From unexpected collaborations to jaw-dropping stunts, 2024 was a year full of viral moments that had us laughing, shocked, and sharing non-stop. Here's a list of our favourite moments.
The 2024 season has officially come to an end, and as expected, it brought us plenty of memes and viral moments that kept us laughing (and sometimes cringing). From funny creator collabs to unexpected trends that took over our feeds, this year was packed with content that got everyone talking. As we wrap up, it’s the perfect time to look back at some of the most unforgettable viral social media and creator moments of 2024 that truly defined the year.
Also Read: #CreatorRewind: Milestones that defined the year of 2024 for content creators
These viral moments of 2024 will always be iconic:
National recognition for content creators
This year, the creator economy in India received national recognition like never before. We’ve all witnessed the growing impact creators and social media have in spreading information and shaping conversations, and their influence has only increased over the years. To honor their contributions, the National Creator Awards were introduced, celebrating excellence across 20 categories. In a statement, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) shared that the awards recognize creators driving change in areas like storytelling, social advocacy, environmental sustainability, education, and gaming. While many applauded this step, some viewed it as a strategic move to connect with the country’s youth. Regardless, it marked a milestone for the creator community in India.
PM Modi's virtual reality experience with gamers
In another such move to engage with the younger generation audiences, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with some of the top gamers in the country and even gave virtual reality (VR) gaming a shot. The interaction wasn’t just about fun and games—PM Modi also took the opportunity to discuss key issues facing the gaming industry. From addressing concerns about accessibility to exploring how gaming can contribute to the country’s growth, the meeting highlighted the government’s increasing interest in supporting this rapidly growing sector.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with top Indian Gamers
— ANI (@ANI) April 11, 2024
PM Modi also tried his hand at a few games. pic.twitter.com/QT11YwOZfp
Content creators and IPL collaborations
Talking about the impact and influence of content creators, we also saw a lot of them teaming up with cricket teams during the IPL. Danny Pandit collaborated with the official Jio Cinema for IPL commentary, alongside cricketers Dhawal Kulkarni and Kedar Jadhav, who brought their Marathi commentary to the IPL matches. Many content creators also found themselves featured in TVCs, with a growing number of brands recognizing the power of digital influencers.
AI-driven innovation
Artificial intelligence is changing the way we see creativity, and now it’s even making its impact in beauty pageants. This year, Fanvue held the world’s first beauty pageant for AI-generated models. Zara Shatavari, who was representing India made it to the top 10 finalists.
AI influencer's podcast
Speaking of technology, AI-influenced Naina took things up a notch this year by launching her own chat show, The Naina Show.
Dolly Chaiwala going viral
Dolly Chaiwala, known for his unique tea-making and creative Reels, had a moment to remember this year when a viral video showed Bill Gates enjoying a cup of his chai. It quickly became a sensation, with people amazed at how Dolly’s simple yet creative approach to tea-making had caught the attention of such a global figure.
Vada Pav girl’s drama-fueled fame
But Dolly Chaiwala wasn't the only one grabbing attention for their extraordinary selling skills. Chandrika Dixit, better known as the Vada Pav Girl, also took over our feeds, but for a whole different reason. Known for causing a bit of drama, it was her over-the-top energy that made her a standout on social media this year.
Raja’s wedding Reels stealing the spotlight
Speaking of viral Indians, we can’t forget Raja, whose wedding ceremony reels took over our feeds and had the internet's attention in the most unexpected way. While the Ambani Wedding was dominating headlines with its extravagance, it’s funny how Raja’s Reels managed to overshadow even that on some days. With his unique style of making content around his special day, Raja’s wedding quickly became one of the most talked-about events on social media
Meme culture meets brand collaborations
This year really did put Viral Indians in the spotlight. So much so that even brands started collaborating with meme stars for their campaigns. Netflix India bringing Shalini Passi and Darshan together for a hilarious song video is a great example of these collaborations. It’s clear that the power of viral content and meme culture became a major tool for brands to connect with a wider audience this year.
Mega collaborations
Content creators truly outdid themselves with viral moments with their internet-breaking collaborations. One of the biggest highlights was MrBeast’s massive collaboration with 50 top YouTubers from around the world. The anticipation for this was through the roof, and when the video finally dropped on July 13th, it didn’t disappoint. In the video, popular YouTubers were locked inside a giant glass cube, with a jaw-dropping $1 million at stake.
Popular paraody video
Ajey Nagar, better known as CarryMinati, dropped his own mega collaboration with 14 popular creators for a parody series called ‘Mr. Beast Parody Ft. Indian Creators.’ The series had fans in stitches, as it combined CarryMinati’s signature style with the creativity of Indian influencers.
Divya Fofani’s traffic jam festival
Divya Fofani too did something out-of-the-box this year by curating a music festival titled "Traffic Jam" in Dharavi, bringing the concert experience to Mumbai's largest slum. The event featured an incredible lineup of artists, including Gully Gang’s MC Altaf, Vasu Kainth, Tomorrowland’s DJ Shaan and 7Bantai’Z.
Nancy Tyagi became one of the most talked-about fashion influencers of the year.
Nancy Tyagi's Cannes debut in 2024 had everyone talking about her creativity and resilience. She quickly became one of the most talked-about fashion content creators of the year.
Our favorite creators returned to the OTT screens this year.
Some content creators made a huge comeback to the OTT space this year, and fans couldn’t get enough. Bhuvan Bam, for instance, won hearts with his performance in Taaza Khabar Season 2, proving yet again why he's one of the most loved creators.
The excitement didn’t stop there as the internet was buzzing with cute edits and fan content on Prajakta Koli starrer Mismatched Season 3. People couldn’t get enough of the characters and the chemistry on screen, making the show even more popular with each passing day.
These are just a few of the many viral moments we had this year. What’s your favorite viral moment from 2024? Let us know in the comments below.
For more creator-related content follow us at @socialketchup
This article is a part of our #LetsKetchup series that sums up the year from our perspective! Hope you enjoy reading this series this time of the year!