Starting between hilarious and trendy, combining fashion and fandom, the Minions suit trend has taken the internet by storm. People everywhere are donning yellow Minions suits in celebration of their favorite characters. But have you wondered, "Who started the Minions suit trend?" Let's find the answer in this article. We will delve into what this lighthearted fad is and how it made its way to the global trends chart.
Who Kicked Off the Viral Minions Suit Trend in 2022?
The Minions suit trend, which is more affectionately known as "Gentleminions,” took over social media in 2022 when the Minions: The Rise of Gru was released. It was an Australian teenager named Bill Hirst who started the viral sensation.
In particular, the Sydney teen, Bill, 17, posted a TikTok video in which he and his friends donned formal suits to go see the movie. The idea was so clever that his video received 8.5 million views in nearly one week and thousands of positive comments.
In no time, the #Gentleminions trend took over TikTok and racked up more than 20 million mentions. What started as a harmless joke turned into a viral movement in theaters, some even joining in on the trend by encouraging suit-and-tie garb. Groups of youngsters started going in suits to theaters and gentlemanly behavior as a humorous nod to Gru’s villainous persona.
Thanks to the #Gentleminions movement, the film crossed over $125 million at the U.S. box office for the Fourth of July holiday weekend alone. This set a record for the highest-grossing animated movie premiere to hit theaters over the course of that particular date. The massive success of the movie is in great part because of the mass infiltration of teens and young adults into the cinemas, lured by the popular trend.
How Did the #Gentleminions Trend Go Viral?
The #Gentleminions trend quickly went viral thanks to its perfect combination of childhood nostalgia, humor, and the power of social media. After Bill Hirst’s original video showing him and his friends in suits attending Minions: The Rise of Gru blew up, TikTok users across the globe began replicating the stunt.
It is funny how the whole concept of teenagers and young adults dressing up to go see a children's movie created a comical contrast that totally worked in the favor of audiences. It was a way for Gen Z to get nostalgic about their love for the Minions franchise when they were little, adding an ironic and meme-worthy twist.
What Was the Reaction to the Minions Suit Trend?
For many, this #Gentleminions trend was one of those light-hearted, creative ways in which people were able to take part in pop culture while embracing the meme-worthy contrast that formal attire has at a children's movie.
Notably, Universal Pictures, the home of the Minions franchise, also quickly reacted positively on this trend. They fully acknowledged the viral gimmick, embracing the trend on social media with a tweet that read, "To everyone showing up to Minions in suits: we see you and we love you."
That public acknowledgment merely added fuel to the fire as fans liked the studio was stroking their antics in such a playful manner. Universal's reaction cemented the #Gentleminions movement as a fun, culturally significant moment for the franchise.
To add to the momentum of the movement, reports started coming in from the mainstream news and social media about the phenomenon. Some theaters used the fad to their advantage, offering discounts or encouraging their patrons to wear formal suits.
However, besides the positive effects, there are some quite negative reactions. Some of the participants got so excited that they started loudly cheering and throwing items. These incidents prompted some cinema chains to put in place restrictions after a spate of reports cropped up online of excessive disruptions and vandalism.
Nevertheless, these scattered negative reactions did little to dampen the overall trend, with the majority simply seeking to have fun and greeting the release of Minions: The Rise of Gru with enthusiasm and humor.
Bottom Line
In a nutshell, the Minions suit trend was an international phenomenon of humor, nostalgia, and social media creativity. To answer the question "Who started the Minion suit trend" - it’s Bill Hirst, an Australian teen. He posted a video of wearing a Minion suit to a theater to get the Minion suit trend going in 2022. It was his playful idea, spread by Internet participation of fans worldwide in hordes, which helped Minions: The Rise of Gru smash the box office.
Looking to own some Minion merch? Fendory’s officially-licensed Minion hoodies collection is a place to go. Combining fun designs with top-tier comfort, these hoodies are perfect for any fan looking to showcase their Minion love. Check out our collection today!
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