2024 was pure chaos, but in the best way, especially for the chronically online. Screens were buzzing nonstop as the world jumped from one jaw-dropping moment to the next. We saw artists testing new genres, random clips turning into long-living memes, the Paris Olympics, and the biggest rap beef in years, all crammed into one wild year.
Now, with 2025 already dropping its own bombshells, it feels right to look back at the unforgettable moments that made 2024 a year of pop culture history across sports, music, film, and the internet.
#1 Moo Deng Takes Over TikTok
In September 2024, Moo Deng, a baby pygmy hippo from Thailand’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo, melted the internet’s heart. Born in July and named through a public vote with over 20,000 participants, her name means "bouncy pork."
Moo Deng’s popularity exploded after videos of her antics, such as splashing around, shrieking at zookeepers, and trying to nibble people, went viral on TikTok. The buzz became so intense that the zoo had to limit visitor time and launch a 24-hour livestream to meet global demand.
Her fame sparked more than just joy. Moo Deng’s story shone a light on the critical endangerment of pygmy hippos, whose habitats are rapidly disappearing due to deforestation.
The World Wildlife Fund estimates that fewer than 2,500 of her kind remain in the wild.
Image credits: Lauren DeCicca / Getty Images
#2 Tyla’s Stunning Met Gala Look
South African singer Tyla turned heads at her Met Gala debut in a Balmain gown made of sculpted sand. In a Vogue interview, Balmain creative director Olivier Rousteing shared that the look was designed to embody the night's theme, representing the shifting sands of time.
The bold design was crafted from three shades of sand and detailed with microcrystal studs. Because the dress was so fragile, Tyla could not ascend the stairs on her own and was instead carried by a team member.
A YouTube video of her giggling as she was lifted up the steps became one of the 2024 Met Gala's most memorable highlights.
Image credits: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images
#3 Dakota Johnson Knew Madame Web Was Going To Flop
It takes an “impressively terrible movie,” as described by Trinitonian, to earn a Marvel title just 10 percent from critics and 53 percent from audiences.
Even Dakota Johnson, the film’s star, admitted she expected the worst. In an interview with Bustle, she remarked, “Art does not do well when it is made by committees.”
According to multiple reviews, Johnson appeared to anticipate the outcome during filming. Critics noted that she and other cast members gave performances that felt flat and disengaged.
Image credits: Marvel Entertainment
#4 The Diddy Scandal
Sean Combs, widely known as P. Diddy, became the subject of one of 2024’s most explosive Hollywood scandals.
Combs was hit with more than ten civil lawsuits, beginning with accusations of physical and sexual abuse from four women, including his former partner, Cassandra Ventura.
In May, CNN Entertainment revealed that investigators had found CCTV footage from 2016 showing Combs assaulting Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel.
By September 16, federal prosecutors indicted Combs on charges including racketeering, sex trafficking, and transporting individuals for prostitution. He pleaded not guilty. The following month, The Washington Post reported over 120 additional accusations, some involving minors and linked to his infamous White Parties.
In 2025, Combs was acquitted of the significant charges but was convicted on two counts of transporting individuals for prostitution. He received a four-year prison sentence.
Image credits: HIGHFIVE, Bauer-Griffin / Getty Images
#5 The Timothée Chalamet Chaos
In late 2024, YouTuber Anthony Po sparked a new trend with a Timothée Chalamet lookalike contest. Held in Washington Square Park, New York, the event was promoted both online and through fliers inviting anyone who could pass for the actor to compete.
Po offered a $50 prize to the best impersonator. Things got chaotic on October 27 when Timothée himself showed up, Po was fined $500 for organizing an unlicensed contest, and four attendees were arrested.
NPR News noted that Po’s idea quickly went viral. Copycat contests for stars like Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, and Jeremy Allen White started popping up in cities around the U.S., often promoted with street fliers and low-budget prizes.
Image credits: The Washington Post / Getty Images
#6 Messi At The Oscars
It was a big year for animal stardom in 2024, and Messi the dog led the charge at the Oscars.
Messi, a 7-year-old border collie, starred in the 2023 film Anatomy of a Fall and received widespread praise for his performance as a guide dog. One standout scene had him convincingly feigning poisoning.
Wearing a bow tie, Messi made waves on the Oscars red carpet and even appeared in Jimmy Kimmel’s opening monologue, where the host gave him a special shoutout.
Later in the night, Messi went viral again for a GIF showing him clapping along with the audience after Robert Downey Jr.'s acceptance speech.
Image credits: madmanfilms / Instagram
#7 The Wicked Press Tour
Wicked, the fifth-highest-grossing movie of 2024 according to Box Office Mojo, lived up to its hype after pandemic and strike delays. But beyond the screen, its emotional press tour became one of the film’s most memorable storylines.
Before the tour, Cynthia Erivo drew attention online by accusing a fan of erasing her image in a poster edit modeled after the Broadway version. Ariana Grande, meanwhile, faced public scrutiny over her new relationship with former co-star Ethan Slater.
As the tour unfolded, Grande and Erivo appeared inseparable. In multiple interviews, they held hands, teared up, and openly showed their support for one another throughout the Wicked tour.
In an age of heavy media training, their vulnerability felt both refreshing and unexpected.
Image credits: bloheartsyou / Instagram
#8 The 2024 Paris Olympics
The 2024 Paris Olympics had the world glued to screens all summer, with each event sparking new viral moments.
Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec went viral for his calm, low-tech stance during competition, which contrasted sharply with his rivals’ advanced gear. The image circulated so widely that other athletes mimicked the pose in celebration.
In pole vault, French athlete Anthony Ammirati made headlines after accidentally clipping his groin on the bar and missing the finals. Meanwhile, Armand Duplantis not only won gold but also broke his ninth world record. A viral Instagram clip captured the moment he ran into his girlfriend’s arms after the win.
Image credits: NurPhoto / GettyImages
#9 Nolan Finally Gets His Oscar
In 2023, the film world witnessed the Barbenheimer phenomenon as two major blockbusters premiered on the same day. Nearly a year later, at the 2024 Oscars, Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer swept the night with 13 nominations and seven wins.
The night was especially momentous because three cast and crew members earned their first Academy Awards for their work on the film.
Nolan, often hailed as one of the greatest directors of his generation, finally received long-awaited recognition for Best Director. Robert Downey Jr experienced a career milestone with his first Oscar win, proving he could deliver beyond the Marvel universe. Cillian Murphy, praised for his gripping performance, took home Best Actor.
Image credits: Universal Pictures
#10 Four Seasons Orlando Baby
When a woman asked her children, “Who wants to go to the Four Seasons in Orlando?” and the kids replied, “Meee!”, she didn’t expect the internet's magic to make her youngest a viral star.
Everyone fell in love with the enthusiasm and the sharpness in Baby Kate’s voice, dubbing her the ‘Four Seasons Orlando baby. The clip now has almost 90 million views on TikTok, and she has become a viral meme.
Speaking to Rolling Stone, Kate’s mother, Bailey Wise, explained that the video was originally intended to coerce her own parents into joining them at Four Seasons for a weekend getaway. Still, her aunt thought the “cuteness would hit.” Four Seasons also joined in the fun, adding to a long list of cute stitches in Baby Kate’s video.
Image credits: @sobrizzle / Tiktok
#11 Kendrick and Drake's Beef of the Decade
Few moments from 2024 topped what many called the most iconic rap beef in recent memory. Metro Boomin and Future’s collaborative album was already generating hype, but fans were caught off guard when Kendrick Lamar made a surprise appearance. He hadn’t released music since his 2022 project, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.
The album dropped on March 22 with unlisted features, and Lamar’s verse on Like That sent shockwaves. His subtle digs at Drake ignited a fierce lyrical war that captivated hip-hop fans for months.
The beef quickly escalated, with six diss tracks exchanged in just a few weeks. Accusations flew, touching on everything from fatherhood and domestic violence to disturbing allegations. Even J. Cole entered briefly with 7 Minute Drill before stepping back.
In the end, many felt Kendrick emerged victorious. He took home five Grammys tied to the feud and later headlined the Super Bowl Halftime Show, solidifying his dominance.
Image credits: r/Drizzy
#12 From Grammy Sweep to Handcuffs in Minutes
Rapper Michael Render, also known as Killer Mike, walked away from the 2024 Grammys with three wins out of three nominations for his self-titled album, Michael. But the celebration took a sharp turn when he was detained and booked by Los Angeles police just minutes later.
A video posted on X by The Hollywood Reporter’s Chris Gardner showed Render being escorted from Crypto.com Arena in handcuffs. The surprising twist sparked online speculation, especially given his stage name.
Authorities later stated that the incident stemmed from a physical altercation and confirmed that he had been charged with misdemeanor battery. Render avoided further legal trouble by completing community service.
Image credits: Jason Armond / Getty Images
#13 Chill Guy
Social media couldn’t get enough of the Chill Guy meme in 2024. Drawn by artist Philip Banks in October 2023, it depicted a brown dog in a gray sweater, blue jeans, and red sneakers, sporting a laid-back smirk. Banks described him on his now-private X account as “a chill guy that lowkey doesn’t give a f**k.”
The image went viral almost a year after its debut, with major brands like Adidas, Sprite, Saregama, and the NFL all jumping on the trend. Spin-offs soon followed, including a Chill Girl meme and the rise of related memecoins.
The viral streak ended when Banks announced he had copyrighted the image and planned to pursue legal action against anyone profiting from it without permission.
Image credits: philbbankss / Instagram
#14 The "Goodluck Babe" Breakout Star
Chapelle Roan became a major force in 2024 pop culture after first gaining attention in 2023 with her debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess.
Her breakout single “Good Luck, Babe” peaked at number 4 on the Billboard 200 and helped catapult the album to wider success. Billboard reported that by July, her Lollapalooza performance broke the festival's all-time attendance record.
In a historic moment, Roan and Sabrina Carpenter became part of the small group of thirteen artists ever nominated in all four Grammy General Field categories in one night. Roan ultimately took home the Best New Artist award at the 2025 ceremony.
Image credits: chappellroan / Instagram
#15 Ariana Grande And Ethan Slater Go Public
It may be a rom-com trope, but real life mirrored fiction when Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater fell for each other while filming Wicked, where their characters also play lovers.
After months of speculation, the pair opened up about their relationship. Both were coming out of marriages when they met in 2023, which may explain their initial silence.
GQ featured a cover story in which Slater said he was proud of Grande and found it tough to watch their relationship picked apart publicly. Vanity Fair later quoted Grande defending Slater and dismissing the negative media narratives surrounding him.
Still, controversy followed. In a 2024 essay, Slater’s ex-wife Lilly Jay wrote about the "emotional brutality of divorcing in the public eye," implying that Slater had been unfaithful.
Image credits: ethanslater / Instagram
#16 The Powerpuff Girls
A mom asking her kids, "Who wants to go to the Four Seasons in Orlando?" seemed like an ordinary moment, but Baby Kate's excited "Meee!" turned her into a viral sensation.
The toddler's sharp delivery and joyful tone earned her the nickname "Four Seasons Orlando baby," and the clip now has nearly 90 million views on TikTok. Her moment quickly snowballed into a full-on meme.
In an interview with Rollingstone, Kate's mom, Bailey Wise, said the clip was meant to convince her parents to join a family trip. Her aunt suggested posting it, predicting the internet would love it. Sure enough, even the Four Seasons brand jumped on the trend with its own stitched videos.
Image credits: ppgislandupdates / Instagram
#17 The Saddam Hussein Hiding Spot
Some memes in 2024 went viral for reasons no one could explain. A prime example: the hiding spot where Saddam Hussein hid.
Though the image dates back to 2003, when the Iraqi dictator was captured in a ventilated underground hole, a TikTok in 2024 reignited interest. It featured a paint mark on a wall that looked eerily like the infamous hiding space, and the internet took it from there.
Soon, people were spotting Saddam-shaped outlines in everything, from shadows to beef jerky. The bizarre trend blew up with memes, tattoos, and recreations that only got funnier with each post.
Image credits: TAKE STEP AFRICA / facebook
#18 JT’s DWI Debacle
In June 2024, Justin Timberlake was pulled over in the Hamptons shortly after midnight. Officers described his eyes as "bloodshot and glassy," and People reported that he refused a breathalyzer test despite the officer noting a strong smell of alcohol.
Timberlake claimed he had only one martini and initially pleaded not guilty to the drinking while intoxicated (DWI) charge. Still, his license was immediately suspended in New York.
At his final court appearance, he changed his plea to guilty for a lesser charge of driving while impaired (DUI), paid a $500 fine, and agreed to 25 hours of community service. His license was suspended for 90 days.
Later in June, a TikTok video showed Timberlake joking about the arrest during a Boston concert, asking the audience if anyone was driving.
Image credits: Handout / Getty Images
#19 Very Demure, Very Mindful
Another viral moment born of casual media came in August 2024, when Jools LeBron, a cashier in Chicago, made a TikTok explaining how she dresses modestly for work, using her makeup and outfit as examples.
Her charming delivery and the way she repeated the word "demure" caught on instantly. Soon, people across the globe were posting videos of themselves acting "very demure and very mindful." The phrase became a cultural catchphrase, and LeBron turned the moment into a full-blown influencer career, now boasting over 2.3 million followers.
Image credits: joolieannie / TikTok
#20 The Chocolate Factory Epic Fail
In February 2024, House of Illuminati hosted Willy’s Chocolate Experience, a Glasgow event inspired by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It was billed as a magical, family-friendly outing, but quickly became notorious for its spectacular failure.
Attendees expecting candy gardens and chocolate fountains were met with an abandoned warehouse decorated in flimsy plastic props. The "treats" were underwhelming: a quarter-cup of lemonade and two jelly beans. Many children were even scared by the actors' low-budget costumes.
The BBC reported that police intervened when outraged families shut down the event and demanded refunds for their £35 tickets. Organizers later apologized and admitted to using AI-generated marketing materials they had no means to replicate.
Image credits: r/Fauxmoi
#21 John Cena Naked At The Oscars
One of the most unexpected moments of the 2024 Oscars came when John Cena appeared onstage wearing nothing but a large envelope.
During a comedy segment, host Jimmy Kimmel referenced a famous nude protest at the 1974 Oscars. Cena then walked out nearly naked in a nod to Robert Opel, the activist who streaked across the stage that year.
According to CBS News, Cena was wearing a modesty garment behind the envelope. The stunt served as a tribute as he presented the Best Costume Design award to Holly Waddington for Poor Things.
Later, in an interview with Shannon Sharpe on Club Shay Shay, Cena admitted he felt embarrassed pulling off the stunt in front of Hollywood’s elite.
Image credits: usweekly / Instagram
#22 Mr. Beast’s Controversial Past Resurfaces
Jimmy Donaldson, known online as Mr. Beast, became the most-subscribed YouTuber with 447 million subscribers by October 2025. He is widely recognized for his large-scale philanthropy, including a project building 100 wells in Africa to provide clean drinking water to nearly half a million people.
However, in 2024, old internet clips resurfaced, casting doubt on his public image. A video shared on X showed Donaldson responding to a racist comment about selling Black people with a joke about paying $300. He was also seen laughing at homophobic slurs and other offensive remarks during the same stream.
In a separate 2017 podcast, Donaldson discussed the idea of sleeping with a then-14-year-old female rapper.
A representative for Donaldson told The Associated Press that he began his career "trying to be an edgy gamer and streamer" and acknowledged he had said "horrible and nasty things." They added that he is now committed to using his platform for good.
Image credits: mrbeast / Instagram
#23 Sabrina Carpenter’s “Juno” Routines
2024 was a banner year for Sabrina Carpenter, who took home two Grammys for Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Pop Solo Performance.
Her Short n’ Sweet tour brought huge success, but it also stirred controversy online. The drama centered on her performance of the song “Juno,” where she acted out various sex positions, sometimes with backup dancers.
During each show, she would ask the audience, “Have you ever tried this one?”, turning the act into a viral TikTok trend.
Public reaction was sharply divided. Some argued the routine was too explicit, while others defended her right to express her sexuality as an adult performer.
Image credits: sabrinacarpenter / Instagram
#24 Blake Lively And Justin Baldoni’s Legal Battle
The 2024 film It Ends With Us stirred more drama off-screen than on, as Blake Lively filed a lawsuit accusing costar Justin Baldoni and producer Jamey Heath of creating a hostile work environment.
The lawsuit detailed claims of unwanted kissing, inappropriate sexual comments, and other unsettling behavior during production.
Later, The New York Times published an investigative piece suggesting Baldoni’s team had coordinated a subtle smear campaign against Lively. That same week, Baldoni responded with a libel suit.
In early 2025, he filed countersuits against Lively, her husband, and the New York Times, seeking $400 million and $250 million, respectively, for defamation and extortion.
Both suits were dismissed, but Baldoni is still expected to face trial for harassment and retaliation charges in 2026.
Image credits: justjared / Instagram
#25 Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé’s Not-A-Country Album
Among the most significant music drops of 2024, Beyoncé’s eighth studio album, Cowboy Carter, stood out as a cultural reset. As the second installment of her Renaissance trilogy, it marked her bold entrance into the country genre.
The album debuted at Number 1 on the Billboard 200, making Beyoncé the first Black woman to top the country albums chart. She followed the release with her Cowboy Carter tour, which grossed $407.6 million and set a new record for the highest-grossing country tour of all time.
Image credits: beyonce / Instagram
#26 The Crash Of Bennifer
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, famously known as "Bennifer," have kept fans invested since the early 2000s. They tied the knot in 2022 after two decades of on-and-off romance and two separate engagements. However, cracks began to show in their marriage by early 2024.
Amid the speculation, Lopez announced her ninth studio album and an accompanying film, both centered on her relationship.
Despite the buzz, the album had her lowest debut on the Billboard 200. She also launched a North American tour titled "This Is Me…Now," scheduled from June through August. Fans were let down again when she abruptly canceled the tour via her OntheJLo site.
TMZ reported that Lopez filed for divorce in August 2024, ending their two-year marriage.
Later, in an Interview magazine cover story, Lopez told Nikki Glaser, "I was so devastated to let anybody down, but I just needed to be with my kids and myself and really dig down deep into things that were happening in my life. And I’m glad I did, because it was a really difficult time for me. Probably the hardest time of my life."
Image credits: chipkumedia / Instagram
#27 "Hawk Tuah"
In 2024, Hailey Welch got her viral moment and turned it into a full-fledged brand, including a podcast and millions of social media followers.
Her rise started with a street interview posted by Tim and Dee TV on YouTube. Asked about sexual preferences, Welch responded with an exaggerated “Hawk Tuah,” which immediately went viral on TikTok.
Capitalizing on the momentum, she launched a meme coin, $HAWK, in December. But as the BBC reports, the coin crashed almost instantly, losing around 95% of its value within hours.
Image credits: hawktuah_ / Instagram
#28 Fire in the Harry Potter Family
JK Rowling, author of the Harry Potter books, has spent the past few years doubling down on her stance against gender self-recognition. She's been widely labeled a Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist as a result.
The situation escalated when the lead actors of the film series, Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, publicly condemned Rowling’s views. Radcliffe has said he has not communicated with her since the controversy began.
When a fan on X asked if she would ever accept apologies from the actors, Rowling responded that they should instead "save their apologies for traumatised detransitioners and vulnerable women reliant on single sex spaces."
Image credits: Jon Furniss / Getty Images
#29 Barely-Clothed Bianca
Bianca Censori, wife of Ye (formerly Kanye West), made headlines throughout 2024 for her unconventional fashion choices. The Australian architect drew attention for regularly stepping out in extremely revealing outfits, often barefoot, at restaurants and public events.
Her first major viral moment came in September 2023, when she was photographed walking the streets of Florence in a tan bra, holding a pillow to her chest.
In 2024, she pushed boundaries even further with a string of outfits: a see-through raincoat in Los Angeles, bondage-style clothing at Milan Fashion Week, tiny shorts at the Chateau Marmont, and a fur coat in Tokyo with no visible undergarments.
Censori's outfit choices continued to stir debate into 2025, most recently at the Grammys, where she appeared in a sheer dress with visible lingerie.
Image credits: kanyescontent / Instagram
