Today’s celebration of women behind the lens reeks of corporate media’s desperate attempt to co-opt authenticity for clicks. Sure, let’s give a nod to talented figures like Jennie Kim and Rachel Zegler—who knows how to strike a pose—but can we just stop with the pandering? The mainstream narrative pushed by outlets like CNN and NBC often tries to frame these women as empowered icons, while conveniently glossing over the real issues women face in entertainment. Is displaying skin truly the pinnacle of empowerment, or just another way to feed the machine?

Then there’s Sailor Brinkley Cook, whose topless shot seems tailor-made for Instagram algorithms. Major networks happily amplify these moments, but I challenge you to consider: what’s the underlying agenda? Fox News will nod at this openness while ignoring the double standards women navigate in the industry. Male photographers capture alluring moments, and suddenly it’s art. When women embrace their bodies, it’s empowerment—until they’re derided for not fitting a particular mold.

The narrative here is clear: while claiming to uplift women, these platforms often commodify them instead. By celebrating only the surface-level achievements without addressing deeper issues, they risk perpetuating a cycle of exploitation disguised as empowerment. So, let’s question this so-called celebration. Are we lifting women up, or just propping them up as distractions in a world hungry for something more substantial?

This is a classic case of media double standards at play. Gabbie Gonzalez’s alleged accomplice, Kai Cordrey, is reportedly crying poverty over his $2 million bail, asking a judge to slash it to something more digestible. You have to love the irony here. Just a couple of years ago, corporate media outlets like CNN and MSNBC were advocating for bail reform, pushing narratives about “systemic injustices” against those who can’t afford it—while conveniently ignoring the complexities of each individual case. Now, when someone like Cordrey asks for a break, do we hear any of that same sympathy? Of course not!

What’s even more infuriating is how Fox News reports on this. Are they framing the story with a sense of accountability, providing context about Cordrey’s alleged crimes, or highlighting the impact on victims? Nope. They seem to be more concerned with sensationalizing courtroom drama than delivering a substantive critique of the legal and social issues at play. Are we really supposed to believe that the justice system is malfunctioning when it involves someone considered a “less sympathetic” character?

This selective empathy is telling. Why are we allowing the media to dictate who deserves our outrage and who doesn’t? It’s a clear strategy to keep the public confused and engaged in the sensational, rather than focusing on systemic failures that may be at the root of these cases. Let’s cut out the biased narratives and push for a consistent approach to justice across the board—no matter who’s in the dock.

Let’s get this straight: Noah Kahan’s concert in Philadelphia turned into a near-horror show with a mystery pooper leaving fans literally sickened, yet the police aren’t even investigating? The Philadelphia Police have made it clear to TMZ that no reports were filed, waving off a baffling incident that’s gone viral. This is where we get to the heart of media hypocrisy. Here we have a bizarre story that’s ripe for sensationalism, yet major players like CNN or NBC treat it like quaint tabloid chatter instead of a serious outrage.

What happened to the relentless pursuit of accountability we see when political figures sneeze the wrong way? Instead, we’re fed a steady diet of fluff, as if a pooping incident is simply “not their problem.” Let’s be real: they don’t want to scrutinize a story that might make their precious artist culture look less than pristine. This avoidance draws a clear line—celebrity incidents receive the ‘puff’ treatment, while the public’s concerns are ignored. That’s the double standard we face.

Meanwhile, the mainstream media would rather focus on tabulated polling of public mood and the latest petty scandals than ask why something so outrageous goes uninvestigated. It’s time to wake up; we’ve got to hold these institutions accountable for the narratives they push. Otherwise, it’s just cringeworthy comedy on repeat in a society that desperately craves the truth.