Seven of the biggest social media moments of 2025
In a year that “brainrot” and “rage-bait” became part of our vocabulary, here are the top seven viral moments that both outraged and entertained us.
Social media plays a major role in in how many of us access the news these days.
It can also play a big part in amplifying a story and even deciding what becomes the news.
In a year that “brainrot” and “rage-bait” became part of our vocabulary, there were plenty of viral moments that both outraged and entertained us.
These are The New Daily’s seven viral social media moments of 2025.
Coldplay‘s kiss cam
A Coldplay concert in Foxboro, Massachusetts, in July gave social media one of the year’s biggest scandals.
During the band’s so-called Jumbotron Song, the camera panned to Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and HR executive Kristin Cabot cuddling in the crowd, exposing their alleged affair.
The clip was widely circulated on all major social platforms and led to both Byron’s and Cabot’s resignations from the company.
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin’s ex-wife, Gwyneth Paltrow was hired by Astronomer as a temporary spokesperson for a promotional video that poked fun at the situation.
The video amassed over 35 million views on X and was recently slammed by Cabot, who called Paltrow “a hypocrite” in an interview with The Times.
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Keith Urban and his guitarist
Shortly after Nicole Kidman’s surprise split from Keith Urban, a viral video sparked rumours that the country music star had been unfaithful to his actor wife.
Online sleuths shared a video from musician Maggie Baugh posted just days before the split that shows the 25-year-old playing alongside Urban as he sings ‘The Fighter’, a song inspired by his relationship with Kidman.
The original lyrics are “When they’re tryna get to you, baby, I’ll be the fighter”, but in this performance, the 57-year-old country music star changed them to: “When they’re tryna get to you, Maggie, I’ll be your guitar player.”
Baugh posted the clip with the caption “Did he just say that”, accompanied by shocked emojis.
Kidman fans piled on Baugh online, although there was never any evidence of a relationship.
Katy Perry in space
An all-female crew consisting of Katy Perry, Gayle King, Aisha Bowe, Amanda Nguyen, Kerianne Flynn and Lauren Sánchez completed a 10-minute trip to space in April with the Jeff Bezos-owned Blue Origin.
The quick trip was the 11th human flight of Bezos’ New Shepard program and was widely criticised on the internet for how expensive it was and for being a publicity stunt with little scientific value.
The condemnation quickly centred on Perry after she posted a video to her Instagram documenting the 11-minute journey, which garnered almost two million likes.
But Perry was widely mocked for kissing the ground on her return to earth, with even US fast-food chain Wendy’s posting on X: “Can we send her back?”.
BBC newsreader’s facial expression
During a broadcast in June, BBC newsreader Martine Croxall overruled her autocue as she introduced a guest who was about to discuss the groups most at risk during heatwaves.
“Malcolm Mistry, who was involved in the research, says that the aged, pregnant people … women … and those with pre-existing health conditions need to take precautions,” Croxall said.
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Clips of her introduction, along with her accompanying facial expression, went viral on social media, prompting praise from anti-trans campaigner JK Rowling – among others – and condemnation from trans supporters.
Croxall’s facial expression, which involved widening her eyes, led a BBC review to determine in November it was proof of her “expressing a personal view on a controversial matter” and upheld the complaints against her.
Sydney Sweeney’s jeans
US fashion brand American Eagle saw its share price soar thanks to its advertising campaign declaring that actor Sydney Sweeney “has great jeans”.
The internet didn’t agree.
The ad, which attracted more than 11 million views on YouTube, received a backlash amid accusations of veiled racism over the use of “jeans” as a double entendre for “genes.”
In one of the videos, Sweeney says: “Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair colour, personality, and even eye colour. My jeans are blue.”
In response to the controversy, Sweeney told GQ, “I did a jean ad. I mean, the reaction definitely was a surprise, but I love jeans. All I wear are jeans. I’m literally in jeans and a T-shirt every day of my life.”
US President Donald Trump even weighed in on the situation, saying, “If Sydney Sweeney is a registered Republican, I think her ad is fantastic”.
Bianca Censori exposed
Bianca Censori, Australian influencer and wife of Kanye West, managed to overshadow a star-studded Grammys red carpet in February when she appeared beside her musician husband in a sheer, mesh dress that left her completely exposed.
Video of the red carpet appearance was viewed millions of times online, with many accusing West of coercive control after he proclaimed that he has dominion over Censori and approves her red-carpet outfits.
The rap star wrote on the X: “SHE DEFINITELY WOULDNT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IT WITHOUT MY APPROVAL, MY STUPID A– WOKE PAWNS (sic)”
Reports also surfaced that Censori’s friends had staged an intervention, telling her to “wake up” to Kanye’s control.
Jones v Djokovic
Way back in January, veteran Nine journalist Tony Jones was forced to issue a public apology to Novak Djokovic after his mocking of the 10-time Australian Open champion left the tennis star and his fans fuming.
During a live broadcast from Melbourne Park, after a large group of Djokovic fans holding Serbian flags began cheering in the background behind Jones as he spoke to camera.
Jones sledged the fans, singing to them: “Novak, he’s overrated … Novak’s a has-been. Novak, kick him out.”
Social media ensured the footage made headlines around the world, with Djokovic fans castigating Jones online, but Djokovic did accept the apology.
