It all started when TMZ released security footage that showed the pop star hanging out at a southern California doughnut shop, where she proceeded to lick some doughnuts. (Doughnuts, mind you, that she had not paid for.) In the video, she also can be heard saying, “I hate America.” A few days after the Internet totally freaked out about this, she posted a somber apology video on YouTube and a written apology on Twitter. Eventually, the whole thing blew over, but the incident received so much attention that you shouldn’t be surprised if you mention her name during the holidays this year and one of your relatives responds, “Oh, that’s that doughnut-licking gal, isn’t it?”
2. Pizza Rat
In September, a collective hush seemed to fall over the Internet as everyone watched the Pizza Rat video for the first time. The 15-second clip, which has since racked up more than 8 million views, showed a feisty little rodent dragging a large, cheesy slice down the steps of a New York City subway station. Pizza Rat inspired a Halloween costume, tattoos, countless copycat videos and, ultimately, a shared feeling: Pizza Rat is all of us. Sure, some people eventually grew tired of the Pizza Rat phenomenon, but nobody will forget how they felt the first time they saw him.
1. The Dress
Oh, The Dress. Remember The Dress? Of course you remember The Dress. The question of whether it was blue and black or white and gold ended thousands of friendships, romances and professional relationships around the world. It all began back in February with a Tumblr post, which featured a slightly washed-out photo of a dress alongside a seemingly innocent question: Is this dress white and gold or blue and black? (Apparently it really could go either way: some people saw the former, others the latter.) Then, BuzzFeed staffer Cates Holderness decided to post a poll about it — and the Internet promptly exploded. The debate really a hit nerve and got everyone debating — because everyone was so sure about the colors they were seeing. This instantly viral phenomenon launched endless explainers, think pieces, think pieces about think pieces and celebrity debates. Meanwhile, that original post has since gotten more than 38 million hits.
