the Candy Cane Markle of Sussex are as they announced get up from that place of comfort and shop for flavor is sure to satisfy your month-early Christmas following this tune to their engagement. Six ourselves. With such a daunting task at hand, obsession. Looking for an excuse to eat chocolate a T. On Oct. 15, Kens- short months later, the it’s natural that you would have a multitude of every day? Trader Joe’s ornate chocolate advent ington Palace announced couple married on May questions to ask: What kind of milk is best? Does calendars might be the reason you gain that extra that, “Their Royal High- 19 in St. George’s Chapel organic really matter? How much am I willing pound in December, but don’t worry, it’s worth it. nesses The Duke and Duchess at Windsor Castle. to spend on buying myself hipster Whether you’re looking for natu- of Sussex are very pleased to announce that The During a speech in New Zealand, Prince Harry kombucha? However, perhaps the ral ingredients or a quick meal, this Duchess of Sussex is expecting a baby in the Spring referred to their baby as “their little bump,” who most pressing question of all soon grocery store has something for you. of 2019.” The couple’s announcement came right will fall seventh in line to the throne. Although presents itself: Which grocery Trader Joe’s has all the produce you before they embarked on their first royal tour. The the gender has yet to be determined, Prince Harry store do I choose? need, in addition to its wide selec- prince and duchess visited Australia, Tonga, Fiji, admitted that he “hopes it is a girl!” Soon to be Don’t worry. Although it may tion of frozen and premade, but still and New Zealand over the course of 16 days. The grandmother, Doria Ragland, mother of Meghan seem like every Los Gatos grocery delicious dishes that require barely Zika virus has been detected in Fiji and Tonga, Markle, claims she is “very happy about this store is just as organic, natural, any preparation. so before traveling overseas, the duchess sought lovely news.” and trendy as the next, there is It’s a well known fact that you medical advice. During their tour, The one that towers above the rest: shouldn’t shop for groceries on an Starting a family has been a dream of both Duke and Duchess of Sussex Trader Joe’s. empty stomach. However, at Trader Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan. In have received lots of love and From the moment you walk into C. Brezoczky Joe’s, that issue won’t be a nuisance an interview in 2015, Prince Harry congratulations on behalf of this grocery chain’s sliding doors, anymore. Get a sudden craving or strike stated, “Of course I would love to their wedding and baby-to-be it’s obvious that you’ve made the right choice. of hunger? Don’t worry! Just head over to the back have kids right now, but there’s and “have appreciated all of Not only does a plush monkey hang from above of the store and get a free sample made right in a process that one has to go the support they have received the banana display, but you’re welcomed into a front of you. Feeling a little tired? There’s compli- through. Hopefully I’m doing from people around the world friendly and unique environment that Safeway’s mentary coffee available for your own enjoyment. all right by myself. It would be graphics K. Monsef since their wedding in May cold, desolate aisles just can’t give you. Next time you face the age-old struggle of an great to have someone else next and are delighted to be able Of course, the most obvious criteria of a empty fridge, you can rest assured that Trader to me to share the pressure, but to share this happy news with grocery store is its products. Trader Joe’s continu- Joe’s will be there to cross every item off your you know, time will come and the public.” ously goes above and beyond with its selection. list. Whether you’re looking for a friendly staff, whatever happens, happens.” (Sources: Time, USA Today, People, Town Not only do they provide everyday essentials, but unique dishes, delicious free samples, or just some As he and the Duchess of Sussex and Country Magazine, The Guardian, they also sell their own brand with quirky name milk for your morning cereal, Trader Joe’s is the Hagarreturn from their first royal tour,discusses Harper’s Bazaar) new andchanges upcoming and unique packaging to brighten up obviousfall choice. movies by Ashley Hagar disappears into a parallel world. Clara and the soldier named Phillip Rowling’s . As the second installment of the series, People Editor (Jayden Fowora-Knight) travel through the fourth realm together in the film features the adventures of magizoologist, Newt Scamander, as The weather is finally starting to cool off and hope of retrieving the key. Dumbledore sends him on a mission that you’re already craving winter break where you’ll sit Only a week later, the newest rendition of could land his name in textbooks forever. on the couch watching holiday movies with your The Grinch hit screens everywhere. Based on Dr. Ralph Breaks the Internet is set to hot chocolate and peppermint bark. Instead of Seuss’s holiday classic, The Grinch tells the story premiere on Nov. 21. With Gal Gadot waiting for the break, get a head start by watch- K. Monsef of the green grump whose mission is to steal (Shank), Kristen Bell (Anna), Mandy ing one or more of the newest movies during Christmas. After the Whos decide to make this Moore (Rapunzel), John C Reilly (Ralph), your weekend. Christmas three times bigger than years past Idina Menzel (Elsa), and Auli’i Cravalho Just two weeks before Halloween, Goosebumps with bigger and louder celebrations, the Grinch’s (Moana), and other actresses playing 2: Haunted Halloween premiered. This movie fol- desire to ruin Christmas grows greater. See this more princesses, Ralph and Vanellope lows the story of two friends who find a magic movie in theaters to see how Illumination and (Sarah Silverman) travel to the Internet book that brings a ventriloquist’s dummy to life. Universal Pictures tell their version of this through the Wi-Fi router to retrieve a From this, director Ari Sandel’s film earned over animated feature. replacement steering wheel necessary 15 million dollars in the US over its opening Tomorrow, Nov. 16, Instant Family and to fix the Sugar Rush game console that weekend on Oct. 13 and 14. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald broke. On their journey through the On Nov. 2, The Nutcracker and the Four will open to the public in theaters. Starring Internet, Ralph and Vanellope encounter Realms, starring Mackenzie Foy as Clara, hit the- , , , new characters like the Disney Princesses atres nationwide. Directors Lasse Hallström and Joe and more, Instant Family tells the story of a and The Muppets. Johnston created a spin off of the traditional story couple struggling to raise their three newly Make sure to leave time between with a dark side in this version. In this version, Clara adopted children. They quickly learn how to studying for your finals and participating wants a key to a box that holds a gift from her late parent the kids and find themselves falling in your extracurriculars to spend time with mother. However, she must travel through three of in love with their new children to make the your friends or family to see these movies. the four realms: Land of Snowflakes, Land of Flowers, family they dreamed of. Fantastic Beasts: (Sources: Fandango, IMDb, Rotten and Land of Sweets before she gets the key after it The Crimes of Grindelwald is set in J.K. S. Linden Tomatoes, Moviefone)