HERE ARE THE CURRENT TIKTOK TRENDS SO FAR!

Spa Water

TikToker Gracie Norton got backlash for gentrifying Agua Fresca and calling it spa water in a mini-series of videos presenting drink recipes. Agua Fresca is a popular drink made of fruits that is very popular in Mexico. In response to Norton’s silly trend, many Latinx TikTok users have gone on the app to mock Norton and the misuse of Aguas Frescas.

On July 21st, 2022, Norton posted an apology on her Instagram. She said, “Many of you have let me know that you would feel most comfortable if the videos were completely removed, so that is what I have done. A majority of my content is about celebrating the many ways we can show our bodies love through trying new recipes, and I am aware that it is my responsibility to continue to educate myself on the origin of those recipes. I sincerely apologize to the Latin community and those of you that I have offended.”

Cowboy Caviar

TikToker Bria Lemirande got backlash for a different trend known as cowboy caviar. It is a chip dip made of several foods such as corn, black beans, cheese, etc. Many people have expressed their frustrations due to Lemirande seemingly culturally appropriating Latin culture. However, in response to the backlash, she made an apology video for offending anyone from the Latinx community and fully understands why the trend came off as culturally offensive. She says, “That was just never my intention to offend anybody or any culture… I didn’t make the name. I’m not claiming to own the recipe. It was created back in the ‘40s. It’s just kinda something I grew up eating at different gatherings.”

Clean Girl Aesthetic

The clean girl aesthetic is another culturally appropriated trend going around on TikTok. But instead of food and drinks, make it beauty and fashion! The aesthetic consists of wearing slicked-back hair, gold jewelry, clear lip gloss, and a clean face paired with a T-shirt, jeans, and sneakers. TikToker Shanna says, “There’s a history of Black [people] and POCs everyday in cultural dress being mocked by mainstream culture, only for the same mainstream culture to pick it up, give it a few tweaks and present it to the world like it’s the hottest new thing on the block.”

What these current TikTok trends have in common is that they are all white-washed trends. While moving forward, the lesson that everyone needs to learn is to acknowledge and give credit to people of color for these trends instead of continuing to white-wash them in mainstream media. Otherwise, TikTok will continue to grant leeway to mainstream culture for capitalizing on these trends.