December 2025 Pop Stardom: Highlights, Controversies, and Future Stars
December 2025 saw a quieter month for new music releases as the holiday season approached, but there were still significant moments in the world of pop music. Some artists made history on the Billboard charts, while others wrapped up successful years. Additionally, emerging talents hinted at their potential as future hitmakers. In this episode, host Andrew Unterberger, along with Billboard staffers Jason Lipshutz and Danielle Pascual, discuss their top five lists for December, along with honorable mentions, disappointments, and artists to watch in the coming months.
The team delves into various aspects of December pop stardom, addressing questions such as the impact of the End of an Era documentary series, the comparison between EsDeeKid and Timothée Chalamet, the significance of Harry Styles' cryptic tour video, and the inclusion of Cameron Winter and Geese in the Greatest Pop Star conversation. They also ponder whether Zara Larsson is the new Robyn and debate whether breaking the record for the longest-reigning Hot 100 No. 1 song automatically qualifies an artist as the Greatest Pop Star of the month.
Listeners can tune in to the podcast for a discussion of the standout moments in December 2025 pop stardom, accompanied by a YouTube playlist featuring these highlights. The Greatest Pop Stars podcast, available on Apple Music, Spotify, and other podcast platforms, offers weekly insights into the world of pop stardom every Thursday. Fans can also participate by submitting their own picks for the Greatest Pop Stars of 2025 before the official list is revealed.
In the spirit of supporting trans rights, the podcast encourages donations to organizations such as the Transgender Law Center, Trans Lifeline, Destination Tomorrow, and Gender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe. Additionally, listeners are urged to contact their local congresspeople to advocate for trans rights, with contact information available on 5Calls.org. Stay tuned for the upcoming announcement of the Greatest Pop Stars of 2025 and continue to engage with the podcast for more insights into the world of pop music.