TikTok users are exposing their worst exes—all to the soundtrack of Lorde’s new single

The latest TikTok trend has people exposing their terrible exes and most toxic relationship stories to Lorde’s new single “ ">Man of the Year“—with receipts.

Since the song dropped at the end of last month, the trend has quickly gained traction on TikTok. Typically following a slideshow format, users post a selfie before revealing a series of text messages or, worse, a voice note from truly the worst villains.

While the trend fundamentally misinterprets the lyrics, which explore Lorde’s gender identity, it has nonetheless opened Pandora’s box online.

One viral post, with almost five million views, shows someone scrolling through their ex-partner’s unopened Snapchat messages from other women (they just keep coming). “At least I was pinned,” the TikToker joked in the caption. “That looks exhausting. is he unemployed,” one commenter asked.

Another user posted an actual EDM track her ex created using a crying voicemail she had sent. “He cheated, i broke up with him and then he proceeded to make a edm song to a crying voicemail,” she explained in the caption.

“I think you’ve found a unique experience,” one person commented. “I’m so sorry this is the funniest thing i’ve ever seen,” another added.

Some users chose to opt out of the trend. “Could BODY this trend but chose peace,” one TikTok user posted, hinting at some truly damning receipts.

Some videos shared as part of the trend are genuinely disturbing, detailing harrowing accounts of emotional and physical abuse. According to the United Nations, over a quarter (27%) of women worldwide, aged between 15 and 49, who have been in a relationship report having experienced some form of physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner.

Even Lorde, the unwitting originator of the trend, felt compelled to respond. Earlier this week, she posted a clip shaking her head as the song plays, her face expressing disbelief. The caption reads: “These messages……”

In response to one comment—“girl yes, it’s got me scared”—Lorde replied: “I can’t look away.” Another summed up the trend: “guys you’re stressing out lorde.”

https://www.fastcompany.com/91352484/tiktok-users-are-exposing-their-worst-exes-all-to-the-soundtrack-of-lordes-new-single?partner=rss&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss+fastcompany&utm_content=rss