…what the end will be Upstage Guide

A Visual Guide to the References in …what the end will be.

…what the end will be features numerous contemporary cultural references. This glossary serves as a visual guide to the contemporary references in the show, providing context for popular figures and cultural moments mentioned by the characters. Read more about them below.

Real Housewives is a very popular international reality television franchise. It consists of 11 series in the United States and 21 international series. Each series focuses on the lives and social dynamics of five to seven upper-class, middle-aged women living in a major city such as New York, Atlanta, or Beverly Hills. The first installment premiered in 2006 and took place in Orange County, California.
Linnethia Monique "NeNe" Leakes is an American actor and television personality. She was a cast member of The Real Hosewives of Atlanta (RHOA) from its debut in 2008 until 2020. Early in her time on the show, Leakes was a fan favorite for her one-liners and reactions to the other Housewives. Later seasons saw her coping with her husband Gregg Leakes's cancer diagnosis. Her work on The Real Housewives of Atlanta led to appearances on Glee, The New Normal, The Celebrity Apprentice, Dancing with the Stars, and other programs.
Erykah Badu is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Her music is influenced by R&B, 1970s soul, and 1980s hip-hop. Badu's 1997 album Baduizm sold millions of copies, won multiple Grammy awards and skyrocketed her to fame. Badu is often seen wearing jewelry that features an ankh, an ancient Egyptian symbol that represents life. In 2010, she came out with her most recent album New Amerykah Part Two: the Return of the Ankh, a follow-up to 2007's New Amerykah Part One: 4th World War.
Drake is a Canadian-born rapper, singer, and actor. Largely known as a sex symbol, Drake has been linked to numerous high-profile women since his rise to fame in the early 2010s. Drake first became known for his role on the popular teen show Degrassi: The Next Generation. He went on to pursue a music career after releasing his debut mixtape Room for Improvement. Since then, Drake's songs such as "God's Plan," "In My Feelings," and "Nice For What" have topped the Billboard Hot 100 charts. He has won four Grammy Awards, six American Music Awards and a record 29 Billboard music awards.
Steve Urkel (back row, second from left) is a fictional character on American sitcom Family Matters, which aired from 1989 to 1997 on ABC and then continued for another season on CBS. He was portrayed by actor Jaleen White. Known for his geeky mannerisms and high-pitched voice, "Steve Urkel" became a widely-imitated pop culture icon.
Jaden Smith is an American actor and rapper. He is the son of actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. Smith has drawin attention for his cutting-edge style and his tendency to mix masculine and feminine aesthetics in his dress. In 2016, he was revealed as the new face of Louis Vuitton's womenswear campaign.
Odell Beckham Jr. is an American football player. He has played for the Los Angeles Rams, Cleveland Browns, and the New York Giants, most recently winning a Super Bowl with the Rams in 2021 season. In 2014, Beckham won the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award and famously made a one-handed touchdown catch while falling backwards.
Frank Ocean is an American singer, songwriter, and rapper. He is known for his albums Blonde and Channel Orange. In 2012, Ocean released a Tumblr post in which he revealed that Channel Orange, was, in part, about falling in love with a boy, which many interpreted as him coming out as a member of the queer community.
Fendi is an Italian luxury brand founded in 1925. Originally focused on leather, fur, and handbags, it added ready-to-wear clothing lines in 1977. Its famous "double F" logo was designed by Creative Director Karl Lagerfield in 1965 and remains the brand's iconic image. Today, Fendi is a favorite of celebrities including Nicki Minaj, who created a capsule collection with the brand in 2019, and released a song titled Fendi that same year. Cardi B wore a green Fendi dress and carried a Fendi "Peekaboo" bag to her 2019 meeting with Senator Bernie Sanders.
Katy Perry is an American singer, songwriter, and television personality. She is known for her influence on the pop sound and style of the 2010s. Perry's sound and personal brand are described as hyper-feminine and cartoonish. In 2008, Perry rose to fame with her second debut album One of the Boys, which featured U.S. Billboard Hot 100 hits such as "I Kissed a Girl" and Hot n Cold". Perry is one of the best selling artists of all time, having sold 143 million records worldwide.
Beyonce is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She rose to fame in the late 1990s as the lead singer of Destiny's Child before embarking on her own incredibly successful solo career. Known for popular singles such as "If I Were a Boy," "Halo," "Single Ladies," and "Irreplaceable," Beyonce has accumulated 28 Grammy Awards, 26 MTV Video Music Awards, 31 BET Awards amongst many other prominent accolades. Billboard named her the highest-earning Black musician of all time, and in 2020 she was featured on Time's list of 100 women who defined the last century.

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