Buzz
This week, I’m diving into the story of Nikocado Avocado, the YouTuber who managed to deceive the entire globe. Additionally, I’ll explore how internet slang like "stress core" and "British core" made its way into the Senate, and what it means for modern culture. Grab a massive bowl of pasta, and let’s dive in!
Viral video of the week: Two Steps Ahead
This week, Nikocado Avocado became an internet sensation by executing the most unexpected twist in online history. To understand why a video of him simply saying “gotcha” garnered over 40 million views in under a week, you’ll need to know the full story behind his rise to fame.
Avocado’s unconventional journey began eight years ago as a strict vegan, but within months of starting his YouTube channel, he abandoned that lifestyle and embraced eating anything and everything. The once-slim individual quickly became a trailblazer in the world of mukbang videos, where creators consume massive quantities of food. He rose to dominance in this niche, not only by devouring insane amounts of chicken nuggets and fire noodles, but also through his chaotic, unpredictable behavior and emotional outbursts. Avocado’s online persona was a spectacle of epic proportions, drawing millions of viewers—fans, critics, and trolls alike—who were captivated by the unfolding chaos of his life.
The constant overeating took a toll on his body, and over the years, Avocado’s weight skyrocketed to 411 pounds. As he grew heavier, his videos frequently highlighted his health struggles, yet he never stopped indulging. He even filmed himself eating right before undergoing surgery. Over time, his mental state appeared to decline, with each video showcasing increasingly erratic and unstable behavior.
Four months ago, Avocado suddenly stopped uploading videos, sparking rumors that he had either passed away or was facing severe health issues that prevented him from continuing. However, this week, he made a surprising comeback—and he’s now skinny.
Avocado claims to have lost 250 pounds. He had pre-recorded two years worth of content and managed to slim down in secret, all without anyone noticing. His once-frantic energy has also vanished, suggesting that his previous persona was entirely performative.
"While everyone mocked me for overeating, I was actually in complete control the whole time," he told
Was this entire saga truly a “social experiment?” It’s difficult to determine. Avocado’s pre-reveal character always appeared exaggerated, but his weight gain was undeniably real. Critics accused him of doing anything for views, and this elaborate two-year deception only strengthens that argument, perhaps even more than his previous overeating antics. While he may not be as erratic as his former persona, this new revelation doesn’t exactly reflect a balanced lifestyle. Still, credit where it’s due: he managed to fool everyone.
Brain rot reaches the Australian Senate
Recently, brain rot slang entered the Australian Senate when 29-year-old Senator Fatima Payman delivered a speech targeting Generation Z and Generation Alpha. Her language was so saturated with teen and tween slang that it’s unlikely her fellow senators understood much of it.
"Sigmas of Australia,” she began, “this goofy ahh government has been capping—not just recently, but for a long time. Some of you might recall when they claimed, 'There will be no Fanum Tax under my leadership.' They’re capaholics and yapaholics, constantly boasting about how their cost of living policies are transforming lives for all Australians. Just put the fries in the bag, lil' bro.”
“Even though some of you aren’t yet old enough to vote, I hope that when you are, it will be for a more goated Australia, led by a government with stronger aura. Skibidi,” she concluded.
Whether the speech will lead to a more goated Australia is still uncertain, but it certainly grabbed the attention of those who typically ignore Australian politics (myself included). It also highlights the awkwardness of older individuals (Payman, at 29, is a Millennial) attempting to use slang popular among younger generations.
If you’re curious about decoding the entire speech, my guide to Gen Z and Gen Alpha slang explains nearly every unconventional term the Senator used.
Beetlejuice-inspired lip trend sparks debate on makeup Tok
Drama among makeup influencers usually stays within their community, but a feud over a Beetlejuice-inspired lipstick technique is breaking out of makeup Tok. It began when beauty influencer Luara Reisinger shared a TikTok video showing how to create vertical stripes on your lips, reminiscent of Beetlejuice’s iconic suit. First, apply a bold lip color, then scrunch your lips and brush on black eyeliner. Voilà—striped lips for all. Well, almost all. The method doesn’t work for everyone.
If you’ve had lip fillers, your lips may not wrinkle enough to achieve the Beetlejuice effect, and those who’ve undergone lip surgery are even less likely to succeed. This has become an issue for beauty influencers, who often face criticism for not disclosing cosmetic enhancements that are out of reach for most people. Influencers promoting products with the promise that anyone can achieve their look are now under scrutiny due to the Beetlejuice lip trend.
According to Sarcasm Generator, this scenario is “an influencer’s worst nightmare.” Beauty influencers who’ve undergone cosmetic procedures now face a dilemma: either avoid posting Beetlejuice lip videos and risk raising suspicions, or openly admit to using lip fillers.
What exactly is "stress core"?
Stress core, or "stresscore," videos are trending on TikTok this week. As the name implies, these videos aim to be as anxiety-inducing as possible. The first video tagged #stresscore, created by huguebas, features an unstable washing machine with detergent bottles teetering on top, paired with chaotic, loud music. However, the most popular stress-core videos include sped-up clips of SpongeBob SquarePants and a 21 Pilots soundtrack. These clips are genuinely stressful to watch.
What is "British core"?
Since we’re exploring -cores, let’s dive into British core. Lately, British culture has been making waves—UK pop star Charli XCX defined the summer with her album “brat”; influencers are having emotional reactions to Big Ben; and even Oasis is reuniting. As a result, people online are tagging distinctly British content, like this compilation of British memes and these blokes, with the hashtag.
