This week’s culture update features a dive into the world of celebrity absurdity that is sure to make even the most ardent supporters of the arts scratch their heads. Starting with a peculiar bit of news involving the pop artist who goes by the name “Lorde.” Yes, that’s right, a woman who seems to have started questioning her very existence. When asked about her gender identity by someone else in the music scene—also a person claiming the non-binary label—Lorde’s response was, at best, bewildering. She stated that she identifies as a woman on most days but also expresses a wish to be considered a man on others. It raises an eyebrow, doesn’t it?

Let’s consider this from a logical standpoint. If gender identity is something people insist is ingrained at birth, then how do we reconcile a 28-year-old suddenly “realizing” that her gender fluctuates simply because of a pair of men’s jeans? Was she simply trying them on for fun, or is this a legitimate identity crisis? It’s almost as if we were led to believe they were “born this way,” only to find out it’s more of a fashion choice than an actual biological reality. One wonders if Lorde is sending a message to the rest of society that gender can be just like changing outfits—sort of concerning, to say the least.

Moving from music to the glitzy world of Hollywood, we turn our attention to Halle Berry, who recently made headlines not just for her role in the ‘John Wick’ franchise but for her strikingly odd behavior post-Mother’s Day. The Cannes Film Festival has decided to crack down on overly extravagant or, dare I say, indecent attire on the red carpet. Funny, isn’t it, how these adults need a dress code as strict as what one might find at a kindergarten? Berry stands as a figure worth considering; she has stated that James Bond should never be portrayed as a woman. It’s a revelation that should be so blindingly obvious that it scarcely needs stating.

Here’s the thing: The character James Bond has always been, at least partly, defined by his relationship with women; after all, he is not just a spy—he’s also a notorious lady-killer. Transitioning him into a female character not only diminishes the original appeal but also raises questions about gender dynamics. After all, when a woman propositions men, statistics show an overwhelming acceptance, while the same cannot be said for the reverse scenario. What does it indicate? Simply that male and female experiences of desire differ fundamentally—and that’s okay.

Halle Berry’s antics serve as a reminder that even household names can sometimes act as if they’re on a perpetual reality show. In a bizarre Mother’s Day celebration on social media, she opted to share rather intimate moments with her new boyfriend, turning a day meant for honoring mothers into a rather odd chat about personal lubrication products. The incident perfectly sums up the disarray of celebrity culture in a nutshell. Those poor children of hers—imagine the stories they may tell in therapy sessions down the line.

In essence, the events of this week highlight how celebrities, who should ideally be role models and trendsetters, often venture into the realm of the absurd. It raises an important conversation about the narratives that inform society—while we should champion creativity and freedom of expression, perhaps we ought to take a step back and ask ourselves if some subjects might be best left out of public discourse. Surely there’s a balance to be struck, one where cultural sophistication does not morph into bewildering antics.