From Bernie’s Mittens to the Bridgerton Effect, social media has allowed for the rapid rise and widespread recognition of pop culture trends. In 2021, the Buss It Challenge, Ratatouille: The Musical, and WandaVision were among the most popular, while sea shanties and Gen Z slang terms continued to gain traction. The Meghan and Harry Oprah interview sparked debates and discussions, while the dangerous Skull Breaker Challenge was condemned and eventually banned. Vaccine selfies aimed to encourage others to get vaccinated, and the period drama Bridgerton was a hit among viewers, sparking conversations about plotlines and fashion. These trends have created shared experiences, bringing people together and highlighting important issues.
10 Surprising Pop Culture Trends That Took Over Social Media in 2021
Social media has become an integral part of our lives and has taken over our daily routines. Because of its vast reach, it has become a platform to launch and popularize pop culture trends. 2021 was not an exception. In this article, we will take a look at the top 10 surprising pop culture trends that took over social media in 2021.
1. Bernie’s Mittens
During President Joe Biden’s inauguration, an image of Senator Bernie Sanders donning a pair of mittens went viral on social media. Since then, the image has been Photoshopped to various locations, TV shows, and movies, making it one of the most popular pop culture trends of 2021.
2. The Buss It Challenge
The Buss It Challenge became a favorite among social media users in early 2021. Created by Dallas rapper Erica Banks, the challenge involved women in sweatpants and hoodies transforming into fashion models, showcasing their curves and style to the catchy tune of Banks’ hit single, “Buss It.”
3. Ratatouille: The Musical
In 2021, TikTok users created a completely original musical based on the beloved Disney film, Ratatouille. The TikTok-made musical became a sensation and was eventually picked up by Broadway for fundraising. The show took social media by storm, with fans of all ages tuning in to watch the performances.
4. WandaVision
WandaVision was one of the most anticipated shows in recent times. The Marvel series soon became a pop culture phenomenon and took over social media with fans speculating the plot and the numerous Easter eggs in each episode.
5. Sea Shanties
Sea shanties are traditional work songs that were sung by sailors to keep them in rhythm during their tasks. In 2021, TikTok users caught on to this trend, and soon sea shanties were everywhere on social media.
6. The Gen Z Slang
Gen Z slang terms have been on the rise on social media platforms. Terms like “yolo,” “bae,” and “lit” are not new to social media, but in 2021, they became more popular than ever.
7. Megan and Harry’s Oprah Interview
In March 2021, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s interview with Oprah Winfrey became an overnight sensation. The interview became a hot topic on social media, with fans taking sides and sparking debates.
8. The Skull Breaker Challenge
The Skull Breaker Challenge was a dangerous trend that emerged on TikTok. The challenge involved tripping one person while two people jumped in the air, causing the person to fall and potentially injure themselves. The challenge was condemned by many, and eventually, TikTok banned users from posting such content.
9. The Vaccine Selfie
In 2021, vaccine selfies became a trend on social media. People shared images of themselves getting vaccinated in an effort to encourage others to get the vaccine and show support for the health care workers who have been on the front lines during the pandemic.
10. The Bridgerton Effect
The period drama Bridgerton, which premiered on Netflix in December 2020, became an instant sensation in 2021. The show took social media by storm, with fans discussing the plot, the characters, and the costumes, making it one of the most talked-about pop culture trends of 2021.
In conclusion, social media plays a significant role in pop culture trends. The above-mentioned pop culture trends of 2021 took over social media and facilitated discussions, debates, and sometimes, controversial conversations. These trends have brought people together, and in some cases, brought attention to important events or issues.