Viral Moments: A Look Back On 2023
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What A Year! Here’s A Look Back On The Most Viral Moments Of 2023

BY Jadriena Solomon

25 December 2023

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What A Year! Here's A Look Back On The Most Viral Moments Of 2023

Merry Christmas, Roomies! With one month left in 2023, it’s time for us to look back on the many viral moments of 2023.

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January: Chrisean’s Surprise Announcement & Yung Miami’s Viral Confession

Back in January, Chrisean Rock seemingly stunned social media when she announced that she was expecting. At the time, the rapper took to social media to share a photo of three positive pregnancy tests with the caption, “Guess how many heartbeats?”

Additionally, Rock even declared she wanted twins or triplets.

RELATED: [VIDEO] Chrisean Rock Announces Pregnancy But Blueface Says He Needs A DNA Test

And if that announcement wasn’t enough to kick the year off, Yung Miami shocked the internet when she candidly revealed that she enjoys golden showers on an episode of ‘Caresha Please.’

RELATED: WATCH: Yung Miami Reveals She Enjoys Golden Showers

February: Rihanna Returns As Red Boot Rages

In February, Rihanna made her long-awaited return to the stage at Super Bowl LVII, pleasing fans with a medley performance of her hit singles. While some viewers remained on their toes, eager to see if the singer would bring out a special guest, others began speculating that the guest was right there in plain sight.

RELATED: Funniest Reactions To Rihanna Revealing Baby No. 2

Later that evening, a rep for the singer confirmed that she and her boyfriend, A$AP Rocky, were expecting their second child together.

RELATED: Rihanna Confirms She’s Expecting Baby No. 2 After Super Bowl 2023 Performance (Photo)

Like Rihanna’s suited ensemble, red seemed to be the color of the month. MSCHF reportedly racked in $350 for every pair of its Big Red Boots that were sold — and boy, did these boots go viral. So much so that even Megan Thee Stallion’s ex-boo, Pardison Fontaine, referenced him while seemingly alluding to their split.

RELATED: Pardi Seemingly References Rumored Split From Megan Thee Stallion (Photo)

March: Ja Morant Catches Backlash As Tekashi Catches Beatdown

In March, Memphis Grizzles player Ja Morant went viral after brandishing a gun while on Instagram Live. In turn, the NBA launched an immediate investigation into the incident and benched the 24-year-old “indefinitely.”

At the time, Morant vowed to “get help” and “work on learning better methods of dealing with stress.”

UPDATE: Ja Morant “Indefinitely Benched” By Grizzlies Following His Instagram Live Posing With Gun

Tekashi, on the other hand, was brutally ambushed by a group of men in an LA Fitness. At the time, a viral video surfaced of the altercation, and the rapper was ultimately rushed to the hospital with a bloodied face and injuries to his jaw, ribs, and back.

RELATED: Video Shows Two Men Attacking Tekashi 6ix9ine Inside Of Florida LA Fitness

Three men were later arrested, although one had their subsequent charges dropped.

#1

April: Angel Reese Shows That Two Can Play That Game

In April, college basketball player Angel Reese got the stands chattering and internet streets talking when she implored John Cena’s famous “You Can’t See Me” hand gesture toward NCAA title opponent Caitlin Clark.

Previously, Clark had used the hand gesture against others, and Reese seemingly decided to give the player a taste of her own medicine.

Though Reese received backlash for her choice, she firmly stood on business and defended the action for not just herself but all the girls who look like her.

RELATED: LSU’s Angel Reese Defends Taunting Back Iowa’s Caitlin Clark In NCAA Title Win, Garners Support

#2

May: Chris Brown Allegedly Tussles With Usher As Ja Morant Does A Two-Peat

In May, Chris Brown celebrated his 34th birthday with a star-studded roller skating party in Las Vegas. The night appeared to start in high spirits, with attendees including Usher and Teyana Taylor serenading Brown by singing Happy Birthday.

However, things allegedly took a turn that evening, with reports later surfacing that Brown spewed unpleasant words toward Taylor and ultimately left Usher with a bloodied nose.

RELATED: Chris Brown Speaks Out After Reports Of A Physical Tussle Between His Team And Usher Circulated Over The Weekend

To date, no parties involved have confirmed or denied the reports.

However, as Chris Brown’s name got caught up in headlines, so did Ja Morant’s. The 24-year-old found himself back in the spotlight after he flashed a gun on Instagram Live for the second time.

RELATED: Ja Morant Releases Statement Following His Second NBA Suspension For Flashing A Gun On Instagram Live

Sources close to Morant later alleged that the item seen in the viral video was a toy gun. However, the 24-year-old was ultimately hit with a 25-game suspension.

Morant returned to the court on December 19.

#3

June: OceanGate Titan Submersible Goes Missing

In June, the world was left shocked and devastated after a tourist submarine went missing with five people aboard. At the time of initial reports, it was speculated that passengers had up to 50 hours of oxygen left.

NATO crews, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Canadian Coast Guard assisted in initial rescue efforts.

RELATED: Submarine Bound For Titanic With Five People Goes Missing, About 50 Hours Of Oxygen Left

However, in July, OceanGate suspended all explorations amid reports that an implosion took place on board the Titan and claimed the lives of its passengers.

#4

July: Carlee Russell Goes "Missing" As Darius Daulton Goes OFF On Keke Palmer

July popped off with comments from Darius Daulton Jackson, the now-ex boyfriend of Keke Palmer. At the time, Jackson took to social media to publicly criticize Palmer for her outfit choice at an Usher concert in Las Vegas.

RELATED: Darius Daulton Faces Backlash After Critiquing Keke Palmer’s Cheeky Outfit At An Usher Concert

Since then, the former couple and first-time parents to an infant son named Leo have become embroiled in a custody battle and claims of domestic abuse against one another.

Later that month, an Alabama woman named Carlee Russell got caught up in claims she made to police. On July 13, the 26-year-old called authorities allegedly that she saw an infant walking alone on the side of the highway.

While relaying the same information while on a phone call with a family member, Russell abruptly disappeared.

RELATED: Alabama Authorities Searching For Woman Who Went Missing After Reporting A Toddler Walking Along An Interstate

What ensued was a days-long manhunt for Russell, who returned home on foot, alleging she had been abducted. Furthermore, authorities later revealed that Russell’s abduction story was a hoax, plagued by a fishy 911 call, suspicious Google searches, and criminal charges for the 26-year-old.

RELATED: Carlee Russell Found Guilty On Two Charges In Kidnapping Hoax

#5

August: Tory Lanez Goes To Jail, Montgomery Boaters Go To WERK & Lil Meech Goes Viral

On Monday, August 7, court proceedings began in what would turn out to be a two-day deliberation for Tory Lanez’s sentencing in the assault trial of fellow rapper Megan Thee Stallion.

In December 2022, Lanez was found guilty of three charges related to the incident, including discharging a firearm with gross negligence, assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle.

The two-day proceeding revealed tearful testimony from Megan Thee Stallion and support letters for Lanez, including one from Iggy Azalea, and ultimately ended with Lanez being sentenced to 10 years in prison.

RELATED: BREAKING: Tory Lanez Sentenced To 10 Years In State Prison In Megan Thee Stallion Assault Case

However, as Tory Lanez was going viral for his 10-year sentence, a group of boaters made headlines in Montgomery, Alabama. At the time, footage showed boaters gettin’ it on and poppin’ when White boaters assaulted an employee at the Montgomery Riverfront.

What ensued was memes for days after hands got to throwing and chairs got to swinging.

RELATED: Montgomery Riverboat “Chair-Man” Is Speaking Out After The Infamous Tussle | TSR Investigates

But, this wasn’t the only footage making headlines. Earlier that month, footage captured Lil Meech entering an apartment with an unknown amid his breakup with Summer Walker.

RELATED: Lil Meech And Summer Walker React After Meech Is Seen Entering A Woman’s Apartment Amid Their Alleged Breakup (Video)

At the time, Meech seemingly poked fun at the footage by referring to the woman as his cousin and offering an explanation for the sighting.

#6

September: Chrisean Rock Comes Under Fire As Erica Mena Gets Fired

As September rolled in, Chrisean Rock found herself at the center of viral footage as well. On Wednesday, September 20, footage surfaced of the mother walking with Chrisean Jr. and her dog in Walmart.

Additionally, Chrisean held the dog on a leash as her infant son was strapped in a harness across her chest but hanging backward with his back bent over.

RELATED: Chrisean Rock Speaks Out After Blueface & His Mother Share Their Reactions To A Viral Video Of Her & Chrisean Jr. In Walmart

At the time, the viral video prompted widespread concern from social media users and even pushed Rock to open up about the difficulties of postpartum.

“I feel like the postpartum be getting me,” Rock said, laughing. “I was at Walmart, and… it’s just a lot going on! You have to hold the baby, go shopping — like what the f**k?”

However, as Chrisean Rock was feeling the pressure, so was former ‘Love and Hip Hop’ star Erica Mena. That month, the mother of three was fired from the reality series after referring to fellow castmate Spice as a “blue monkey.”

The show’s decision to axe Mena from production prompted widespread social media discussion and reactions from most of Mena’s former castmates.

RELATED: Safaree Samuels, Lil Scrappy & Mona Scott-Young React To Erica Mena’s Ban From Next Season Of ‘LHHATL’

#7

October: Jada Pinkett Smith Makes Huge Revelation About Her Marriage To Will

Jada Pinkett Smith stole headlines for the month of October when she appeared for an interview with Hoda Kotb in promotion of her memoir, ‘Worthy.’ During the conversation, Smith explained that she and Will Smith separated in 2016 — six years before Smith infamously slapped Chris Rock in Jada’s defense at the 2022 Academy Awards.

At the time, Jada explained that she and Will lived “separate lives” in separate homes. However, Jada remained adamant in her and Will’s decision to never file for divorce.

RELATED: Jada Pinkett Smith And Will Smith Separated In 2016, But Kept It Private To “Figure Out” Their Partnership

Around the same time, Jada doubled down on her revelations by also revealing that Chris Rock asked her on a date amid the many false reports of her and Will divorcing.

RELATED: Jada Pinkett Smith Says Chris Rock Once Asked Her Out Amid Rumors That She & Will Smith Were Divorcing

Jada’s revelations prompted a lot of social media discourse. However, Will largely remained silent on the matter and ultimately showed his support for his wife by accompanying her to a book event and professing that she was the best friend he’d ever had.

RELATED: 4 Lifers? Will Smith Professes Everlasting Support For Jada Pinkett Smith, Calls Her “The Best Friend” He’s “Ever Had” (Video)

#8

November: Cassie Files Sexual Assault, Abuse & Trafficking Lawsuit Against Diddy

On November 16, Casandra Ventura filed a 35-page lawsuit against her ex-boyfriend and former Bad Boy boss, Diddy. In the suit, Ventura alleged that she endured over a decade of abuse from Diddy after meeting him at the age of 19. Diddy was 37 years old at the time and signed the singer to Bad Boy Records.

Their working relationship ultimately turned romantic, with Diddy allegedly showering Cassie with lavish gifts, cars, and apartments. Ventura alleged that this allowed Diddy to maintain control over her life and career as he allegedly became violent toward her, exposed her to excessive drug use, and forced her to perform nonconsensual sexual acts with sex workers as he watched and recorded.

RELATED: Cassie Files Lawsuit Against Diddy Alleging Assault, Abuse & Trafficking

Ventura’s suit sought monetary relief from Diddy’s alleged act and the singer was reportedly granted that when Diddy’s legal team settled the suit the following day.

 

#9

December: ?

Now, Roomies, the last month of the year is finally upon us! Which moments do you think should make our list for the month of December?

Click on the Instagram post below to let us know in the comments!

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