“let’s hear it for the man of the year”

why this tiktok trend is more than just a viral meme

You’ve probably seen the “Let’s hear it for the man of the year” trend blowing up on TikTok. Thanks to Lorde’s new single Man of the Year, creators are using the song ironically to call out toxic exes who think they’re the ultimate prize but really, they’re just emotional wrecking balls.

The trend usually goes like this: a selfie or caption like “Let’s hear it for the…” followed by “man of the year” alongside receipts, screenshots of manipulative texts, clips of emotional abuse, or proof of toxic behavior. The irony hits hard, making the chorus both an anthem and a roast.

What makes this trend especially interesting is how it turns TikTok into a new kind of third place, a public living room outside of home or work where people come together to share, vent, and build community. Unlike traditional third places like cafés or parks, social media now fills that role. TikTok isn’t just a platform for dances and memes anymore; it’s a public living room where people share their rawest, most vulnerable, often stigmatized experiences.

The “man of the year” trend, in particular, opens up space for talking about emotional abuse, a form of harm that’s often invisible, minimized, or dismissed because it’s hard to prove and harder to explain, this trend brings it front and center.

By sharing these toxic stories publicly, creators are naming and witnessing emotional abuse in a way that demands attention. It’s a collective saying, “this is not okay,” and refusing to keep pain behind closed doors. This visibility is huge because emotional abuse doesn’t leave bruises, but it leaves scars. And those scars deserve to be seen.

Plus, this trend captures how Gen Z processes trauma, with humor, sarcasm, and irony. Instead of hiding pain, we meme it, soundtrack it, and make it viral. It’s a coping mechanism that’s both empowering and communal: laughing at the pain while refusing to let it stay silent.

Beyond the laughs, this trend is a cultural reckoning. It challenges outdated ideals of masculinity and puts emotional accountability on blast. The “man of the year” is an ironic title highlighting the messy, flawed reality behind the pedestal.

What’s more, the public nature of this trend means accountability isn’t private anymore. Abusers get called out in front of millions, no longer able to hide behind silence or gaslighting. For survivors, this public validation is powerful. For observers, it’s an eye-opener into toxic relationship dynamics that many have experienced but few have openly discussed.

This trend also highlights a shift in how social media shapes our understanding of relationships. We no longer only consume polished versions of love and heartbreak; we get the messy, unfiltered versions too. And while this can sometimes feel overwhelming, it also democratizes emotional storytelling and makes room for voices that were historically silenced.