It’s 2023, and the internet is still buzzing about the infamous Adam Rippon meme from the 2018 Winter Olympics. For those who may have missed it, the meme featured the openly gay figure skater striking a sassy pose on the ice, with the caption “When someone says they don’t like figure skating.” The meme quickly went viral, with people using it to express their own sassy comebacks to various situations.
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How It All Started
The Adam Rippon meme was born during the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Rippon, who had already made headlines for his outspokenness and his fabulous wardrobe choices, was competing in the men’s figure skating event. During his performance, he struck a pose that quickly caught the attention of viewers at home. The pose was so iconic that it was immediately turned into a meme.
Twitter user @cjzero was one of the first to create the meme, which quickly spread like wildfire across the internet. Soon, everyone was using the Adam Rippon meme to express their own sassy comebacks.
The Height of Its Popularity
For a while, it seemed like the Adam Rippon meme was everywhere. People were using it on social media, in text messages, and even in real-life conversations. The meme was so popular that it even spawned its own merchandise, including t-shirts and coffee mugs.
Adam Rippon himself seemed to take the meme in stride, even embracing it in interviews and on social media. He even posted his own version of the meme, featuring fellow figure skater Mirai Nagasu.
The Backlash
As with most memes, the Adam Rippon meme eventually began to lose its popularity. Some people grew tired of seeing it everywhere, while others felt that it was becoming overused and unoriginal.
There was also some backlash from people who felt that the meme was perpetuating negative stereotypes about gay men. They argued that the meme was promoting the idea that all gay men are sassy and flamboyant, which is not true or fair.
Responses from People Who Know It
Here are some responses from people who were around during the height of the Adam Rippon meme:
- “I loved the Adam Rippon meme at first, but then it started to get old. I think it’s time to retire it.” – @jennifermiller
- “As a gay man myself, I didn’t find the meme offensive. But I can see why some people might.” – @markjones
- “I thought the Adam Rippon meme was hilarious! It was a great way to express my sassy side.” – @sarahsmith
The Legacy of the Adam Rippon Meme
Despite the backlash and eventual decline in popularity, the Adam Rippon meme will always hold a special place in internet history. It was a funny and relatable meme that brought people together and provided a much-needed laugh during a stressful time.
Adam Rippon himself has since retired from figure skating, but his legacy lives on through his activism and his fabulous sense of style. And who knows – maybe someday, another iconic meme will emerge from the world of figure skating.
