The Ultimate Guide to the "Get Krissed" Meme: How Kris Jenner Broke TikTok

In the rapidly evolving landscape of social media, memes have become the ultimate cultural currency. And in 2022, one meme in particular took the internet by storm: the "get krissed" trend on TikTok. Featuring a clip of reality TV star and "momager" Kris Jenner dancing to "Lady Marmalade," the meme became an inescapable presence on the platform, racking up billions of views and spawning countless imitations.

But what is it about the "get krissed" meme that made it such a massive hit? And what can it teach us about the ever-shifting landscape of online culture? As a tech writer and social media expert, I‘ve spent countless hours studying the factors that drive viral trends. In this ultimate guide, I‘ll dive deep into the "get krissed" phenomenon, exploring its origins, cultural impact, and the psychology behind its success.

The Anatomy of a Bait-and-Switch Meme

At its core, the "get krissed" meme is a classic example of a bait-and-switch style prank. The basic formula is simple: lure viewers in with an intriguing or emotional setup, then abruptly cut to the clip of Kris Jenner dancing. The sudden shift in tone catches viewers off guard, creating a moment of surprise and humor.

This type of meme is nothing new – in fact, it follows in the footsteps of earlier viral phenomena like rickrolling. Rickrolling, which first emerged in the late 2000s, involves tricking someone into watching the music video for Rick Astley‘s 1987 hit "Never Gonna Give You Up." The "get krissed" meme operates on a similar principle, swapping out Rick Astley for the Kardashian-Jenner matriarch.

So why are bait-and-switch memes like "get krissed" so effective? According to Dr. Pamela Rutledge, Director of the Media Psychology Research Center, it all comes down to the element of surprise. "Our brains are wired to pay attention to the unexpected," she explains. "When a meme subverts our expectations, it creates a little jolt of dopamine, which is pleasurable and rewarding."

That sense of reward is what makes these memes so shareable. "When we experience something that makes us laugh or feel good, our first instinct is often to share it with others so they can experience that same feeling," says Rutledge. "Memes that can consistently deliver that positive emotional payoff are the ones that tend to go viral."

The Power of TikTok‘s Algorithm

Of course, creating a potentially viral meme is one thing – getting it in front of the right audience is another. That‘s where TikTok‘s algorithm comes in. The platform is known for its uncanny ability to surface content that resonates with users‘ interests and drives engagement.

According to TikTok‘s own engineering blog, the algorithm takes into account a variety of factors when deciding which videos to show to each user. These include:

• User interactions, such as which videos they like, comment on, and share
• Video information, such as captions, sounds, and hashtags
• Device and account settings, such as language preference and device type

By analyzing this data, the algorithm can quickly identify trending content and push it out to a wider audience. "TikTok‘s algorithm is incredibly effective at surfacing content that has the potential to go viral," says social media strategist Rachel Karten. "If a video starts to gain traction, the algorithm will keep serving it up to more and more users, creating a snowball effect."

In the case of the "get krissed" meme, that snowball effect was massive. The hashtag #krissed racked up over 600 million views in a matter of weeks, while #getkrissed added another 500 million. To put that in perspective, that‘s more than twice the population of the United States – all tuning in to watch Kris Jenner dance.

The Kardashian Effect

Of course, it‘s impossible to talk about the success of the "get krissed" meme without acknowledging the cultural juggernaut that is the Kardashian-Jenner family. With a combined social media following of over 1.2 billion and a decade-plus spanning reality TV empire, the family has an undeniable hold on the public consciousness.

For many TikTok users, the "get krissed" meme was their first introduction to the famous clip of Kris Jenner dancing. But for Kardashian-Jenner fans, it was a beloved piece of pop culture history recontextualized for a new audience. The original video, which was filmed as part of the family‘s 2011 Christmas card shoot, had already amassed over 15 million views on YouTube prior to the meme‘s explosion.

In fact, the "get krissed" meme is just the latest example of how the Kardashian-Jenners‘ influence has extended far beyond the realm of traditional celebrity. "The Kardashians were really the first family to leverage social media to build their brand and connect with fans," says pop culture expert Stacy Jones. "They‘ve always been incredibly savvy when it comes to staying relevant and adapting to new platforms."

By leaning into the "get krissed" meme and even participating herself, Kris Jenner demonstrated that savvy in action. Her self-referential TikTok video racked up over 63 million views and 13 million likes, further cementing her status as a cultural icon. It was a master class in how celebrities can use memes to connect with younger audiences and stay relevant in an ever-shifting media landscape.

The Dark Side of Viral Meme Culture

But while the "get krissed" meme was undeniably entertaining, it‘s worth examining the potential downsides of viral meme culture. In a world where anyone can participate in a trend and rack up millions of views overnight, there‘s always the risk of things taking a turn for the worse.

Take the "Tide Pod Challenge" as an extreme example. In 2018, a viral dare encouraging people to eat laundry detergent pods resulted in a spike in poison control calls and several hospitalizations. While the "get krissed" meme itself is harmless, it speaks to the incredible power and reach of social media trends – and the potential for that power to be misused.

There‘s also the question of attribution and intellectual property. Many of the most popular "get krissed" videos used unlicensed clips and sounds, raising concerns about copyright infringement and fair use. While Kris Jenner herself was a good sport about the meme, not all creators and rights holders may be so forgiving when their content is repurposed without permission.

As meme culture continues to evolve and shape online discourse, it‘s important for users and platforms alike to grapple with these ethical grey areas. "We need to strike a balance between fostering creativity and protecting creators‘ rights," says Karten. "It‘s not always easy, but it‘s necessary if we want to build a sustainable and equitable digital culture."

Beyond the Meme: Lessons in Viral Marketing

Despite the potential pitfalls, there‘s no denying that the "get krissed" meme was a massive cultural moment. And for marketers and content creators, it offers valuable lessons in what makes content go viral.

Perhaps the most obvious takeaway is the power of leveraging existing cultural touchstones. By tapping into the pre-existing popularity and nostalgia around the Kardashian-Jenner family, the "get krissed" meme was able to instantly connect with a wide audience. Marketers can apply this principle by staying attuned to cultural trends and finding ways to join the conversation authentically.

Another lesson is the importance of emotional impact. The most successful "get krissed" videos were the ones that created a strong emotional setup before delivering the punchline. Whether it was feel-good stories or shocking fake-outs, the videos that elicited the strongest reactions were the ones that spread the furthest. For brands, this means focusing on creating content that resonates on a human level and sparks a genuine emotional response.

Finally, the "get krissed" meme demonstrates the value of adaptability in the face of shifting platform norms. TikTok‘s short-form video format and emphasis on participatory trends requires a different approach than more traditional social platforms. By quickly pivoting to embrace the "get krissed" trend, savvy creators and even Kris Jenner herself were able to maximize their reach and impact.

The Future of Meme Culture

As we move further into 2023, it remains to be seen whether the "get krissed" meme will have the same staying power as earlier viral phenomena like rickrolling. But one thing is certain: meme culture isn‘t going anywhere.

As long as social media exists, people will continue to use it to process and comment on the world around them. Memes offer a shared language and experience that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries – a way to assert our place in the digital zeitgeist.

For brands, this means that understanding and engaging with meme culture is no longer optional. It‘s a crucial part of connecting with audiences and staying relevant in an increasingly noisy online landscape. The trick is to do so authentically and respectfully, while also staying true to your brand identity and values.

As for what the next big meme will be? Only time (and the TikTok algorithm) will tell. But one thing we know for sure: Kris Jenner‘s iconic dance moves will live on in internet history as a testament to the enduring power of a good meme. And who knows – maybe she‘ll even make good on that presidential run in 2024.