Trending now: homebody living, unrecognizable makeup, ANXIETY & more
Apr 30, 2025 – [[read-time]] minute read
ANXIETY
Dance
What it is: Doechii's 2019 track “Anxiety,” initially self-released on YouTube, has experienced a significant resurgence in popularity. Fan interest in early 2025 led to its official re-release on March 4th, sparking the "Anxiety Challenge," featuring a viral dance and a mirror doppelganger lip-sync trend. Fresh Prince of Bel-Air edits seemingly inspired the dance, drawing participation from Will Smith and the original cast alongside Doechii.
Why it matters: This resurgence shows how fan-driven momentum can supplement an artist’s career and highlights short-form content’s role in reviving music. With her Billboard Woman of the Year honor and a “Fresh Prince”-inspired dance trend, “Anxiety” is more than a hit—it’s a cultural moment, resonating strongly with fans and creators.
Homebody Living
Vlog
What this is: “Homebody” videos celebrate the lifestyles of introverts by showing the ways they create relaxing experiences at home. Like the “living alone” trend, long-form vlogs feature solo creators cooking, cleaning, organizing, and “nesting” to keep their living spaces in order, oftentimes with spoken or silent commentary.
Why it matters: Younger creators and viewers are shying away from traditional influencer tendencies by unapologetically embracing their identities as homebodies and introverts. While hallmarks of traditional lifestyle videos — GRWMs, product promotions, activity vlogging — are still present, these videos show how lifestyle content can be adapted for more authentic representation.
“Unrecognizable” Makeup
Beauty
What it is: Sir Mix-A-Lot’s 1992 blast from the past, “Lockjaw,” has made a resurgence for the “unrecognizable makeup” trend, which entails filming a simple “Plain Jane” to “full face goddess” beauty transformation.
Why it matters: Although the heavy makeup looks of the mid-2010s have taken a backseat to the more natural “clean girl” styles in recent years, some beauty gurus are revisiting their “face paint” era with fondness. This trend emphasizes the “artist” in makeup artist, allowing professional MUAs – as well as hobbyists and cosplayers — to flex their technique with the full power of their craft.
Black Chicago Be Like
Episodic Content
What it is: The 29th episode of the independent web series “Black Chicago Be Like” has gained over 1.1 million views since its release on March 11. The episode escalates the series' existing storylines, introduces new characters, and lands main character Korporate in increasingly complicated (and funny) predicaments, all filmed on location in Chicago, with a distinct blend of drama, comedy, and action. The series was developed by do-it-all creator, writer, and narrator Donovan Price, Jr. aka Korporate Bidness. Price, Jr. is just one of many Black creators who are developing episodic scripted content on YouTube and reaching audiences who are underserved in traditional media.
Why it matters: Black creators have developed episodic shows on YouTube for over a decade. Contemporary Black creators are continuing the tradition, taking it to new heights through higher production value and a mix of formats. As more viewers stream YouTube on their televisions, these series are prime examples of Black storytellers developing episodic content that more intentionally aligns with their experiences.
MiSide
Gaming
What this is: MiSide is an indie horror dating sim that was released last December. The game’s plot revolves around Mita, a possessive virtual companion who entraps the player in her digital world. As the protagonist journeys through past versions of Mita’s game, they encounter various iterations on her model, each with their own personalities. Its wealth of secrets and roster of characters are well-suited for YouTube content, driving fans to create Let’s Plays, fancams, and animations.
Why it matters: MiSide is the latest in a new and growing category of game designed to be watched on YouTube: the visual novel. It blends elements of popular indie horror games, boasts extensive lore, and features a character ripe for fan remixes. Its popularity confirms that there’s a sustained interest in the horror dating sim genre, and that an iconic character is key to becoming a hit online.