TikTok Boom: The rise and reign of viral dance trends
TikTok hasn't just reshaped social media; it's rewritten the rules of cultural fame. With a tap and a twist, a bedroom video can go global. From CMAT's 'Woke Macarena' to unexpected dance-floor icons, Sarah McIntyre and Laura Delaney ask: What does it really take to go viral in 2025?
Unlike traditional platforms, virality on TikTok doesn't hinge on follower count - anyone can break through. At its core, the app thrives on participatory trends, with dance challenges leading the charge, turning everyday users into cultural contributors overnight.
In recent weeks, CMAT's Take a Sexy Picture of Me, aka the 'Woke Macarena', has become a global trend, inspiring over 39,000 videos to date, with over 100 million views. Lola Young, Julia Fox, Cher Lloyd and Amelia Dimoldenberg are among the high-profile names who have given the fun and sassy dance a whirl.
TikToker Sam Morris (@justsammorris) is the creator behind the viral dance sensation. Last month, he posted a video showcasing his original choreography to the track, proudly dubbing it his "Apple dance TikTok choreographer moment."
According to Rebecca O'Keeffe, Head of Content Operations at TikTok, what makes this particular trend interesting is its grassroots origin.
"It only really became a thing in the last week or two, and that's all down to one man making a video in his bedroom," she says.
"It wasn't some massive creator doing a collab with CMAT. He spotted the clue and jumped on it. If you think something is going to work, give it a go, because it probably will."
What actually makes a TikTok go viral?
If there's one question TikTok's content team hear daily, it's this: How do I go viral? We ask the experts.
Arthur Gourounlian, Dancing with the Stars judge, dancer and choreographer, is known for his joyful and engaging content on social media - he believes the first three seconds are everything.
"Grab attention right away," he advises. "Use something surprising, relatable, or visually engaging. People connect with real, unfiltered moments. Being yourself makes you memorable."
From a production standpoint, he recommends sharp editing, strong lighting and a clear message.
The dancing pro also gives a shout-out to trending sounds or topics, as "using popular audio or participating in trends boosts discoverability".
"Whether it's funny, emotional, or informative, the video should have a clear purpose," he adds, saying "engagement – asking a question, using on-screen text, or prompting comments can encourage interaction."
For Matthew Gardiner, one half of the Irish dancing duo The Gardiner Brothers (3.9 million followers and over 85 million likes on TikTok), it's about consistency and patience.
"It feels almost random sometimes what gains traction. We do think that consistency is a huge thing, because you don't know what's going to go viral," he says.
"Sometimes we have a feeling like 'OK, this one's good, this one's going to do well,' but then it doesn't. And you don't really have an answer for that, and you've just got to keep trying.
"If you enjoy it, some people out there are going to enjoy it, and it doesn't have to always go viral."
He recalls a tip from a social media guru he watched online during the pandemic that stuck with him.
"You know the phrase 'quality over quantity', he actually flipped it and said 'quantity over quality', because quality is subjective.
"Somebody out there is going to enjoy your content, so just keep putting it out and then the odd one will grow."
Rebecca reckons that the key to being successful on the platform is "nailing the engagement side of things" and admits "everyone with a phone who has access to the app is a creator".
Interestingly, when it comes to being successful on the platform, she says you don't need big numbers to make an impact.
"You don't need to have millions of followers to become a sensation on the platform. It's all about spotting that creative niche and jumping on it, and those kinds of trends can start from anywhere – me in my kitchen has as good a chance at going viral as the Kardashians in LA.
"You can start from zero and grow this incredible, engaged audience quite quickly if you just nail the engagement side of things".
What sounds and moves work best?
So what does it really take to go viral on TikTok and capture the attention of millions?
"The algorithm is a fickle little thing. We can't predict its behaviour - it would be great if we could," Rebecca laughs.
"I work really closely with creators, and I'd say at least every day, I get asked 'how do I go viral?'. It's really down to how engaging the content is as opposed to having a million followers.
"The likelihood being that if you have a million followers, you're probably quite an interesting and engaging human by default. My advice if you are starting from zero is to scroll and see what people are interested in, jump on those trends when you spot them, don't wait for them to become massive trends."
Matthew, who was born in Denver and raised in Galway, says it's "the classic songs" that consistently do well for The Gardiner Brothers on TikTok.
"Things like The Bee Gees have always done well. Those songs are timeless - the younger generation loves them as well."
Some dance routines are destined for virality, but they are rarely the most complex ones.
"The most viral dances are usually simple, repeatable, and don't require pro-level skills," shares Arthur. "They should be visually fun and expressive. Think hand movements, body rolls and hair flips."
He reckons that songs with a strong beat, catchy hook, or dramatic moment, especially early on, tend to perform best.
The key is that "people of all ages and skill levels feel confident trying them".
"If people can learn it quickly and feel cool doing it, they're way more likely to recreate it - and that's what spreads it!" he adds.
Has TikTok changed the dance world?
Absolutely. And for the better, according to both Matthew and Arthur.
"Dance is all over people's For You pages and reels feeds all the time," Matthew says. "I don't think people were constantly seeing dance and interacting with dance every day of their lives before social media, which is great because dance is obviously something positive.
"Continuing to put any form of dance in the spotlight every day, even if it's just a quick 10 to 15-second snippet, I think that's great."
Arthur agrees and points out that the platform has made dance much more accessible to people all over the world.
"TikTok has completely transformed the dance world - it's made it more accessible, more inclusive, and more global than ever before. You don't need to be a professional dancer or have studio space to make an impact. All you need is a phone, a catchy song, and a bit of creativity."
The TV star continues: "What I love most is how it's given people from all walks of life the chance to express themselves through movement.
"Dances can go viral overnight, and suddenly you've got people all over the world - from kids in their bedrooms to celebrities on red carpets - doing the same routine. It's created a sense of shared energy and connection, which is really powerful.
"It's also reshaped how we see choreography. It's not just about technical perfection anymore - it's about vibe, personality, and originality. In a way, TikTok has democratised dance, and I think that's beautiful."
The Irish flair for viral moments
Arthur believes that Irish audiences connect with dance trends that "blend fun, energy, and a bit of cultural flair".
"Anything that brings people together - like group dances, easy-to-follow routines, or ones with a bit of humour - tends to do really well here. We love a good laugh and a shared moment, so trends that feel inclusive or playful often take off.
"Also, any trend that includes Irish music or nods to Irish culture tends to strike a chord. We've seen some TikToks where traditional Irish dance gets a modern twist, or Irish songs go viral with creative choreography, and people absolutely love it. It's that mix of pride and playfulness that really resonates."
He adds: "At the end of the day, we're a nation that loves storytelling, rhythm, and a good time - so if a trend taps into that spirit, it usually finds its way into Irish hearts (and TikTok feeds) pretty quickly."
Matthew says that fans of The Gardiner Brothers love to see them giving Irish dance a modern edge.
"They love to see us go back to the traditional Irish music, which we love to do as well because we want to hold on to that tradition, "he said. "We love modernising it, but we love holding on to what Irish dancing really is and having a balance of both."
"I think it's something in all Irish people, when you hear the trad tunes come on, your shoulders get moving and your feet get moving."
Is going viral something you can plan, or is it luck?
When it comes to blowing up on TikTok, it seems to be a mixture of planning, elbow grease and some good old-fashioned luck.
"Going viral is a bit of both - strategy and luck," Arthur explains. "You can definitely plan your content with the right ingredients: a catchy hook, trending sounds, relatable themes, good timing, and engaging visuals.
"But at the same time, there's no exact formula. Sometimes the most unexpected, off-the-cuff videos are the ones that blow up. That's the magic of social media - there's always an element of unpredictability. You never really know what's going to resonate or when the algorithm will suddenly pick up your video.
"So yes, you can prepare, be consistent, and stay creative - but sometimes, it really is just about being in the right place at the right time with the right vibe."
Matthew adds: "The app seems to be in control most of the time because they're constantly changing their algorithm. They're changing the times that you're supposed to be posting at, so you're at the mercy of a little bit of luck for sure.
"It's also fun to hop on the trends and put our own spin on it, because they won't have an Irish dancing aspect to it, but we love to chime in on that with some Irish flair.
"You just have to keep trying to put out your best self all the time."
A launchpad for Irish artists
TikTok's power as a music discovery platform is hard to overstate. In fact, last year, 84% of songs that entered Billboard's Global 200 chart went viral first on TikTok. The platform has played a pivotal role in identifying and elevating emerging artists, providing them with a platform to attain global recognition.
"TikTok has broken down barriers for a lot of emerging artists that maybe didn't necessarily get the label recognition prior to TikTok's accessibility. It's allowed the community to discover who's worthy of a record deal or the No1 hit on the Billboard charts," says Rebecca.
One such success story is KhakiKid from Crumlin in Dublin. The Irish alt-rapper, known for his jazz-infused hip-hop and introspective storytelling, found fame earlier this year with his single Date Nite featuring Saint Demarcus.
The track gained massive traction on TikTok and even caught the attention of Canadian singer-songwriter Jessie Reyez.
Thanks to its TikTok virality, Date Nite has been streamed over 500,000 times on Spotify and was a Top 40 Single in Ireland, solidifying KhakiKid's status as a rising star in the Irish music scene.
The spotlight on Irish musicians, especially those embracing the Gaeltacht culture, signals a broader appreciation and demand for authentic, homegrown artistry on the world stage.
"For the last two years, it's been all about Irish actors, and it took over the Oscars last year," Rebecca says.
"But it's Irish musicians that are at the tip of everybody's tongue at the moment - especially those embracing Gaeltacht culture.
"We've got so many strong ones like Florence Road, Khaki Kid, all these incredible artists who are slowly but surely carving out a space for themselves, which wouldn't have been available to them if they didn't have the platform."
So, what's the secret?
There may not be one. But what's clear is that TikTok has redefined what it means to connect, perform and create. It's given a voice - and rhythm - to people who may never have stepped onto a stage, and a spotlight to artists who might otherwise have gone unheard.
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