As we enter a new year, I wanted to remind everyone that we are indeed turning “old” and refresh our memory of some of the most entertaining moments that defined 2011. In that year, I was only a gangly, awkward preteen who was intrigued by everything in the media and to this day, I still remember these moments vividly.
Music
The world was introduced to the five cute faces of One Direction with their debut single “What Makes You Beautiful.” We instantly fell in love with the quintet as they dominated the world and stole our little teen hearts. I will forever be grateful to One Direction for putting me in Niall Horan’s lane since I can shamelessly say I’m still affected by this man in the year 2021.
“Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO sort of feels like a fever dream but I can guarantee you that everyone went ballistic over this funky 2011 bop. Imagine middle schoolers losing their sh*t on the school dance floor because that is exactly what I experienced throughout the whole year. Even those who didn’t have a rhythmic bone in their body were shuffling to their hearts’ desire and that made everything more wholesome.
Fresh off her record Pink Friday, Nicki Minaj released “Super Bass” in 2011. She came into the music scene with a catchy hit that combined commercial hip-hop with some pop influences. Everyone and their mother could easily belt out the lyrics with no shame and if that doesn’t feel like a cultural reset to you, then I don’t know what else to say. I’d like to say we all become mini Barbz that year.
In 2011, Jessie J commanded the radio with her hit singles “Domino” and “Price Tag.” I mainly wanted to bring up the talented Jessie J because I’m so in love with her eccentric acoustic version of “Price Tag” that’s currently taking over TikTok. I can’t help but giggle whenever I sing, “When music made us all u-NITE!”
Pop Culture
Also, in 2011, the world had major British fever whether it was the admiration for their unique fashion or the British accents that had everyone swooning. So, it was natural for everyone to tune in to Prince William and Kate Middleton’s royal affair at London’s Westminster Abbey. Who doesn’t love a Royal Wedding?!
Kim Kardashian’s short-lived marriage to Kris Humphries also occurred in 2011. She filed for divorce after 72 days of marriage and of course, it was documented for all to see on Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Things simply did not work out and that’s completely understandable but young me was still invested in these dramatic sequences of events.
Movies and Books
In 2011, one of my favorite movies of all time, Bridesmaids, was released and instantly became a hit. I was in stitches laughing over iconic scenes like Melissa McCarthy’s character talking about climbing men like a tree or crazy conversations between Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph’s characters. I was in awe of this all-female ensemble and I am happy to say that the world was too.
We were first introduced to Fifty Shades of Grey after it was self-published by author and Twilight fan, E.L. James. It didn’t officially blow up until 2012 but this steamy read first became available a year prior. The book became a raunchy staple for grown folk everywhere and immediately was adapted to a movie starring Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan.
It was the end of an era for wizard lovers everywhere when Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 dropped in the summer of 2011. For years, you had people scrambling to figure out what house they belonged to or what romantic ship they rooted for in the series. We, as a society, watched cast members like Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson grow up in front of our eyes and it was sad to see everything coming to an end.
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