2025 Viral Moments: The Year in Memes & Trends

The Viral Vortex: 15 Moments That Defined Culture in 2025

The past 12 months were a whirlwind of viral sensations, from celebrity engagements to unexpected animal antics. But beyond the fleeting trends, a series of cultural moments – both triumphant and turbulent – truly defined 2025. Here are 15 highlights (and lowlights) that captured the collective attention.

Beyoncé’s Historic Grammy Win & The Power of Reaction

In February, Beyoncé made history at the Grammy Awards, securing her first country album of the year win for Cowboy Carter. While the superstar didn’t articulate her shock – her stunned facial expression and body language spoke volumes. The win, following documented resistance within the country music community, was followed by a second win for album of the year, a long-awaited recognition for an artist many felt was previously overlooked. As one observer noted, it was a moment to celebrate both Beyoncé’s achievement and the internet’s newfound meme fodder.

Sydney Sweeney & The Denim Dilemma

An American Eagle advert featuring actress Sydney Sweeney, clad head-to-toe in denim, sparked a surprisingly heated debate in July. The tagline, “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans,” ignited controversy, with some interpreting it as a subtle nod to white supremacist and eugenics-era rhetoric. The ensuing publicity dramatically boosted the brand’s sales, though it didn’t translate into box office success for Sweeney’s latest film. The actress later clarified she did not endorse the problematic interpretations, stating she simply “loved the jeans and love the brand.”

Lily Allen’s Raw Revelation: West End Girl

The music scene saw its share of drama in 2025, from Oasis’s seemingly smooth reunion tour to a disastrous Elvis experience and Coldplay’s less-than-stellar tour stops. However, Lily Allen’s album, West End Girl, dominated conversation with its unflinching portrayal of her divorce from Stranger Things actor David Harbour. The album’s lyrics, including a candid exploration of an open relationship – “We had an arrangement / Be discreet and don’t be shameless / There had to be payment / It had to be with strangers” – resonated with listeners for its brutal honesty.

Adolescence: A One-Take Wonder

Netflix’s series Adolescence, centered on a schoolboy accused of stabbing a classmate, became a television phenomenon. The show’s innovative single-take filming style captivated audiences. “Did you know it was all shot in one take?” became a ubiquitous refrain. Even more remarkable was the breakout performance of Owen Cooper, 15, in his first screen role. He went on to win the youngest male Emmy Award, declaring in his acceptance speech, “I was nothing three years ago, I’m here now.”

Pistachio Perfection: The Dubai Chocolate Craze

Food trends came and went – matcha, bubble tea, and the disappointing Starbucks olive oil coffee all had their moments – but 2025 belonged to the pistachio. A viral TikTok trend, sparked by a pregnant woman’s specific craving, propelled a decadent Dubai chocolate bar with a pistachio filling to stardom. Imitators quickly followed, charging upwards of £11 per bar, and driving a global surge in pistachio demand.

The Jet2 Advert: A TikTok Time Warp

Jess Glynne’s 2015 hit “Hold My Hand” experienced an unexpected resurgence in 2025, becoming TikTok’s song of the year thanks to the endlessly parodied Jet2 advert. The ad, featuring idyllic holiday scenes, became a canvas for users to showcase travel chaos – from crowded hotels to sun lounger squabbles. TikTokkers even tested the public’s recognition of the ad’s famous slogan.

EsDeeKid & The Timothée Chalamet Mystery

The enigmatic rapper EsDeeKid, who rose to fame while concealing his identity behind a mask, captivated the public. Speculation ran rampant that the rapper’s visible eyes bore a striking resemblance to those of Hollywood star Timothée Chalamet. Chalamet playfully fueled the mystery, eventually collaborating with EsDeeKid on a music video filmed outside a Finsbury Park off-licence. You can view the collaboration here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ.

Labubu Mania: The Vinyl Creature That Conquered All

If 2025 had a mascot, it would be Labubu, the vinyl creature with pointy ears, big eyes, and a nine-toothed grin. Created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, Labubu became a must-have accessory, spotted dangling from the bags of celebrities like Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and Lisa from Blackpink. Long queues formed worldwide as fans clamored to get their hands on the coveted plush toys.

David Tennant’s Bafta Singalong

Host David Tennant kicked off the Baftas with a rousing rendition of The Proclaimers’ “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles),” enlisting the help of the A-list audience. While Selena Gomez and Hugh Grant received a lighthearted mention, Camila Cabello, Anna Kendrick, Colman Domingo, James McAvoy, and Celia Imrie bore the brunt of the call-and-response “Da da-da!” sections. Jeff Goldblum, however, appeared to be thoroughly enjoying the chaos.

Rachel Zegler’s Stage Triumph After Snow White Struggles

The live-action remake of Snow White faced controversy before its March release, stemming from comments made by actress Rachel Zegler, tensions surrounding the conflict in Gaza, and debates over the portrayal of the seven dwarfs. The film flopped, but Zegler swiftly rebounded with a successful run in London’s West End production of Evita. A particularly memorable stunt saw her perform “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina” from the balcony of the London Palladium, drawing an estimated 130,000 spectators to the street.

Streaming Wars: Hits, Misses, and Pink Paint

Amazon Prime Video found an unexpected hit with Last One Laughing, a reality show where comedians compete to avoid laughter. A viral moment featuring Joe Wilkinson being pelted with pink paint while delivering a serious speech about the RNLI became a standout. Meanwhile, the third season of The White Lotus sparked controversy with a Saturday Night Live parody that mocked Aimee Lou Wood’s teeth. Kim Kardashian’s legal drama, All’s Fair, received scathing reviews, but Kardashian cleverly used the criticism to promote the show, leading to a swift renewal.

Alan Carr’s Unexpected Victory on The Celebrity Traitors

The Celebrity Traitors dominated television in 2025, generating countless viral moments. Tom Daley’s side-eye, Celie Imrie’s digestive noises, and Paloma Faith’s early elimination were just a few highlights. However, Alan Carr emerged as the breakout star, his awkwardness and discomfort proving endlessly entertaining. His surprising victory sparked a career resurgence, leaving him both delighted and bemused. “People are going ‘Oh, that Alan, isn’t he funny?’” he quipped to Graham Norton. “I’ve been on telly for 25 years, I must have been awful!”

Adrien Brody’s Marathon Oscar Speech

Adrien Brody broke an Oscars record in February, delivering a 5-minute and 40-second acceptance speech – the longest in Academy history – after winning best actor for The Brutalist. He famously threw his chewing gum into the audience before launching into his extended remarks, waving off the orchestra’s attempts to cut him off. Rumor has it he’s still on stage at the Dolby Theatre today.

Celebrities Take Flight: The Blue Origin Voyage

In April, Katy Perry and Gayle King were among six women who embarked on an 11-minute space flight with Blue Origin. The journey included a live performance of Perry’s “What a Wonderful World” in zero gravity. However, the trip drew criticism from some who deemed it “tone deaf” given the current economic climate. Mariah Carey, however, made her feelings clear: “Did she go to space?” she asked, seemingly unaware of the event.

Mariah Carey’s Iconic Noncommittal: “I Think I’ve Done Enough”

Mariah Carey’s nonchalant attitude towards space travel perfectly encapsulated the year’s spirit of understated iconoclasm. When asked about Perry’s voyage on BBC Radio 2, Carey revealed she hadn’t even heard about it. When pressed about the possibility of her own space flight, she delivered the now-legendary line: “I think I’ve done enough.” A sentiment that has quickly become the unofficial motto for 2026.