Dance crazes used to be delivered via terrestrial radio, but now, they are purely the domain of TikTok. The TikTok Primrose Everdeen dance is the latest dance that’s got everyone on their feet.
The trend began with a clip of a performance done by Juventud Vibra, a Puerto Rican dance competition, which has since been viewed 1.2 million times. It begins with a teen dressed to the nines as Hunger Games character Effie Trinket, who calls off “Primrose Everdeen,” in the classic scene that sets the stage of the first book/movie. What follows is someone crashing the scene, mimicking the hero Katniss, who lip syncs, “I volunteer as tribute” before breaking out in a dance of their own.
Like many TikTok trends, dancers all over the world are putting creative spins on it. Clips usually use the same audio from the original viral hit, which turns the reaping scene into a catchy techno pop song. Some dance alone, others dance in packs. There are synchronized dances that feel professionally choreographed. But the bulk of them are chaotic, uncoordinated, goofy, and incredibly charming.
Which begs the question: If someone you loved was plucked from the crowd to serve, would you serve in their stead? This latest viral hit begs the question: what if Hunger Games wasn’t a battle royale? What if it was a dance competition?
That idea may not sustain an entire book or a 90-minute movie, but it’s perfectly serviceable as a TikTok trend. The popularity of anything Hunger Games related is no big surprise. Like Harry Potter and A Song of Ice and Fire, it’s another book series that will likely forever be in the zeitgeist. The fifth book in the celebrated series, Sunrise on the Reaping, releases in March of next year.
We can expect at least a couple more dance crazes until then.