Las Culturistas Culture Awards: WNBA Edition
This week, pop culture’s most chronically online night of the year, the Las Culturistas Culture Awards, crowned its winners. With awards such as “Best News We Heard” and “Things to Enjoy Anytime, Anywhere,” Bowen Yang and Matt Rodgers put on a show that had us screaming, “I don’t think so, honey!”
Of course, now it’s our turn. Here is the Las Culturistas Culture Awards: WNBA Edition!
Bowen Yang and Matt Rodger at the Las Culturistas Culture Awards (Griffin Nagel/Bravo)
Best Halftime Performance That’s Not the Super Bowl: Ellie Gaga
The category is “dance or die!” At the New York Liberty’s Pride Night game against the Phoenix Mercury, Ellie the Elephant embodied Mother Monster herself in a showstopping production. You know it’s a good time when the fans stay in their seats during halftime, and the Torch Patrol proved it. They pulled out all the stops with the outfits, lighting, choreography, and props: the type of maximalism that Gaga would approve of. Arguably, the best part of the performance, though, was the deep cut song selections that the Little Monsters in the crowd picked up on immediately. Lady Gaga, if you ever need an opener, you know who to call!
Best Recreation of an Iconic Meme: Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe
The internet still hasn't recovered from the "earthquake" that occurred during the infamous Coldplay incident, but the aftershock memes that followed might be the real gift. WNBA legend Sue Bird got in on the action, recreating the viral video by cuddling up next to the Seattle Storm’s mascot, Doppler. Megan Rapinoe wasn’t a fan, but the audience was!
Best De-Escalation
They always say you should remove yourself from toxic situations, and in Gabby Williams’ case, that meant physically. After a rough foul by Bria Hartley, Skylar Diggins, who we know loves an occasional scuffle, had to be carried away by Williams. In her defense, trying to calm Skylar down wasn’t working, and you can’t “stand” on business if you’re not standing. It wasn’t a bad idea when you think about it.
Due to her playing one of the best seasons of her career and her ability to diffuse situations, now would be the best time to also give Gabby Williams the Culture Award for “Favorite Player Who Wears #5.” It’s only right.
Most Thought-Out Meme: The WNBA “Power Straight”
The role of the “power straight,” an archetype created by a fan on TikTok, describes a straight woman who excels at basketball and is a large contributor to her team. But in a league with a lot of queer representation, how does the power straight stay on top of their game? As the creator describes it, the perfect lineup consists of three lesbians, a power straight, and a European. This newfound phenomenon started as a joke, but with rosters being changed and lineups being altered, the question must be asked: Are coaches just as chronically online as we are, or has it been proven that his formula cracks the code?
Best Vibe, Hands Down: StudBudz
The WNBA is a competitive league, where every one of the 12 roster spots is a hard-won prize. The pressure to perform is always there, but it’s essential that these women remain balanced in their lives so they can truly enjoy the sport that is a passion of theirs. Enter Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman, who have mastered the art of “free time” by creating a Twitch channel called “StudBudz.” Whether they’re chilling in their apartment, on a double date, or doing a full 72-hour takeover at All-Star Weekend, those two know how to have fun wherever they are. Don’t be mistaken, because when it’s time to put in the work, the 1-seed Minnesota Lynx know how to turn on the gas.
That’s a wrap on this year’s Culture Awards: WNBA Edition! We are at the halfway mark of the season, and the competition is only going to get tougher, but we know these women are going to create more iconic moments for the fans! Perhaps a new “power straight?” We’ll be waiting.