Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now
Aja Romano

Aja Romano

Former Senior Culture Writer

    Latest articles by Aja Romano

    Culture
    The “Dark Brandon” meme — and why the Biden campaign has embraced it — explainedThe “Dark Brandon” meme — and why the Biden campaign has embraced it — explained
    Culture

    How “Let’s Go Brandon” and “Dark MAGA” combined to celebrate Joe Biden’s policy wins.

    By Aja Romano
    Culture
    How Keri Russell sells The Diplomat’s disaster heroineHow Keri Russell sells The Diplomat’s disaster heroine
    Culture

    Netflix’s The Diplomat asks what high-powered political games look like when they’re played by a woman with impostor syndrome.

    By Aja Romano
    Culture
    Star Wars has a Baby Yoda problemStar Wars has a Baby Yoda problem
    Culture

    The Mandalorian was the answer to all of Star Wars’ problems — until it embodied them.

    By Aja Romano
    Trans people deserve better journalism
    Culture

    How the anti-trans movement took over legacy media.

    By Aja Romano
    Keanu Reeves, explained
    Culture

    Keanu Reeves is a celebrity for all times.

    By Aja Romano
    Culture
    The Murdaugh murders saga continues as Stephen Smith’s death is ruled a homicideThe Murdaugh murders saga continues as Stephen Smith’s death is ruled a homicide
    Culture

    A former classmate of Buster Murdaugh died eight years ago in a hit-and-run. The suspicious death is now officially a homicide.

    By Aja Romano
    Everything you need to know about the 95th Academy Awards
    5 winners and 4 losers from the 2023 Oscars5 winners and 4 losers from the 2023 Oscars
    Everything you need to know about the 95th Academy Awards

    Winner: Donkeys. Loser: Anyone craving drama.

    By Alex Abad-Santos, Aja Romano and 2 more
    Culture
    Alex Murdaugh sentenced to two life terms for murdering his wife and sonAlex Murdaugh sentenced to two life terms for murdering his wife and son
    Culture

    After a lengthy, dramatic trial, the saga of the Murdaugh murders came to a swift conclusion.

    By Aja Romano
    Culture
    The shadowy puzzle-box pleasures of Chinese spy thriller Hidden BladeThe shadowy puzzle-box pleasures of Chinese spy thriller Hidden Blade
    Culture

    Satisfyingly cerebral, Hidden Blade features a masterful Tony Leung and a breakout performance from Wang Yibo.

    By Aja Romano
    Culture
    Can more Harry Potter ever be okay?Can more Harry Potter ever be okay?
    Culture

    Is the magic of Hogwarts Legacy — or any new Harry Potter storyline — ever worth enabling JKR’s transphobia?

    By Aja Romano