In this episode, Kiara breaks down the family drama between Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz vs. the rest of the Beckham Brood, the tumultuous legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni surrounding the film It Ends with Us and Taylor Swift's involvement. Plus, she dives into highlights from the recent Oscar nominations, including record-breaking achievements.

On this episode of The Spin Cycle Podcast, Kiara returns from hiatus to talk about the Golden Globes and award season at large. She takes us through the red carpet, Nikki Glaser's ruthless monologue and winners before shifting gears to the drama-filled premieres of The Traitors US and the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City reunion. T

On this episode of The Spin Cycle Podcast, Kiara McKinney takes a critical look at Taylor Swift’s “The Life of a Showgirl” and Doja Cat’s “Vie,” describing both albums as aesthetically pleasing but emotionally shallow. She questions Taylor’s trad wife propaganda, addresses concerns about possible microaggressions, and discusses ongoing artist drama.

In this episode of The Spin Cycle Podcast, Kiara McKinney recaps the week’s pop culture circus: Selena Gomez’s ultra-exclusive wedding (where even the flower girls had NDAs), Cardi B’s triumphant album drop after a 7-year hiatus, and Doja Cat’s latest record—which, spoiler, is fun but about as fresh as last week’s memes. Kiara also dishes on Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s split. She wraps up by bracing herself (and us) for the incoming Taylor Swift album tsunami. Pop culture never sleeps, and neither does Kiara’s snark.

This week on The Spin Cycle, Kiara dives into the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards: why the nominations felt formulaic, how The Pit upset Severance, and the historical firsts that shook up the night. She also covers Nate Bargatze’s flat hosting performance and why award shows still managed to draw record viewership.

Then, it’s on to music: Cardi B’s long-awaited sophomore album Am I The Drama? (with a wild feature list including Janet Jackson) and Doja Cat’s Vie, produced by Jack Antonoff and Y2K. Kiara breaks down how both women are setting new standards for visuals, stagecraft, and fan connection, cementing 2025 as another year where pop spectacle drives culture.

On this episode of The Spin Cycle Podcast, Kiara dishes on the 2025 VMAs, where pop legends showed up (Mariah Carey finally got a VMA—justice!) but A-listers like Taylor and Beyoncé ghosted. She raves about Sabrina Carpenter’s fashion and album, roasts the bland “youth pastor” energy of male pop stars, and side-eyes influencer overload on the red carpet. She breaks down Gaga’s acrobatics, Ariana’s wins (and short jokes), and why Mariah still reigns supreme. If you want sharp opinions, pop culture tea, and a little existential dread about TikTokers, Kiara got you covered

.VMAs Overview and Notable Absences (00:00:30)

Kiara introduces the episode, discusses the 2025 VMAs, and mentions major stars who were absent and legends who attended.

Red Carpet Fashion Highlights (00:01:43)

Recap of standout red carpet looks, including Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, and Summer Walker’s outfits and moments.

Major Award Winners Recap (00:04:20)

Overview of key award winners: Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter, and others, with Kiara’s opinions on the results.

Alex Warren & Male Pop Star Critique (00:06:43)

Kiara critiques Alex Warren’s performance, discusses his background, and shares thoughts on the current state of male pop stars.

Best New Artist & Other Winners (00:10:00)

Comments on the underwhelming Best New Artist award, other notable winners, and Mariah Carey’s VMA wins.

Performance Highlights: Lady Gaga & Others (00:12:08)

Detailed breakdown of standout performances, especially Lady Gaga’s set, and mentions of RuPaul’s Drag Race stars.

Tate McRae’s Dance Performance (00:14:28)

Praise for Tate McRae’s dance-heavy medley, her stage presence, and thoughts on her vocal style.

Ozzy Osbourne Tribute & Rock Performances (00:16:46)

Recap of the Ozzy Osbourne tribute, performances by Aerosmith members and Yungblud, and thoughts on their significance.

Mariah Carey, Busta Rhymes, and Honorable Mentions (00:19:05)

Mariah Carey’s medley and award speech, Busta Rhymes’ performance, and shoutouts to other notable acts.

Influencers at the VMAs & Ariana Grande Rant (00:20:11)

Kiara’s frustration with influencer presenters and a personal rant about Ariana Grande and her family’s presence.

Sabrina Carpenter’s New Album "Man’s Best Friend" (00:22:33)

Discussion of Sabrina’s album debuting at #1, its artistic direction, and comparisons to her previous work.

Doja Cat’s Upcoming Album & Performance (00:25:03)

Announcement of Doja Cat’s new album, thoughts on her VMA performance, and excitement for her new music.

Hilary Duff’s Return to Music (00:26:06)

News about Hilary Duff signing with Atlantic Records and speculation about her upcoming music.

Closing Remarks (00:27:09)

On this episode of The Spin Cycle Podcast, host Kiara McKinney dives into pop’s new favorite trick: nostalgia stacking—the art of layering multiple eras at once. Her case study? Sabrina Carpenter’s seventh album, Man’s Best Friend.

Kiara unpacks how Sabrina fuses disco, country, and maximalist pop into something cohesive, explains why artists stuck in one lane (looking at you, Dua and Miley) risk getting left behind, and breaks down the album’s standout tracks with her signature wit.

Beyond the album, she sets the stage for the upcoming VMAs—sharing predictions, spotting potential chaos agents (Taylor, anyone?), and dissecting how TikTok continues to steer the culture.

Welcome, pop culture obsessives and casual listeners alike, to a deep-dive that’s juicier than a Beyoncé visual album and more layered than Janet Jackson’s choreography. Today, we’re breaking down the latest episode of The Spin Cycle Podcast with Kiara McKinney, where she unpacks the legacy, impact, and future of Black pop stars. If you think you know pop history, buckle up -- because we’re not just talking about catchy hooks and killer dance moves. We’re talking about cultural blueprints, industry disruption, and the cost of visibility in a world that still loves a double standard.

Let’s get into it: the holy trinity of Janet Jackson, Beyoncé, and Rihanna, the rise of Doja Cat, and what the new generation means for the future of pop.