TikTok is the cultural heartbeat of social media in 2024. From viral challenges to dance crazes, TikTok trends have gone beyond entertainment—they now shape marketing, fashion, and even consumer behavior. Jeff Derderian explores some of the hottest TikTok trends dominating your feed this year.
- “Embarrass Yourself” Trend
TikTok’s latest viral challenge, the “Embarrass Yourself” trend, encourages users to laugh at their most awkward moments (Slaying Social). With its playful format, this trend celebrates imperfection and self-deprecating humor, creating an environment where users feel more authentic and relatable.
The trend taps into the larger social media movement toward vulnerability and openness, where being real, flaws and all, resonates more than perfection.
- Zepotha 1987: The Fake Horror Film Craze
A clever use of nostalgia and horror aesthetics, the Zepotha 1987 trend involves users creating videos around a fictional 80s horror film (Slaying Social). The trend’s allure lies in the mystery—viewers are drawn in by the eeriness and the vintage vibe, and some are even confused into believing the film is real.
This trend showcases TikTok’s ability to blend fiction with reality, fueling curiosity and engagement through clever storytelling.
- “Girl Dinner” Filter Trend
With the “Girl Dinner” filter, users are spinning the mundane into comedic gold. This trend uses an AI filter to select random food items, which users then react to with humor (Slaying Social). This quirky trend has become a light-hearted way to bond over shared experiences, and even poke fun at the often strange food choices we make when eating alone.
- Barbie Movie Mania
The release of the Barbie movie has spawned countless micro-trends on TikTok (Slaying Social). From reimagining your career as a Barbie character to playful “Ken’s job” skits, TikTok users have embraced Barbie with open arms, celebrating everything from her signature pink style to her cultural impact. These trends have fueled a resurgence in nostalgic, carefree content and helped bring lighthearted fun to the platform.
- “Never Back Down, Never What?”
The “Never Back Down, Never What?” trend sees TikTokers using humorous text overlays to describe situations where a pep talk might be needed (Slaying Social). Whether it’s encouraging a reluctant pet to exercise or motivating yourself to do household chores, the trend taps into everyday struggles with a comedic twist.
TikTok continues to be a space where creativity flourishes. In 2024, these trends are not just influencing online culture—they are driving marketing strategies, setting fashion trends, and shaping social conversations. TikTok’s power lies in its ability to connect people over shared experiences, creating a space where authenticity, humor, and creativity thrive.