We’ve finally turned the calendar to 2026, and thought we’re not done looking back at 2025 yet by any means, we’re taking a New Year’s Day pause to look forward a little. While we’ve all got things to work and improve on for the year to come, we also have some wishes for things our marquee pop stars could commit to accomplishing in 2026, both for our sakes and for theirs.
On this first 2026 episode of the Greatest Pop Stars podcast, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard charts senior analyst/writer (and regular Greatest Pop Stars guest) Eric Frankenberg to offer some New Year’s resolutions on behalf of said pop stars. We each choose five resolutions for specific pop stars to take on for 2026, and then we also offer one each on behalf of all pop stars collectively, and then one for us ourselves as pop fans.
Among the most pressing questions addressed: Is it more important for Beyoncé to return in 2026 with visuals for her last two albums or with the last act in her LP trilogy? Would Dua Lipa be better served working with more dead-center pop collaborators on her next album? Are we overdue for an Adele legacy year? What do we think about the concept of a Frank Ocean covers album — or a Benson Boone rock opera? How should Doechii recapture the incredible momentum that she started 2025 with? And perhaps most importantly: Is it too much to ask that we all be a little less mean to our pop stars and to each other?
Check it out above, and subscribe to the Greatest Pop Stars podcast on Apple Music or Spotify (or wherever you get your podcasts) for weekly discussions every Thursday about all things related to pop stardom!
And as we say in every one of these GPS podcast posts — if you have the time and money to spare, please consider donating to any of these causes in the fight for trans rights:
Transgender Law Center
Trans Lifeline
Destination Tomorrow
Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe
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