Who’d have thought Sofia Richie Grainge two-stepping on TikTok could cause such a stir online?
The 26-year-old can be seen dancing alongside her friend, influencer Jake Shane, in a TikTok video posted November 28. Looking chic in a camel-color sweater and skirt combo, she did a little two-step and shimmy alongside Shane, as they sang TikTok’s current favorite song “Messy” by Lola Young.
@octopusslover8 happy thanksgiving @Sofia Richie Grainge
♬ Messy – Lola Young
The 14-second clip, which has scored nearly 24 million views, seems innocent enough. And Grainge’s casual moves, since dubbed the “Sofia Richie Dance,” have since inspired thousands of copycats looking to jump on the next trend.
“New fave dance unlocked,” a creator wrote next to a video of her mimicking Grainge’s moves, garnering more than 7 million views. Another said she was “practicing” her Sofia Richie dance in the kitchen “for absolutely no reason.” A third received upwards of 1.3 million views on a video showcasing similar moves on a New York City street, and a fourth creator described the “Sofia Richie dance” as her “Roman Empire”—another term that originated on TikTok to describe something someone thinks about often.
@manondevelderx I don’t know what this is but I like the song
♬ original sound – LOLA YOUNG LIVE
The fact that such simple moves can even be called a “trend” has infuriated the internet. “What Sofia Richie did was just called vibing y’all,” one TikToker said in her analysis of the trend. “It’s pretty normal for people who like music,” she added with more than a hint of sarcasm. Other commenters beneath the videos are baffled by all the fuss. “I’m not understanding this trend,” one wrote in a roundup of videos posted by the original singer, Lola Young. “Is the dance in the room with us?” added another.
@lolayounglive this trend 😭😭😭 #lolayoung #lolayoungfan
♬ Messy – Lola Young
The platform’s rapid-trend cycle and the algorithm’s emphasis on quick, engaging content means users slapping a name on something and calling it a trend is a surefire way to go viral. When it comes to TikTok trends, the more accessible, the better—and what could be simpler than a backwards step, a shimmy, and a two-step? Ultimately, this results in a flattening of personality in the chase for clicks. But, you must admit, the dance is catchy.
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