it’s always worse when you do it second
+ peak first world feminism discourse, soft boi chefs, and Trump Mobile
Good morning and welcome back to as seen on, the PST edition.
You’ll be getting these emails a few hours later than usual because I am now in the worst time zone to be writing a news product in. I hope we all get used to it.
I’m glad you guys enjoyed last week’s Gen Z Career Survey results. Part 2 (about Gen Z women and money) was supposed to go live Friday, but a lot of things that were supposed to happen Friday did not — like me waking up early enough to catch my flight. That didn’t happen, and I ended up paying $700 to get put on a new one. The entire plane ride, I kept thinking of all the things $700 could get me. I also watched Lord of the Rings for the first time and I’m glad to report that I get it now.
Anyway, that newsletter will go up Friday instead.
In today’s newsletter: the A24–Neon–Mubi rivalry heats up; they’re dressing Ryan Murphy’s Carolyn Bessette wrong; the joys of peak First World feminism discourse; the new Depop-seller-to-storefront-owner pipeline; media is an even shittier business to be in; but the creator economy is doing just fine; the plastic surgery Washington, D.C. men are getting; soft boi chefs; OpenAI Barbies; Trump Mobile; and a bunch of other stuff…
ENJOY!
Alo Yoga and over a dozen influencers are facing a $150 million lawsuit for allegedly posting undisclosed paid promotions on Instagram. Two of the plaintiffs — Alina Sulici from Illinois and Alex Chihaia from Florida — say they were led to pay more for Alo products than they normally would have after seeing glowing reviews, with no mention of payment. After trying the products, they say the quality didn’t match the hype. Now, they’re seeking to represent a nationwide class of customers who may have been misled in the same way. Godspeed to them. This is barely getting any coverage at all as far as I can tell.
You know a celebrity founder I rarely talk about but ceaselessly obsess over nonetheless? BÉIS founder Shay Mitchell. The BÉIS social team knows what they’re doing. They're particularly great at finding fun ways to educate their consumers about their products. Last week, the brand announced a summer book club (as one does), and followed that up by launching a series of new products — the first of which was a Book Tote. Turns out the sexy school teacher bit never gets old.
Speaking of book totes, according to Elle, book club mini totes are the bag of the summer. And a new symbol of taste. Because it’s 2025 and the girls love to signal.
images from Elle People are paying $20,000 for hamburger rings, and this is apparently a recession indicator. “In times of trouble or uncertainty, you want pretty things,” said Frank Everett, vice chairman of jewellery at Sotheby’s. “People want things that make them happy.” Geez.
I know that I’m late to this, but I just want to say that Harris Dickinson for rhode is the moment. I listened to a podcast interview with Hailey this weekend where she said part of the thinking behind using Harris for the campaign was to signal the gender inclusivity of their products — particularly their skincare line. It’s also why their packaging is gray. Do men use rhode? I couldn’t tell you, but I thought that was interesting. As is the fact that hot men can effectively sell skincare to women.
In other news, I felt bad for ColourPop for thinking a PopSocket lip holder phone case was a good idea. Truly. It’s always worse when you do it second. I’m telling you this so you don’t go make a mist holder next because rhode did it.
