DANCING aggressively to Grace Potter and the Nocturnals’ I Want Something has become a must-do video for all TikTokers.
The trend’s longevity shows just how much people love to do it – especially because it reminds people of Hollywood actress Melissa McCarthy.
The trend has been named after Hollywood actress Melissa McCarthy[/caption]
What is the trend?
The trend, which began at the end of 2023, has accumulated nearly 40 million posts on TikTok under the title Melissa McCarthy I Want Something.
At the beginning, partakers point their fingers in a gun shape, quite often scaring other people in the room with them who aren’t knowledgeable on TikTok trends.
Then as the song transitions to the “something I tell myself I need” lyrics, the dancer switches the aggressive gun fingers to subtle, relaxed moves.
Where does Melissa McCarthy come into the trend?
TikTok user Sturniolo posted the video with the Tangled song back in August 2023, but the trend didn’t lift off until another user Han shared her video in December the same year.
Han’s post currently has over 27.8 million views and is one of the most watched videos under the hashtag #IwantsomethingthatIwant – which has hundreds of millions of views.
From watching Han’s videos, fans thought her dance moves and mannerisms drew a stark resemblance to Hollywood actress and comedian Melissa McCarthy.
This then launched what is now referred to as the Melissa McCarthy trend.
One commenter under Han’s video said: “This feels like something Melissa McCarthy would post in the BEST way.”
Another said: “I haven’t seen a video of Melissa McCarthy doing this but it’s very her coded so i believe it.”
Why are people doing it?
An element as to why the trend is so popular is scaring the people in the room with you.
Many videos show terrified family members wondering what’s happened to their younger relatives as they wave gun fingers in their face.
Another reason for its popularity is that TikTokers can put their own creative spin on the dance as it doesn’t follow a specific routine.
Unlike many other dances on TikTok that appear to only be for professionals, this one is perfect for those who don’t have much rhythm.
And the fact that the song used is the Nocturnals’ I Want Something is nostalgic for many TikTokers who grew up watching the Disney classic Tangled, making it a fun trend to partake in.
McCarthy is renowned for her hilarious characters[/caption]
