It's Been a Minute

Why we don't trust the 'vanilla girl'

This week is all about beauty and diet trends. In this first interview from March, host <a href="https://www.npr.org/people/1123917129/brittany-luse">Brittany Luse</a> chats with Forbes staff writer <a href="https://twitter.com/stefficao_?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor">Steffi Cao</a> to discuss her essay, "<a href="https://stefficao.substack.com/p/white-women-want-their-power-back">white women want their power back: on bbls and balletcore, and the entropy of aesthetic."</a> Steffi points to the online rise of the 'clean girl' and 'vanilla girl' aesthetics, just as the myth of innocent white womanhood erodes in the public sphere following outrage at "Karens" and critical looks at stars like Miley Cyrus who borrowed from Black aesthetics for years. Learn more about sponsor message choices: <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a> <a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

Has it been a minute since you heard a thought-provoking conversation about culture? Brittany Luse wants to help. Each week, she takes the things everyone's talking about and, in conversation with her favorite creators, tastemakers, and experts, gives you new ways to think about them. Beyond the obvious takes. Because culture doesn't happen by accident. If you can't get enough, try It's Been a Minute Plus. Your subscription supports the show and unlocks a sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/itsbeenaminute