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Aja Romano

Aja Romano

Former Senior Culture Writer

    Latest articles by Aja Romano

    Explainers
    The queering of Taylor SwiftThe queering of Taylor Swift
    Explainers

    Fans love to speculate about Taylor Swift’s queerness. Folklore only bolsters their theories.

    By Aja Romano
    Culture
    Comic-Con 2020 was entirely virtual — but was it still magical?Comic-Con 2020 was entirely virtual — but was it still magical?
    Culture

    How well Comic-Con At Home worked depends on what you go to Comic-Con for.

    By Aja Romano
    Culture
    Inside one actor’s DIY approach to representation in — and outside — HollywoodInside one actor’s DIY approach to representation in — and outside — Hollywood
    Culture

    Twitch is an unlikely forum for diverse storytelling. But Dante Basco is having a blast there.

    By Aja Romano
    Culture
    How “Karen” became a symbol of racismHow “Karen” became a symbol of racism
    Culture

    “Karen” is no longer content to speak to the manager. Now she’s calling the cops on her Black neighbors.

    By Aja Romano
    Culture
    Inception is the most imperfect of perfect movies. 10 years later, I still love it.Inception is the most imperfect of perfect movies. 10 years later, I still love it.
    Culture

    Inception’s cultural impact overshadows it — but a decade later, Christopher Nolan’s dream heist fantasy still earns its rep.

    By Aja Romano
    Culture
    Unpacking the twisty genre of political fanfiction through Curtis Sittenfeld’s RodhamUnpacking the twisty genre of political fanfiction through Curtis Sittenfeld’s Rodham
    Culture

    The Vox Book Club digs into why we’re fascinated by fiction about politicians.

    By Constance Grady and Aja Romano
    Culture
    Netflix’s Unsolved Mysteries is different from the original. But one episode restores its pulpy aesthetic.Netflix’s Unsolved Mysteries is different from the original. But one episode restores its pulpy aesthetic.
    Culture

    The new series mostly avoids the macabre camp of its predecessor — with one major, skull-clutching exception.

    By Aja Romano
    Culture
    Why Hamilton is as frustrating as it is brilliant — and impossible to pin downWhy Hamilton is as frustrating as it is brilliant — and impossible to pin down
    Culture

    Hamilton is an impossibly slippery text. The arguments over the show are part of what make it great.

    By Aja Romano
    Explainers
    Did Cards Against Humanity’s ironic humor mask a toxic culture all along?Did Cards Against Humanity’s ironic humor mask a toxic culture all along?
    Explainers

    The popular brand built its progressive ethos through a game that encouraged ironic bigotry. Now, it faces a reckoning.

    By Aja Romano
    Explainers
    A lawsuit is threatening the Internet Archive — but it’s not as dire as you may have heardA lawsuit is threatening the Internet Archive — but it’s not as dire as you may have heard
    Explainers

    The Internet Archive spent years testing the boundaries of copyright law. Has it gone too far?

    By Aja Romano

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