If 2025 taught anything, it’s that the internet craves both the hyper-real and the wildly surreal. While millions were captivated by a flower-seller at the Maha Kumbh, others engaged in discussions about Gen Alpha “brain rot” or explored Nano Banana. The year also saw scandals resulting in CEOs losing their positions and content creators facing legal issues.
### #1: Mahakumbh Viral Girl Monalisa
The Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj became a focal point of ancient tradition blended with modern digital culture, with social media providing access to the world’s largest religious gathering. Among numerous viral moments, Monalisa Bhonsle, a young garland seller from Indore, particularly charmed the audience. The Maha Kumbh took place from January 13 to February 26.
### #2: Taylor Swift’s Engagement
Taylor Swift’s long-anticipated engagement announcement sent shockwaves across the internet. Within minutes, social media was flooded with theories, analyses of the engagement photos, and emotional tributes to her journey. Swift revealed her engagement to Travis Kelce on August 26, humorously stating, “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.”
### #3: Labubu Craze
Although the trend began in 2024, the Labubu dolls became a significant pop-culture phenomenon in 2025. Created by artist Kasing Lung, these furry elf-like dolls achieved global popularity. Wang Ning, the CEO of Pop Mart, the company behind the Labubu dolls, became China’s youngest billionaire due to their success.
### #4: Coldplay Kiss Cam Scandal
The Coldplay “Kiss Cam” incident involving Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot became a notable corporate scandal. The incident occurred during a July concert at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, where the couple was caught in a moment of intimacy on the jumbotron. Their reaction quickly went viral, and both faced immediate consequences, with Byron resigning shortly afterward and Cabot stepping down after an internal investigation.
### #5: “67”
Social media was abuzz when Dictionary.com named “67” as its Word of 2025. This Gen Alpha slang, which bewildered older generations, is interpreted as “so-so” and often accompanied by a specific hand gesture. It was widely used despite schools banning it.
### #6: Gemini’s Nano Banana and ChatGPT’s ‘Studio Ghibli’
In 2025, interest surged in AI-generated image tools from major tech companies. OpenAI’s ChatGPT introduced an image generator that creates artwork inspired by Studio Ghibli, while Google launched Nano Banana, allowing users to transform photos into lifelike 3D miniatures. The trend quickly gained traction online.
### #7: ‘Prashant’ Trend
The ‘Prashant’ trend, initiated by content creator Ayush, humorously misinterpreted “croissant” as “Prashant,” resulting in many comedic videos. The trend gained significant popularity, even drawing participation from brands.
### #8: Louvre Museum Robbery
A shocking daylight robbery at the Louvre Museum in Paris, where eight priceless royal artifacts were stolen, made headlines. A viral video captured the suspect cutting through a display case while visitors were present. This incident occurred on October 19.
### #9: India’s Got Latent Row
A controversial moment arose on comedian Samay Raina’s YouTube show India’s Got Latent, where several social media personalities, including Ranveer Allahbadia and Apoorva Mukhija, interacted with a contestant. The episode’s provocative questions led to widespread outrage and multiple FIRs.
### #10: Cracker Barrel Logo Controversy
When Cracker Barrel revealed a new logo, the backlash was unexpected. The change elicited criticism, including a tweet from former U.S. President Donald Trump. The company later apologized and decided to revert to the old logo.
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