This week on TikTok: The dance from Netflix’s new show Wednesday is already iconic
It might be easy to forget TikTok was once Music.ly and first took off as a place for viral dances, as it’s now become the hub for all genres of content. But a new dance trend is sweeping the app, mirroring the already iconic dance scene from Netflix’s new hit show Wednesday. The re-boot of the classic Addams Family follows daughter Wednesday Addams, and the show has surpassed even Stranger Things 4’s first week viewership (a truly impressive feat considering that’s Gen Z and Millennials’ favorite show).
The dance is simple, comprised of mostly swinging hand movements, dramatic bends at the waist, and an unblinking stare. While the original scene is to the tune of “Goo Goo Muck” by the Cramps, TikTok dancers are mostly putting on their best all-black Wednesday ‘fit and strutting the (slightly awkward and stilted) moves to a sped-up version of “Bloody Mary” by Lady Gaga. Choregraphed by star Jenna Ortega herself, she says it takes inspiration from “Siouxsie Sioux, Bob Fosse’s Rich Man’s Frug, Lisa Loring, Lene Lovich, Denis Lavant, and archival footage of goths dancing in clubs in the 80’s,” and viewers have clocked a few references to the original Addams Family films. This isn’t the only trend emerging because of this show, though. Also under the popular sound (which has 339.4K videos) are videos of creators angling to mimic the look of Thing (her severed hand companion) climbing atop their head.
Also on TikTok: What is a dabloon, and why are cats giving them away?
Protestors in China are using social media to amplify their voices
In recent weeks, protests have surged across China against continued strict COVID-19 policies—many led by Gen Z and Millennials on college campuses. Despite protests being very rare in Chinese culture (and severely condemned by the Chinese government), the country’s Gen Z and Millennials are a huge part of the unrest. The country’s youth unemployment rate is very high, many are unhappy with 996 culture, and lockdowns have exacerbated their problems and their discontent.
And, as they do, young people are posting on social media to give the world an inside look into the demonstrations and government responses to them. But a search for their content is difficult on Twitter specifically, as searches are being flooded with spam bots—any time someone looks up a location in China or Shanghai, the bots block the content. Many are speculating the spam bots are run by the criticized government itself to both prevent citizens from organizing any further protests or events and to keep other countries out of the know.
But of the videos that have made it through the noise, one chant in particular has gone viral from a protest in Shanghai; because “zero-COVID” policies have barred essential needs and restricted citizens from basic freedoms, like going to the movie theatre, protestors chanted “I wanna see a movie!” Videos of the chant were spread over WeChat and amongst Chinese film fans and professionals and have caught international attention.
Balenciaga’s huge marketing mishap is making influencers re-think their partnerships
Balenciaga has become known for edgy marketing and runways, but they’re facing backlash over their recent holiday ad campaign featuring child models, holding stuffed bears accessorized with leather harnesses. At the same time, a separate campaign for their spring/summer 2023 collection was found to have included documents from the Supreme Court case United States v. Williams—a case concerning federal protections against child pornography—in the background. Combined, these campaign images sparked calls to #cancelbalenciaga across TikTok and Twitter, and accusations to “the brand and its creative director, Demna, of condoning pedophilia and child exploitation.”
The scandal appears to all have started with a viral TikTok by user Brittany Venti, who said the brand’s campaign“is using children to promote sexual deviancy and fetish gear.” The video led to a viral tweet which sparked even more of the controversy as it made its way to mainstream news sources. The reaction has been intense from all sides: on TikTok, where the hashtag has 118.2M views, users showed themselves taking a stand against the brand by burning their shoes and cutting the name labels off their bags.
The brand responded through statements on their Instagram and Twitter, stating “We strongly condemn child abuse; it was never our intent to include it in our narrative. The two separate ad campaigns in question reflect a series of grievous errors for which Balenciaga takes responsibility.” Still, major celebrities with connections to the brand like Kim Kardashian have stated they’re questioning their partnership in light of the irresponsible marketing. YPulse data shows 71% of Gen Z and Millennials agree “Brands need to make an effort to be politically correct today,” and a major oversight like this could be a breaking point for young consumers.
In Western Europe: A hot water bottle trick has gone viral thanks to daytime TV
When asked in September, most Europeans plan to buy essentials for gifts this year as a cost-of-living crisis hits, but with a recession looming many are cutting down on their spending habits—and either need help on how to keep warm or inspo on cheap presents. It just so happens that daytime TV is just one source that’s helping them. Earlier in the week, ITV show This Morning sent out a warning for those with existing hot water bottles, or for those buying one this Christmas. Apparently, hot water bottles have expiry dates—surprised? Check for a daisy inside the water bottle (the rubber part), there should be 12 segments with a number 22 in the middle. The segments are months, telling consumers when each is manufactured for each dot within it. Despite not being the easiest pass-by-date to see, it will help many avoid being seriously hurt.
TikTok has taken the advice on board, spreading the word for people to check their hot water bottles. Not forgetting, the hot water bottle dependence has become an accessory for the #hotgirl to help battle period cramps, blotting, and to keep warm—so it’s important for the “Hot Girls” (and the 45.2M viewers under #hotwaterbottle) to check on their water bottle too.
And with most young consumers spending their free-time consuming media—it’s certainly getting the advice across. The tip has found its way to Australia; @miketango__ has taken a look, spreading the word across the globe, while others like @.tapped check out their out-of-date water bottle, with many commenting that their own were over 10 years old. Many other small content creators have stitched the This Morning original clip with their own shock at how old their water bottle is. It’s become common knowledge now for young Brits, all thanks to these avid TV watchers—it’s been said before by YPulse, young Europeans love TV content—watching on average ten hours of TV per week, certainly catching them top-tips to give out. And the speed this info has got across the globe—thanks to TikTok—proves the power of social media amongst these gens too.
Links We’re Passing:
Beauty: Blue eyeshadow is back, again, in a new hue
Movies: The return of Tumblr usership has resulted in a trending Martin Scorsese movie that doesn’t actually exist
TikTok: This viral artificial intelligence can write for you
Music: Spotify wrapped is finally here, and all the memes that come with it
Spotify users are also connecting their accounts to an app that makes them their own festival lineup
Movies: A new Transformers movie is coming and the first trailer for Rise of the Beasts just dropped
Plus, Marvel’s Gaurdians of the Galaxy Vol 3 trailer is here
Weird marketing: Lindsay Lohan is drinking Pepsi with milk in a new commercial
Politics: Student loan forgiveness is still on hold, but Gen Z and Millennials are delighted that payments are too
