A mother went inside Walmart to get her daughter a Black Barbie doll. Then, she realized the store did not have any without disabilities.
In a video with 1.8 million viewers, @praylivingthislife explained why she left her local Walmart without a Black Barbie doll for her daughter. According to her, the store only offered blind and diabetic Black Barbies at the time she visited.
“Now, why they do this? I’m trying to find my baby, you know, some dolls with some color, and I was going to get her, and this is nice, but she’s diabetic and her sugar a little bit high,” she told her audience. She then picked up another Black Barbie and noticed she was blind.
Why does Walmart not have any Black Barbies?
Walmart, a large corporate retailer, may have an issue ensuring it also has a diverse range of Barbies available whenever someone walks in-store. Out of the 35 skin tones, 97 hairstyles and nine different body types that Mattel has, the store offers countless selections online. But that doesn’t guarantee variety when shopping in person.
It’s possible that Walmart sold out of select Black Barbie dolls like the Brunette Fashion Doll. Based on their Barbie listings online, Walmart does generally have both able and disabled Barbies on any given day. But, with Christmas right around the corner, @praylivingthislife may have come on a day with limited selection.
It’s also possible that Walmart generally keeps more white Barbies in stock. For decades, white Barbies have been treated like the “standard” product. In 2020, around 68 percent of Mattel’s Barbie dolls were white. They’re often the first Barbies to appear whenever you search for them online, so stores still treat them like the “standard” doll.
Diversity is also oftentimes bundled rather than expanded, or placed in “sublines” rather than their products hitting shelves everywhere. A disabled Barbie might be a “fashionista,” but she won’t end up being part of Mattel’s main line products that end up in every store.
Did she have a problem with the other dolls?
Some commenters slightly misconstrued @praylivingthislife’s messaging in her post, with some expressing how positive disabled representation in stores can be.
One commenter wrote, “My daughter got the blind Barbie for her birthday from a friend whose daughter is blind and asked Santa for the diabetic Barbie because she has an insulin pump like Mommy. She loves having Barbies that represent loved ones in her life,” with a shrugging emoji.
Others mentioned that those Barbies might actually be rare finds. “I collect the disabled Barbies and those two are the ones I’ve been trying to find forever. You’re so lucky. But I do agree, there needs to be more diversity beyond the Barbies that are considered able-bodied.”
@prayingthislife clarified, however, that she wasn’t upset about the fact that some Barbies had a disability. She was upset because she couldn’t find a Barbie that was like her daughter when she went to Walmart.
In her video, she said, “There’s nothing wrong with showing diversity, but this one blind and they just don’t have any, well Black baby dolls over here in the Walmart on Memorial Drive. All the black baby dolls got a little illness going on. Ain’t nobody well over here if you’re black.”
As one commenter stated, “There should be some black dolls that don’t have any illnesses. There ALSO should be black dolls that do.”
While it is most likely a stocking issue rather than a product issue, it does seem as though Walmart and Mattel could make more of a conscientious effort to ensure all types of Barbies are featured on shelves.
The Mary Sue has reached out to Walmart, Mattel and @praylivingthislife for comment.
The way beauty companies handle unsold inventory has become one of those things customers are only learning about because workers keep filming it.
Over the past year, Ulta employees have posted videos showing returned makeup being destroyed, often because of contamination concerns.
Once a product has been opened, tested, or tampered with, stores usually can’t resell it.
But according to one Mississippi Ulta worker, contamination isn’t the only reason perfectly packaged makeup ends up getting trashed.
In a recent TikTok that’s now pulled in more than 116,900 views, creator Camdeion (@realcamdeion) showed what happens when a product simply doesn’t sell. The product in question: Wyn Beauty Skin Tint, the complexion line backed by Serena Williams.
‘We Told Y’all to Come and Get It’
In the video, Camdeion sits on the floor next to a co-worker named Bella. In front of them are two boxes. One holds unopened Wyn Beauty Skin Tint still in its original packaging.
The other is filled with empty containers that have already been poured out.
“So this is what we do when y’all don’t buy the products,” Camdeion says. “We have to damage it out.”
He gestures between the two boxes as he explains the process.
“Y’all do not come here and buy this Wyn Beauty,” he says. “Because, like, it’s still here. Why is it still here?”
Camdeion explains that the product had already been marked down and put on sale, but even that didn’t help.
“So me and Bella, we’re gonna basically skin this out,” he says. “Because, like, girl, y’all not coming to buy Serena Williams stuff.”
As Bella pours the skin tint into the discard box, Camdeion keeps talking through it.
“And it’s on sale to the first of the year, honey,” he says. “And this is a skin tint. That’s what it’s giving.”
He adds that while some people said the formula was good, he had heard complaints about oxidation.
“I’ve heard that it oxidizes really bad,” he says. “So, um, no thank you.”
For a lot of viewers, the most shocking part wasn’t the review. It was the fact that unopened makeup was being destroyed instead of being sent somewhere else.
What Do Shoppers Actually Think of Wyn Beauty Skin Tint?
The product never reached full viral status, but it did find an audience. On Reddit, shoppers who tried Wyn Beauty Skin Tint had mixed but detailed opinions, especially around oxidation.
One person wrote that they loved the formula but noticed a clear shade shift. “It’s really pretty. I bought the concealer and tint yesterday,” they shared. “Tint oxidizes quite a bit, like two shades deeper.”
They added that choosing a lighter shade helped offset the issue, and they didn’t mind the oxidation because they liked how the product wore.
Another shopper echoed that experience. “Love the finish. Love the buildable coverage. It totally oxidized on me though.”
Others said oxidation wasn’t an issue for them at all. “I have extremely dry skin and it works beautifully on me,” one person wrote. “No oxidation on me.”
So while the product wasn’t universally disliked, it also didn’t catch on in a way that kept it from ending up in Ulta’s damage bin.
Why Unsold Makeup Doesn’t End Up at Discount Stores
A lot of viewers had the same reaction: Shouldn’t unopened makeup like this end up at places like Marshalls or TJ Maxx?
In reality, many brands—especially those positioned as luxury or prestige—avoid that route on purpose. According to industry explanations from retailers like Darveys, dumping unsold inventory into off-price stores can hurt a brand’s image. Luxury and prestige brands rely on scarcity and exclusivity. If products start popping up everywhere at steep discounts, that perception falls apart fast.
There’s also the issue of gray markets. Once products leave official channels, they can end up resold through unauthorized sellers. That creates problems for brands trying to control pricing, distribution, and authenticity.
Counterfeiting plays a role too. The global fake goods market is massive, and makeup is no exception. If unsold items circulate too freely, it becomes easier for counterfeiters to study packaging and formulas, making it harder for customers to tell real from fake.
All of that makes destroying unsold product, as wasteful as it looks, a calculated decision for many companies.
In the comments, viewers didn’t hold back.
“I wish Ulta and Sephora had a donation program,” one person wrote. “They could give stuff like this to local women’s shelters.”
Others shared their own experience with the product. “I bought it on the clearance and still returned it,” one commenter said.
Another added, “Ulta marked that way down. I got it and it wasn’t bad but a little drying. You need good skin prep.”
Some focused less on the formula and more on marketing. “I’m sad,” one person wrote. “She had decent products but she never advertised it.”
And a few comments turned more personal. “Even if the product was good, Serena and her makeup choices have always been questionable to me,” one viewer said. “Therefore I’ve never been interested.”
The Mary Sue has reached out to Ulta to ask about the handling of unsold inventory shown in the video. We’ve also contacted Camdeion via email for additional comment.
Ljeonida is a reporter and writer with a degree in journalism and communications from the University of Tirana in her native Albania. She has a particular interest in all things digital marketing; she considers herself a copywriter, content producer, SEO specialist, and passionate marketer. Ljeonida is based in Tbilisi, Georgia, and her work can also be found at the Daily Dot.
TikTok’s music influence hit an all-time high in 2025. All year long, a steady stream of new tracks exploded into viral trends, defining the sound of a generation. Fresh releases found second lives as dance challenges, meme soundtracks, and emotional anthems for millions of people.
It was a year where a single catchy hook or heartfelt lyric could spark a global movement overnight. From tear-jerking ballads to high-energy bops, TikTok’s community turned songs into cultural moments. The platform’s trends shaped what we listened to, proving once again that the For You page doubles as 2025’s hottest music chart!
1. ‘Ordinary’ — Alex Warren
The not-so-ordinary love anthem of 2025.
It’s ironic how a song called ‘Ordinary’ became the year’s most extraordinary viral hit. Alex Warren’s ‘Ordinary’ started as a tender love ballad he wrote for his wife, but TikTok sent it stratospheric. The track’s earnest lyrics about everyday romance struck a chord in countless relationship montages across the app. By summer, you couldn’t scroll your feed without hitting a heartfelt video of couples, friends, or even pets set to Warren’s soaring chorus. The song’s universality, “the angels up in the clouds are jealous,” he croons made it the perfect soundtrack for love in 2025.
Its popularity was unparalleled: ‘Ordinary’ topped the Billboard Hot 100 for ten straight weeks, fueled by millions of TikToks using its chorus as an audio backdrop. Warren, a former content creator himself, clearly understood TikTok’s pulse. We embraced him as 2025’s patron saint of sappy romance, while skeptics jokingly wondered how a YouTuber-turned-singer quietly dominated the charts. Love it or not, ‘Ordinary’ became the defining sound of young love this year: a wedding-worthy earworm that turned our feeds into one giant lovefest!
The soulful slow-burn that TikTok turned into a global cry-fest.
Leave it to TikTok to catapult an R&B sleeper hit into the spotlight. Ravyn Lenae’s ‘Love Me Not’ dropped with a dreamy blend of retro-pop and indie vibes, but it truly caught fire when a creative TikToker mashed it up with Solange’s ‘Losing You.’ That unexpected mash-up became pure viral gold. Suddenly, ‘Love Me Not’ was the soundtrack to thousands of bittersweet montages: late-night drives, rain-soaked selfies, and “will they/won’t they” romance memes galore. The song’s chorus, an emotional tug-of-war of love and longing, had a way of making even silly videos feel touching.
TikTok’s Gen Z users turned Lenae’s heartfelt lyrics into a communal outpouring of feels, spawning a trend where creators shared stories of almost-relationships and unrequited crushes with the song swelling in the background. The emotional resonance was real: by mid-year, ‘Love Me Not’ had earned Lenae her first-ever spot on the Billboard Hot 100, cracking the top 25. Culturally, it hit that sweet spot between nostalgia and now. Here was a young R&B artist channeling vintage soul, and a new generation was crying and vibing in unison. In 2025, ‘Love Me Not’ proved that a TikTok trend can transform a slow-burn song into a worldwide cathartic sing-along.
TikTok has seen its share of dance trends, but this year, a handshake trend stole the show, all thanks to PinkPantheress’s ‘Illegal.’ The UK alt-pop sensation dropped ‘Illegal’ as a quirky, electronic-infused single, and it quickly fueled the global “Is this illegal?” handshake challenge. Besties everywhere learned the syncopated secret handshake (set perfectly to PinkPantheress’s hypnotic beat) and flooded TikTok with videos showing off their newfound duo skills. The trend’s wholesome twist, celebrating friendship and borderline mischief, resonated across cultures. From high school hallways in the US to friend groups in Tokyo, everyone was bonding over this track!
With over 3.7 million TikTok creations and counting, ‘Illegal’ became the friendship anthem of 2025. It even earned PinkPantheress her second appearance on the Hot 100, proving the song’s impact beyond the app. Emotionally, ‘Illegal’ struck a chord by tapping into that giddy, rebellious energy of doing something silly with your BFF. In a year when online trends often felt divisive, this one brought people together… one elaborate handshake at a time. PinkPantheress’s airy vocals and the track’s tongue-in-cheek title made it irresistibly memeable. ‘Illegal’ wasn’t just a viral song; it became a secret handshake that united everyone around the world (even celebrities).
The DIY glow-up jam that had everyone transforming.
Emerging Atlanta rapper BunnaB unleashed pure TikTok lightning with ‘Mad Again,’ a high-energy track that went from underground to unavoidable. How did it blow up? Two words: transformation videos. Creators on TikTok seized ‘Mad Again’ as the go-to soundtrack for their before-and-after glow-ups; think makeup transitions, room makeovers, and dramatic hair-dye reveals synced to the beat drop. The result? An explosion of ultra-satisfying content, each clip more addictive than the last. The song’s bold, confident hook also inspired a surprise secondary trend: a sign language challenge. Creators who are deaf and allies translated ‘Mad Again’ into expressive ASL performances, showcasing inclusivity in a way TikTok hadn’t seen before!
This one-two punch of visual trends launched ‘Mad Again’ into the viral stratosphere. By summertime, millions of TikToks featured the track, and BunnaB found herself with a breakout hit on her hands. The cultural resonance was big: here was a fierce female rapper (yep, BunnaB’s a woman killing it in a male-dominated scene) whose song empowered people to show off their transformations and personal growth. The track’s pounding bass and sassy lyrics became synonymous with confidence and change in 2025. If you flipped your look or your outlook this year, chances are ‘Mad Again’ was playing in the background, hyping you up for that reveal.
The K-Pop fantasy banger that blurred fiction and reality.
When a fictional K-Pop band from an animated film scores a real-life hit, you know TikTok is involved. ‘Golden’ by HUNTR/X, a glossy K-Pop/R&B hybrid track from the movie K-Pop Demon Hunters, transcended the screen and took on a life of its own. TikTok users globally couldn’t resist its charm. Multiple dance trends popped up, inspired by the movie’s choreography and the song’s impossible-not-to-dance hook. From teens showing off K-Pop moves to dads and kids dancing together after family movie night, ‘Golden’ turned into a cross-generational phenomenon. The track’s signature high note became a viral challenge in itself, with singers (and plenty of non-singers) attempting to nail it on camera.
Within days of the film’s release, ‘Golden’ was dominating not just TikTok but also Spotify and YouTube charts! A collaboration featuring real artists Audrey Nuna and EJAE, the song blurred the line between fiction and reality… and we ate it up. Creators used it for everything from outfit glow-up videos to celebratory montages, because its uplifting vibe instantly boosted any content. Emotionally, ‘Golden’ hit that feel-good spot; it’s joyous, inclusive, and just meta enough (a fictional band trending in real life!) to feel like a moment in pop culture history. By year’s end, HUNTR/X’s debut bop proved that in 2025, even cartoon pop stars can top the charts with a little help from TikTok.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT K-POP DEMON HUNTERS: INSTAGRAM
6. ‘DtMF’ — Bad Bunny
The Puerto Rican heartbreak anthem that had TikTok in tears.
In a year full of bops, Bad Bunny reminded everyone that a soft, nostalgic ballad can still rule TikTok. ‘DtMF,’ shorthand for Debí Tirar Más Fotos (“I should’ve taken more photos”), emerged as the most unexpectedly emotional viral trend of 2025. The song’s lyrics, where Bad Bunny laments not capturing enough memories with a lost loved one, struck a universal nerve. TikTokers began using ‘DtMF’ to soundtrack tribute videos, sharing personal montages of grandparents, parents, pets, and friends they’d lost. Suddenly, our feeds were filled with cherished snapshots and clips, each one more heart-tugging than the last. The trend became a communal space to grieve and celebrate life: a rare, tender moment on the internet.
Even Bad Bunny himself couldn’t stay dry-eyed: he posted a TikTok reacting to fans’ tributes, tears streaming as he watched their stories. That raw connection fueled ‘DtMF’ to juggernaut status. It quickly became the most-streamed song off his new album and climbed into TikTok’s top sounds. Culturally, the impact was huge! At a time when social media often feels shallow, this trend had millions openly discussing love and loss. Users commented about calling their abuela or saving more pictures; proof of music turning reflection into action. By blending Bad Bunny’s star power with genuine fan storytelling, ‘DtMF’ turned TikTok into a platform for healing in 2025. Grab the tissues…this one will be remembered as the song that made the internet collectively cry (in a good way).
The cheeky pop blockbuster that had everyone knocking on wood.
Leave it to Taylor Swift to drop a song so provocatively fun that TikTok couldn’t help but blush… and dance. ‘Wood,’ a standout track from her 2025 album The Life of a Showgirl, is arguably Taylor’s most ahem adult song to date. Fueled by innuendo about her beau’s “new heights of manhood” and a tongue-in-cheek “I ain’t got to knock on wood” hook, the song set the internet abuzz from day one. TikTokers wasted no time spinning it into a viral knock-on-wood dance challenge, complete with a playful tap-tap gesture on the lyric cue. Suddenly, everyone from college kids to actual carpenters (seriously) were posting videos, playfully knocking on tables, doors, and yes, wooden boards in sync with Taylor’s sultry chorus.
The trend’s humor and boldness felt so 2025: a celebration of owning one’s sexuality and having a laugh about it. Culturally, ‘Wood’ resonated as part of the Taylor-Travis Kelce love story that pop culture obsessively followed. Fans gushed that Swift seemed happier and more empowered than ever, and they channeled that energy into TikTok skits quoting her spicy lyrics. Swifties turned cheeky lines into captions (cue the magic wand jokes) and shared their shock-and-delight reactions to Taylor’s bold new era. By dominating conversation and spawning countless memes, ‘Wood’ proved that a well-crafted pop song can be both a chart-topper and a TikTok trendsetter! Taylor gave 2025 a song equal parts sexy and playful, and we said amen.
Gen Z’s existential pop mood, wrapped in a TikTok trend.
Jessie Murph delivered a late-year viral gem with ‘Certain Kind of Love,’ a song that turned one candid lyric into a TikTok catchphrase. The track’s pop-rock energy is amazing on its own, but it was the line “I don’t see a world where I turn 25” that set off a firestorm. Young TikTokers seized on those words, half-joking and half-emoting about the classic quarter-life crisis feels. In a trend equal parts dark humor and heartfelt yearning, creators would lip-sync that lyric and showcase their wildest dreams or chaotic life plans before the dreaded 25th birthday. Others made vision board-style videos, proclaiming they will see 25, complete with images of future goals, as Jessie’s anthem blared in the background.
The dual interpretations made the trend fascinating: some played it for laughs (“YOLO, who needs 26?”) while others found motivation in it. Either way, Murph’s raw, youthful vocals became the sound of Gen Z’s hopes and fears in 2025. The song itself, with its sparkling production and emo-pop vibe, resonated emotionally because it encapsulates that in-between feeling of being young and uncertain about the future. Culturally, ‘Certain Kind of Love’ gave voice to a generation’s anxiety, and did it in a way that was oddly uplifting. As the song climbed streaming charts (buoyed by TikTok exposure), it proved that sometimes one powerful lyric is all it takes to spark a movement. Jessie Murph went from a rising singer to the patron saint of “live in the moment” youth, and we couldn’t stop humming along!
The animated movie’s OST that had everyone doing the Shakira shimmy.
If you thought soundtracks were safe from TikTok’s grasp, think again. Shakira’s ‘Zoo,’ from Disney’s Zootopia 2, pounced onto the scene and immediately took over TikTok. With its signature Shakira bounce and irresistible rhythm, ‘Zoo’ has that universal appeal that makes people nod along…or better yet, jump up to mimic her moves. As the film hit cinemas, TikTok was flooded with clips of fans attempting the ‘Zoo’ dance. From expertly choreographed renditions to adorably clumsy first tries, creators worldwide got in on the fun. One day you’d see a Colombian dance crew nailing Shakira’s hip drops; the next, a suburban dad giving it his best shot in the living room. The hashtag #ZooDance trended in multiple countries as Shakira’s track united all ages in a celebratory shimmy.
Culturally, this song’s virality was a real full-circle moment: Shakira had given us a TikTok smash back in 2016 with ‘Try Everything,’ and here she was again, reminding us she’s still the queen of soundtrack pop. The emotional uplift of ‘Zoo’ was impossible to resist; it’s pure joy in musical form, arriving just when 2025 needed it. TikTok users used the song not only for dance challenges but to soundtrack zoo outings (of course), fitness routines, and any content needing a jolt of fun energy. Shakira even interacted with fans doing the challenge, further fueling the hype. By year’s end, ‘Zoo’ wasn’t just a song from a movie; it was a global TikTok party. When Shakira yells “Come on, get on up” in the chorus, you best believe millions are dancing like animated animals set free!
The hype rap bop that brought mosh-pit energy to our feeds.
Every year needs a no-holds-barred banger, and in 2025, it was ‘Whim Whamiee.’ This collab between rappers Pluto & YK Niece came out of left field and promptly took over TikTok with its chaotic, high-octane vibe. The track itself is two minutes of pure adrenaline, and TikTokers treated it like a rallying cry. Dance crews, gym rats, and party-goers all jumped on a trend of showcasing insane energy whenever ‘Whim Whamiee’ played. We’re talking college students turning dorm halls into impromptu mosh pits and choreographers bringing full-out hip-hop routines to the app. The song’s rapid-fire lyrics turned into a lip-sync challenge only the bold (or breathless) would attempt, while its bass drops fueled countless “hype me up” memes.
By mid-summer, ‘Whim Whamiee’ had the whole platform on its feet (literally). The frenzy propelled the song to #5 on TikTok’s own summer chart in the US, and its popularity spilled over to streaming services. Perhaps the biggest sign of its impact? Two of music’s heavy hitters, Lizzo and Sexyy Red, jumped on official remixes, dropping their own verses to ride the wave. We went wild at the co-sign: seeing A-listers vibing to a TikTok-made hit felt like vindication for internet culture. ‘Whim Whamiee’ resonated because it was pure fun: a little unhinged, a lot catchy, and totally participatory! In a year where many viral songs tugged at our heartstrings, this one was all about letting loose. It turned TikTok into a virtual nightclub where anyone could be the life of the party. And if you ask us, Pluto and YK Niece won 2025’s award for the most insane glow-up; from obscurity to everybody’s hype soundtrack, no VIP pass needed!
Trying on a Galia Lahav gown is supposed to feel like a fairytale, not a corporate performance review. A Florida bride-to-be went viral after sharing a dress-fitting horror story that nearly ended in tears, all because she dared to ask if her train could be a little longer.
What followed was a stylist delivering accusations and a lecture about “asking for a lot.” Good thing the bride knew how to stand up for herself.
What happened during the wedding dress try-on?
Luna’s (@drlunaa) video is only 38 seconds long, but it shows enough to attract 6.7 million views. Even more, it has over 3,700 comments, all in shock over the conversation. The clip begins with Luna standing in the dressing room. She looks to the side, presumably where the stylist is standing, and says, “What can we do about making the train a little bit longer?” The stylist, in return, barely takes a breath before launching into her response.
“I have to find these things out, that’s what I’m saying to you. You’re asking for a lot, so I have to find out from them if it’s possible,” the stylist responds. “Because your gown is in production. I keep trying to explain that to you. So I don’t know what changes are possible at this moment because we’ve already placed the order.”
She finishes her speech by saying she also needs to find out the cost and then cross-check with Luna if she wants to pay for it. During the entire time, Luna only says “OK” and listens. The text overlays read: “NOT MY DRESS” and “Why is she so aggressive,” and “Listen to the way a stylist was talking to me (I was so nervous and uncomfortable, I had to ask for someone else).”
The camera then cuts to a new clip, with Luna videoing while holding her phone and looking into the mirror. The new text overlay reads: “My new stylist, I loved her!!!”
The clip shows the new stylist (dubbed Gen Z by viewers because she looks young) holding up a piece of fabric for the wedding dress sleeves. She says enthusiastically to Luna, “It’s gonna be so pretty.” Luna laughs and says she likes these gloves better. The clip ends.
What is Galia Lahav?
Established in Tel Aviv, Israel, this boutique has been carefully crafting wedding gowns for three decades. On their website, they describe themselves as, “We take pride in being one of the leading houses able to offer custom couture gowns without physically meeting our customers thanks to the unique technology we developed. Our emphasis on personalization and customization, alongside our uncompromising designs, is what continues to differentiate us from other designers.”
Since some viewers make sure to comment on the pricing, it’s worth noting that the site lists its wedding gowns’ prices on the FAQ section. “Our Couture collections start at $9,000 USD and our GALA collection start at $6,000.”
@drlunaa Now that we’re a couple months out from my wedding, I finally feel comfortable sharing this. The situation was extremely uncomfortable for me, especially as a paying customer coming in for the first time to request a simple dress adjustment. I want to be clear that I don’t think this reflects the brand as a whole, but it did remind me how important it is to advocate for yourself. The woman helping me was genuinely scaring me, and I ended up having to ask for someone else. I would never speak to someone the way she spoke to me, so I don’t think anyone in a customer-facing role should speak to clients that way either. @Galia Lahav ♬ original sound – Dr. Luna
Viewers are Outraged
With thousands of comments, most of them are supporting Luna and outraged on her behalf. Many call out the first stylist’s attitude. One viewer says, “The attitude is INSANE.” Another says, “I can’t stand when people act like you’re inconveniencing them for doing their job!” A third states, “Why TF is she yelling at you?”
Others call out the bad service for the high price. One viewer shared, “Mind you a Galia Lahav dress is like 10k, one of the most expensive in the business and to be talked to like that is crazy.”
Another says, “‘You’re asking for a lot.’ YEAH, CUZ SHES PAYING A LOT. lorddd.”
Some viewers sympathize with Luna and say they would have reacted differently. One viewer says, “Oh. my. god. your reaction is 10x better that whag mine would have been.” Luna replies, “@Dr. Luna: I know I realize now that I didn’t stick up for myself. At least I asked for someone else in the end. I was just so uncomfortable and didn’t understand why she was being so aggressive.”
Another says, “You are so strong for not crying on the spot.”
Last but certainly not least, Galia Lahav’s TikTok account commented on Luna’s video. “We’re so sorry that this was your experience. We just want to note that this does not reflect our brand values and the experience we want to give, and that she is no longer working with us! Sending you much love.”
The Mary Sue reached out to the creator via TikTok direct message and to Galia Lahav via press email.
Gisselle Hernandez-Gomez is a contributing reporter to the Mary Sue. Her work has appeared in the Daily Dot, Business Insider, Fodor’s Travel and more. You can follow her on X at @GisselleHern. You can email her at [email protected].
Decorating a Christmas tree is a popular holiday tradition. When you think of this custom, lights, inflatables, garlands, and ornaments may pop into mind. Instead of the usual plastic or glass ornaments, some are resorting to online DIY methods and buying products for it from stores like Walmart. Across social media, people are turning to Grandma Betty to liven up the festivities.
Who is Grandma Betty?
Grandma Betty Conley (@bettyconley602) is a craft specialist with 45 years of experience and a Christmas enthusiast. Recently, her work has gone massively viral on social media for her homemade salt-dough ornament tutorial.
Step by step, she demonstrated how to create her handmade gingerbread ornament bears using key ingredients such as polyurethane spray, ribbon, instant coffee, and flour. Because of its simple, long-lasting designs, social media users are rushing to their nearest stores to purchase the ingredients needed to replicate her holiday creations.
It appears retail workers are also catching on to this trend.
What did this Walmart customer notice?
“I just got a grocery pickup, and I think my Walmart worker knows about Grandma Betty’s Ornaments,” Stay-at-home mother Chelsea (@lifeofamother) begins her video, standing in her kitchen.
What led her to suspect this? “I got normal groceries. Then, I threw in Polyurethane Spray, ribbon, and instant coffee. This was in a bag together with my flour,” she explains, unveiling each item.
Those not actively on TikTok may not notice anything unusual about these product combinations. However, anyone who has viewed the viral grandma’s videos may recognize the iconic recipe. So, the content creator believes that all of the items bundled together aren’t a coincidence.
“There’s no way out of all of the stuff that they bagged these items together. I think that’s so funny,” Chelsea explains. “Grandma Betty is taking over the internet.”
What did viewers think of this Walmart bagging assortment?
Chelsea’s video amassed 1.1 million views. Many found the arrangement of Grandma Betty’s Ornament ingredients in the same bag humorous.
“That’s hilarious. I was going to try my hand at making some Grandma Betty ornaments too,” one viewer commented.
“It was definitely intentional because those were separate pick walks altogether lol,” another stated.
A Walmart employee echoed the same sentiment, writing, “As a Walmart digital shopper, we do know. I love seeing people buy stuff for TikTok crafts and meals!”
On the other hand, some felt the opposite, stirring panic and condemnation of the bagging.
“Technically that’s against the rules,” one commenter remarked. “You dont bag chemicals with food.”
“They never should have put food with that spray,” a second echoed.
Why shouldn’t chemicals and food be in the same bag?
In a nutshell, it’s a lethal form of cross-contamination and a health hazard. If there are any leaks or spills from the chemical, they can contaminate the food, posing a significant safety risk. Instead, it must be sorted into different bags. Furthermore, it can violate a grocery store’s policies, including Walmart’s, which instruct associates to bag chemicals separately from food, according to the company’s website.
Melody Heald is a culture writer. Her work can be found in Glitter Magazine, BUST Magazine, The Daily Dot, and more. You can email her at: [email protected]
A woman and her boyfriend randomly attended a pet adoption event at their local Petco and encountered a cat that was separated from its owner by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
TikTok creator Emma (@saltandpepper_tails) posted her first video about the situation on Nov. 2. The day before, she and her boyfriend stopped by Petco while on a shopping trip and met an orange cat named George at an adoption event being held there.
In the video, Emma and her boyfriend explain that they were told by the person running the adoption event that George’s previous owner had been deported by ICE and he was left alone with several other cats until they were rescued by a neighbor.
Emma posted an update video on Nov. 10, which features a series of clips of George acclimating to his new environment.
“We adopted George one month ago, after his owners were deported by ICE,” Emma wrote in the on-screen text. “He and his siblings were left behind without care until they were rescued by a neighbor. We could tell that he was heartbroken when he first came home. With no idea what had happened to him.”
How George the ICE Cat Settled Into His New Home
According to Emma, George initially had no appetite and wouldn’t even drink water. “He was so lost, wondering why he was suddenly no longer with his loving owner.”
She said the couple did everything they could think of to find more information on George’s previous owners. George’s microchip told them he is 7 years old and was surrendered two years ago before being adopted by his last owner.
Unfortunately, the last owner didn’t register the chip, so they don’t know the person’s name or how to contact them.
“It pains me to know that [George] has experienced so much loss and pain behind rehomed twice, with no understanding or closure,” Emma wrote. “He seems to be settling in so well. We know this takes time, so we have been allowing him the safe space that he needs to grieve.”
Emma said that George is opening up more and more each day and she is hopeful that he will fully recover from the experience. “I hope he knows that his owner did not choose to abandon him. No pet deserves to have their owner unwillingly separated from them,” she wrote.
The couple hopes that social media will help them connect with George’s last owner, wherever that person is in the world. “I tell him every day how loved he is, and I think he can feel all of the love you all have given him from across the world,” she wrote in the follow-up video’s caption.
@saltandpepper_tails I know that many of you have been asking for an update on George, so here you are! I apologize for the delay. I have felt a bit sheepish because my efforts to reconnect with his owner have been unsuccessful and I wasn’t sure if that was worthy of an update. I feel overwhelmed with the positive support he has received!! I tell him every day how loved he is, and I think he can feel all of the love you all have given him from across the world! #catparents#kittensoftiktok#deportation#ice#rescue♬ need some rest – how r u
Viewers React to George Story
In the comments section, viewers weighed in on the story of George the ICE cat and the political circumstances that created it.
“Not enough Americans are furious,” wrote one viewer, who is clearly referencing the Trump administration’s recent immigration crackdown. “What is happening there is so awful. People being kidnapped and ripped from their loved ones. I feel so bad for this baby and the family who didn’t want to leave him behind.”
“Oh my god,” said a second person. “How have I never considered the pets that get left behind? The videos of people getting dragged out of their homes are horrible enough.”
Another person suggested, “Please contact micro chip hunters. I used to volunteer and they track down dead-end chips. It’s wonderful work and if anyone can find it it’s them.” There are indeed volunteer groups and services that help people track owners when a pet’s microchip is out of date.
Patch contacted Emma via TikTok comment and direct message for comment.
Nina Hernandez is a writer, journalist, music critic, and culture commentator based in Austin, Texas. Her work has appeared in the Daily Dot, Rolling Stone, the A.V. Club, Eater Austin, CultureMap San Antonio, and the Austin Chronicle. You can email her at: [email protected]
They say that at Ross you “dress for less,” but when it comes to this pair of Levi jeans, “less” seems to be the operative word. TikTok user Debbie Aubuchon (@debbieaubuchon) has gone viral after showing viewers a pair of Levi jeans she found in Ross. But these weren’t ordinary jeans.
In a now-removed 32-second clip, which has amassed 4,295 views, Aubuchon held the $18.99 pair of Levi’s to the camera while repeating: “Oh my God.”
Adorned with the iconic Levi’s label, the jeans featured several holes along the edges, giving them an almost ‘scooped’ appearance. The holes went from the very top to the very bottom of the jeans, to the point that the outside was extremely holey.
“Look at those pants,” Aubuchon gasped, as she continued to examine the garment. “Are you kidding me?”
“$19… there’s nothing left to these pants,” she added.
Aubuchon didn’t immediately respond to The Mary Sue’s request for comment via TikTok comment.
In the comments, TikTok users were equally as incredulous.
One wrote, “My dog can do that for anyone in 5 minutes for free with any pair of jeans.”
“Absolutely not!” a second declared. “Someone used all their scraps.”
“Someone took scissors to them,” a third suggested. “Thats why you haven’t seen them.”
A fourth quipped that the garment looked “a little drafty.”
“I feel cold just looking at them,” they noted.
While a fifth was more direct, simply stating, “Those are ugly [in] my opinion.”
Ross didn’t immediately respond to The Mary Sue’s request for comment via contact form. Levi’s didn’t immediately respond to The Mary Sue’s request for comment via email.
Are ripped jeans still in fashion?
While ripped jeans feel more like an artefact from the ’90s, a trend expert told InStyle that this controversial twist on the denim classic might be making a return.
“Distressed jeans could be making a comeback in 2025 as we saw on the spring/summer runways, including Ralph Lauren,” fashion expert and stylist Naina Singla told the outlet.
“This time around, the look feels more effortless and intentional rather than overly ripped and casual.”
But where does this leave the Levi’s jeans? While there’s no question about it being an intentional look, it definitely errs on the casual side—meaning that this trend might not be making it out of Ross anytime soon.
Goodwill shopper receives an unwelcome surprise from Levi’s shorts
Either way, this isn’t the first time that a shopper has gone viral after being disappointed with a Levi’s item.
The main difference is that, this time round, the Levi’s came from Goodwill rather than Ross, meaning that they are second-hand.
The six-second clip, which was shared by Sierra Davis (@sierradavisdaily), insisted to viewers that they should “check items carefully at the thrift” before buying.
She then panned the camera to a pair of Levi’s shorts before showing viewers the inside. On the crotch area, there is a noticeable brown stain.
Charlotte is an internet culture writer with bylines in Insider, VICE, Glamour, The Independent, and more. She holds a Master’s degree in Magazine Journalism from City St George’s, University of London.
What was supposed to be a heartwarming Angel Tree unboxing quickly turned into a comments-section bloodbath. A mom went viral after filming her kids opening donated Christmas gifts, but the video derails the instant her son clocked the Skechers logo and decided ‘absolutely not.’
There are side-eyes at the Barbie dolls, an outright shoe rejection, and even slapping the pair of jeans out of the mom’s hands. This is where TikTok wasted no time weighing in on gratitude, parenting, and why maybe some moments don’t need to be content.
What is the Angel Tree Program?
Before we dive in, it’s important to know how the entire program works. As many know, the holidays are a tough time for low-income families who cannot provide gifts for their children. This is where the Angel Tree Program came to exist. Started way back in 1979, the program is “a holiday assistance program in which an individual or group sponsors a child ‘Angel’ and purchases new toys, clothing, shoes, or gift cards for children ages 0-12.” The Mary Sue has covered similar stories concerning Angel Tree, like the time a sponsor was flamed on TikTok because she got only “cheap” gifts for her ‘Angel.’
This particular case, however, deals with the Prison Fellowship, a partner to Angel Tree, but for families with incarcerated parents. It is described as “reach[ing] out to the children of prisoners and their families, helping to meet their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs through Christ.”
It is relevant to note the importance of “providing Christmas gifts to children on behalf of their incarcerated moms and dads.” In that case, it is safe to assume that the children in the TikTok video have an incarcerated parent, making them eligible for Angel Tree. It is also worth noting the importance of religion, as the mom in the video mentions going to church multiple times in the clip.
What Actually Happened While Unwrapping?
Mookie (@justMookiiee), who is the mom in the video, has already gained 1.6 million views and over 4,500 comments. The clip is a minute and 20 seconds long, with a preface from the mother at the beginning.
She starts, “The kids, I let them open up the gifts they got from Angel Tree for incarcerated parents. So, this is what they received. I told them to be thankful caz they ain’t have to get nothing.” The video then cuts to the kids, one boy and one girl, holding up their gifts.
They start with the typical child-like excitement, shouting, “We got our presents!” The mom tells them to unwrap it, and the girl is quicker to tear the paper as the boy struggles with the ribbon. Her first box–out of two that are attached together–is revealed. She side-eyes the mom and says, “A white Barbie doll.”
The brother laughs at her. As the girl unwraps her second box, which turns out to be more Barbie dolls, the boy finally removes the wrapping from his gift. It is a shoebox from the brand Skechers. The mom takes the box and says, “You got some sports Skechers.” The boy’s face completely changes as he starts looking unenthused. The mom is removing the tape, and the boy says, “I’m not wearing Skechers.” The mom then replies, “These are comfortable, boy, what you talkin’ bout?”
The Boy is Not Happy
As the mom does what’s left of the unboxing, the boy grabs one of the Barbie doll boxes from his sister and says, “I need a new toy, this is mine.” The sister takes it away from him as the mother pulls out a pair of jeans from the box. She notes this verbally, and the sister laughs at the brother in the background. The mom says he’ll “use it for church in the morning” and holds it up in front of him. The boy promptly slaps it out of her hands and it lands on the floor. He says, “get the [expletive] outta here.”
Next, he puts his head in his hands, and the mom pulls out the tennis shoes. She repeats that he can wear this to church in the morning. His reply: “I ain’t wearin’ those.” The mom then holds up the shoes to the camera and shows an all-black Skechers tennis shoe. The mom calls it “crispy,” and the boy simply repeats, “I ain’t wearin’ those.”
Viewers are not holding back with their opinions. While most make sure to comment on how ungrateful the boy is, others also take his side. One viewer says, “Ungrateful at its finest.” Another adds, “Well…you didn’t teach them very well that’s sad.” Mookie replies, “They are still growing lots to learn.”
A viewer shares another perspective: “I’m a huge angel tree supporter and this doesn’t upset me in the least. Kids like toys. Clothes aren’t exciting.” Another says in the same sentiment, writing, “I think he was hoping for a toy instead of shoes. I don’t think he was ungrateful; I believe he was just upset because he wanted a toy like his sister.”
However, viewers clapped back: “People saying his reaction is warranted, no. He can express disappointment without being rude. This is the problem. We are not teaching children gratitude. Those shoes cost 45.00 at target plus the jeans.”
One viewer simply says, “I never would have posted this.” To which Mookie replies, “Why not?”
Several others, however, pointed out that branding is significant for a boy his age. As one user put it, “Teacher here- I get why he wouldn’t wear sketchers. Kids can be so mean to each other.”
Gen Alpha and overconsumption
Indeed, in the age of Stanley Cups, Labubus, and general overconsumerism, kids take brand-name stuff seriously. In an article by Common Sense Media, research breaks out the psychology of Gen Alpha.
“Trending products are creating potential for bullying and exclusion,” the article states. “The age-old pressure to fit in is compounded by the growing list of products that kids feel they need to be cool and connect with their peers.”
It continues, “Viral products like these can create a ‘social hierarchy’ in middle and even elementary schools. One adult shared that her ’11-year-old niece was bullied by her classmates for bringing an off-brand version of the Stanley cup.’ The overwhelming pressure and popularity of these brands are persuading kids that without these exact branded products, their social lives will suffer.”
The Mary Sue reached out to the creator via email.
Gisselle Hernandez-Gomez is a contributing reporter to the Mary Sue. Her work has appeared in the Daily Dot, Business Insider, Fodor’s Travel and more. You can follow her on X at @GisselleHern. You can email her at [email protected].
Dating someone you’ve never met can feel like a gamble, especially when you don’t share mutual friends or have any way to vet them beyond an app profile. It gets even more stressful when you don’t really know what they look like, and they have no online presence.
For one Philadelphia woman, it put her in a dilemma. In a recent TikTok video, she asked viewers whether it was worth going on a date with a man she matched with on Hinge, even though she couldn’t find a single clear photo of him anywhere online.
TikTok creator Molly (@molly.dicarlo) shared the situation in a video that has pulled in more than 237,300 views.
‘I Can’t Find Any Pictures Of Him’
Molly starts the video by explaining that she doesn’t usually talk nor date her Hinge matches.
“I usually never talk to the people that I match with on Hinge,” she says. “I play it more like hot or not.”
That changed when one man caught her attention through a prompt.
“He had his prompt as, ‘You should not go out with me if you’re a Yankees fan,’” she says. “And I slid up and said, ‘Don’t worry.’”
The conversation continued, and eventually the two moved to texting. That’s when Molly realized she didn’t actually know what he looked like.
“His Hinge profile is a picture of him, he looks cute,” she says. “And then there’s a picture of him as a child, and then there’s like five pictures of fish.”
When she asked for his Instagram, he told her he didn’t really post. The account he shared had zero photos. “I even go on the tagged pictures, there’s nothing there,” she says.
Molly then escalated her search.“I looked him up on LinkedIn,” she says. “I searched his name on Google. Can’t find any pictures of him.”
Eventually, she decided to ask directly.
“I just straight up tell him, ‘I have no idea what you look like. Can you send me a picture of yourself?’” she says.
He Did Send a Photo but It Only Raised More Questions
“He looks exactly like Bryce Harper,” she says. “Like, to the point that I put their pictures side by side.”
She says her roommate agreed, even without knowing who Bryce Harper is. The man, she adds, was thrilled by the comparison. That reaction made her skeptical.
“If you’ve never gotten that before, then this is not what you look like,” she says.
That’s when another detail clicked. “I realize every picture that I do have of him, he’s wearing a hat,” she says.
Molly admits her mind immediately went to one possibility. “I’m like, ‘Oh my God, he’s balding,’” she says.
When she asked him directly, he responded, “No, not yet.” Despite her doubts, he still wanted to meet.
“I don’t want to show up and then be like, ‘Absolutely not,’” she says. “I have no idea what this guy looks like.”
In the comments, viewers were divided on whether Molly should take the risk.
“If MTV didn’t cancel Catfish you would be on it,” one person joked.
“There’s this brand new thing—it’s called FaceTime,” another said.
Others questioned what initially drew her in. “I can’t get past the part where that’s what got your attention,” one commenter wrote.
Some encouraged her to give it a chance. “Go on a date. If he ain’t your type, then you thank him and move on,” one person wrote. “If you get along talking/texting you should have a fun date regardless of how he looks.”
She Ends Up Going On The Hinge Date
In follow-up videos, including clips filmed during the date itself, Molly revealed that things didn’t go as hoped.
She says that when she got into his car, it smelled like marijuana, which immediately put her off. Later, during the date, she noticed him spending an unusually long time in the bathroom, long enough for her to fully review the restaurant’s strawberry cider and nachos.
Based on her updates, the chemistry never clicked, and the date fizzled out quickly.
How To Stay Safe While Online Dating
Online dating can be fun, but experts say it’s important to balance curiosity with caution. According to The Guardian, specialists recommend taking time to build trust before meeting in person and paying attention to how someone communicates early on. If something feels off, that feeling matters.
They also warn against rushing conversations on dating apps too quickly. Scammers often try to move chats to private platforms to avoid detection, so staying within app messaging can offer an extra layer of security.
Before meeting someone, it helps to talk the situation through with a friend. An outside perspective can catch red flags that are easy to miss when you’re emotionally invested.
As for first dates, experts suggest meeting in public places, sharing your plans with someone you trust, and having your own way home. If a date feels uncomfortable or unsafe, leaving is always an option.
The Mary Sue has reached out to Molly for additional comment.
Ljeonida is a reporter and writer with a degree in journalism and communications from the University of Tirana in her native Albania. She has a particular interest in all things digital marketing; she considers herself a copywriter, content producer, SEO specialist, and passionate marketer. Ljeonida is based in Tbilisi, Georgia, and her work can also be found at the Daily Dot.
As Paramount continues its fight for Warner Brothers, Larry Ellison’s company wants TikTok too
TikTok has signed a deal to spin off its U.S. operations to a group controlled by mostly American investors, including software giant Oracle, a company run by billionaire Larry Ellison, a Florida businessman cozy with President Trump.
Ellison, who is also doing battle along with his son David Ellison at Paramount, for control of Warner Brothers, with the father-son billionaires engaging in a hostile takeover offer that is being rejected by the legendary Hollywood studio, will now own a piece of TikTok.
TikTok announced it has sold 80% of the company’s U.S. assets to American and global investors, with CEO Shou Zi Chew breaking the news to employees on Thursday. The alternative was for the app to be banned in U.S., a push first proposed by Trump and then passed by Congress.
Should all of the Ellison’s efforts prove successful, they would add CNN and TikTok to a portfolio that already includes CBS News, which they acquired as part of their Paramount takeover, leading them to control a significant amount of American news distribution.
An Oracle-backed investor group is set to take majority control of TikTok’s U.S. operations, pending regulatory approval. Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
A yearslong saga over the future of TikTok in America is nearing its end. The U.S. division of the popular social media app, which is owned by Chinese tech giant ByteDance, will soon be majority-owned by a coalition of U.S. investors that includes Oracle.
The agreement was detailed in an internal memo from TikTok CEO Shou Chew, first reported by Axios. Oracle, alongside private equity firm Silver Lake and the Abu Dhabi-based investment firm MGX, will own 45 percent of TikTok’s U.S. operations. ByteDance will retain a stake just below 20 percent, and affiliates of existing ByteDance investors will own the remaining roughly one-third.
MGX did not respond to requests for comment from Observer. Oracle and Silver Lake declined to comment.
The development follows years of concern over ByteDance’s access to data on U.S. citizens, an estimated 170 million of whom use TikTok. Efforts to either ban the app in the U.S. or force a sale to American owners began last year under the Biden administration, with deadlines later extended multiple times by President Donald Trump.
The terms of TikTok’s new deal appear to closely mirror a framework laid out by the White House in September to place the company’s U.S. division in domestic hands. Under that proposal, Oracle would be responsible for recreating TikTok’s algorithm by retraining a new version for the U.S. market and protecting American user data in a secure cloud. At the time, Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping had expressed approval of the plans.
Oracle will play a similar role in TikTok’s new agreement, which is expected to close on Jan. 22. The American owners of the division will oversee “retraining the content commendation algorithm on U.S. user data to ensure the content feed is freed from outside manipulation,” according to the Chew’s memo, which also notes that Oracle will serve as a “trusted security partner” upon the deal’s completion.
Austin-based Oracle, co-founded by billionaire Larry Ellison, has emerged as the winner among a crowded group of U.S. players—including MrBeast and Perplexity AI—bidding for ownership of TikTok. The deal is set to further deepen ties between TikTok and the tech company, which already helps the platform store U.S. user data. Oracle’s shares are up by more than 7 percent today (Dec. 19).
The new deal is expected to value TikTok at approximately $14 billion, according to Axios. After it closes, TikTok’s U.S. operations “will operate as an independent entity with authority over U.S. data protection, algorithm security, content moderation and software assurance,” the memo said, while “TikTok global’s U.S. entities will manage global product interoperability and certain commercial activities, including e-commerce, advertising and marketing.” The U.S. venture will be governed by a seven-member, majority-American board.
The agreement, which is still pending approval from Chinese regulators, would resolve a longstanding point of contention between Washington and Beijing. Not all lawmakers, however, are convinced that it goes far enough to safeguard national security or protect the data of U.S. citizens.
“This deal won’t do a thing to protect the privacy of American users,” said Senator Rob Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon, in a statement.”It’s unclear that it will even put TikTok’s algorithm in safer hands.”
A woman said that her exact Chipotle order not arriving at her door led her to take a pregnancy test. The strangest part? That pregnancy test was positive.
In a video with over 12,300 views, Sheridan Serrano (@sheridanserrano) explained how she discovered she was pregnant with her now seven-month-old child.
“[I] took a pregnancy test because Doordash delivered the wrong Chipotle order, and I thought it was weird how much rage it filled me with.” According to many commenters, “pregnancy rage is real.”
So, is it true? Or is the evidence that you feel heightened anger at the start of a pregnancy anecdotal?
Pregnancy rage—a real phenomenon?
Pregnancy anger is a real symptom that occurs with some women, correlated with their fluctuating hormones. Many women experience first-trimester “pregnancy rage,” but others experience worsening depression and anxiety. Hormonal changes can be a direct sign of pregnancy, as some women experience pregnancy depression. They lose interest in day-to-day hobbies or activities, feel easily agitated or overwhelmed, and have increasing worries or anxiety about their baby.
Rage can also be a symptom of pregnancy depression. Overstimulation and agitation are common for many pregnant women. It may not be pure rage, but a combination of environmental and hormonal factors that make them feel more fatigued, withdrawn, and generally overwhelmed.
One commenter shared an example from her pregnancy, saying, “Before my positive test I had the weirdest reactions—random fury, sudden fatigue, bloating that made no sense… Then came the vomiting and the HG spiral. My body was so depleted afterward, I didn’t even feel like myself.”
Another added, “When I found out I was pregnant, my husband sat me down and said, ‘Babe, I don’t wanna be mean here, but are you getting ready to start? You’re so mean and angry, and I’m wondering if your PMS is just really bad.’ At the time, it pissed me off, but after thinking for a second, I was like, ‘you know what, I am kinda angry for no reason. I looked at the calendar and realized I hadn’t started yet. [Two] weeks later I took a test and well… I was pregnant. [Three] weeks later I found out I was having twins. [My] husband said it was double the anger.”
While pregnancy rage can be one indicator that you’re expecting, it should also be watched once aware of hormone fluctuation. According to some studies, pregnancy rage can make mothers more likely to experience mental health decline and placental abruption.
It’s always good to chat with a clinician about worsening anger or general mental health changes. While it’s expected to experience some hormonal fluctuations, increasingly hostile or “moderate to severe” anger can increase the likelihood of mood disturbances later on.
The Mary Sue has reached out to Serrano for additional information.
La La Anthony hosted the 2025 TikTok Awards from the Hollywood Palladium, celebrating the best content creators in the digital space.
The fan-voted award show has fourteen categories that recognize creators on the social media app. Categories include Storyteller of the Year, My Show is On award, and TikTok Live Creator of the Year.
Some of the winners of the TikTok Awards included Paris Hilton as Muse of the Year, and Love Island USA’s Jeremiah Brown took the award for Rising Star of the Year.
Some of the stars that made an appearance included the “demure and mindful” creator Jools Lebron, RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Trixie Mattel, Queer Eye’s Tan France, BFFs podcast host Josh Richards, and Cedric the Entertainer, among others.
Ciara was the performer of the night, and K-pop Demon Hunters voice star Rei Ami also made an appearance to present.
“New Era, New Icons” was the theme of the year, recognizing the innovators whose impact extends far beyond the For You Feed. From fashion and beauty to sports, entertainment, learning, and daily life, the Awards spotlight the videos that stopped us in our scrolls and the communities that continue to inspire global moments.
See all the winners below.
TikTok Awards 2025: Full Winners List
Creator of the Year adamw alixearle brookemonk_ keith_lee125 (WINNER) kristy.sarah
Video of the Year bretmanrock (WINNER) chrisandfinck ronclark__ taylortiminskas turkuazkitchen
Rising Star of the Year calebsaysthings drewkey5000 findjeremiah (WINNER) soyeddynieblas thatgirlsydjo
Breakthrough Artist of the Year alexwarren (WINNER) katseyeworld laufey ravynlenae sombr
Storyteller of the Year jordan_the_stallion8 katievanslyke logagm thelawntools tinekeyounger (WINNER)
Muse of the Year angelreese10 cocogauff giannis_an34 parishilton (WINNER) shaymitchell
TikTok for Good Award alexisnikole cybersecuritygirl samueljhyun thepsychdoctormd valentinebrothers (WINNER)
My Show is On Award [Film & TV] cvnela dayanechrissel (WINNER) guywithamoviecamera justthenobodys supes
MVP of the Year [Sports] brittany1wilson daniel_buyeske mariahcrose (WINNER) mkiatipis moalifc
Okay Slay Award [Fashion/Beauty] glamzilla katiefanggg (WINNER) meredithduxbury missdarcei wisdm8
I Was Today Years Old Award [Learning] afamstudies alexisanddean astro_alexandra lawbymike (WINNER) oddanimalspecimens
Immediately Added To Cart Award boise_brooke giniglow itsmekelsc klothesminded (WINNER) lexirosenstein
CapCut Creator of the Year chloeshih liahyoo moniqueyvonne paigepiskin recider (WINNER)
TikTok LIVE Creator of the Year eliesparzaa (WINNER) ezeexnatalie jonathantilkin jourdanblue kiralise
TikTok has reached a deal to cede a substantial portion of its U.S. operation to a group of American investors, thus ending a years-long tussle in which the federal government has sought to force the platform to do just that.
The new partnership is described as a “new TikTok U.S. joint venture” in an internal memo from ByteDance CEO Shou Chew, which was viewed by TechCrunch.
That arrangement will see major American investors take over significant control of the U.S.-based business. The newly formed investor group includes cloud giant Oracle, the tech-focused private equity firm Silverlake, and MGX, an Abu Dhabi-based investment firm focused on AI. Together, those companies will own 45% of the U.S. operation, while ByteDance retains a nearly 20% share, the memo states. The new entity formed by this partnership has been dubbed “TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC.”
That new entity will be responsible for overseeing the app, including data protection, algorithm security, content moderation, and software assurance, the memo states. “A trusted security partner will be responsible for auditing and validating compliance with the agreed upon National Security Terms, and Oracle will be the trusted security partner upon completion of the transaction,” the document says.
Much of the deal, as it has been described in the memo, parallels the language in an executive order signed by President Trump in September. That memo similarly approved the sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations to an American investor group. CNBC previously reported that Oracle, Silverlake, and MGX would be the primary investors in the deal. Until now, ByteDance had not divulged details of such a deal, except to say that it would abide by U.S. law to ensure that TikTok remained available to U.S. users.
The U.S. government has long sought to cleave TikTok’s U.S.-based business away from its Chinese parent company, espousing national security concerns as the rationale.
Remember back in September when President Donald Trump signed an executive order that seemingly finalized some of the terms of a deal to spin off TikTok’s US business? Three months later, that same deal is apparently one step closer to being official.
According to Bloomberg, TikTok CEO Shou Chew told employees that TikTok and ByteDance had signed off the agreement for control of TikTok’s US business. It sounds like terms of the deal are roughly the same as what Trump announced earlier this year. A group of US investors, including Oracle, Silver Lake and MGX will control a majority of the new entity while ByteDance will keep a smaller stake in the venture.
According to Chew’s memo, the deal is expected to close January 22, 2026. “Upon the closing, the US joint venture, built on the foundation of the current TikTok US Data Security (USDS) organization, will operate as an independent entity with authority over US data protection, algorithm security, content moderation and software assurance,” he wrote according to Bloomberg. TikTok didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Notably, it’s still not clear where Chinese officials stand on the deal. Trump said back in September that China was “fully on board,” but subsequent meetings between the two sides have so far produced vague statements. In October, China’s Commerce Ministry said it would “work with the U.S. to properly resolve issues related to TikTok.”
If a deal is indeed finalized by next month, it will come almost exactly a year after Trump’s first executive order to delay a law that required a sale or ban of the app front taking effect. He has signed off several other extensions since.
TikTok has finalized a deal with Oracle and two other investors that will allow the popular social video platform to continue its business in the U.S.
The deal, expected to close on Jan. 22, will be 50% held by a new investor consortium that includes tech giant Oracle, Silver Lake and MGX, a technology fund in the United Arab Emirates, with each holding 15%. TikTok parent ByteDance will own 19.9% of the U.S.-based joint venture, while affiliates of existing ByteDance investors will hold 30.1%, TikTok said in a memo to employees.
“With these agreements in place, our focus must stay where it’s always been — firmly on delivering for our users, creators, businesses and the global TikTok community,” TikTok Chief Executive Shou Zi Chew wrote in his memo.
The deal removes a shadow that was cast over the future of TikTok, which has become one of the world’s most dominant social media platforms and has a large presence in Culver City.
The company’s business in the U.S. had been uncertain for many years amid security concerns among legislators about ByteDance’s ties to China. ByteDance had been under pressure to divest its ownership in the app’s U.S. operations or face a nationwide ban after Congress passed a law that went into effect in January.
President Trump — who years ago led the push to ban TikTok from the U.S. — has allowed TikTok to keep operating in the country and in September signed an executive order outlining the new joint venture.
The venture, which would oversee U.S. data protection, algorithm security, content moderation and software assurance, would be governed by a seven-member board that is majority American, Chew said in his memo. Oracle will be the security partner responsible for “auditing and validating compliance with the agreed upon National Security Terms,” Chew wrote.
Oracle Executive Chairman Larry Ellison and his family also are leading an effort to buy Warner Bros. Discovery.
Oracle did not return a request for comment.
Shares in the Texas-based cloud provider jumped on Friday following a period of investor unease over the AI market. Oracle’s share price closed Friday at $191.97, up 7%.
Silver Lake declined to comment. The White House on Thursday referred questions about the deal back to TikTok. In September, Trump said that Chinese President Xi Jinping had approved the deal.
“These safeguards would protect the American people from the misuse of their data and the influence of a foreign adversary, while also allowing the millions of American viewers, creators, and businesses that rely on the TikTok application to continue using it,” Trump stated in his executive order.
The announcement will also come as a relief to creators and businesses that rely on TikTok to entertain and reach fans and customers.
“I hope it just stays true to the platform and the independence we get from it,” said Yasmine Sahid, who posts comedy videos on TikTok and has 2.4 million followers. “I hope we’re still able to monetize our videos the same way, because without that, I think a lot of people would leave or feel uninspired.”
Many TikTok creators are based in Southern California, close to TikTok’s office in Culver City. Over the years when TikTok’s future appeared uncertain, some of those creators diversified, posting their content to other platforms such as YouTube and Instagram.
“It’s a smart way to avoid ownership and data issues,” Ray Wang, principal analyst at Constellation Research, said of the deal.
If finalized, the deal would remove a persistent issue in Beijing-Washington relations and signal progress in broader talks. But it would also deprive China’s most valuable private company of total control of an American social media phenomenon.
ByteDance’s coveted algorithms are considered central to TikTok’s business. Under the deal proposed by Washington, ByteDance will license its artificial intelligence recommendation technology to a newly created U.S. TikTok entity, which will use the algorithm to retrain a new system that is secured by Oracle, according to Bloomberg. The algorithm will be retrained on U.S. user data by the U.S. joint venture, according to TikTok.
Some industry observers questioned whether the deal addresses the larger concerns surrounding TikTok in the law Congress passed.
“While these executive orders positively have allowed the platform to operate and maintain the venue for speech, they do not resolve the underlying concerns about the law, which could be applied to other platforms in the future and raise questions about executive power,” Jennifer Huddleston, a senior fellow in tech policy at Cato Institute, said in a statement.
“Just because TikTok remains available under such orders does not mean that the policy concerns about the underlying law have been resolved,” she wrote.
Everyone makes mistakes. But for Georgia woman and Amazon worker Kebabii (@kebabii2), this one mistake might have been a step too far.
In the viral clip, which has amassed 2.9 million views, Kebabii showed viewers the Amazon van that she somehow wedged into a 6ft 10 tall clearance. “Y’all, they about to fire the [expletive] out of my [expletive],” she said.
Panning the camera around the van, she continued: “Look what the [expletive] I done did. Look at the clearance. Six foot ten inches. I know this truck [is] about a good eight, nine, feet y’all. What the [expletive]?”
She then informed viewers that she broke a camera in the complex, while the side of the van was visibly busted, with a huge scratch across the side. Part of the van’s exterior was also missing.
“They about to [expletive] fire me,” she repeated. “Oh, Lord, it’s only the fourth day at work.”
But that wasn’t the only damage. In the comments, Kebabii revealed that she also damaged the top of the van.
One commenter was confused by the mechanics of the accident, asking: “How’d you get all the way in?”
Several suggested she let the air out of her tires and back out, with a second advising: “You can go to a gas station and just sit them back up lol”
While a third added, “Just reverse it slowly and act as if nothing happened, they can’t see the top!”
Others were shocked at the state of the van, with a fourth saying, “That van been through enough,” and a fifth asking, “Girl, what happened to the side of the van?”
Meanwhile, a sixth then asked the obvious question: “If you knew the clearance, why would you attempt it?”
The TikToker issued some follow-ups
Sadly, in a follow-up video, Kebabii confirmed that her instincts were right: she was fired.
“Well, they fired me!” she announced, addressing the camera directly in her Amazon uniform. “They took my badge as soon as I got back in the building, ya’ll.”
“What the [expletive], what the [expletive]!” she repeated. “Back at [expletive] square one.”
“So y’all, they fired me,” she said in a second follow-up. “If you didn’t see my previous video, because I went into a parking garage in a nine-foot truck, and the clearance was six feet. It was a mistake. It was an accident.”
Kebabii then went on to claim that she asked another Amazon employee if she’d be able to fit the van under the clearance, and they said yes.
“So I said, ‘Oh, OK,’ he did it, so I can do it. But as soon as I’m going over everything, I’m going up the little ramp a little bit, everything [is] going smoothly. Then I started hearing something scraping. And it’s like the car with the truck was getting harder to move. I said, ‘What the [expletive] is this?’ What the [expletive]?’ Next thing you know, I hit a camera in the complex.”
Kebabii didn’t immediately respond to The Mary Sue’s request for comment via TikTok comment.
Kebabii’s situation is not unique. MultipleRedditors took to the r/AmazonDSPDrivers subreddit and shared how they were fired after damaging their vans.
“I know they can fire you for just about anything, but I kinda expected a little bit of understanding from them, idk, since it’s the first time I did anything wrong and I told them instead of trying to fix it or hide it or anything,” one Reddit user wrote. “I even told them I could fix the damage which I could’ve done on my lunch break, and they’d never know, but I’m an honest guy fr.”
Another ex-employee added: “There are people here who have totalled vehicles in their fault accidents that are still here. I don’t understand why this happened, and I got no warning whatsoever. I just got told by two different employees after telling them the situation, ‘Don’t worry about it, accidents happen, you’re not gonna get fired as long as you told them.’ People telling me how they hit things all the time and didn’t even get cited for it.”
Amazon’s DSP department didn’t immediately respond to The Mary Sue’s request for comment via TikTok comment.
Charlotte is an internet culture writer with bylines in Insider, VICE, Glamour, The Independent, and more. She holds a Master’s degree in Magazine Journalism from City St George’s, University of London.
Someone ghosting you when you genuinely think things are going well feels like a bit of a gut punch.
Most of the time, people sit with the hurt, replay the date in their head a few times, and eventually let it fade. The unanswered questions sting, but most of the time that’s where they remain.
But every once in a while, people want to know. That’s what one woman on TikTok did; she decided to check back in with a Hinge date months after he quietly disappeared.
TikTok creator Rachel (@rachel.r.irl) shared the storytime video that’s since racked up over 176,200 views, explaining why she reached out to her former Hinge match, and how his response ended up hitting much deeper than she expected.
What Was the Ghoster’s Response?
Rachel explains that the two matched on Hinge and talked for a while before meeting up. He lived about two hours away, which already added some friction, but when they finally saw each other in person, she felt like the date itself went well.
“We had a good day. We had a good date,” she says, adding that things seemed fine at the time.
Afterward, though, something shifted and communication slowed until it stopped altogether.
Rachel says she let it fizzle out, even though she admits she was genuinely interested. “This is some guy I was like, ‘Oh, he’s hot, he’s established,’” she says. “I liked this guy.”
Still, she didn’t push at the time. Months passed, and then one night, she decided to get some answers.
“I never got clarity,” she says. “So tonight… I just sent him a voice message.”
In that message, Rachel says she kept things respectful. She checked in, mentioned that she thought they’d had a fun time, and asked what the disconnect was. She made it clear there were no hard feelings and framed it as wanting feedback for her own growth.
What she got back wasn’t cruel, or even harsh. He told her the truth, as he saw it: The distance felt like too much. On paper, it was a reasonable explanation, but in practice, it still hurt.
“I think it triggered my inner child in a way that was like, somebody didn’t choose me,” Rachel says, tearing up on camera. “Like I wasn’t worthy enough for a long distance.”
She admits she appreciated the honesty. At the same time, hearing that she wasn’t worth the effort reopened wounds she didn’t realize were still there.
“It was very vulnerable,” she says. “The vulnerability of asking somebody like, ‘Hey, what happened?’ And then them answering, and it’s just like, it just wasn’t worth it.”
Why Ghosting Hits So Hard
Ghosting has become common enough that most people have either experienced it or done it themselves. Still, that doesn’t make it easier to deal with when it happens.
Part of what makes ghosting so painful isn’t just rejection, it’s the lack of context. When someone disappears without explanation, your brain fills in the gaps. And those guesses are rarely generous.
Rachel’s experience shows the double-edged sword of seeking clarity. Sometimes silence lets you preserve your dignity. Other times, an answer, no matter how polite, lands like confirmation of a fear you already had.
In her case, the explanation wasn’t cruel. But it still translated emotionally as, “You weren’t chosen.”
That reaction, she says, surprised her. “I feel better talking it out,” she admits. “But it triggered me.”
The comments on Rachel’s video quickly turned into a debate about whether asking for closure is ever worth it.
“Never ask a man why he didn’t want you… the fact he doesn’t want you is all you need to know,” one person wrote.
Another warned against reopening the wound: “As much as it would be nice to get date feedback, you shouldn’t ask. You’ll throw yourself into a neediness spiral for someone who didn’t respect you enough to say after the date, ‘I had a great time but I don’t think the distance will work.’ You dodged a bullet girl, be happy.”
@rachel.r.irl Oops crying on camera… this guy (kinda) ghosted me after our first date and I thought things went well but his response was so kind but also so hurtful to my inner child… she felt like so not enough in that moment but thanks for chatting it out with me tikytoky #dating#ghosted#onlinedating#innerchild#INFJ♬ original sound – rachelirl
Others took a more romantic stance. “He just wasn’t interested. A man who’s truly interested will make distance work,” one commenter said. “My ex saved up money to travel 9 time zones to take me on a first date. We were together for almost 10 years.”
Some felt the explanation was softened. “He lied to you. The chemistry wasn’t there. He was trying to be nice,” another person wrote. “When it’s right you will know. It will feel seamless.”
The Mary Sue has reached out to Rachel via TikTok direct messages for comment.
Ljeonida is a reporter and writer with a degree in journalism and communications from the University of Tirana in her native Albania. She has a particular interest in all things digital marketing; she considers herself a copywriter, content producer, SEO specialist, and passionate marketer. Ljeonida is based in Tbilisi, Georgia, and her work can also be found at the Daily Dot.
Companies have embraced the Christmas spirit. For example, Krispy Kreme reintroduced its Gingerbread Glazed Original Filled doughnut, Starbucks returned its iconic Holiday Menu, and Panda Express rolled out a chocolate bar collection with Compartés. Now, McDonald’s joins the bandwagon with its highly anticipated Grinch Meal.
What is McDonald’s Grinch Meal?
Dr. Seuss Enterprises and McDonald’s partnered to launch the Grinch Meal, which debuted on December 2. What makes this meal so zesty is the Dill Pickle “Grinch Salt” McShaker Fries that accompany a Big Mac or 10-piece Chicken McNuggets and a medium drink. Indeed, you read that correctly: Dill Pickle seasoning fries. Every meal comes with a McShaker and Grinch Salt. Then, you combine them all in the bag and shake it to create a tangy blend of fries.
For this McDonald’s employee, not only did this collaboration make her see green, but it has also made her feel it.
What happened to this McDonald’s employee?
Utah-based McDonald’s worker Ella Ashcraft (@ella_ashcraft3) unveils the aftermath of tasting the new Grinchy meal in a photo. In it is her bathroom with all of her essentials: Sprite and saltine crackers on the counter, wet wipes next to them, a DoorDash bag containing refills of these two items, and a puke bag and towel beside it. Needless to say, it wasn’t a pleasant experience.
“Tried the new Grinch fries at McDonald’s and got so sick that I lost almost 5 pounds in the span of 4 hours,” she shares in the text overlay.
The content creator added a more detailed description of the occurrence, “Me and two coworkers tried them and all three of us got this sick! PSA.” On the other hand, she did find a silver lining, adding, “Going on a cruise next week so I’m actually not that mad HAHA.”
Viewers weigh in
Ashcraft’s photo amassed 3 million views within two days. However, viewers’ interest was piqued for the opposite reason.
“So 5lbs per meal would you say? just trying to decide how many to buy,” the top comment with over 81k wrote.
“Noted. Will try this before my vacation,” another remarked.
“Guess where i’m going,” a third stated.
Moreover, others reported seeing an advanced warning cross their FYP through a self-claimed psychic, named Aran.
“I saw a video of a psychic saying a big chain is going to release a meal that gives everyone salmonella,” one commenter recalled.
“I’m not even kidding I saw an intuitive on here the other day say one of the holiday meals would make a lot of people sick,” a second echoed.
What causes food poisoning?
When food or drinks become contaminated with harmful bacteria, it’s a recipe for foodborne illness. This occurs due to improper handwashing, storage, or cleaning, according to the Mayo Clinic. Signs of food poisoning may appear within hours to days after consuming the contaminated product, which the Cleveland Clinic lists:
Diahrea
Stomach cramps or pain
Nausea
Vomiting
Fever
Depending on the germ, symptoms can last from 24 hours to a week and typically resolve on their own; the CDC provides a chart for reference. But the public health agency recommends seeking medical attention if you have the following symptoms:
Bloody diarrhea
Diarrhea that lasts more than three days
Dehydration
A fever over 102 Fahrenheit
Frequent puking where you’re unable to keep anything down
The Mary Sue reached out to Ashcraft via Instagram direct message and TikTok comment as well as McDonald’s via press email.
Melody Heald is a culture writer. Her work can be found in Glitter Magazine, BUST Magazine, The Daily Dot, and more. You can email her at: [email protected]
Nothing perks a barista up like overhearing relationship drama served hot with a side of audacity. An Oklahoma coffee shop employee is going viral after eavesdropping on a man who spent an entire hour venting to a random woman about his “nightmare fiancée.”
You read it right, fiancée. As in, he’s still engaged. Praise the universe for good Samaritans. The barista ran straight to TikTok mid-shift with a public service announcement aimed straight at the mystery fiancée. Maybe the man had every right to complain…but why do it to a woman you just met at a coffee shop?
The Drama Overheard
There are currently 135,000 views on the clip, with many invested in the gossip. TikToker Madi @mysupertopsecretspamacc posted a 15-second clip from what looks like the backroom of the place she works at.
The clip is short with no verbal audio. The creator stares at the camera while showing only half of her face. She’s also covering her mouth with her hand, as if still shocked and unable to say anything verbally. The text overlay reads: “Hey so usually i mind my business as a barista but if you’re currently engaged to a man named mike in the choctaw-midwest city area with three cats, TAKE YOUR CATS AND RUN.”
Not wanting to jump to blame the man fully, she says in the caption, “This mans been here talking to this woman for about an hour now about his ‘nightmare fiance situation’ … who knows maybe she might be but TALKING TO ANOTHER WOMAN ABOUT IT YOU JUST MET ??” Part of the issue is not the engaged aspect, but the free trauma dumping session.
Men Griping About Women Behind Their Backs
Unfortunately, this is not a new phenomenon. The Mary Sue has covered various stories where men would complain or degrade a woman behind their backs. There was an incident with an Uber driver where he drove a couple home after their date. He dropped the girl off first, and as soon as she was gone, the man started sharing crass and xenophobic beliefs about the woman.
In a different story posted a few weeks ago, a woman overheard a man laughing about his girlfriend, Amanda, to another female companion. According to the boasting man, Amanda thought he was at a casino with friends. Lo and behold, he’s on a flight to Orlando with a blonde woman. The internet comes together for support.
With almost 800 comments, the viewers’ opinions venture between sharing locations and sincere hope that the fiancée finds the clip. If they share where it got to, there’s more hope it gets to the intended person.
One viewer says, “I’m in oklahoma. I hope it gets to the lady in choctaw-midwest city.”
A second viewer shares, “I’m in mwc so you’ve made it to the correct fyp just incorrect girl. hope she finds this.” This trend continues for most of the comments.
Interestingly enough, people also join in on trying to spread awareness. One viewer says, “This video is now posted in the town fb group.”
Another gives more ideas: “Girl post this in ‘are we dating the same man’ there should be one local on fb.”
A third viewer says, “Girl i’m finna post this on talk around mwc im messy.”
So far, there has been no update on finding the people mentioned in the video. The Mary Sue reached out to Madi via Instagram direct message.
Gisselle Hernandez-Gomez is a contributing reporter to the Mary Sue. Her work has appeared in the Daily Dot, Business Insider, Fodor’s Travel and more. You can follow her on X at @GisselleHern. You can email her at [email protected].
