As your very official arbiter of culture, I hereby declare summer 2026 a Pop Girl Summer. The divas have spoken (cryptically teased new music with voicemail messages and painted walls), and we’re in for so many treats. I’ve already been dropping dead to Olivia Rodrigo and banging my head to Charli XCX, and we can also expect hot new projects from Ariana Grande, Gracie Abrams, Tyla, and KATSEYE. As Justin Bieber once said, “Life is worth livinggg.”

I live to serve fellow pop stans, so I thought we’d start off this summer right with a scientific “Which Pop Girl Summer Are You Having?” quiz. Remember: This is completely evidence-based and 100 percent accurate. *I’ve only included the major artists releasing music this summer, otherwise this would’ve taken me 10 years.

Let us know your results in the comments!

Which lyric speaks to your soul the most?

1. “How you say you love me? You ain’t put me in Chanel”

2. “My head is full of poison and my heart is full of doubt”

3. “Hate that I made you love me ‘cause I barely tried”

4. “I try to be violent, but I get caught / A room full of doctors and an inkblot”

5. “I kinda know nothing, just like Socrates”

6. “I’m really banging my head, I’m really hurting my neck”

You have a day off in July. Where/how are you spending it?

1. Painting a masterpiece, hitting the gym, getting in my TikTok doomscrolling

2. Quality car rides to Malibu

3. Disney World or Broadway, period

4. Ireland

5. Sorry, what is a “day off”?

6. Everywhere, I’m so Julia

One beauty product you won’t be caught dead without

1. Mascara is god

2. The Lancôme juicy tube

3. A touch of contour for my nose

4. Not a beauty product but my cute pixie cut

5. ~Edgy~ hair dye and extensions

6. Smoky eyeshadow, of course

Your go-to dance move in the club this summer?

1. Moving my hips like it’s a high art form

2. Dis-knees and a high kick on the beat

3. A playful toss of my iconic high pony

4. The White Girl Dance

5. The “PINKY UP” hand gesture all day everyday

6. Really banging my head

What’s your summer scandal (or what would be your summer scandal of choice)?

1. Having an awk moment with Rihanna at the Met Gala

2. Everyone’s hating on my cutesy summer dresses for no reason

3. Licking donuts at a donut store and declaring hatred for America

4. Fighting those relentless nepo baby allegations

5. Drama with a girlie in my friend group

6. Passionately defending my alleged flop era on Twitter

What’s your ice cream order?

1. Vanilla served with Malva pudding

2. Strawberry ice cream preferably in Malibu

3. Sorbet, I’m a vegan

4. No ice cream, prioritizing the abs

5. Boba tea

6. Pistachio matcha

What’s your relationship status?

1. Single and ready to mingle

2. Recovering from a long-term relationship

3. In love with a short king theater boy

4. In love with a pretentious European

5. Too busy for love

6. Married but making out with my friends

Finish the sentence. “I believe love is:”

1. When you snatch my soul from me

2. Pretty sad and never the cure

3. Complicated, but also eternal sunshine

4. A thing that happens with musicians and actors

5. GNARLY.

6. A bald English man in a band

What are you manifesting this summer?

1. A “hot & sexy girls trip”

2. Kisses that make me (almost) drop dead

3. My haters shutting up

4. Strong breath control

5. Peace in the girl group

6. More Substack and/or Letterboxd subscribers

ANSWER KEY:

If you answered mostly As: Tyla

Congratulations on being a stunning, talented, perfect Gen Z goddess. This summer, you’ll flex dance moves your friends can only dream about, go on girls trips with your pop star besties, and force men to buy you Chanel items. I’m happy for you, I swear.

If you answered mostly Bs: Olivia Rodrigo

You’re in your feminine, London, scorned lover girl era and that’s beautiful. Keep rocking those baby doll dresses, listening to your breakup playlist, and enjoying that strawberry ice cream, queen.

If you answered mostly Cs: Ariana Grande

You’re on a quest for revenge this summer, and fortunately, you’re about to gag the public with with a “feral” and award-worthy project full of necessary callouts. You’ll spend the next few months working hard, traveling, and finally getting the flowers you deserve.

If you answered mostly Ds: Gracie Abrams

When you’re not hanging out with your European beau, you’ll be booked and busy embracing your inner thought daughter. Things are about to get real angsty and existential, which is why you needed (or you’re seriously considering) a dramatic haircut.

If you answered mostly Es: KATSEYE

You’re dealing with some friend drama this summer, but you’ll get through it with healthy doses of boba tea and performing your fave choreo (the “Gnarly” and “PINKY UP” dances). No time for summer flings, I fear… you’re simply too focused on your girls and your craft.

If you answered mostly Fs: Charli XCX

Welcome to your experimental, Letterboxd/Substack, radical honesty era. This summer, you’re married, loaded, and spending your free time on quirky projects. Prepare for light roasting from friends, but keep doing you, of course.

Written by Ilana Frost