The Weekly Screenshot - 9/27

THIS WEEK IN HOT GEN Z TRENDS: GRAB THE POPCORN??

September 27, 2022?

We’re sharing the biggest trends in Gen Z’s world this week. Want these trends sent directly to your inbox? Sign up for The Screenshot, our weekly Gen Z insights newsletter.?

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The “Don’t Worry Darling” production has been an adventure, to say the least. The psychological thriller, directed by Olivia Wilde and featuring the likes of Harry Styles, Florence Pugh, Gemma Chan, Chris Pine, and Nick Kroll, was expected to be a hit. However, more and more drama has unfolded from the set. In September of 2020, Styles replaced Shia LaBeouf, as the latter was facing accusations of sexual harassment and emotional abuse from FKA twigs, as well as poor behavior to other cast members. Since then, “Don’t Worry Darling” has endured beef between Pugh and Wilde, Styles (allegedly) spitting on Pine and (definitely) kissing Kroll, Pugh refusing to promote the movie in person or on her socials, and recently-divorced Wilde and Styles becoming a couple. After debuting on September 23, the movie has been subject to both criticism and love. Though it currently has a 36% on Rotten Tomatoes and is negatively viewed by critics, fans of Pugh and Styles, as well as typical moviegoers, have enjoyed the movie thus far. @Loverrycore on Twitter posted, “‘Don’t Worry Darling’ is actually so good when you don’t have [someone] in your ear telling you it isn’t,” and this sentiment seems to be similar in most non-critic viewers. Staying drama-free, Kroll and Sydney Chandler joked about being a supporting actor on his TikTok. The rest of the cast could take some notes.?

Happy Hawaiian History Month! To recognize the month, the Screenshot is bringing you five Hawaiian Gen Zers to know.?

1. Melemaikalani Makalapua (@melemaikalanimakalapua on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube) is a 20-year-old living in Northern California. Her content focuses on Hawaiian culture and #LandBack. Melemaikalani is a professional hula and ‘Ori Tahiti dancer and offers classes to her followers. Check her out to learn more about Hawai’i!?
2. Lehuauakea (@_lehuauakea_ on Instagram) is a 26-year-old queer artist. They create art with ingredients from nature. Lehuauakea identifies as māhūwahine, Hawai’i’s third gender. They were featured in the New York Times for their work and partnered with the Human Rights Campaign for AAPIHPI Heritage Month. Visit their website to see more!?
3. Timothy (@timothy.burke on Instagram and TikTok) is a Hawaiian living in Colorado whose goal is to “spread aloha.” He makes funny videos about different shakas, Hawaiian flirting, and living on the mainland. Timothy also uses @humblebroke to help others budget and learn about finances. Follow him for a laugh!?
4. Lilinoe (@lilino.e on Instagram and TikTok) is an intersex Hawaiian and Sicangu Lakota environmental activist. Her posts center around her experience as an Indigenous person and decolonization. Lilinoe is also writing a book. Check out her life on either platform!?
5. Tama (@tamatcha18 on Instagram and TikTok and “It’s Tama” on YouTube) is a 22-year-old asexual filmmaker. They are in the process of making a film. Tama uses her platform to talk about asexual and Hawai’ian identities. He also teaches. Follow Tama to see all this and more!?

Four years after Greta Thunberg began striking for climate justice, Gen Z is back in the streets to demand more from companies and governments. According to Fridays for Future, the September 23 strike is centered around #PeopleNotProfit and Loss and Damage. The latter acknowledges the disproportionate impact of environmental damage on colonized countries and influence of imperialist nations in accelerating this destruction. In other words: the countries causing climate change are not the ones dealing with it. Thus, activists are calling on these extremely wealthy bodies to pay for the damage they’re causing. To see photos from strikes around the world, check out Friday for Future’s Twitter. At the UN General Assembly this week, Secretary-General António Guterres called for Loss and Damage provisions and fired at Big Oil for “feasting on hundreds of billions of dollars in subsidies and windfall profits while household budgets shrink and our planet burns." The clock is approaching midnight to combat ecological devastation, and conglomerates and Global North countries must acknowledge the millions who’ve protested and ensure comprehensive climate provisions.?

Similar story, different islands. Gen Z is reigniting the discussion over the liberation of Puerto Rico and Hawai’i by using social media. Tourism in Hawai’i has been a topic of debate, especially during the height of the pandemic, as reckless travelers destroyed natural infrastructure and disrespected COVID guidelines. In June of 2021, the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization approved a draft resolution calling on the US to remove its influence on Puerto Rico. Accounts like @ethio_rican and @ainamomona use their platforms to catalyze Zoomers to organize around decolonization. The rise of social media has allowed younger people to learn an intersectional history education, beyond what’s told in white-washed school textbooks. Only ? of universities in the UK report decolonizing their education, and the number is similarly drastic in the US. The hashtag #decolonize has over 165 million views on TikTok, full of users speaking on generational trauma, donning cultural attire, and calling out racism and colonial mindsets. It’s pivotal that Kānaka Maoli and Boricua, as well as other exploited ethnic groups worldwide, receive liberation and full decolonization.?

Gen Z adores you, Harry Styles! After performing at Madison Square Garden for 15 consecutive days under “Harry’s House,” Styles sold out every show. He performed between August 20 and September 21, with breaks for other performers, festivals, and awards shows. To commemorate the record-breaking achievement, Gayle King presented Styles with an MSG banner — one of three, along with Elton John and Phish. Of course, the internet could not get enough of Styles the past month. The hashtag #LoveOnTour has 4.7 billion views on TikTok, and #MSGisHarrysHouse, one of the concert series’ slogans, has 29.2 million. On his last night, Styles gave feather boas to all of the attendees. He worked with non-profits Everytown and HeadCount to raise over $1 million for gun violence prevention and register hundreds of voters. All this to say: we don’t want to say goodnight to Harry’s House!?

? IYKYK ?

? Proud of your company’s journey? Document how far you’ve come on TikTok or Reels with AJR’s World’s Smallest Violin. Check out JUV’s TikTok to see how to use the sound.?

? 2022’s newest offering: the most unexpected collaborations ever! Heinz Ketchup partnered with Fenty for a “ketchup or makeup” kit, as well as a purposely-stained thrift collection with ThredUp called “Vintage Drip” (yes, I’m obsessed with the name). Depop also just released a collaboration with Pop Tarts. Though they may seem strange, we’ve been loving the unconventional creations resulting. Who else is ready for a Gucci x Taki’s collab??

? To jokingly show pride in your cooking, use this capture from “The Bear” on Hulu. @Realityresmy on Twitter jested, “the way this meme has done more promo for ‘The Bear’ than Hulu has.” Throw on an apron and get ready to go viral!?

Screenshot of the Week?

JUV’s Director of Brand was as confused as all of Gen Z trying to decode the Olivia Wilde-Harry Styles potential romance. With “Don’t Worry Darling” and Harry’s House, Styles is living rent-free in our minds right now.?