Axis Conversations CT: Cigarettes Are Back, Wicked 2, and The Bible App
Nov 20, 2025
Celebrities are making cigarette smoking trendy again with influencers showcasing their habit on social media. Wicked 2 is gearing up to be a blockbuster, but changes to the story have sparked some debate. The Bible is experiencing a renaissance, with YouVersion hitting a billion downloads, particularly among younger audiences. In political news, the Epstein Files Transparency Act is moving forward. Plus, exciting updates from the gaming world as Valve plans to challenge Xbox and PlayStation with its own console.
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Celebrities Normalize Smoking
- Pop stars and influencers are normalizing cigarette smoking by posting curated images of themselves smoking.
- This shift follows reduced anti-smoking ads and stronger focus on vaping risks, making cigarettes feel like a status symbol again.
Sigfluencers' Curated Smoking Posts
- The Instagram account Sigfluencers has curated 450 posts of stars smoking, including Justin Bieber and Sabrina Carpenter.
- Beyoncé used a fake cigarette on tour and Carpenter posed smoking in a corset made of cigarette boxes.
Wicked Sequel Alters The Magic
- Wicked: For Good returns the spectacle and vocal power fans expect but alters character arcs and tone.
- Story changes and forced ties to the 1939 Wizard of Oz make the sequel feel less magically consistent than the first film.
