The Brief: "TikTokalypse" is a term for both the drama occurring between famous members of the Hype and Sway houses and a reference to the possibility of the app being banned in the United States.
DEEP DIVE
On Monday, July 6th, 2020, two versions of the TikTokalypse erupted. Lil Huddy (Chase Hudson) and Nessa Barrett were rumored to have kissed soon after Lil Huddy and Charli D’Amelio broke up, which sparked an onslaught of social media drama where various members of Sway House and Hype House unfollowed each other and made public comments about the event.
On the same day, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a Fox News interview that the U.S. is “looking at” banning Chinese social media apps including TikTok. Also on Monday, TikTok announced that it planned to withdraw its app from Hong Kong in the wake of Hong Kong’s new security law.
Each of these events have been labeled as the “TikTokalypse” by people online. The term can reference any or all of the dramatic TikTok news stories from July 6th.
I've woken up to the TikTokalypse
— Sam Shead (@Sam_L_Shead) July 7, 2020
Keem calling tonight #WorldWarTea. Decent name. I like TikTokalypse better but it’s harder to spell https://t.co/SkMapBwDo1 https://t.co/lm4tPqTbOV
— Taylor Lorenz (@TaylorLorenz) July 7, 2020
here’s a handy flowchart to introduce you to the tiktok teen tea featuring mainstay questions such as:
• where are their parents?
• will we get a still softish 2?
• how did @dixiedamelio invent humor?go forth — AMA pic.twitter.com/AjC06P4F2v
— gray (@gracewein) July 7, 2020
The TikTokalypse is finally here. https://t.co/IorU7oHfoZ
— Ryan Howe (@morupside) July 7, 2020