It looks like TikTok has found its new ‘Couch Guy,’ as a clip of a woman trying to impress her boyfriend has gone viral and sparked discussion on ‘the bird theory.’
In the viral clip, Emmalee Morrow (@emmalee_morrow) and her boyfriend are standing in a Walmart aisle. Addressing the camera, she said excitedly, “Just realized my boyfriend doesn’t even know I can do this. So I’m gonna do it.”
She then proceeded to do a full split in the middle of Walmart.
However, her boyfriend was visibly unmoved by the party trick. When she asked if the split was “epic,” he merely shrugged.
“He literally hates me,” she added in the caption. The clip has amassed an enormous 26.7 million views.
Emmalee didn’t immediately respond to The Mary Sue’s request for comment via TikTok comment and Instagram direct message.
@emmalee_morrow He literally hates me #epic #fypシ #boyfriendchallenge #walmart #couplegoals ♬ original sound – Emmalee
Commenters were unimpressed
In the comments, users were shocked by the boyfriend’s lack of reaction.
“Not a fan of him babe,” one wrote. “Maybe try a new one?”
“He had no reaction,” another added. “I don’t like that…”
While a third asked, “Why are so many beautiful funny women dating their enemies?”
A fourth begged, “Please don’t marry him,he is NOT THE ONE.” While a fifth said, “BABE HES GOING TO END UP DULLING YOUR PERSONALITY AND DIMING YOUR LIGHT LEAVE HIM.”
What is the bird theory?
A lot of the comments on the video also referenced the bird theory or bird test. They claimed that this video was a perfect example of this theory in action.
In short, the theory is considered a way to assess the health of your relationship and the level of investment your partner has in you.
Per the theory, the partner should point out a bird to their loved one as a test.
“I live and die by the [expletive] bird test,” Alyssa Caribardi said in a 2023 TikTok.
“The bird test states that if you’re with someone […] romantic or not, if you say something that could be deemed insignificant, and your partner responds with genuine curiosity — that’s a really good sign that your relationship will last a long time.”
“If [your partner] blows you off, they don’t even acknowledge you, and they’re just like, ‘Oh, cool, a woodpecker,’ that’s a really bad sign.”
The boyfriend responds
In a follow-up video posted to the same account, the boyfriend directly addresses these concerns.
He joked that everyone is on a “smear campaign” against him, and argued that he didn’t react because he was “in a rush.”
“Guys, she’s like a professional dancer,” he added. “I know she can do the splits. I know she can do front flips and backflips and twirls and spins, but yeah, did I react the way I should have? No, I did not,” he said. “I did not. My bad, and it’s still not justified, but I’m sorry that I didn’t pick her up off the ground.”
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