We surfed and scrolled so you don’t have to.
Is it just us, or is today’s internet as complex as that 500-page, senior-year trigonometry textbook that still appears in your nightmares? There are so many niche conversations and conflicts happening in different corners of this zeitgeist labyrinth, you’d have to be near-superhuman (or incredibly addicted to your phone) to keep up with every trend peaking and falling across every social media app.
But at the same time, no one wants to miss out on the fun. In the spirit of giving, we’re compiling a weekly list of five trending topics, memes, videos, and other ephemera that are making the rounds online. Love them, hate them, or can’t stop sending them to your friends, these are the moments you don’t want to let pass you by.
This week, we’ve scoured social media for the internet’s most viral moments, and let’s just say that there are a few conversations that should be spotlighted. On deck, we have a trend where people wonder if their grandmothers were victims, a pop star whose rebrand has been usurped by an unlikely source, and why a certain first date idea is going viral. Plus, all the trending anticipation over Taylor Swift’s upcoming album.
JoJo Siwa’s “Karma”
For the uninitiated, JoJo Siwa is a former child star who initially launched to fame via the reality television series, Dance Moms. Throughout her childhood and adolescence, Siwa was known for prolific dance moves, collaborations with Nickelodeon, candy-colored hair accessories, and her energetic personality; plus, she also ventured into singing positive and tame hits for kids.
In the tradition of Miley Cyrus and Britney Spears, however, Siwa has decided to launch an edgy rebrand to nix her family-friendly image. Alongside debuting a much darker aesthetic, she released a new single entitled “Karma” at the beginning of April.
In the weeks since, creators have been poking fun at Siwa’s new look, her jerky choreography, her red carpet interviews, and her vocal abilities.
To make matters worse, the internet has also discovered that Siwa’s song was originally performed by a much lesser-known performer named Brit Smith.
As a result of the unintentional publicity, Smith’s version of “Karma” has climbed the ranks on iTunes and out-charted Siwa’s version by a significant margin.
In other words, the rebrand has turned into a PR nightmare that Siwa has yet to emerge from. It’s unclear how or if Siwa will pivot, but at the moment, “Karma” is contentious.
Grandma’s love story
A TikTok creator has been going viral for a simple skit: In this short video, she imitates her grandmother telling the story of meeting her husband: “I met him and he wouldn’t leave my father’s store. For three weeks he camped outside.”
The video sardonically makes fun of a sad reality: Most of our grandmothers came of age during a time when women had very few rights and didn’t necessarily have a say in who they married. Those who did have a choice weren’t exempt from feeling pressured or coerced.
In response, many creators have been telling their own family stories of how their grandmothers met their husbands. Common themes include large age gaps, stalking, an abrupt end to girlhood, and a lack of consent.
If your grandma is still alive, let this be your sign to ask her for her love story. And if you already know it, take a second to pass it on to the next generation, so they can be grateful that they’re stuck with the more palatable disappointment of contemporary dating apps.
Doing taxes on a first date
Speaking of apps, a woman went viral this week for posting a video with her plans for a first date. The video, which has since been deleted, was a classic “GRWM” (“get ready with me” — a type of video where a creator applies makeup and picks out an outfit for an event, all while speaking to her audience about her plans). The woman prepared for the evening while explaining that her date would be “helping her do her taxes.”
The date stood her up before she could part with her DOB, bank information, and other tax-relevant details. But TikTok has been brutally shaming her for her decision to remind others that releasing financial information to a stranger is generally a very bad idea.
In case you (or anyone else you know) need to hear this, we’re happy to remind you that scammers are everywhere. If a charismatic match on Hinge or Tinder says they’re an accountant, just opt for regular small talk instead of asking for more specific advice that involves your social security number.
The Tortured Poet’s Department release
By the time you’re reading this, pop mega-star Taylor Swift will have released her latest album, The Tortured Poet’s Department. If you’re in the mood for an uplifting social media tale, check out the legions of fans who can’t stop posting about their pure and uninhibited joy — which often includes a very lovable typo.
Happy Tortured (or “Tortued”) Poet’s Department debut to all who celebrate. And if you’re not already getting misty-eyed, check out our favorite essay about what Swift’s work means to countless girls and women.
