The Cancellation of Vladimir Putin’s Favorite Pop Star

Plus: Why Spotify Thinks You're Old

View in browser | Update preferences SUBSCRIBE FOR FULL ACCESS Do you know who Larisa Dolina is? I didn't either, until I read Clara Molot's fantastic story about Putin's favorite pop star. Elsewhere in today's VF hits, we have Erin Vanderhoof assessing Erika Kirk's New York Times star turn, and José Criales-Unzueta waxing wise on Pantone's very on-the-nose choice for color of the year. CLAIRE HOWORTH, DEPUTY EDITOR Putin's Favorite Pop Star Just Got Canceled BY CLARA MOLOT The European Union, Canada, Monaco, and Switzerland have sanctioned pop singer Larisa Dolina for supporting Russia's aggression against Ukraine by performing at various government events, and she is on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's list of the 200 Russians he considers enemies of the state. Yet in her home country, her proximity to the Kremlin has only led to fame and fortune. READ MORE Hot Topics STYLE Pantone's Color of the Year Sounds About White—Sort Of BY JOSÉ CRIALES-UNZUETA If this were a script for a show like, say, The Office, this would be the time in which we'd break the fourth wall to look directly into the camera, bemused. READ MORE POLITICS Erika Kirk Speaks to the Liberal Elite—and Almost Sticks the Landing BY ERIN VANDERHOOF At the New York Times DealBook Summit, Charlie Kirk's widow and Turning Point USA successor made calls for unity, but floundered when she was challenged on her husband's most controversial views. READ MORE FASHION Going Once, Going Twice: Jackie Kennedy's Historic Coat Is Up for Auction BY ELISE TAYLOR "This coat was cherished by our mother, but with our mother's passing, we feel it's the right time to entrust the coat to someone who will appreciate and preserve it as our mother had, helping safeguard Jackie's legacy," the coat's anonymous donor tells VF. READ MORE CULTURE Why Spotify Thinks You're Old BY KASE WICKMAN While Spotify's data scientists are somewhat cloak-and-dagger about the nitty-gritty of their calculations, the team does release a bit of info on the method behind their Wrapped madness. READ MORE From the Archive Elizabeth Taylor and the Role of Her Life BY KATE ANDERSEN BROWER Kate Andersen Brower's Elizabeth Taylor: The Grit & Glamour of an Icon, reveals the details of the actor's lonely battle as activist during the AIDS crisis—and her struggle to persuade her famous Hollywood friends to help: "I resented my fame, until I realized I could use it." READ MORE In Case You Missed It The Question Mark of With Love, Meghan One featured guest may help us understand how invested Netflix really is in the Duchess of Sussex. Pete Hegseth Can't Make the "Kill Everybody" Questions Go Away Even members of the defense secretary's own party are concerned, though a rather drowsy Trump is still standing by him. MORE FROM VANITY FAIR POLITICS BUSINESS HOLLYWOOD STYLE ROYALS CELEBRITY This e-mail was sent to you by VANITY FAIR. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), please add our e-mail address, vanityfair@newsletter.vf.com, to your address book. View our Privacy Policy Unsubscribe Copyright © Condé Nast 2025. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.