In terms of social media, 2025 has been defined by fun and crazy TikTok dances, trends and memes. As the year comes to a close, here is a look back at my favorite trends of the year!
10. Internet Confessions
Way back in January when TikTok was under threat of a national ban, influencers and content creators created “Influencer Confessions”, confessing their top secrets they had kept from the Internet and their fanbase. I thought this was funny and kind of dramatic because if these influencers had YouTube or Instagram, they could’ve still posted on those Internet platforms. This trend ended up lasting less than 24 hours as TikTok did not get banned, so influencers felt awkward for exposing their secrets.
9. 100 men vs. a Gorilla?
The Internet loves hot — and slightly pointless — debates, and one of the biggest in 2025 was 100 men versus a gorilla, Internet users arguing over who would win a face-off. Some argued that 100 men would beat a gorilla, but controversy stemmed around an underestimated strength of the gorilla. In my opinion, the gorilla would win as long as the men did not have weapons, but I guess that this question will remain inconclusive.
8. Holy Airball
This trend is hilarious and interesting because it contrasts expectations against the creator’s silly alter ego or reality of their job or situation. For example, a user can create a TikTok saying “I’m an influencer,” saying that people usually respond with “Oh, so you do fun TikTok dances?” However, the next clip that comes up is entitled “HOLY AIRBALL,” with the creator doing the silliest and unexpected actions. Look it up to see what I mean!
7. Nicki Minaj Pose
This TikTok trend emerged from a music video that Nicki Minaj created called “High School,” where she attempted a balancing challenge where one leg crosses over the other leg in heels. As a result, TikTok users tried to balance on the craziest objects like cans and dumbells, competing to see who could pull it off. Influencer Ciara tried this by balancing on TWO DUMBELLS while holding a bottle of wine, so I think it’s safe to say she won this trend. I don’t think I’ll be attempting this trend, though…I’d fall off and break my head if I even attempted.
6. Nothing Beats a Jet2 Holiday
“(Darling hold my hand) nOtHiNg BeAtS a jEt2 hOlIdAy…” While it is always stuck in my head rent-free, this TikTok sound was used for multiple videos, but mainly to show silly and bizarre vacation moments. My favorite TikTok featured a family who travelled to Greece and booked on a hotel online, only to arrive and find it was under construction. I myself have travel stories that would fit this sound perfectly.
5. Alexander Come Back To Sleep
Calling out all Hamilton fans, this trend has officially made it to this list! Sounds from the Hamilton soundtrack have always been trending on TikTok, mainly because of the musical’s popularity and the catchy nature of its soundtrack. The specific lyrics correlating to this trend occur when Hamilton sings “Leave me alone and let me leave” in response to the lyric “Alexander come back to sleep”, and it has been used for a variety of TikToks this year. The founding fathers were unexpectedly funny this year.
4. Sugar On My Tongue
Tyler the Creator’s hit “Sugar On My Tongue” went viral when TikTokers put their phone in the fridge and filmed themselves lip syncing to a phone that was freezing in the refrigerator. It is very silly because while the song itself is catchy, it goes to show how pointless, yet entertaining, social media can be at times.
3. -Aholic
This popular phrase is used by many TikTokers to describe their addictions to ordinary activities or possessions of theirs. For example, I love Starbucks (who doesn’t?) and I have a bunch of drinks and drink out of all of the drinks. That shows I am a Starbucks-aholic…get it? It’sfun because people to poke fun at themselves over obsessing over everyday things.
2. Maui Wowie
This trend comes from Kid Cudi’s song “Maui Wowie,” where users hang from poles, street signs or stoplights while lip-syncing the lyric, “Going back to honolulu.” I think this trend is really fun, and while I never tried it myself, some people dangerously hang off from the ground, making it both intense and entertaining to watch.
1. 67
This trend really won TikTok trend of the year…67. This trend originated from the song “Doot Doot” by Skrilla, in which he shouts “67,” referencing 67th street in Philadelphia. It was later connected to NBA player LaMelo Ball’s height of 6-foot-7. A young boy in March went viral by saying 67 during a high school basketball game filming a vlog and he was forever known as the “67 kid.” The trend exploded online and evolved into slang, even earning word of the year recognition I’m definitely guilty of saying it, and while it should probably stay in 2026, I know it won’t.