Spin the Wheel

Viral TikTok Trends 2025

The pop culture landscape of December 2025 has been dominated by viral TikTok trends, social media phenomena, and internet culture moments that have captured the attention of millions around the world. These trends represent the ever-evolving nature of digital culture, where a single video, dance, or meme can explode into global awareness overnight, shaping conversations, influencing fashion, and creating new celebrities in the process. The power of social media to create and amplify cultural moments has never been more evident than in 2025, as platforms like TikTok continue to serve as incubators for trends that spread across the internet and into mainstream culture. One of the most fascinating viral phenomena of 2025 was the "Group 7" experiment created by Sophia James, a social experiment that captured the imagination of millions. James posted seven videos to see which would gain the most reach, and the results were dramatic: the seventh video garnered over 85 million views, far exceeding the others. The experiment itself became a trend, with users and celebrities engaging in their own versions, trying to understand the algorithm and create their own viral moments. The "Group 7" experiment highlighted the unpredictable nature of viral content and the ways in which users are constantly trying to decode and game social media algorithms to achieve maximum visibility. The "6-7 Step" dance challenge emerged from a niche music track and quickly became a global phenomenon. This rhythmic walk challenge has creators performing in various locations, from subway stations to corporate boardrooms, demonstrating the universal appeal of simple, repeatable dance moves. The challenge's success lies in its accessibility—anyone can participate regardless of dance ability—and its adaptability to different settings and contexts. The "6-7 Step" challenge exemplifies how TikTok trends can transcend cultural and geographic boundaries, creating shared experiences that connect people across the globe. Perhaps the most iconic viral moment of 2025 was the "Aura Farming" dance, popularized by 11-year-old Indonesian dancer Rayyan Arkan Dikha. Dikha's performance during a traditional boat race captivated social media, with his effortless charisma and natural dance moves becoming a global meme. The term "aura farming" itself became part of the cultural lexicon, symbolizing the ability to project confidence and charisma through movement and presence. Dikha's performance demonstrated how authentic, unscripted moments can resonate more powerfully than highly produced content, and how social media can elevate individuals from obscurity to global recognition in an instant. The influence of TikTok on music has been particularly pronounced in 2025, with several Spanish-language songs achieving viral status. Four Spanish tracks made TikTok's 2025 list of most viral songs: "Azul" by J Balvin, "Dame un Grrr" by Fantomel x Kate Linn, "Te quería ver" by Alemán and Neton Vega, and "Suave" by El Alfa. These songs have been widely used in user-generated content, reflecting the platform's diverse musical influence and its ability to break down language barriers. The success of these Spanish-language tracks demonstrates how TikTok has become a global music discovery platform, where songs can achieve international popularity regardless of their original language or market. The rise of AI-generated content has created new and complex viral phenomena, exemplified by the song "We Are Charlie Kirk" by Spalexma, an AI-generated gospel tribute that went viral on TikTok and topped Spotify's Viral Songs chart. The song's spread was fueled by AI-generated videos of conservative figures singing the song, blurring the lines between reality and AI content in ways that both fascinated and concerned viewers. This trend highlights the growing sophistication of AI tools and their ability to create content that is indistinguishable from human-created material, raising questions about authenticity, truth, and the future of creative expression in the digital age. TikTok personalities have become major cultural influencers, with several creators achieving mainstream recognition in 2025. Brittany Broski, known for her comedic content, released her debut single "The Sun" in April 2025, blending pop rock with bluegrass influences. Broski's transition from TikTok creator to recording artist represents a new pathway to music industry success, where social media fame can directly translate into traditional entertainment careers. Her success demonstrates how platforms like TikTok are democratizing access to the music industry, allowing creators to build audiences and launch careers without traditional gatekeepers. Nigerian TikToker Adebayo Temitayo, known as Realjjfrosh, has gained recognition for creating unique sounds used by over 12,000 TikTok creators. His 2024 video "Let's Get 100 Billion Comments" garnered over 12 million views and about 1.7 million comments, making it one of the most commented videos in African TikTok trend culture. Realjjfrosh's success highlights the global nature of TikTok culture and how creators from around the world can achieve international recognition through the platform. His ability to create sounds that resonate across cultures demonstrates the universal appeal of certain types of content. Chrissy Chlapecka has become a prominent figure in the "#BimboTok" subculture, a movement that challenges traditional notions of intelligence and femininity by embracing and reclaiming the "bimbo" aesthetic. Chlapecka is set to release her debut single "I'm So Hot," blending pop and hyperpop genres. The "#BimboTok" movement represents a form of cultural resistance, using humor, fashion, and performance to challenge societal expectations and create space for alternative expressions of identity. Chlapecka's success demonstrates how subcultures can flourish on social media platforms, creating communities and movements that might not have found expression in traditional media. The television landscape has also been shaped by viral moments and social media culture. "I Love LA," an HBO series created by comedian Rachel Sennott, has become a standout comedy of 2025 by satirizing influencer culture and internet addiction. The show features a star-studded cast including Josh Hutcherson and Leighton Meester and has resonated with audiences who recognize themselves and their relationship with social media in the show's characters. "I Love LA" represents a meta-commentary on the very culture that has made it possible, demonstrating how entertainment can both reflect and critique the digital age. "KPop Demon Hunters," an animated Netflix film, was named TIME's 2025 Breakthrough of the Year. The film follows a K-pop trio battling soul-feeding demons through music and has amassed over 325 million views, with its soundtrack topping the Billboard 200. The film's success demonstrates the global appeal of K-pop and how animated content can achieve mainstream success when it combines compelling storytelling with popular music. The film's viral success on streaming platforms shows how content can achieve cultural impact through digital distribution. Fashion trends in 2025 have been heavily influenced by TikTok and social media, with Gen Z leading a shift towards authenticity and experimentation. Celebrities like Bella Hadid and Kylie Jenner are mixing vintage aesthetics with emerging designers, moving away from mainstream luxury brands. This trend reflects a broader cultural shift towards individuality and away from mass-market conformity, with social media serving as a platform for discovering and promoting alternative fashion choices. The influence of TikTok on fashion demonstrates how social media can democratize style and create new pathways for designers and trends to gain recognition. Anticipated 2026 fashion trends, as projected by TikTok, include a boho revival with indie-grunge influences. Key items projected to dominate include wedge heels, Napoleon jackets, and Kangol hats. These projections demonstrate how TikTok serves as a predictive tool for fashion trends, with early adopters and influencers signaling what will become popular before it reaches mainstream retail. The platform's ability to identify and amplify emerging trends makes it an important source of information for the fashion industry. The viral culture of 2025 has also been marked by the continued evolution of meme culture, where images, videos, and phrases take on new meanings as they spread across the internet. Memes have become a form of cultural communication, allowing people to express complex ideas, emotions, and social commentary through shared references and inside jokes. The speed at which memes evolve and spread demonstrates the dynamic nature of internet culture and its ability to create and transform meaning in real-time. The relationship between viral content and traditional media has become increasingly complex, with television shows, movies, and music often being discovered or rediscovered through social media. A clip from an old show can become a viral moment, introducing new audiences to content that might have been forgotten. Similarly, songs can achieve new popularity years after their initial release when they become associated with a viral trend. This phenomenon demonstrates how social media can extend the lifespan of content and create new pathways for discovery. The economic impact of viral trends cannot be overlooked, as successful TikTok creators can earn substantial incomes through brand partnerships, merchandise sales, and platform monetization. The ability to turn viral moments into sustainable careers has created a new class of digital entrepreneurs who understand how to create, amplify, and monetize content. This economic opportunity has attracted millions of creators to platforms like TikTok, contributing to the platform's growth and the diversity of its content. As 2025 comes to a close, the viral culture landscape continues to evolve, with new trends emerging constantly and old ones fading away. The speed of this evolution can be dizzying, but it also creates opportunities for constant innovation and creativity. The trends of 2025—from dance challenges to social experiments, from AI-generated content to subculture movements—demonstrate the power of social media to shape culture, create communities, and amplify voices that might not have been heard in traditional media. As we look toward 2026, it's clear that viral culture will continue to be a dominant force in shaping how we communicate, express ourselves, and understand the world around us.