april rewind and news you should read this month

more movie musicals, please, and dancing!

Hello Tamia Talkers, happy Sunday!

If I’m being honest, part of my refusal to post this rewind for the past two weeks was due to my lack of Sinners viewing in April. And, guess what? I still haven’t seen it!

I desperately wanted to be a part of the discourse about Ryan Coogler’s blockbuster deep south-vampire-horror-thriller (with twins), but I could not make it happen.

I planned on taking my mom to see the film for Mother’s Day. It wasn’t our usual Mother’s Day vibe, so we ultimately opted out after going to yoga to avoid the midafternoon horror.

My one mandate was that IF we saw it, we needed to go during the daytime, so that I could avoid nightmares. But I generally only had free time in the evenings, and I also despise blood, gore, and…fear itself, so I took almost every opportunity to avoid it entirely.

Anyway, April was a delightful month of consumption for me. I’m trying to catch up on major cultural moments that I’ve missed, from 2025 best picture nominees to HBO hits and old Hollywood classics. I’ve fully embraced hours-long binge-watch sessions of “Girls.”

I am having a great time, and I’ve missed rewinding with you. Let’s get into it!

in the news

Clairo’s Age of Clarity: My lovely friend

sam olson

wrote this delightful profile of Clairo for Seventeen in April. If you’re a fan, it’s a must-read. During their conversation, Clairo dissects the insecurities and moments of growth that came with dropping out of college, touring with music superstars like Phoebe Bridgers and Dua Lipa, and what she’s learned during her emergence from adolescence. Her latest album, Charm, soundtracks the singer’s stumbles through cycles of love, desire, yearning, and heartbreak. It’s a magic, cozy, and warm listen, and this article feels just the same. Read here.

Legends of Broadway: In April, the New York Magazine Yesteryear issue placed a spotlight on New York’s theatre industry and legends of the Great White Way like Patti LuPone, Barbra Streisand, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Andre DeShields. Among a series of fascinating stories examining the ebbs and flows of Broadway’s financial stability and the AIDS crisis and its ruinous effect on the lives of hundreds of gay actors and crew members, this collection of profiles revisits dozens of actors’ most famous roles on Broadway, exploring how their lives and careers were altered by inhabiting the characters on stage. Read here.

The Scramble To Save Rural Health Care From DOGE: In this Atlantic story by Stephanie McCrummen, a rural Alabama health clinic attempts to dodge financial cuts from DOGE, a Trump administration efficiency initiative, that threatens to leave hundreds of patients without a local healthcare facility. Over the past decade, rural residency programs have funneled over 2,000 doctors into healthcare deserts where underserved populations lack access to cancer treatments, prenatal care, advanced heart disease, and high blood pressure, among other ailments. Roughly 70 percent of those residents have continued to practice in underserved areas. However, the $175 million Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program is under threat. Without it, doctors anticipate that their patients could unnecessarily suffer dire consequences. Read here.

Ahead of Ryman debut, Japanese Breakfast's Michelle Zauner talks about Nashville, siren calls and her next book: I have been counting down the days until I see Japanese Breakfast in concert this summer. It’s a little over a month away, and I couldn’t think of a better way to prep than reading this wonderful Tennessean story by my former Columbia Journalism School classmate, Audrey Gibbs. In this story, Japanese Breakfast frontwoman Michelle Zauner discusses the band’s decision to shift the tone of their music from their glee-filled 2021 indie-pop album “Jubilee” to the dark, reflective ballads featured on their latest album “For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women).” Zauner also discusses her independent writing endeavors, including the halted production of a film adaptation for her bestselling memoir “Crying in H-Mart” and a second book detailing her travels to Korea to unravel her family history and find alignment before diving into new creative projects. Read here.

The Quiet Deletion of Black History Within Federal Agencies — and the Fight to Stop It: In this Capital B article, Adam Mahoney speaks to history experts and government affairs officers about recent attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion and their spillover effects on historical documentation and education. This spring, President Donald Trump issued sweeping executive orders that demanded the scrubbing of federal website mentions of “divisive, race-centered ideology.” As a result, hundreds of pages tracking critical Black resistance movements were de-emphasized to reduce mentions of racial oppression and exclusion. “Avoiding the difficult aspects of history may bring comfort to some, but it leads to ill-informed public policy, and we’re seeing this unfold in real time,” said Keisha Blain, a professor of history and Africana studies at Brown University. Read here.

The Terrence O’Connor Touch: I’ve said it dozens of times now, but one of my favorite podcasts is “Ride with Benito Skinner and Mary Beth Barone.” Listeners of that podcast know that you can’t get through 10 minutes of any episode without hearing about the legend that is “Terry,” boyfriend of Benny Skinner, and the creative director behind some of Charli XCX and Haim’s most fan-favorite album artwork and fan activations efforts. But before all of that star-making success, he was a New York City transplant trying to make a name for himself, and Skinner was his first client. As a burgeoning comedian and actor, Skinner was building a following on social media. But O’Connor took on the responsibility of helping develop his brand, identifying potential partnerships and direct messaging meme pages to reshare his boyfriend’s work. His generous efforts to uplift and launch the careers of Skinner and other close friends were a superpower that brought him closer to dream collaborations. He is, I’d say, the poster child for lateral networking and creating magic with your besties. Read here.

on my screen

Anora (2024): It’s been over a month since I watched Anora, but the film kept me thinking for weeks and prompted some engaging conversations with friends. It was such a frustrating story with compelling examinations of classism and the mistreatment of sex workers. I was surprised by how effectively the comedic moments were woven into an otherwise heavy plot. But I spent the entire time wishing I could get a clearer glimpse into Anora’s mind and see more clearly from her point of view. Viewers are bombarded with images of a strong, feisty young woman able to carefully manage and manipulate the men who pay for her time and attention. The facade only truly cracks in the film’s final moments, but I yearned for a bit more resolution or reflection. Mikey Madison does an excellent job portraying the hopeful naivety of this character, her fighting spirit and fearlessness, but I don’t know! My feelings are still mixed.

Girls, Seasons One & Two (2012, 2013): I promised a friend that I would start watching Girls years ago. She claims that it is “so exactly what we need to be consuming at this very moment in our lives.” The 2010s Lena Dunham series follows four young women as they tackle their first full-time jobs, tumultuous relationships, and coming of age in New York City. Like Sex and the City, many find that it’s easy to find bits of yourself (the worst parts at times) in each of these four girls. This is my third swing at watching, and I have finally made it past season one. I think it’s because I finally understand the vibe, aka struggle and cringe. I can’t believe Adam Driver spawned here.

Number One on the Call Sheet (2025): Number One on the Call Sheet, a two-part documentary series spotlighting some of Hollywood’s most prominent Black actors and actresses, was one of my first watches of the month. The documentary, produced by Jamie Foxx and Kevin Hart, brings viewers into intimate conversations with actors like Morgan Freeman, Viola Davis, Cynthia Erivo, Daniel Kaluuya, Michael B. Jordan, and Angela Bassett about barriers to representation in film and the performers who paved the way for their success. I was so moved while watching this documentary and shed a shocking river of tears while watching Halle Berry’s 2002 Best Actress win speech, even though I have seen it dozens of times. Her story, alongside the many other performers’, felt incredibly profound and hopeful. Absolutely would recommend a watch!

Singin’ in the Rain (1952): As a person who loves and adores musical theatre, it is enduringly shocking how many classic musical film blind spots I have on my viewing resumé. Singin’ in the Rain is one of them. I loved every second of this movie. It is so charming to watch Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, and Debbie Reynolds shine in these roles. The dancing, the costumes, the stunning and magical sets, and the color grading of 1950s films, UGH, give me more. This will send me down an old Hollywood rabbit hole that I am excited to dive into.

Sabrina (1954): My sister Sabrina was the OG representation for girls who pine for people who, as my friend Maria would say, don’t care if they live or die. I was so sorry for her! For those who have not seen the film, Sabrina centers around Sabrina (Audrey Hepburn), the daughter of a chauffeur for one of the country’s richest families, the Larrabees. Living above the Larrabee family’s multi-car garage with her father, Sabrina spends most of her life watching the family from afar and falling madly in love with the ever-coupled David Larrabee, the youngest of two brothers. A series of self-destructive circumstances lead her to forge a connection with the eldest Larrabee, Linus. I can only imagine that the girls who went to the movies to see this felt the same way my girlies and I do about “The Summer I Turned Pretty.” These brothers are the kings of emotional torment and are both flops in their own way. My girl should be at the club, but extra points for mentioning Milwaukee.

Glee, Season Six (2013): I did it. I finished Glee. I didn’t skip a single episode along the way, and I’m so glad. Even though there were moments when this show made me scream and want to rip my eyes out, those periods were outweighed by the pure joy, magic, and incomparably beautiful energy of these precious, overzealous theatre kids turned adults. Among the final seasons of shows that I have ever seen, this was the most absurd. Sam and Rachel dating for two episodes just for her to cheat on him with Jonathan Groff and then have Kurt and Blaine’s baby and win a Tony for “Jane Austen Sings” while pregnant AND married to Jonathan Groff? It doesn’t get better than this.

Tonight, PinkPanthress (2025): I want my 27th birthday party to look just like this. I have some years to plan, but this is a bop of the century. As it is now May, I can say with confidence that the PinkPantheress’ new album (released in May) bangs and is fabulous. I love her aura and the fact that she is, actually, quite tall in real life.

Hacks, Season Two and Three (2022): I truly adore Hacks and am so glad I added it to my regular viewing lineup this year. If you are unfamiliar, the show follows a young TV writer, Ava (Hannah Einbinder), who lands a job writing for Deborah Vance (Jean Smart), a mega-rich Vegas standup comedian whose career is entering a downward spiral. Season two brings loads of grief and heartache for Ava, Deborah, and the rest of the entourage as they scramble to revive Deborah’s career. Though both seasons allow for further excavation of Deborah’s character, this woman continues to be THE WORST boss of all time! Every time I feel peace, security, and confidence that Deborah has evolved even a fraction, she does something horrific. It’s remarkable, everyone should watch.

Overcompensating (2025): Benny “Drama” Skinner on my TV screen! Yes, please! I attended a screening for the first two episodes of Benito Skinner’s new Amazon Prime show “Overcompensating” at the end of April with my dear work bestie, Bridget. I don’t know if the show was made all the funnier because of the uproarious laughter echoing through the Music Box theatre during nearly every scene, but it was such a delight. So many of my faves deliver fabulous comedic performances in this project, from Owen Thiele to Mary Beth Barone and all of the comedians making their television debut in this project. I am so excited to watch the rest of the season in May!

in my ears

music

I Am In Love With You, Imogen Heap (2005): Ever since I found out that this Imogen Heap album came out on my birthday, I have become quite certain that all of the songs were made for me. Ms. Heap’s music scratches my brain in all the right ways. It is magic.

jazz is for ordinary people, berlioz (2023): One of my missions in 2025 is to find more calming music to listen to. I am almost always party rocking at hours when I need to be asleep or avoiding a BPM of 120 and above. This lovely song is a part of my journey toward achieving that.

Do It, Nelly Furtado (2006): I’ve been revisiting this album a ton this year, and it’s one of my favorites to strut down the street to.

Picture Window, Japanese Breakfast (2025)

Girls, Girls, Girls, Jay-Z (2001)

Propaganda, Banks (2019): I adored this Banks album during my sophomore year of college. All of her albums have two to three songs that make it onto my playlists every year, and Propaganda is high on the list. So gritty, so fun!

Glory of the Snow, Clairo (2024):

Bless The Telephone, Labi Siffre (1971): Oh, my heart! I’ll put this on repeat a million times!

In My Bed, Sabrina Carpenter (2019): Oldie, but a goodie. Singular era meant so much to me!

papi bones ft. Shygirl, FKA Twigs (2022)

Awake, Chiiild and Mahalia (2025): Mahalia is QUEEN to me and such a perfect collaborator for this song. Every time it comes on, I’m like, “What song is this?! I need to add it to my playlist,” but it’s already there.

Tonight, PinkPantheress (2025)

either on or off the drugs, JPEGMAFIA (2024)

Baby, Charli XCX (2022): On the topic of revisiting the things that brought me comfort in the past, the video I have of Charli performing this in 2022 is CHERISHED and sacred.

The Largest, BigXThaPlug (2024): For the past seven months, my dad has been singing this song and saying it’s his favorite. He only knew two words, “biggest” and “largest,” when I’d ask him to describe it, so I thought he made it up. Though it took me way too long to get into the gig, I’m here and it’s a vibe (also featured on the Cowboy Carter tour).

podcasts

In April, I stuck to my podcast classics, The Daily, Ride, Keep It, Las Culturistas, Wild Card, Lemme Say This…Is that a lot? I have more, but I will drop a few favorite episodes below.

“Journalists discuss Arson Attack on Governor’s Residence and the rise of Political Violence,” The Spark: In this journalist roundtable hosted by WITF, reporters Laura Esposito of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and Peter Hall and Ian Karbal of the Pennsylvania Capital-Star discuss the festering extremist movements in Pennsylvania that led to the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump and a recent arson at Gov. Josh Shapiro’s home. The conversation sheds valuable insight on how elected officials, law enforcement, and journalists plan and prepare to confront intensified violence in a charged political climate. Listen here.

“Joy Harjo thinks writing can heal regret,” Wild Card with Rachel Martin: In this episode of Wild Card, U.S. poet laureate Joy Harjo details how writing her new book For A Girl Becoming allowed her “release regret” and process pivotal life moments like her mother’s passing. One of the most beautiful sections of the conversation is when Harjo discusses writing a poem about washing her mother’s body before she died. Harjo said the writing experience allowed her to address her unfulfilled desire with renewed clarity about the care she longed to give her mother but couldn’t. Listen here.

“‘I Felt Ashamed.’ Why One Lawyer Resigned When His Firm Caved to Trump,” The Daily: This spring, law firms across the United States became subject to intensified scrutiny from the Trump administration for representing political enemies or opponents of the president. One of those firms was Skadden, a prominent multinational law firm where a young attorney, Thomas Sipp, was employed. Sipp stepped into the national spotlight in April when he quit his job because the company struck a deal with the Trump administration. The firm’s decision was made in an attempt to avoid facing the penalties of an executive order that barred lawyers who represent political enemies from entering government buildings or maintaining government contracts. In this conversation with Michael Barbaro, Sipp discusses his decision to leave the firm, the long-term consequences on his professional prospects, and the childhood ideals that fostered his desire to protect democracy and the American legal system. A federal judge struck down the Trump administration’s order in May. Even so, this episode still tells a fascinating story about the fragility of the legal system. It is entirely worth your time. Listen here.

“Sinners with Ryan Coogler,” New Yorker Radio Hour: Even though I still haven’t seen “Sinners,” I was beyond elated when I saw that Jelani Cobb wrote a profile of Ryan Coogler for The New Yorker and conducted this incredible interview about the origins of the film for New Yorker Radio Hour. I can’t express enough how badly I want to see this movie. I know it’ll be such a captivating treat. Listen here.

“Fairy Drag Queen Guinea Pig (with Chappell Roan),” Las Culturistas: I remember the episode when Matt Rogers spoke the gospel of Chappell Roan to Las Culturistas listeners like it was yesterday. It was the day when he influenced me to look up this woman’s music on Spotify, only to find that she was already on some of my playlists AND that she had a show in Milwaukee the following month. Matt Rogers single-handedly butterfly-effected one of the first stories I ever wrote for the Journal Sentinel, a Q&A with Chappell Roan that I will cherish forever. Finally seeing her as a guest on the podcast was a cherry-on-top moment of vindication for Matt, who informed us all (very early on) that she was one to watch. Also, this was such a silly conversation, I loved it. Listen here.

“DIAPERED UP ft. Samantha Hanratty,” The Comment Section with Drew Afualo: I haven’t seen Sammy Hanratty on my screen for years, and this episode was the reason that I found out she was on Yellowjackets! As I’ve discussed, I cannot do gore or fear, so I will never watch this show, even though I want to support the girls. I had a friend describe the entire plot to me pretty much episode by episode, and I am not only scared and afraid, but like, what? How do people come up with this stuff?! All that said, I love that she’s working and a mother, slay.

on the court

I added this section to say that I was present at the Bucks game when Damian Lillard tore his Achilles tendon, and it was soul-crushing. I’ve watched a handful of playoff games in between, and, as a former but temporary New York resident, I am now rooting for the Knicks (and Spike Lee). That’s my sports culture of the moment. Need someone to take me to a WNBA game, NOW!

on my shelf

Master of Me, Keke Palmer (2024): I feel like I started Master of Me ages ago, but I finally finished it in April. It was an enjoyable read, full of Keke-isms and thoughtful reflections about how she learned to redefine herself when her peers, employers, and fans wanted to put her in a box. Since I believe Keke’s voice and delivery make the story far more entertaining, I would recommend the audiobook for this one.

Mom, Me, and Mom, Maya Angelou (2013): Maya Angelou is without a doubt one of my favorite writers, and this was my favorite April read. In this book, Angelou recaptures scenes from her early adolescence through her mother’s death in 1999. Each story she shares offers insights on how she worked to heal their relationship after long periods of distrust and abandonment left her feeling unwanted and unknown to her, often, her closest companion and ally. She is such a prolific and engaging writer and inspires me greatly. I adored this book and have so many of her other works that I’d like to read this year.

Let Them Theory, Mel Robbins (2025): I decided to listen to Mel Robbins Let Them Theory on a random afternoon in April after a friend and I discussed her recent interview on TikTok-famous comedian Jake Shane’s podcast “Therapuss.” In all honesty, I did not listen to the episode, but Robbins’ name seemed to be inescapable in my daily scrolls. There were clips of her holding hands with Oprah, talking about anxiety on my for-you page. A friend of mine who works for Success magazine mentioned that her mom was obsessed with Robbins’ recent cover story in the magazine. I’m about three-quarters of the way through and have resonated with some valuable tidbits, but I find that many of the theory’s elements are things I already do. So, not particularly profound, but perhaps it carries some good reminders for boundary setting and not letting external forces kill your energy.

Vibe of the Week

I love this little guy from TikTok. He’s my spirit animal right now.

Catch you all next week! I will be fresh off of a Beyoncé concert and, hopefully, a Sinners viewing, so I’m sure I’ll have something fun to say.