In the aftermath of the glamorous Met Gala, a powerful movement is sweeping TikTok under the hashtag #BlockOut2024.
In this viral trend, TikTok users advocate mass blocking of high-profile celebrities such as Zendaya, Taylor Swift, and Beyoncé, in response to the perceived silence of influential figures on important humanitarian issues. This shows that dissatisfaction is growing.
“Let me eat cake.”
The origins of this movement can be traced back to a boiling point caused by an audio trend on the platform titled “.let them eat cake”
Creator Haleyybaylee, who boasted 10 million followers before posting, used the audio while wearing a floral dress near the Met Gala venue, leading many users to liken the scenario to a scene from The Hunger Games. I started to use analogies. The comparison sees wealthy celebrities having fun while ordinary users are set in underprivileged neighborhoods as global crises such as the conflict between Israel and Hamas intensify.
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The origin of this word is “Let me eat cake.” This word is associated with Marie Antoinette, Queen of France during the French Revolution. Marie Antoinette is said to have uttered these words in 1789 when she heard that her starving subjects were running out of bread. This anecdote has since become a symbol of Marie Antoinette’s disconnection from the struggles of her people, and its symbolism continues to this day.
Haleyybaylee’s video has now become a symbol of this burgeoning movement and is being reused by many TikTok users. In these videos, creators juxtapose images of Gaza with the glitz of the Met Gala to emphasize the stark contrast between entertainment and real-world suffering.
@zezvaz 👀👀👀👀👀👀👀 #haleykalil #lettheatcake #metgala2024 #mariantoinette ♬ Original song – Zez Vaz
aim at their pockets
At the heart of the #BlockOut2024 movement is a call to action. Creators not only urge viewers to block these celebrities, but also provide a convincing argument as to why such action is necessary.
By targeting ad revenue through mass blocks, users aim to convey the message that complacency on important global issues is unacceptable, especially from socially influential individuals.
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This trend shows that social media has tremendous power in mobilizing collective action and holding public figures accountable. This reflects a growing demand among younger generations for celebrities to use their platforms responsibly and address pressing social and humanitarian concerns, rather than indulging in frivolous content. .
The #BlockOut2024 movement serves as a stark reminder that social media activism can drive meaningful change and encourage greater accountability in the digital age.
