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CharleneWrites

Charlene is a multifaceted journalist, copywriter, editor, and pop culture enthusiast.

Her work has been featured in CBR, Glamour, GQ, HuffPost, Thrive Global, The Sportster, Thought Catalog, We Got This Covered, Looper, The South African, and more.

She loves the Backstreet Boys, advocates individuality, and is a firm believer in pancakes for dinner.

Her Bachelor of Commerce Degree gives her a unique insight into the business side of entertainment journalism. She also works as an occasional brand strategist for rock band  Bon Jovi and Tourphotographer David Bergman.

Featured Articles

Explore a small selection of my writing work below.

CBR •

A Dark New Vampire Diaries Theory Officially Rewrites Elena Gilbert's Story 8 Years Later

For years, fans of The Vampire Diaries have debated every love triangle, death, and resurrection that unfolded in the small town of Mystic Falls. But this dark new theory reimagines the series' central mystery in a completely new light. What if The Vampire Diaries isn't the story of a young woman discovering the supernatural world, but the dreamlike purgatory of someone who never truly survived? Elena Gilbert may have been dead from the very beginning.
Thought Catalog •

5 Slightly Obscure, Must-See Sebastian Stan Movies That Have Nothing To Do With Marvel

We all know Sebastian Stan as the brooding, tortured Bucky Barnes from the Marvel Cinematic Universe – a role he’s inhabited so completely, it’s easy to forget he’s got a whole other filmography that isn’t drenched in super-serum. But if you look past the Winter Soldier smolder, you’ll find a fascinating lineup of smaller, stranger, and even slightly obscure movies that show just how versatile Stan can be.
Thought Catalog •

Walter White Was Not The Villain In ‘Breaking Bad’ … He Was Its Tragic Victim

On the surface, the five-season crime drama chronicles Walter’s transformation into the infamous blue meth cook who goes by the alias Heisenberg and his descent into the criminal underworld. But upon closer examination, the series is actually an exploration of how far an inherently good, quiet, intelligent person can be pushed before they snap. To paraphrase Jesse, “Some straight is not all of a sudden just gonna break bad.”
TheSportster •

Why Cody Rhodes' Reign As WWE Champion Feels So Creatively Repetitive

Cody Rhodes has all the qualities of the perfect WWE baby face. His eloquence, charisma, likable personality, and fantastic in-ring work make him a major attraction on the WWE card. Fans of all ages can't seem to get enough of the guy, as evidenced by countless photos and videos from every house show. However, the creative team seems to be letting their champion down with a slew of lackluster storylines.
Thought Catalog •

Glen Powell Proves That Actors Don’t Need Superhero Roles To Become Leading-Man Material

While Powell’s climb to the top might seem pretty run-of-the-mill, the actor is different from the names that have dominated the headlines over the past decade. Unlike most of his peers, which include all four Hollywood Chris’s (Pine, Hemsworth, Evans, and Pratt) and various others, Powell did not get a career boost by playing a Marvel superhero or appearing in a major franchise like Star Trek.
Thought Catalog •

The Best Comfort Films To Watch When You’re Feeling Down

Everyone has days when they feel a little off. It just means that you’re human. I find that the best way to kick those blues to the curb is by curling up on the couch with a soft blanket and a good comfort movie. You know the type. They’re often family-friendly, with a kind of predictable plot that makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside. 
Although streaming services offer a plethora of choices, nothing beats the classic films on this list. There’s a girl-meets-boy story (who doesn’t love those?),...
Thought Catalog •

4 Reasons Why WWE’s Cody Rhodes Perfectly Embodies Modern Masculinity

When Cody Rhodes returned to the WWE as The American Nightmare in 2022, after six years away from the company, he could have just blended in with the other men on the roster, but something about him stood out. It was not his custom theme song, “Kingdom” by the band Downstait, it was not his wrestling gear, or even the fact he is incredibly good looking. What really set Cody apart was his authentic self, which made its way past his on-screen persona.
The South African •

Taylor Swift: A breakdown of each of her musical eras

Taylor Swift is a singer that resonates with music lovers across generations. From her debut single “Tim McGraw” in 2006 to her latest venture, Midnights, Swift has sold over 30 million albums and claimed 12 Grammy Awards.

Her music is a testament to the human experience, touching hearts and providing an emotional refuge. Swift’s musical evolution has been a spectacle, transforming her from a country music darling to an indie pop icon.
CBR •

The Big Bang Theory's Worst Character, Explained

It’s been a minute since The Big Bang Theory hit our screens in 2007. Over its 12-season run,
Each week, fans tuned in to watch this lovable group of friends navigates the complexities of everyday life. Penny outgrew her ditsy qualities, Sheldon got better at picking up on social cues, Howard lost his creep vibe, and Raj was able to talk to women. But Leonard Hofstadter became increasingly irritating over the years, making him the most annoying character in the series.
Looper.com •

The Untold Truth of Bernadette from The Big Bang Theory

When "The Big Bang Theory" debuted in 2007, viewers were instantly drawn to Sheldon's offbeat brilliance, Leonard's awkward sensibility, and Penny's free spirit. Over its 12-season run, fans also got to know their friends, Howard and Raj, a little better too.

But it wasn't until the show's third season that Bernadette Maryann Rostenkowski stepped into Pasadena's Cheesecake Factory and slowly weaved her way into everyone's hearts.That's when the series about a bunch of funny nerds became so much more than that.
CBR •

Planet of the Apes Movies Ranked, According to Critics

Back when franchises were still a new concept, there was the Planet of the Apes film series. The story essentially holds up a mirror to humanity, depicting its failings and conflicts through a rather wild premise. The films have cemented their place in pop culture, making the franchise a must-see for anyone who loves good storytelling. That said, here's a ranking of every Planet of The Apes film by their Metacritic and Rotten Tomatoes scores' average.
Fortress of Solitude •

Friends: The Reunion Is Made For Die-Hard Fans

After being delayed for over a year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, HBO Max has finally reunited Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer for the highly anticipated Friends: The Reunion special. Directed by Late Late Show producer Ben Winston, the unscripted gathering is the first time in 17 years that the Friends stars have been brought together since the show ended its ten-season run in 2004.

Friends: The Reunion begins with each cast member walking onto the recreated Friends soundstage on the Warner Bros lot. It’s filled with some emotional greetings and a good dose of reminiscing. The opening credits are (obviously) set to the show’s theme song and leads into a live interview hosted by late night television host James Corden.
CBR •

American Dad: One Family Member's Disguises Are BETTER Than Roger's

American Dad!’s resident alien Roger Smith is the king of personas. Seamlessly switching disguises in a matter of seconds, he has the residents of Langley Falls believing whatever he wants them to.
To keep track of his costumed shenanigans, the lovable alien keeps a ledger of all the people he knows and the aliases they know him as. While Roger’s never-ending carousel of outfits is impressive, Francine often gives him a run for his money when it comes to successfully pulling off a disguise.
The South African •

‘She’s All That’ gender-swapped remake is heading to Netflix

Netflix is developing a gender-swapped reboot of 1999’s romantic comedy . The remake will star TikTok sensation-turned-actress Addison Rae, Tanner Buchanan, and original star Rachael Leigh Cook in a brand new role.

He’s All That flips the original narrative and will be told from a teenage girl’s point of view. But the film’s main protagonist is still said to be inspired by Freddie Prinze Jr’s Zackary Siler.