Melissa Kacar

Wicked: For Good is such a beautiful celebration of the people who enter your life and leave an indelible mark on you forever. It's a powerful representation of friendship and sisterhood in their purest forms, as well as a reminder of the younger versions of ourselves that continue to live within us years later. Once again, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo deliver truly incredible performances. I said this in my review of the first part too, but it bears repeating: there is no one else in the world who could have embodied Glinda and Elphaba the way Ariana and Cynthia did. They were made for these roles, and their commitment shines through every moment. Jonathan Bailey also stood out as Fiyero, bringing depth and growth to his character arc in ways that was so crucial to the overall story.  The second part of Wicked is undeniably darker than the first, but it builds beautifully on top of it, adding new layers of complexity to each character's journey. It's not only a creati...

2025 was yet another incredible year for new music! I narrowed it down to 30 of my favorite albums, spanning a wide range of artists and genres. Many of them are first‑time additions to my annual year‑end favorites list, which feels like a testament to how much I prioritized discovering and supporting new artists this year. Of course, there are some long‑time favorites sprinkled throughout, as well. Ultimately, this list reflects a little bit of everything I loved this year! This is always my favorite post to write and curate each year. It is loosely ranked, but every single one of these albums was truly the soundtrack of my year for one reason or another. I have covered many of them in depth too, so if you are interested in reading more about any of these, be sure to check out the links throughout the post and at the end. Enjoy! 💓 The Crux by Djo At its core, The Crux by Djo is a heartfelt ode to the people that have shaped him, along with his family and friends that have suppor...