Andrea Romero—This year, 2025, marks ten years since 2015, one of the most unforgettable years in music and pop culture. That year gave us so many iconic moments that still feel like turning points for fans, music lovers, and anyone who spent their afternoons scrolling through Tumblr or playing their favorite songs on their iPods.
From incredible comebacks by legendary artists to the rise of new stars. Let’s look back at some key moments that defined a generation and are now a permanent part of pop culture history.
Ten Pop Culture Moments Turning Ten in 2025
Zayn Leaves One Direction and Their Final Album
March 25, 2015, was a day fans will never forget—Zayn Malik announced he was leaving One Direction, breaking millions of hearts. Just eight months later, the band released ‘Made in the A.M.,’ their first album as a quartet and their last before going on an indefinite break. It marked the end of an era for one of the biggest boybands in history.
Katy Perry Roars at the Super Bowl
The Super Bowl halftime show is one of the most anticipated events of the year, and in 2015, Katy Perry delivered a performance to remember. Riding a giant mechanical lion to the sound of her hit ‘Roar,’ she instantly made her mark in halftime show history. Her bold entrance and unforgettable performance remain one of the all-time best.
Justin Bieber and His Breakthrough Era: Purpose
2015 was a game-changing year for Justin Bieber, marking a turning point in his career. With ‘Purpose,’ he didn’t just win back his loyal fans—he reached new heights with hits like ‘Sorry,’ ‘What Do You Mean?,’ and ‘Love Yourself.’ These songs helped him connect with audiences who hadn’t yet fallen for Bieber Fever. Combining pop with electronic dance music, Purpose captured the sound of the time and remains one of the strongest albums in his career.
Dua Lipa: The Rise of a New Pop Star
Ten years ago, in 2015, we witnessed the debut of Dua Lipa. Her first single, ‘New Love,’ didn’t make much of a splash initially, but things changed a few months later with her second single, ‘Be The One.’ The song became a fan favorite and a staple in her concerts. For Dua, it holds a special place as the song that launched her incredible journey to becoming a global pop star.
The Cinematic and Musical Phenomenon of Fifty Shades of Grey
The 2015 film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey made a huge impact, not just for its storyline but also for its iconic soundtrack. Tracks like ‘Earned It’ by The Weeknd, ‘Love Me Like You Do’ by Ellie Goulding, and Beyoncé’s remix of ‘Crazy In Love’ became instant hits. Even though this was before the TikTok era, these songs were everywhere—but if TikTok had existed, they would have definitely been some of the most popular sounds on the platform.
Hailee Steinfeld: From Acting Prodigy to Pop Star with One Song
Known for her Oscar-nominated role in True Grit (2011) and standout performances in Pitch Perfect, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and series like Dickinson, Arcane, and Hawkeye, Hailee Steinfeld stepped into the music world a decade ago. Her debut single, ‘Love Myself,’ quickly climbed the charts in multiple countries. The song became a generational anthem and marked the start of her successful career as a pop star.
Taylor Swift’s Bad Blood: A Music Video Like No Other
When Taylor Swift released the ‘Bad Blood’ music video, it redefined the pop music landscape. Featuring a lineup of stars like Selena Gomez, Zendaya, Cara Delevingne, Hailee Steinfeld, Hayley Williams, and Gigi Hadid, the video took the world by storm. It won the MTV VMA for Video of the Year and further cemented Taylor Swift’s status as one of the most influential artists in the music industry.
Shawn Mendes Scores His First Big Radio Hit
Shawn Mendes had already started turning heads on social media with his covers and debut single ‘Life Of The Party,’ but it was ‘Stitches’ that really put him on the map. The song brought his voice to radio stations worldwide, becoming his first global hit and kicking off what would become a standout career in pop music for teens.
Hello, It’s Me, Adele (Back Again)
In October 2015, Adele made her long-awaited return after four years away with ‘Hello.’ A ballad that quickly became one of the most iconic songs in recent history. The track not only showed off Adele’s incredible voice once again but also launched the era of25. One of the best-selling albums of this century.
Måns Zelmerlöw Takes Eurovision and the Charts by Storm
With ‘Heroes,’ Måns Zelmerlöw brought another Eurovision victory to Sweden, delivering a performance that redefined the competition with its groundbreaking use of graphic projections. A classic example of Swedish pop. It also reached number one on the LOS40 chart, becoming one of the standout hits of the year.
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