Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

---

In this December bonus teaser, I’m kicking things off with some housekeeping — including when Queen Things returns for Season 4. Then we dive straight into one of the most interesting conversations I’ve seen in pop culture lately: Charlie XCX’s Substack essay on the “realities” of being a pop star, and Swiftologist’s take on why pop doesn’t make icons anymore.

From authenticity to escapism, parasocial closeness to moral responsibility, I’m breaking down what we actually expect from the artists we love, and what happens when relatability becomes the whole brand. It’s messy, it’s nuanced, and yes, I have thoughts.

If you want the full episode — including my take on the Taylor/Trump discourse, Jaclyn Hill, DEI backlash, and this week’s Black News — become a Queen Things subscriber on Apple Podcasts, Patreon, or Substack. See you inside.


Subscribe for monthly bonus episodes queenthings.substack.com


💡 SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE💡
/ @iamkjmiller

---
▬ VIDEO CONTENTS ▬
00:00 Welcome and Housekeeping
06:20 Charlie XCX and the Truth in Pop Music


---
📲 LET'S CONNECT
TikTok: / tiktok.com/@iam_kjmiller
tiktok.com/@queenthingspod

📧 JOIN MY MAILING LIST: queenthings.substack.com
📧 EMAIL ME: kidar@kjmiller.co


References:

Charlie XCX’s article:
itscharlibb.substack.com/p/the-realities-of-being-a-pop-star

The Swiftologist’s take on pop stardom:
youtu.be/QvOjSFqVD2Q?si=tojZiHMxhg-4VmA9