We all know how big influence celebrities have on society. They can determine what we buy and when we buy it. Basically, they are trend setters.
In the age of social media, specifically TikTok, they not only influence our shopping habits but also our behaviors. They can also be the explanation behind them.
Mama said it was okay
Do you know the band Lukas Graham? Their song from 2014 called Mama said started trending on TikTok in 2021. Or at least some part of it.
During the first verse ‘out to play ball so we could ruin them’ user shows or gives a text explaining a scenario that some people might find weird or not socially acceptable. When the lyrics ‘when mama said it was okay/ mama said it was quite alright’ they show a complication of photos or videos that show that maybe their actions are acceptable.
Many videos with this snippet are trending, and if I wanted to talk about all categories, not even videos, of these TikToks I would probably have to write a book.
So here I want to focus on just one type, using videos and photos of celebrities to explain our habits.
Adam Sandler is a fashion icon.
Okay, I think we all know Adam Sandler’s style. If not here are some examples:
His style can be described as comfy, oversized, and is even called the Adam Sandler style. He became an icon for many, even though he hasn’t done anything special or revolutionary. He is JUST wearing normal clothes outside of the house, not only for walks and errands but also for social events, such as red carpets.
Are you really going out dressed like that?
In this video by imperfectmom4 we see her wearing clothes similar in style to what Adam Sandler wears, that is about to walk out of her house with a text above her saying ‘are you really going out dressed like that?’. She continues her video by showing pictures of Adam Sandler being out and about looking very casual.
She used him as an example of dressing comfy and not so put together on a daily basis to show that what she is wearing is normal and people do it all the time. But why did she even fell the need to explain herself. Well, people, especially women, are expected from society to look good at all times, and when they don’t, they get questions such as the one above. So, the author of the video had to use an example of a celebrity to normalize something completely normal. With this trend she answered the question many people probably ask her when she’s going out.
Oh, the chokehold that this trend had on TikTok! I find this need to explain oneself quite interesting. Online you exist only if you find people who interact with you and your content. And when you are a woman, those interactions can get quite unpleasant. There will always be someone who will not resist the urge to point out that you’re doing something wrong. So if an established celebrity is also doing that, you can have an urge to justify your actions. While the trend is fun, and the song is such an ear worm, that you cannot get it out of your head for days, it does expose some uncomfortable truths about the internet and increasing social expectations.
I like your reflection on this trend! I have never perceived it in that way, but it is definitely a “normalization” of things that should be a priori normal. This trend doesn’t seem that deep at the first sight, but if you think about it more, you can see how we, as a society seek approval from people who we don’t even know- celebrities. It is sad, however, I hope with time our generation will be developing online mindfulness more and more and we will be able to avoid such things in the future.
I forgot this trend existed! This is so true and I am now realizing that I actually never looked at it that way. Now that I am thinking of the many other examples of this trend I am seeing a pattern in how all these things that “mama said that it was okay,” are actually not even open to the question of whether or not they are okay. Like in this video, this style is so normal and it feels ridiculous how we are showing celebrity photos to justify our very normal actions.
i must say i very much agree with this notion, I wont sugar coat it but i am a nerd. Nothing is more satisfying to hear than when a world famous actor or actress states their personal hobby and its the same as yours. it might be something simple like a niche movie or game. like you stated in your post seeing adam sandler who is in fact very rich dress the way he does when surrounded by celebrities in the fanciest clothes of that season. my persoinal fave will always be henry cavill explaining what warhammer is on live tv.
Damn this is a throwback. I indeed remember these TikToks all over my for you page, it really was a very big trend. I think you describe this phenomenon very well so thank you for that. This blog reminded me of a discussion we had in our class about people seeking and having the need for validation in their relationship, by posting each other on social media constantly. I think this can be compared in what you describe here, that people are always looking for validation on social media, which is something I for sure recognize if I think about it.