the theme of confidence in entertainment and media shifted from simple "feel-good" tropes to a more critical and resilient cultural movement

Beyond fictional scripts, the real-world pop culture of 2021 was a series of masterclasses in public self-assertion.

For years, the "relatable" hero ruled the screen. We loved the awkwardness of The Office or the neuroses of early 2000s rom-com leads. But in 2021, the tides turned. The most talked-about characters weren't unsure of themselves; they were certain, often to a fault.

Cultivating Confidence