The Mannequin Challenge is a viral video phenomenon, with everyone – from politicians to athletes, celebrities and even four-year-old kids – taking part.
The video trend features people – and sometimes their beloved pets – imitating mannequins and freezing for the camera while music plays in the background. In most of the clips, the song playing is Rae Sremmurd’s Black Beatles, featuring Gucci Mane. These videos are then shared on social media using the hashtag #MannequinChallenge.
The Mannequin Challenge started in United States high schools last month. The clip below was one of the first posted:
#manequinchallenge SHARE‼️ RT‼️ pic.twitter.com/k1BqR6iZ1p
— blackie (@pvrity___) October 26, 2016
Since then the Mannequin Challenge craze has gone viral, and brands have also taken to the challenge:
We guess this is what happens when you’re TOO refreshed on @CollegeGameDay. #MannequinChallenge pic.twitter.com/baofy72OKB
— Coca-Cola (@CocaCola) November 5, 2016
Our lawyers said we couldn’t do a #mannequinchallenge so we’ll ask you ...do you wanna do a #mannequinchallenge for us? #WannaSprite pic.twitter.com/5DsQV180nc
— Sprite (@Sprite) November 8, 2016
Back home, South Africans are equally excited by these viral videos. A Mannequin Challenge on Cape Town’s Camps Bay beach has been viewed more than 96 000 times so far:
From the beach to a hospital ... celebrities Blac Chyna and Rob Kardashian created their own Mannequin Challenge while in labour:
There is no shortage of videos when you search the term “Mannequin Challenge” online. Here are three of my favourite #MannequinChallenge videos I watched while doing research for this blog:
1. The LeBron James and Cleveland Cavaliers Mannequin Challenge with First Lady Michelle Obama, because it’s filmed in the White House.
2. Mannequin Challenge Little Kids, because their attempt to freeze, even just for a moment, is adorable.
3. Underwater Mannequin Challenge, because it’s filmed in a swimming pool, underwater – that’s incredible.
Do you have a favourite Mannequin Challenge video?