The "Oh Who is She" meme took TikTok by storm in early 2022, serving up some hilariously relatable captions set to an iconic clip from Zoolander. This viral sensation amassed over 470 million views thanks to its nostalgic origins and creative adaptability.
Let‘s walk through the meme‘s meteoric rise and break down why it resonated so strongly across multiple generations.
Revisiting the Zoolander Phenomenon
To understand this meme, we have to go back to its source – the 2001 comedy Zoolander. This film satirized the fashion industry through the antics of dimwitted supermodel Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller) and his rival Hansel (Owen Wilson).
Zoolander underwhelmed at the box office, only grossing $60 million on a $28 million budget. But it soon gained popularity as a cult classic comedy, especially among millennials. The film built an enduring legacy through its outrageous characters, instantly quotable lines, and over-the-top visual gags.
One such memorable scene was Derek and Hansel‘s "walk-off" battle, set to "Dance Off" by David Bowie. The two models dramatically turn to look behind them, pause, Blue Steel gaze at each other, and then continue walking down the runway.
This brief clip became a popular reaction meme on early social media, laying the groundwork for its current viral resurgence. As we‘ll explore, this scene was ripe for parody across multiple generations.
The TikTok Breakout
In March 2022, TikTok creator @charlidamelio revived the Zoolander walk-off for a new audience. She added the song "Who Is She x The Perfect Girl," which mashed up Bill Withers‘ "Who Is She" with a modern beat.
@charlidamelio‘s simple caption "When the subway doors open and it‘s sardines" timed perfectly to Derek and Hansel‘s turns instantly went viral. It amassed over 3 million likes in just a few weeks.
Soon, the hashtag #ohwhoisshe took off across TikTok. Gen Z creators added their own hilarious captions poking fun at everyday experiences like waiting in line or seeing your ex. Even millennials jumped in on the trend, feeling that rush of nostalgia.
Within two months, "Oh Who Is She" TikTok compilations racked up over 470 million views. It became one of the platform‘s biggest trends of 2022 so far. Clearly this meme struck a chord, but why?
Breaking Down the Meme Appeal
Let‘s analyze the specific elements that made "Oh Who Is She" so meme-able:
The Clip – This short Zoolander scene packs effective visual humor. The models‘ exaggerated poses and Blue Steel looks heighten the absurdity.
The Captions – Simple two-line setups allow endless relatable scenarios. Contrasting the mundane with the dramatic pose creates instant humor.
The Song – "Who Is She x The Perfect Girl" matches the lyrics and beats to the models‘ actions. This synchronization elevates the humor.
The Nostalgia – For millennials, this meme taps into nostalgia for Zoolander and ‘00s pop culture. For Gen Z, it introduces a new comedic relic.
The Relatability – While silly, the captions derive from shared everyday experiences. This combination makes the meme universally funny.
The Participation – The captions invite audience participation in loading the scene with new absurd meanings. This engagement fuels virality.
Essentially, this meme succeeds through the juxtaposition of a dramatic visual that older generations recognize with relatable humor that appeals to young audiences. It‘s a masterclass in multi-generational nostalgia.
Top "Oh Who Is She" Memes
To better understand how creators maximized this format, let‘s look at some of the most popular "Oh Who Is She" memes:
| Caption 1 | Caption 2 | Views |
|---|---|---|
| Me waiting for bae to get off the phone so we can go eat | Bae still arguing with her mom | 1.2M |
| When you see your ex in public | With the girl he told you not to worry about | 1.5M |
| When you wake up on pay day | And see your bank account has more money in it | 980K |
| Co-worker: I‘ll be right back | Narrator: That was the last we ever saw of Linda | 1.1M |
The variety of relatable scenarios layered onto the Zoolander clip display the meme‘s adaptability. Whether it‘s friendship, romance, work, or money, creators connected mundane experiences to the visual gag.
Origin of the Sound
Now let‘s break down the crucial musical accompaniment behind this meme. The song is a TikTok remix by Ian Asher titled "Who Is She x The Perfect Girl."
It mixes 1971‘s "Who Is She (And What Is She to You)" by Bill Withers with a more modern beat. The repeated lyrics "Oh who is she?" match Derek and Hansel‘s turns along with the speculative captions.
This 1-minute song mashup first circulated on TikTok in late 2021, gaining over 540,000 YouTube views. Once combined with the Zoolander stare down, it became inextricable from this meme.
Decoding the Lyrics
Let‘s take a deeper look at the lyrics behind this TikTok sound:
Oh, who is she?
A misty memory
A haunting face
Is she a lost embrace?
These opening lines ask who is this mysterious woman that holds memories and feels just out of reach. This matches the fictional scenarios in the meme captions about an unknown "she."
I call her name
Across an endless plain
She‘ll answer me
Wherever she may be
The song continues by expressing faith this woman will answer the call no matter how far away she is. Again, this matches the speculative nature about the identity of "she."
Oh, who is she?
A misty memory
A haunting face
Is she a lost embrace?
The chorus repeats, emphasizing the unknown woman who lingers like a distant memory. These poetic lyrics align perfectly with Derek and Hansel‘s dramatic turns as if searching for the mystery woman.
Ultimately, the repetition of "who is she?" complements the viral meme format of proposing absurd identities for this unnamed woman in the captions.
Crafting Your Own Viral Meme
Want to tap into this viral success with your own "Oh Who Is She" TikTok? Here are some best practices:
Pick the Right Clip – Isolate just the stare down portion for maximum impact. Shorter is sweeter.
Time the Captions – Line up text with the head turns for seamless humor. Use editing tools to perfect the timing.
Contrast Absurdity – Think organic produce in plastic packaging. Layer the dramatic with the mundane.
Tap Nostalgia – Combine newer references with nostalgic entertainment older generations recognize.
Leverage Trends – Use popular formats like POV: in the initial caption to grab attention.
Promote Engagement – Encourage viewers to make their own versions using #ohwhoisshe. Interactivity promotes virality.
Watch the Data – Analyze view counts, comments, and shares to see which combos resonate most. Refine your formula.
With the right balance of nostalgia, dramatic irony, and participatory humor, you too can create a viral TikTok meme that transcends generations.
Why This Meme Had Staying Power
Most viral sensations quickly burn out, but "Oh Who Is She" had rare staying power. In part that stems from how this meme unpacked generational nostalgia.
For millennials, it tapped into fond memories of quoting Zoolander in the early 2000s. Seeing Derek Blue Steeling again felt like unearthing a time capsule.
Meanwhile, Gen Z experienced both the novelty of discovering this retro clip and the relatability of applying it to modern experiences.
This combination gave "Oh Who Is She" multi-generational appeal. Zoolander director Adam McKay commented:
"We are so happy that Zoolander has found a whole new audience and life on TikTok. Comedy is so rooted in context and time period so for it to remain relevant and get new laughs is really fulfilling."
Further data shows how this meme tapped the zeitgeist:
- 470M+ views of #ohwhoisshe compilations on TikTok
- 3M+ likes on @charlidamelio‘s original sound pairing
- Top comments reminiscing on Zoolander‘s legacy
- 1M+ creations using the meme sound
- Sustained popularity from March to May 2022
Unlike one-hit wonders, "Oh Who Is She" displayed rare endurance. This largely stems from how it united older nostalgic references with highly relatable modern humor.
The Lasting Influence
While the meme‘s popularity may wane, its impact on pop culture endures in a few key ways:
-
Boosted Zoolander‘s legacy – Renewed appreciation for this comedy as a cult classic across generations
-
Inspired comedic remixes – Sparking a wave of resurrecting and reimagining retro entertainment
-
Advanced multi-generational humor – Displayed how nostalgia for older audiences can be repackaged in fresh, engaging ways
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Reinforced participatory culture – Showcased how interactive humor builds community and drives engagement
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Revealed TikTok‘s influence – Solidified the platform‘s reputation for turning old media into viral sensations
Ultimately, "Oh Who Is She" showcased TikTok‘s uncanny ability to breathe new life into relics of pop culture past. Memes like this reveal what connects us across generations – shared experiences, relatable humor, and the enduring power of an absurd visual gag.
Further Zoolander Memes to Explore
If you can‘t get enough Zoolander meme content, here are some related viral sensations to dive into:
- Hansel so Hot Right Now
- Blue Steel Face
- Crazy Pills
- What is This? A Center for Ants?!
- Derek‘s Tiny Phone
Clearly Zoolander‘s absurdist humor and instantly mockable characters will live on for years as nostalgic meme fodder. Their dramatic poses and quotable lines seem destined for more viral revivals and generational rediscovery.
So don‘t be surprised if you see more designers strutting down your FYP soon with delightfully silly captions. That‘s the power of nostalgia! What retro entertainment would you like to see turned into a TikTok meme next? Let me know in the comments below!
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