Gracie Abrams Becomes Latest Target of TikTok's 'Propaganda' Criticism Trend
Gracie Abrams has become the latest target of TikTok's viral 'propaganda' trend, where Gen Z users share lists of popular things they refuse to embrace.
The trend, set to a remix of Charli XCX's "I think about it all the time" featuring Bon Iver, sees users labeling various mainstream phenomena as "propaganda" - from everyday items like oat milk to broader concepts like marriage.
Woman singing with microphone on stage
Photo Credit: Justin Higuchi / CC by 2.0
In this context, 'propaganda' doesn't refer to political messaging but rather serves as Gen Z slang for anything they perceive as overhyped or inauthentic. It's similar to how previous generations used the term 'industry plant' to describe artificially promoted artists.
Many Gen Z users view Abrams' "mainstream indie" aesthetic and rapid rise to popularity as manufactured, making her a prime target for the trend. However, the inclusion of Abrams in these videos isn't necessarily a genuine criticism - it's often more about poking fun at the trend itself and expressing skepticism toward algorithm-driven popularity.
While Abrams hasn't directly addressed the trend, she has previously responded to critics and addressed rumors on her TikTok account. The phenomenon highlights Gen Z's growing tendency to question and ironically detach from mainstream cultural movements, using social media as their platform for commentary.