Oh, 2025. If a year could be a schoolyard bully, you would be one, knocking people down for no reason and stealing their Lunchables.
But your antics didn’t stop our incredible writers from producing journalism our audiences came back to again and again, and it didn’t stop Chicago from doing what we do best.
Across 136 posts and 102,330 words, Rebellious Magazine writers dazzled, informed, entertained and well, inflamed, thanks to the incomparable talents of: Arts & Culture Editor Janet Arvia, Cultural Education Editor Michelle Duster, Entertainment Editor Laurie Fanelli, Managing Editor Princess McDowell, Special Correspondent Onicia Muller and yours truly, founder and chief cat herder Karen Hawkins.
Thank you, Rebellious readers, for spending another year with us! Here’s to more rebelling in 2026. 🥂
Except for the most-read post (scroll to the bottom for the reveal), this year’s list is in a random order, because 2025 was all about chaos. Enjoy!
Over the last 10 years, those who believe in empathy, equality, social progress and joy have had to endure the chronic whining, rage, fury, insults and complaints from the miserably mad MAGA cult. In order to appease the raging cult in their apparent insatiable quest to “Make America Great White Again,” the 47th president’s administration…
By the looks of Warner Bros.’ new teaser, the upcoming adaptation of Wuthering Heights (2026) features a miscast star. But contrary to internet outrage, the problem’s not Jacob Elordi. After the Aussie actor convincingly portrayed a doomed and dashing Englishman in Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn (2023), she hired him to play Emily Brontë’s Gothic antihero Heathcliff.…
What is rebellious about being a plant parent? Heather Haskins, a longtime volunteer with Food Not Bombs Humboldt Park thinks caring for plants is the rejection of the idea that we are consumers who must surround ourselves with objects the are basically future trash. “I think being a caretaker, surrounding oneself with living beings, be…
The WNBA turns 30 next year and the leadup has been the sort of chaotic and emotional countdown that befits a Saturn return. From near constant roster changes, injuries and generational rookies to 72-hour livestreams and green dildos flying in from the stands, this season has been far from normal. It has almost served as…
If Edith Wharton knew her final work would inspire the Apple TV+ series The Buccaneers (2023-present), she probably wouldn’t have spent her golden years documenting the Gilded Age. As the Julian Fellowes dramas Downton Abbey (2010-2015), Belgravia (2020) and The Gilded Age (2022-present) have established, this period refers to the United States in the late 19th…
Women’s Elite Rugby (WER) on Wednesday unveiled the six team names and crests for its inaugural season this spring, including the Chicago Tempest. The other teams include: Bay Breakers, Boston Banshees, Denver Onyx, New York Exiles, and the Twin Cities (TC) Gemini. The league, in partnership with UK-based creative agency MATTA, announced in a release…
When the Women’s March of 2017 was organized, I was happy to participate. I looked forward to being in community to absorb the shock and disappointment of Hillary Clinton losing the presidential election to a reality TV star who had never held public office and led a campaign of bigotry and scapegoating. Marching felt like…
Drum roll, please: One piece reigned — see what we did there — supreme: Laurie’s coverage of The Queens! 4 Legends. 1 Stage Tour in May.
You know it’s going to be a good day when you get to see one Grammy Award-winning artist sing their biggest hits live on stage. But when four powerhouse performers share the spotlight, the experience is downright glorious. On Friday, May 30, Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Stephanie Mills, and Gladys Knight brought their The Queens!…