While I doubt it will be taught about in our history books 50 years from now, the Mannequin Challenge, at the moment, is the big internet craze on par fads of years past such as planking, the ice bucket challenge, and the Harlem Shake. In case the name doesn’t shed enough light on the basics of the phenomenon, the Mannequin Challenge involves getting a group of participants to freeze on the spot and hold the pose, appearing as though they were…you guessed it.
Akin to every other trend on the internet, there are very, very bad attempts at completing this challenge and a handful of really good ones. And, on rare occasions, the efforts are so bad that they become good.
Let’s start off with perhaps the most high-profile undertaking of the Mannequin Challenge. Further sparking rumors of a reunion, the members of Destiny’s Child got together on Instagram to give it a shake:
We’ve seen a lot of athletes and teams get involved in the fun, but none have been quite so impressive as this cheerleading squad that uses brute upper body strength to really sell the visual:
Mannequins on Ice? The St. Louis Blues took a wandering path through the madness of a hockey match in what may be the most cinematic of all the challenges we’ve seen!
The Blues' mannequin challenge though...The New York Giants accepted the challenge and passed with flying (yet very, very still) colors:
Famed funnyman Kevin Hart had no problem finding some willing participants in his gym, with the camera catching them mid-routine:
Naturally, because this is the internet we’re talking about, we’ve got one featuring a very obedient, very steady cat, too:
If you think gymnasts would be very well-suited to this type of uncomfortable, unnatural stillness…you’d be right. Here’s West Point’s gymnastics team taking it to another level entirely using their equipment:
Air travel might already make you feel like you’re being involuntarily subjected to the Mannequin challenge, but the Cowboys still managed to impress with a few goofy embellishments on their attempt:
No friends? No problem! Well, it’s actually a pretty significant problem for the Mannequin Challenge because you have to use dolls like this guy did, which ends up sorta creeping everyone out:
Finally, if you can think of a better place to pull off the Mannequin Challenge than a pole dancing class, go out and film it, because this is a truly inspired effort:
There have probably been about 10,000 new additions to the collection of Mannequin Challenge videos online since this piece went live, but considering we’re only a week into the viral craze, I would say these efforts got pretty good pretty quick. Who knows what next week, or even tomorrow, will bring?
Say goodbye or make amends.Image via Canva - Photo by Inna Postnikova
Friends recording on a camcorder.Image via Canva - Photo by capturenow
This is an AI-generated image using the language "A beautiful woman with long eyelashes and red lips surrounded by swirls of colorful makeup." AI/Canva/Elyssa Goodman 
Wiman hiding her face behind a bunch of cashCanva
A mansion and its reflection in the swimming poolCanva
Salzburg at nightCanva
Fancy homeCanva
Happy volunteersCanva
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.