Tiktok Trend - Forgot That Inside This Icon ... - May 2025
The “Forgot that inside this icon…” trend popped off in May 2025 and is quickly becoming a favorite on TikTok and Instagram Reels. It’s stylish, nostalgic, and has a hint of humor — the perfect combo for today’s short-form videos.
This trend plays with contrast: it starts by showing your current, polished self (your “icon” version), then reveals a more awkward, younger, or down-to-earth past self — usually from a less-than-glamorous hometown. The result? A transformation that’s funny, relatable, and emotionally powerful.
What’s this trend all about?
Called the “Forgot that inside this icon…” trend, it uses a specific audio clip — usually from the song “Girl, so confusing” by Charli XCX & Lorde or the original sound by billslyric.
The video shows two sides of the same person: a glam or confident version now, followed by an old clip or photo that shows who they “used to be.” The text on screen completes the transformation story. It usually goes:
- Text 1: “Forgot that inside that icon…”
- Text 2: “…there’s still a [funny or emotional past self] from [specific place] 😭”
The music and timing bring everything together. The whole thing is under 15 seconds — short, sweet, and scroll-stopping.
What kind of videos people are making
- Example 1: A glam blond girl in heels transitions to an old school photo — “a young girl from Huddersfield.”
- Example 2: A stylish man with a beard reveals his old “twink with an eyebrow pencil” look.
- Example 3: A confident woman in jeans and a tank top adds the text “a young girl from Basingstoke 😭.”
Want to use it? Here’s how to make one
- Pick a confident or styled photo/video of yourself — your “icon” moment.
- Find an old or less polished photo/video from your past — school, childhood, awkward phase, etc.
- Choose your “place”: the more specific or surprising, the better (small town? high school name? childhood bedroom?).
- Find the original sound or Girl, so confusing ft. Lorde.
- Add your text overlays:
- First part: “Forgot that inside that icon…” (on the current clip)
- Second part: “…there’s still a [your past self] from [place] 😭” (on the old clip)
- Sync it with the beat and lyric change. This timing is what makes the trend feel polished.
- Keep your caption short and add hashtags like #icon #glowup #forgotthatinside #transformation #relatable #fyp
When it works best (and why)
This trend works best when it feels real and specific. People love seeing authentic transformations and relatable “before” moments.
- Big contrast: The more different your current and past selves are, the more impact.
- Specific text: Don’t just say “young me.” Use something unique like “girl who loved Bratz dolls” or “kid who wore neon Crocs.”
- Good timing: Hit the beat drop for maximum effect.
- Funny or emotional: A little humor, nostalgia, or heart always goes a long way.
- Relatable locations: Small towns, suburbs, or school names make it hit harder.
When it doesn’t work (and why)
Even simple trends can miss the mark. Here’s what to avoid:
- Weak contrast: If your past and present look the same, the video won’t land.
- Generic text: “A younger me” isn’t as funny or emotional as “awkward girl from Milton Keynes.”
- Bad timing: If the text or clip changes don’t line up with the music, it loses punch.
- Too long or slow: These should be fast and punchy — under 15 seconds is ideal.
- Oversharing: Keep it light, nostalgic, or humorous. Don’t get too heavy unless it really fits.
In short: show your glow-up, have fun with it, and lean into the nostalgia. The internet loves an icon with roots 💅
More examples
@romahn.r Cannot ever go back to whatever that hair colour was , canon event
♬ original sound - billslyric
@maxhovey I remember my nan once outright told me it was too much and I was so mad. Turns out she was the only real one😭😭😭
♬ original sound - billslyric
@ellielouiselucas 😍😍😍😍#fyp #basingstoke ♬ Girl, so confusing featuring lorde - Charli xcx & Lorde