Culture
From the Magazine
Patti Smith Answers the Proust Questionnaire
The musician, artist, and author on coffee, Gerhard Richter, and the temptation of a fine tweed.
a what?
For Kamala Harris, First Came Charli XCX. Then Beyoncé. Now the Campaign Is Chappell Roan-ing.
Pop quiz: presidential campaign or amazing night out dancing?
on blast
Beyoncé Gives Kamala Harris Her Blessing to Use “Freedom” For Campaign
It's a diplomatic gesture from Queen Bey to Madam Vice President.
Music
Role Model Is Ready to Move On
The 27-year-old singer-songwriter opens up about his love-hate relationship with LA, how his split from Emma Chamberlain inspired his sophomore album, Kansas Anymore, and his upcoming tour with Gracie Abrams.
6 of the Best Novels This Summer to Keep Your Beach Trip Lit
Taffy Brodesser-Akner, Porochista Khakpour, and other authors are here to take you on some fantastic voyages.
BOOK EXCERPT
The 1992 Republican Convention Jump-Started the Culture Wars—and the GOP’s Prime-Time Extremism
In an excerpt of his book The Naughty Nineties, David Friend recounts the partisan political battle America has been fighting for three decades, beginning with Pat Buchanan and George H.W. Bush in Houston.
LEGENDS
Method Man Talks Wu-Tang Clan, Working With ODB’s Son, and the “Uncomfortable Subject” of Martin Shkreli’s Auctioned Album
The Wu-Tang Clan member goes deep on the history of Shaolin with Vanity Fair.
This Summer, Missy Elliott Is Taking Her One-of-a-Kind Style on Tour
As her first-ever headline tour kicks off, the producer and artist is collaborating with her longtime stylist June Ambrose on a number of futuristic looks.
wins and losses
Kendrick Won the Battle Against Drake, but the Proxy War for Hip-Hop’s Soul Isn’t Over
It’s unsurprising that women are at the center of this war of words, but this is also a rare instance of girls and women being defended by mainstream male rappers.
Q & A
Kiese Laymon and Deesha Philyaw Go Deep Into the Writer’s Mind With Reckon True Stories
The Southern writers converse with other nonfiction storytellers on a podcast that explores the seemingly ordinary, like Samantha Irby’s love for lipsticks, to the titillating, such as Roxane Gay’s nemesis.
family secrets
Alice Munro’s Daughter Andrea Skinner Shares “Terrible Secret” of Stepfather’s Sexual Abuse—and Munro’s Silence
In an essay for the Toronto Star, Skinner details her childhood sexual abuse, a crime that her Nobel Laureate mother—who stayed with the abuser—turned into a family secret.
From the Magazine
The Dark Origins of the True-Crime Frenzy at CrimeCon
From the convention floor, it’s not hard to see a common thread in all of Nancy Grace’s demons and the crimes of Ted Bundy and Brian Laundrie.
POWER (CHORD) LUNCH
Hardy Reflects on Southern Dirtbags, Love Letters to His Wife, and That First Call From Fred Durst
Over lunch at Keens Steakhouse, the songwriter turned performer explains how life—including his near-death experience—infuses his music.
abcdeg
Robert Pattinson Is Fully Unbothered By Suki Waterhouse Singing About Her Exes
Just because she loves him, though, doesn't mean he's immune to angry songs. “You can find things to be pissed about.”
FROM THE MAGAZINE
At Le Sirenuse, Vacationing Is a Work of Art
All great hotels have top-notch service and ritzy clientele. But how many have a Nicolas Party at the bottom of the pool?
From the Magazine
How Art Mogul Louise Blouin Lost Her Fabled Hamptons Estate
Louise Blouin lost La Dune, the Hamptons estate where she once entertained Prince Andrew and Calvin Klein, but she’s not letting go quietly.
Your kids are gonna love it
Michael J. Fox Riffs with Coldplay During Glastonbury Set
Sorry, folks, Chris Martin beat you to the Back to the Future jokes about Chuck Berry and Biff.
benny's gotta jet
Elton John Confirms He's Done Touring Forever
The Rocket Man has no plans to launch again.
music
Towa Bird Wants to Be a New Kind of Rock Star
On her debut album, American Hero, the 25-year-old queer musician celebrates identity, joins the “lesbian renaissance,” and becomes the representation she never had.
from the magazine
I Taught the Taylor Swift Class at Harvard. Here’s My Thesis
Professor Stephanie Burt shares what she learned about the singer’s stardom, relatability, and her own course at a college famous for being famous.
editor’s letter
Radhika Jones on Kate Middleton, King Charles, and the Royal Family’s Hard Year
VF’s editor in chief reflects on the Windsors’ challenges, and shares her insights on that Taylor Swift class at Harvard.