How Sweet It Is: Unwrapping Iconic Candy Moments In Pop Culture!

Are you even human if you’ve never gushed at the sight of candy? At some point, candy has had us all in a tight grip, and for some of us, well… we’re still trapped. You turn on the television, you’re watching a music video, you’re playing video games, you’re reading a book, and you can’t help but notice the sight of sweet sensations and references to candy. But have you ever considered that it's because candy is more than just a snack; it's an essential part of modern pop culture? Candy whispers to us through our entertainment. The color, the sweetness, and the adrenaline rush are all presented to us in iconic, unforgettable ways. Get ready because we’re unwrapping some of the sweetest moments in which candy has become a staple in pop culture! 

1. Gaming

If you’ve ever played a game that made you sit in one spot for hours to beat a level, then you’ll have no problem spending your time playing Candy Crush Saga. When it comes to the intense levels of Candy Crush Saga, you’ll be glued to your device. Giving up isn’t an option; although, after a while, you may want to throw your phone out the window. When it comes to Candy Crush Saga, things get that serious. The free online game is so addictive and feels endless. With over 15,000 levels, Candy Crush Saga has become an addition (and addiction) to pop culture. Candy Crush Saga was released in 2012 and had many of us glued to our phones swiping left, right, up, and down. The game consists of matching 3 similar candies in either a row or a column. Each level has different objectives and obstacles. The game features many variations of candy, including lollipops, jelly beans, striped candies, and much more. Escaping candy is impossible with this game, and its colorful design has currently landed it on the top charts for free iPhone games via the App Store. Just for a bit more insight -- it's been 13 years after its initial release that Candy Crush Saga is still at the top charts for free iPhone games. Candy Crush Saga also continues to trend on Android device app stores as well. The game has been downloaded over 3 billion times across the world. That’s quite impressive. For 13 years straight, the sight of candy has been addictive even in mobile gaming, and it doesn’t plan on slowing down anytime soon. 

2. Music

Music is a whole mood, but music videos bring the energy and multiply it times 10. Katy Perry is one of the many artists whose music videos have demonstrated elite vibes and how the inclusion of candy has created an iconic moment in pop culture. When Katy Perry started off her video in a land full of candy and goodies for her 2010 hit song "California Gurls", she instantly captured the attention of viewers. The video is so timeless, we even wanted to be on set. With many goodies, including Gummy bears, bubble gum, peppermints, lollipops, and cotton candy, Katy Perry set the tone with her symbolic use of candy in pop culture. Katy used candy to tell a story through her music. She surely did impress viewers as "California Gurls" stayed at the number one spot of Billboard’s Hot 100 for several weeks in 2010. The song has won many awards and was even been nominated for Video of the Year. The song is still played around the world up to this very moment and its beautiful candy visuals are still talked about. Other honorable mentions that have included candy in their songs and/or videos include Fergie’s "Fergalicious", Lil Wayne’s "Lollipop", 50 Cent’s "Candy Shop", and Doja Cat’s "Candy".

3. Fashion

It may sound unbelievable, but candy has even made an impact on the fashion world. Candy has inspired the aesthetic of many clothes and accessories we see. Stripes in candy are pretty common. Whether it's peppermints, lollipops, or sugar-sugar-coated candy stripes, they have all played a major part in the design of fashion. Popular brands such as Gucci, J.Crew, and, most recently, Dolce & Gabbana have all created the candy stripe trend in their collections. Dresses, pajamas, polo shirts, and pants feature a bold, bright, different, and attractive print that gives off a sweet and fun look. Many clothing brands have also collaborated with candy brands. Some popular collabs include teen-inspired clothing brand Justice and popular Jelly Bean company Jelly Belly. Popular fashion company Kate Spade, known for its bags, has collaborated with M&Ms. Accessories have also gotten their inspiration from candy. Candy-shaped earrings have been spotted at stores like Claire’s. Celebrities such as Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, and Katy Perry have appeared wearing accessories that resemble candy. More recently, Atlanta-born rapper Playboi Carti received criticism on the internet for carrying around a bedazzled diamond-filled lollipop, as many people see it as useless.

4. Social Media
Social media is home to new trends and ideas. The amount of creative geniuses on apps like TikTok and Instagram is unreal. And just like you may have been thinking, candy has a special place on social media. From as far back as the Jelly Bean Challenge, which started in 2007, all the way to freeze-dried candy, which is currently popular, social media has seen its fair share of how candy has influenced pop culture. You open your TikTok feed and you see someone trying a candy that you can’t help but wonder what it may taste like. Then boom, you’re at the store opening your wallet, spending money on that bag of candy, which leads to the boosting of candy sales. This was exactly the case when Kylie Jenner posted her love for Nerds Gummy Clusters on Instagram in early 2021. Fans were tempted to wonder why she was obsessed and made their way out during a Pandemic to find Nerd Gummy Clusters. As mentioned earlier, candy has also prompted popular challenges around the world, such as the Jelly Bean Challenge, which is a fun game that is played with Jelly Belly’s Bean Boozled and often recorded and posted on YouTube or any other platform. When opening your Bean Boozled, you will see two jelly beans that look exactly alike but have different flavors. One is yummy while the other is disgusting. You spin the wheel and attempt to make the right choice. This trend was very popular in the late 2000s, early 2010s, and is currently still played and sold by Jelly Belly across the world. Candy influencing social media and its users proves that candy isn’t just a snack, it's culture and content.

5. Movies

For many of us, watching Christmas movies is a holiday tradition. It’s a part of the culture. Elf is one of the many Christmas movies that families gather around and watch while sharing laughs. The movie’s main character, Buddy, is infatuated with sugar, including candy. One of the most memorable lines in this movie involves Buddy explaining the four food categories, in which most of them are, hilariously enough, candy! Candy is Buddy’s obsession and even a part of his character. This movie captures how candy is a part of pop culture because many of us share this movie with our families annually and laugh at that part. We can’t imagine the movie without that part. Similar to how boring pop culture would be without the impact of candy. And, of course, there is the mother of all candy movies: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, in which group of kids are the envy of a candy-obsessed world as they get to indulge in every confection imaginable for an entire day (with some caveats...)!

Candy isn’t just a sweet snack we crave; candy has a tremendous impact on pop culture and is surrounded by us all the time. The entertainment we consume is a prime example.