JOY Drive

30 Jan 2025

Lauren Rosewarne: United States Deportations

News & Politics

Selena Gomez is no stranger to using her platform to speak out on important social issues, but her latest attempt has sparked intense debate. The singer and actress recently posted—and quickly deleted—a profoundly emotional video in which she broke down in tears over the mass deportation of Mexican immigrants under President Trump’s administration. The backlash was swift, with critics accusing her of being performative while supporters defended her for showing empathy and using her voice.

But beyond the controversy, this moment raises bigger questions: What role do celebrities play in political activism? Why are public figures so often criticised, no matter what they say or do? And what does this all reveal about the current political climate in the United States of America?

Guest: Lauren Rosewarne, Associate Professor in Public Policy, Social and Political Sciences at the University of Melbourne

Presenter: Warren Andrew

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 13:04 — 18.0MB)

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14 Dec 2025

Leo Stubbing: The Songs That Shaped 2025

Music, Popular Culture, Society & Culture

From Kylie Minogue’s record-breaking Tension tour to Taylor Swift’s chart-dominating year, Leo Stubbing from The Sound Museum looks back on ...

14 Dec 2025

Associate Professor Lauren Rosewarne: Why Sad Christmas Songs Feel So Right

Music, Popular Culture, Society & Culture

Many of the Christmas songs we return to each year are filled with heartbreak, nostalgia and longing. Associate Professor Lauren ...

14 Dec 2025

Kate Bailey: DIVA at the Australian Museum of Performing Arts

Arts, History, Performing Arts, Personal Journals, Popular Culture, Society & Culture, Visual Arts

The Australian Museum of Performing Arts opens with DIVA, a major international exhibition created by London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. ...