#pop culture criticism

[ailsacraigtumbles]

Absolutely banging essay by Maureen Ryan on the miracles Charisma Carpenter wrought as Cordelia Chase and what that cost her.

I’ve tried to write this essay for a decade. I have written so many versions of it. I don’t know if I cracked the formula. I do know, now, that it’s not about the man. It never was. I want to talk about the woman. The women. Who are not perfect, who are messy, angry, funny, brave. Through the lens of one woman who had to forge through the unknown, with so much pressing on her from all sides.

[ariel-seagull-wings]

Franchises will never die

@themousefromfantasyland @the-blue-fairie @thealmightyemprex

[ariel-seagull-wings]

@amalthea9 @princesssarisa @angelixgutz @themousefromfantasyland @the-blue-fairie @professorlehnsherr-almashy @inevitablemoment @thealmightyemprex @tamisdava2 @the-gentile-folklorist

“don’t reduce this female character down to a love interest” does not translate into “this female character shouldn’t have a love interest.”

preventing female characters with strong, compelling narratives from experiencing love, intimacy, and affection is just as regressive as reducing them down to sexual accessories for male characters. it assumes that women must choose between a romantic interest and depth of character and ignores a far more productive message: that women are capable of possessing both. 

[genericpuff]

LORE | REKINDLED EPISODE 59 - GOING UP

Previous episode | Next episode

Getting to re-invent the elevator scene from S1 was super fun, especially with the accompaniment of Persephone; I always enjoy writing their back-and-forths, it very much plays to my own writing interests and strengths :'3 Thanks so much for reading! <3

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Come join the discussion in our Discord!

The time lapse for this episode is coming soon to Patreon!

Watch me draw the next episode on Twitch

[kindred-spirit-93]

cassandra & clytemnestra

class doodles <3

cassandra: super proud of how she turned out!! i love noses so much and ive managed to give her a really glorious one today. she got a few compliments too hehe

clytemnestra: idk how well ive managed to depict it lol but cly is both mourning iphigenia and planning out her vengeance. its going to be a long 10 years but she will have her killers blood.

--

i still have a long way to go till i finish the iliad so i dont know everyones story yet, i do know however that cly like many before and after her arent often portrayed with the complexities that make them them, that make them human, but instead as paragons or pariahs. and i think theres lots to be said on the matter, but i dont want to get ahead of myself lol. anyway enjoy :D

[enbycrip]

YES.

ALL OF THIS.

THIS is why this film still hits so hard after all these years.

It’s not some sugary BS about “you can think yourself out of suicidal depression by just learning to appreciate what you’ve got”.

It’s about the fact that people who work really fucking hard for their communities experience active, targeted, criminal pushback from exploiters.

About the fact that caring, in all its manifestations, is incredibly physically and mentally taxing and is often done by disabled people - YES, George Bailey is a disabled protagonist. His impairment prevents him from military service and actively causes him chronic pain that, as a person who lives with it, *will* affect his energy levels and fatigue constantly.

Notably, IAWL actually has a bunch of disabled characters. Not only is George disabled, but I’d put money on his uncle who loses the money being ADHD and very possibly having other learning disabilities and the film *actively* flagging that fact to the audience, even if it doesn’t necessarily know what ADHD is.

Which casts a whole new light on its principal villain being disabled. Instead of Old Man Potter being a flat caricature of “disability = evil”, what he *actually* is is a fantastic example of the fact that marginalisation in one axis does not prevent someone being an active oppressor - and wealth and class privilege, in particular, tend to mean a person actively acting to oppress other people who share their marginalisation in order to privilege the interests of their own class as a whole. Sometimes even damaging their own individual interests to do so.

It’s also super interesting that the *material* miracle in the film is not the appearance of an angel to show George what life would have been like if he had never existed, but the *community solidarity* that saves him from jail and his family from penury. The supernatural intervention can change his *mindset*, and that is *incredibly* important, given it *literally* stops him killing himself, but the *material* intervention is mutual aid from his own community that he has given so much to.

Which is incredibly radical as a message. It’s not saying “faith is worthless”; it’s saying “faith can be an incredibly important factor in creating resilience in moments of despair, but we can’t, and *need not*, wait for a supernatural miracle to save us; we have the capacity to save ourselves and each other in our hands right now”.

[ariel-seagull-wings]

@the-blue-fairie @isareadsandwatches

People will spend hours watching "ending explained" videos and reading about how Ed, Edd, n Eddy is set in purgatory or some such barmy nonsense, but the moment you tell them a piece of media was motivated by racism or corporate interest in affecting public opinion or the Pentagon's funding suddenly you're reading too much into it.

[butchbonerot]

I have such conflicted feelings about the butch/masc dichotomy. I identify as a stone cold butch dyke. My partner identifies as masc, doesn't care much about labels. But to me? She's as much if not more "butch" than me. She balances masculinity and femininity with such prowess, as if it were fucking breathing. I prefer the term butch, by a lot, but I also understand why some people don't feel comfortable with it. There is so much stigma and there are so many people telling you HOW to be butch the right way, what is and isn't butch. It's easy to feel like you don't measure up, and it's easy to feel excluded, and I don't want anyone to feel that way. I AM a butch, but I extend solidarity to all dykes, regardless of how they choose to label themselves, even if I don't get it.

[rivetgoth]

Any time I see someone be like All music is bad now it’s all about tiktok trends spotify radio billboard charts pitchfork RYM it’s all soulless and homogeneous and tame subculture is dead genre is dead I’m just like . This is quite literally a skill issue. You’re just admitting that you don’t know how or are not trying to find anything more obscure than the stuff that’s trending or being algorithmically handed to you. You understand that right. Like there is music out there beyond what 17 y/os on tiktok are recording themselves dancing to in cosplay or what youtube reviewers are making videos about. Subculture exists in the real world in underground more-often-than-not predominantly marginalized communities that are thriving outside of the realm of what’s trending on social media or what’s being sold by fast fashion retail stores. Oftentimes because the hot spots of genuinely boundary pushing underground subculture are literally illegal. You not knowing it exists doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. You know this. right.

[ariel-seagull-wings]

@thealmightyemprex @the-blue-fairie @themousefromfantasyland

"This anxiety about surrendering a beloved franchise to a new generation of fans with different perspectives and values is also reflected in Doctor Who fandom. Recently, Doctor Who Magazine made the controversial decision to appoint a new “Time Team” of reviewers to analyse the classic series. This prompted a lot of preemptive anxiety from older fans, with many taking to social media with threats of a boycott. Naturally, things exploded when these young reviewers acknowledged the self-evident fact that beloved serial The Talons of Weng-Chiang was horrifically racist. Even the magazine’s editorial lambasted them.

There is something disappointing in all of this. One of the best things about fandom is the way that it is passed on like a baton from one generation to the next, and the way in which that generation are allowed to find their own own way. The archetypal memory for many Star Wars fans is going to see the original trilogy with their parents. Many modern Doctor Who fans might have relatives who remember the classic series. The James Bond film franchise also spans generations, and it’s entirely possible for two generations of any family to have grown up with different iterations, having their own preferences.

My own fandom is rooted in this experience. I inherited my love of Star Trek from my grandmother, who loved the original Star Trek and The Next Generation. However, she never appreciated Deep Space Nine. Indeed, my decisions to press ahead with Deep Space Nine on my own and to reach my own conclusions about it were a massive part of my fandom. Similarly, I inherited my love of horror from my grandfather, who showed me wonderfully inappropriate movies at a young age. He loved Wes Craven and John Carpenter, as did I. However, I had to branch out to The X-Files on my own.

I always considered this an important part of my fannish experiences, and I never begrudged my grandparents for holding slightly different tastes than I did. I’d have similar experiences with people that I introduced to my favourite things; their tastes would inevitably grow and develop in directions that reflected their own interests. They would branch beyond my taste and cultivate their own fandom that overlapped with mine by was also distinct in its contours. This never bothered me or unsettled me, and I never resented these people for that fact. I always saw it as an important part of sharing something; realising that it doesn’t belong entirely and completely to you.

[ariel-seagull-wings]

@isareadsandwatches

There is a streak of anti-intellectualism when it comes to talking about films, and it's one of my biggest pet peeves. People are seemingly completely incapable of distinguishing between "what happened in the film" and "what the film is ABOUT."

To cite one of my favorite examples, The Shape of Water is not ABOUT a woman who fucks a fish, it is ABOUT people who are otherized by society finding comfort and beauty is what others see as their flaws. It is a beautiful film, that deserved all the praise and accolades it got.

Joker is not ABOUT mental health. It is a shallow film that uses mental health in a trivial way as a catalyst for its character's mental breakdown. Its refusal to be ABOUT anything is its greatest failure. Arthur stumbles his way into accidentally starting a riot, he admits politics do not interest him, and the concerns of those rioting are not addressed because that's not what the film is interested in. It tries to use all the right buzzwords to fake being deep, but in the end, winds up saying nothing interesting.

Annihilation is not ABOUT women going into an alien environment and experiencing wacky shit, it's about dealing with trauma, and deciding whether to let it consume you, or whether to move on.

Shit like this is why Qanon was so easily able to direct the conversation around Cuties. The director wanted to make a film about exploitation and female agency, but people are unwilling to engage with theme, they only care about surface-level shit. People took one look at the marketing, and decided they already knew what the film was about, and Qanon was able to use that to whip up a moral panic, and get people to harass the director and any critic with positive things to say about the film.

I still see social media making fun of English teachers for asking us to engage with a text beyond what's on the surface, but I think those are valuable skills when it comes to how we interact with art.

Popular YouTube channels like CinemaSins and Nostalgia Critic, which have made their anti-intellectualism into their whole careers, do not help in this regard.

[thoughtportal]

In this episode we explore a relatively new subgenre of science fiction called Solarpunk, which aims to imagine better, more ecologically harmonious, futures on earth. In many ways Solarpunk is a reaction to both the real-world climate crisis and to the many apocalyptic visions of collapse filling our screens. Andrew Sage from the YouTube channel Andrewism joins host Jonathan McIntosh and friend of the show Carl Williams for this conversation.

References & Links • The Andrewism YouTube Channel • Walkaway by Cory Doctorow • Ecotopia by Ernest Callenbach • Sunvault: Stories of Solarpunk and Eco-Speculation • Fighting for the Future edited by Phoebe Wagner  • Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler • Princess Mononoke from Studio Ghibli • The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas by Ursula K. Le Guin • Emergency Skin by N. K. Jemisin • Monk and Robot book series by Becky Chambers • Dear Alice from THE LINE • Dear Alice’ Decommodified Edition by Waffle To The Left • Our History Is the Future by Nick Estes • 3000-Year-Old Solutions to Modern Problems by Lyla June  • Capitalist Realism by Mark Fisher

[icaruseater]

The Way We Talk About Art Is So Weird Now

We, as a culture, reward effortlessness. Look at who we platform, when and how they’re presented. Art icons arrive fully formed. Rarely do we see their infancy, the time spent reading books and articles, visiting museums, etc. In other words, developing their taste and acquiring a level of expertise.

We don’t see any of that. They blossom before us as beautiful flowers, the roots which harbor the actual work buried deep in the dirt.

More people want to fast forward, to somehow blossom without the root. But the only flowers that can do that are fake, cheap, plastic. And you can tell just by looking at them!

However, perhaps even more dreadful, people simply don’t care. The fake flowers are treated as though they are just as valid as the real thing. But they’re not. And the more I see this attitude permeate online discussion of various art forms, the more concerned I become.

In this post, I discuss the weird way we talk about fashion, music, personal style, modern art, and books. I also explain why yes, it is that deep. Click below to read! :)

[autistic-ben-tennyson]

How Star Wars led to Reaganism

Found some interesting articles from historian Rick Perlstein about how movies like SW, Superman and Rocky helped push America to right wing politics. While Lucas did include some left wing, anti Vietnam war themes and aesthetics in his movies, that wasn’t how most Americans interpreted them. Americans identified with the rebels as the underdog. It being a black and white whimsical fairy tale with a lack of moral nuance during a decade of morally grey films that came after Vietnam and Watergate appealed to those who would vote for Reagan. It would have an affect on pop culture and the movies that were made after. Movies of the 80s like Back to the Future and Indiana Jones continued the trend of whimsical, special effects filled movies during the Reagan era. Should people really be surprised at the news of Spielberg being a Zionist when a lot of his films are conservative?

I feel like people shouldn’t be surprised at this or why there’s a lot of conservatism in the SW fandom as it’s there in the story too. There’s a lot of sexist and racist tropes in the franchise from the Tusken raiders, The Bad Batch and how Han and Anakin treat their love interests. Most of the villains are just evil for the evulz with even the more sympathetic villains being made out to have done it to themselves. Contrary to what some say, Lucas intended the Jedi to be entirely in the right and puts the blame entirely on Anakin for his fall. That’s a fairly conservative way of thinking that puts all the blame on the individual for being tempted or “lazy” as opposed to looking at systemic, psychological and child rearing issues and how they influence people. Star Wars is a very moralistic religious story. It has some left wing themes but is very conservative with its black and white morality and people shouldn’t be as shocked by the existence of right wing fans as they are.

[icedsodapop]

Honestly, we need better, more thought-provoking, intersectional discourse. And for that to happen, people need to stop picking at the lowest hanging fruit or focusing on spectacle and get to the actual issues. People need to be able to fathom that multiple ideas can co-exist at the same time, that 2 or more things can be true or false simultaneously.

Mm... the discourse is lacking these days. Nothing annoys me more than bad public discourse.

[youngtreetheorist]

Debunking the False Narratives Surrounding Drake Bell

Drake Bell Moved to Mexico:

Truth: Drake Bell never moved to Mexico. He has been traveling there since 2008, and this has nothing to do with his legal case. He has always had a large fan base in Mexico since 2008. "Drake Campana" is not his stage name and never has been it was merely a joke on social media, nothing more. In 2024 He did stay in mexico for a few months to work on his album.

False: Drake Bell went to jail and is currently wanted.

Truth: Drake Bell never went to jail for the 2021 case; he received probation. The only time he spent a few days in jail was for a DUI in 2015. He is not wanted and does not have an active warrant.

Drake Bell Changed His Name to Avoid Legal Issues:

False: Some people have claimed that Drake changed his name to "Drake Campana" to escape legal troubles in the U.S.

Truth: .Drake Campana is not his stage name and never was. It was just a joke on social media. Nothing else.

False: Rumors suggest that Drake Bell has been banned from Hollywood due to legal troubles.

Truth: Drake has continued to release music and has performed in both the U.S. and Mexico. He has faced legal challenges, but there is no ban preventing him from working in Hollywood.

Drake Bell Was Convicted of Child Abuse:

False: Some reports have exaggerated his legal case, stating that he was convicted of child abuse.

Truth: In 2021, Drake pleaded guilty to attempted child endangerment and disseminating harmful material to a minor, related to inappropriate communications. He was sentenced to probation and community service, not for child abuse.

Drake Bell Is a Pedophile and Groomer:

False: Some individuals have labeled Drake Bell as a pedophile and a groomer, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and accusations.

Truth: There is no credible evidence to support these claims. Drake has faced legal issues stemming from inappropriate communications with a minor, but these allegations have been mischaracterized. Investigations have shown that he is not a pedophile, and he has not been convicted of any related crimes. The accusations of grooming are also unfounded and have been dismissed in light of the evidence.

Drake Bell was charged with child endangerment and a misdemeanor count of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles, not because he sent explicit pictures, but due to the nature of the communication with a minor. Here's a breakdown:

Child Endangerment: Ohio law holds adults accountable for engaging with minors in ways that could harm or exploit them, even if the adult is unaware of the minor’s age at first. In Drake’s case, although he didn’t send explicit images, the law considered his communication with a minor as reckless, especially after learning her age.

Disseminating Harmful Matter: This charge typically relates to sharing content inappropriate for minors. In this case, the messages exchanged, though not explicit in terms of images, were deemed harmful or inappropriate for someone of her age by the court. The charge doesn't always require the sharing of explicit pictures—messages themselves can be considered harmful.

Essentially, he was charged for inappropriate communication with a minor and for not being more cautious once her age became known, which is why the law still held him accountable.

Some people think child endangerment is the same as a pedophile or grooming charge, but it's not. Here's an explanation of the difference:

Child endangerment refers to actions that put a child's safety at risk, such as neglect or reckless behavior, without involving sexual misconduct. Pedophilia or grooming, on the other hand, involves an adult's inappropriate or exploitative behavior toward a minor for sexual purposes. These are separate and distinct charges with different legal definitions and implications. In Drake’s case, he blocked her when he found out her age, proving he had no intention of talking to or being with a minor.

The child endangerment charge against Drake Bell arose because the individual involved was a minor, and her interactions with him, though based on lies she told and actions she took, caused harm. In Ohio, the law does not consider the minor’s deception as a mitigating factor for the charge. Child endangerment refers to actions that put a child's safety at risk, such as neglect or reckless behavior, without involving sexual misconduct. This charge is distinct from offenses like pedophilia or grooming, which involve an adult’s exploitative behavior toward a minor for sexual purposes. These terms have separate legal definitions and implications.

In Drake Bell's case, he blocked the individual once he discovered her real age, demonstrating that he had no intention of continuing communication or pursuing any relationship with a minor. The charge of child endangerment does not imply any sexual misconduct or intent. Instead, it reflects the perceived risk to the minor’s well-being caused by the situation.

Grooming refers to deliberate and manipulative behavior aimed at building trust with a minor to prepare them for future exploitation, often of a sexual nature. Pedophilia describes an adult's sexual attraction to minors but does not always involve illegal behavior unless acted upon. These distinctions are critical for accurate legal and social discussions, as conflating these terms can diminish the seriousness and specificity of each issue. Protecting minors from harm and exploitation requires clarity in understanding these offenses.

Drake Bell did not send any pictures to the individual and ended their communication upon learning her real age. Evidence from the investigation supports this, showing that he had no intention of engaging with or pursuing a minor. The individual involved had initially met him in person at his meet-and-greet events. However, he had no idea who he was communicating with online because she used a fake account. Investigation notes revealed that she operated multiple accounts, which further complicated the situation.

The conversation between Drake and the individual began when she was 15, and her online profile depicted her as older. This included images of her drinking and appearing more mature. Evidence, including witness accounts and investigation findings, confirmed that Drake was never alone with her at any point. Alleged pictures were merely reactions to his public stories; he never sent any direct images. Additionally, the individual admitted to using multiple accounts and fabricating details about herself. Investigation notes also revealed that she had an obsessive fixation on him and sought revenge for his decision to get married.

These details underscore the importance of distinguishing between legal charges and public perceptions. In Drake Bell’s case, the facts demonstrate that he did not engage in grooming or any form of predatory behavior. Instead, the situation was driven by the deception and actions of the minor involved, alongside legal interpretations of child endangerment that focus on the minor’s well-being.

Jane Doe Lied:

Presenting evidence that Jane Doe lied is not "slut-shaming" or calling her "nuts." It’s simply stating the truth.

She lied about therapy.

She made new accusations during sentencing that no one had heard of before, which even the prosecution couldn’t address because they were hearing it for the first time.

Investigations and witnesses confirmed she was never alone with Drake. She even admitted it herself.

No Pictures Sent by Drake:

Drake has openly stated in an interview that authorities recovered everything, including their conversations.

The pictures she referenced were on her side of the chat—Drake never sent any pictures. When Drake found out her real age, he blocked her immediately.

Snapchat Incident:

Jane Doe stalked Janet and contacted her through Snapchat. Janet replied, saying, “I can’t get him to unblock you,” and even added Drake to the chat. Jane Doe’s response to Drake was, “You blocked me,” further proving she was lying.

Jane Doe also admitted to Janet on Snapchat that she had multiple accounts.

Support and Defense:

In Brian’s case, the prosecution and others supported the victim. In Drake’s case with Brian, the prosecution defended him, as did his family. No one defended Jane Doe—not the prosecution, not her friends, not her family.

Do you ever wonder why that was? It’s because they knew she was lying. That’s why the prosecution didn’t say anything at sentencing.

Even the judge in Drake’s 2001 trial said, “This isn’t a sex case.”

False claim: Drake Bell kidnapped Jane Doe. Truth: Drake Bell was unable to enter Canada due to his DUIs, making this accusation highly unlikely. Additionally, Jane Doe's aunt drove her everywhere, further disproving the claim. There is no verified evidence to suggest that Jane Doe traveled across state lines with Drake Bell or under his direction. Allegations of this nature require substantial proof, which has not been presented. Jane Doe's own statements and the timeline of events indicate that her aunt drove her everywhere. This undermines the claim that Drake Bell had any involvement in her travel or movements. For such a claim to rise to the level of a felony, prosecutors would need to demonstrate intent and action on Drake Bell's part. Given his documented inability to enter Canada due to DUIs and the logistical details of Jane Doe's movements, this claim lacks the necessary foundation. Considering Jane Doe's earlier claims and the proven inconsistencies in her accusations, it is plausible that this statement is another exaggerated or fabricated assertion.

Drake Bell Is Broke and Homeless:

False: There have been persistent rumors that Drake Bell is broke and homeless.

Truth: While Drake did file for bankruptcy in 2014, he has since continued his music career, performing in the U.S. and Mexico, suggesting that he's financially stable.

Drake Bell Is Retired from the Entertainment Industry:

False: Some rumors suggest Drake has retired completely from acting and music.

Truth: He remains active, especially in his music career, and continues to release new albums and perform live.

Melissa Lingafelt's Abuse Allegations Were Proven True:

False: Some believe that Melissa Lingafelt’s allegations of abuse were proven true.

Truth: Melissa’s allegations were never proven, and she provided fake documents before deleting her TikTok where she made the claims.

TMZ has always been on top of breaking celebrity news, often being the first to report when a celebrity passes or when major stories unfold. If Melissa had actually filed a police report, TMZ would’ve known about it immediately, and they would’ve reported it. However, no one could find the report using the document number. When Melissa was called out on this, she deleted all her TikToks. It's also suspicious that she made these claims right after her friend, Lil Tracy, faced rape allegations, and she even threatened to kidnap and harm other women. You can see it for yourself at https://x.com/jimiono_lies. I believe Melissa fabricated the story to take the heat off her friend and for personal gain.

*  On Melissa’s Twitter, she posted pictures of Drake in 2016 and 2017 as 'Throwback Thursday' posts. It does seem odd to post pictures of someone you later accuse of abuse. On her TikTok before it was deleted, she maintained a box with their pictures together.Drake helped her financially in 2019.

Drake Bell Is an Abuser:

False: Some rumors claim that Drake Bell is an abuser, pointing to allegations made by others.

Truth: Drake has consistently denied any allegations of abuse against him. While he pleaded guilty to attempted child endangerment and disseminating harmful material to a minor, there has been no credible evidence or conviction of physical or sexual abuse. Furthermore, allegations made against him, such as those by Melissa Lingafelt, have been proven false through investigations and lack of evidence. Additionally, there is no evidence to support claims of him abusing his ex wife.

Drake Bell's Career Was Destroyed Solely by His Legal Issues:

False: It’s often suggested that his career downfall was entirely due to his legal issues.

Truth: While legal problems have impacted his public image, he has maintained a significant fan base, especially in Latin America, where his Spanish music has found success.

Drake Bell Is a Registered Sex Offender:

False: Some media outlets, including The New York Times, have falsely labeled Drake as a registered sex offender.

Truth: Drake Bell is not a registered sex offender. He pleaded guilty to attempted child endangerment and disseminating harmful material to a minor, but these charges do not classify him as a sex offender under U.S. law.

Drake Bell Committed a Serious Felony:

False: It has been widely circulated that Drake committed serious felony crimes and would be imprisoned for a long time.

Truth: The charges were misdemeanors, and he was sentenced to probation and community service, not long-term imprisonment.

Drake Bell Can No Longer Enter the United States:

False: There have been rumors that Drake is banned from entering the U.S. due to legal or personal issues.

Truth: Drake continues to travel between the U.S. and Mexico for performances, proving that he is not banned from entering the U.S.

Drake Bell Admitted to All Accusations in Court:

False: Some claims suggest that Drake admitted to all accusations brought against him.

Truth: He pleaded guilty to the charges of attempted child endangerment and disseminating harmful material to a minor, but the allegations against him were proven false by witnesses and investigations. He has consistently denied these other accusations.

Drake Bell Stopped Making Music:

False: Some rumors suggest Drake quit making music after his legal issues.

Truth: Drake has continued to release new music, including his recent album Non-Stop Flight, and he remains an active performer, particularly in Mexico.

Drake Bell Is a Trump Supporter:

False: While some public figures are vocal about their political affiliations, Drake Bell has not publicly endorsed Donald Trump or aligned himself with any particular political figure. No credible sources have confirmed that he is a Trump supporter.

Drake Bell Is Transphobic:

False: There have been no verifiable reports or actions suggesting that Drake Bell has made transphobic comments or displayed transphobic behavior. These rumors likely stem from misinformation or misinterpretation of statements.

Drake Bell Is Homophobic:

False: Drake has not been known to make any homophobic remarks, and there is no public evidence to suggest he holds homophobic views. Any claims to the contrary appear to be baseless. Drake Bell has shown support for the victims of the Pulse nightclub tragedy by making a donation and visiting the site to pay his respects.

There was also a false allegation that Drake groomed a Mexican girl named Nora. Nora is an adult. Nora herself denied these claims and asked people to stop spreading them. She only knows Drake because he’s friends with her father. Another accusation claimed he moved to Mexico to groom children due to the lower age of consent, but this, too, was unfounded.

Here are some sources I have gathered. I am currently working on obtaining more and am waiting for documents from other sources.

FFDB Project (@FFDBProject) / X

Matt Wallace on X: "⚠️ PEDOWOOD EXPOSED MANUFACTURING FAKE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST ABUSED CHILDREN TO SILENCE THEM ⚠️ https://t.co/wwpzQ7glnd" / X

Drake Bell explains child endangerment guilty plea

False accusations were a nightmare for Drake Bell and his family - YouTube

***Court documents ( I just want to point out that the documents available online are only the initial investigation. Not all the evidence is included. Some of the pages lack timestamps, and others are out of order. There are a total of 1,000 pages of documents, and you need to request access to obtain them all.)

Trial Video

So there you have it—many of the false narratives surrounding Drake Bell debunked. From misconceptions about his legal issues to rumors about his family life, it’s clear that misinformation can easily spread. Drake has taken accountability for his actions by going to rehab and seeking therapy. He has openly admitted to his past behaviors, which shows personal growth and a commitment to change. It’s important to remember that Drake Bell doesn’t owe us any further details about his life. We should respect the privacy of celebrities and not harass them for things we know nothing about. Everyone deserves a chance to move forward without being constantly scrutinized. Thanks for Reading, and remember, always seek the truth! Don’t spread rumors or misinformation without evidence. No one should be harassed to the point of feeling suicidal. Always remember what Thumper said in Bambi: 'If you can't say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.