Social media is one of the main channels for challenges and various crazes to go viral. Many may remember the Ice Bucket Challenge, planking, Harlem Shake, the hot pepper challenge and the cinnamon challenge, and some of us may have made our own attempts of them. Well, there is a new craze making the rounds on social media that you should definitely try: the #MannequinChallenge.
To take part in the challenge, the process is pretty simple. Participants have to stay as still as possible while holding a pose, much like mannequins do in stores, while someone weaves in and out of the group videotaping the whole challenge. The video is usually accompanied by Rae Sremmurd’s “Black Beatles” ft. Gucci Mane.
Super simple right? No eating of a spoonful of cinnamon sugar or eating a chili pepper is required. Just grab a group of friends, strike various poses, film the challenge and you are all good to go. However, the more impressive the poses are, the more impressive the challenge is. Take for example the following #MannequinChallenge done by BYU Cougar's Gymnastics team.
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How is holding some of those moves for that long even possible? That's so impressive and crazy all at the same time, and I don't know about you, but I was just cringing at thinking about having to hold some of their impressive moves. Teach me your ways!
This craze has even taken off with celebrities, such as Destiny Child and Kevin Hart, along with various sports teams and Hillary Clinton even made her own video for the challenge.
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The origin of this new viral craze has been traced back to high school students at the Edward H. White High School in Jacksonville, Florida. These students posted their own attempt on Twitter on October 26.
#manequinchallenge SHARE‼️ RT‼️ pic.twitter.com/k1BqR6iZ1p
— blackie (@pvrity___) October 26, 2016
Since the very first video of the challenge, individuals have taken to Instagram and other social media sites to post their own attempts of the challenge. As of November 9, the challenge had reached 149,583 posts on Instagram, but the number continues to go up on Instagram and Twitter Daily.
What's the significance of the song you may be wondering? Well, there really is no significance whatsoever. The first video featured the song and the other attempts have followed suit.
Would you be up to do this challenge?