While it’s reasonable to say that 2024 was not a perfect year, there were a few notable moments in pop culture history that will undoubtedly live on in memory.
As the year comes to an end, let’s look back at the pop culture moments that defined 2024.
Elmo checking on everyone
Elmo is just checking in! How is everybody doing?
— Elmo (@elmo) January 29, 2024
Beloved Sesame Street character Elmo began the year with a simple tweet asking how they are doing. The red-furred monster became the target of trauma-dumping by everyone on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Let’s just say people used this tweet as an avenue to share what they are really feeling about their lives.
Read more: The internet trauma-dumps on Elmo following a wellness check on X (Twitter)
Very Demure, Very Mindful
@joolieannie #fyp #demure ♬ original sound – Jools Lebron
Even if it wasn’t really a great year, it was the one when “very demure, very mindful” became the catchphrase. The trend was started by Jools Lebron, a TikTok creator, and like everything that occurs on the platform these days, it quickly gained popularity.
Read more: Why is everyone ‘very demure’ and ‘very mindful’ on the internet these days?
Moo Deng
In keeping with her slippery nature, Moo Deng appeared out of nowhere and won over people’s hearts everywhere. She has become well-known throughout the world for her antics, which include her love of hose water and biting the keeper’s leg despite not having teeth.
Related story: Baby pygmy hippo Moo Deng’s social media star status draws concerns from her zookeepers
Willy Wonka Experience in Glassgow
It’s safe to say that this was one of the most talked about topics online. The Willy Wonka Experience was supposed to be an immersive show but the expectation did not meet with reality as they misled families with ads using AI images.
Read more: Willy Wonka-inspired event in Scotland misleads families with ads using AI images
Paris Olympics
Although a lot transpired during this year’s Olympics, Rachael “Raygun” Gunn’s performance stole the show. During her Olympic competition, her moves—if they can even be called that—became the talk of the town. Despite receiving a perfect score of zero, she was crowned Australia’s top breaker following the Olympics.
Brat Summer
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Some people might have had a Brat summer this year if they were not very mindful and very demure. The album Brat by Charli xcx serves as the inspiration for this movement. The term itself has a bad connotation, but “Brat summer” shifted this by emphasizing empowerment and living to the fullest, driven by Charli xcx’s album’s vibrant green and upbeat dance tunes.
Related story: ‘Brat season isn’t over’: Charli XCX’s brat album cover takes over walls around Metro Manila
Timothée Chalamet’s lookalike contest
@timhalchal TIMOTHÉE SHOWED UP AT THE “TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET LOOKALIKE CONTEST” IN NYC TODAY! 😭😭😭 #timothée #timotheechalamet
2024 pop culture moments highlights? This should never not be included. Timothée Chalamet surprised fans by attending a New York City look-alike contest dedicated to him, sneaking through the crowd disguised in a mask and baseball cap. The event, which drew over 2,500 RSVPs and stirred social media buzz, also saw a comedic turn with a participant’s arrest and the actor’s playful acknowledgment of the quirky gathering.
Read more: Timothée Chalamet gatecrashes own look-alike event, sparks hilarious reactions
Wicked
This year saw the release of the eagerly awaited musical-turned-movie, albeit it turns out that everyone will have to wait a year for part two. From Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s pink and green ensembles to the holding space meme, the press tour proved to be the gift that keeps on giving.
Read more: New ‘Wicked’ featurette celebrates the timeless classic
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