A recent trend on TikTok involves creating cakes topped with the faces of unconventional crushes, referred to as “hear me out” cakes or “smash cakes.” This trend has gained popularity on the platform, with over 3,300 videos featuring atypically attractive characters like cartoons and real-life figures. The phrase “hear me out” is associated with expressing an “utterly ridiculous” opinion that needs defending, with TikTokkers using cakes to justify their crushes on unusual characters like the Kool-Aid man, Tony the Tiger, and Winnie the Pooh.
The concept of “hear me out” cakes is an offshoot of the celebrity “crush cake” trend that went viral earlier in the year. Social media users create these cakes by printing out images of their crushes and affixing them to wooden sticks, which are then inserted into the cake or dessert. Despite the unconventional choices in crushes, viewers on TikTok have shown support for participants by creating their own videos or commenting positively on existing ones. The trend has expanded to other platforms like X, where users share images of their finished “smash cakes” or discuss who would top their cakes if they were to participate in the trend.
The trend of “hear me out” cakes has led to creative and humorous cake decorations featuring characters like Bill Nye, Dwight Schrute from “The Office,” and Mr. Potato Head. Participants are encouraged to explain why their crushes are justified, leading to a mix of supportive and confused comments from viewers. Despite the contentious choices, viewers on platforms like TikTok and X have embraced the trend by sharing their own crushes and creating additional content related to the trend. The popularity of the “hear me out” cake trend has shown no signs of slowing down, with more users participating and sharing their crush confessions through creative cake decorations.
One notable aspect of the “hear me out” cake trend is its departure from the traditional celebrity “crush cake” trend, which typically features conventionally attractive celebrities like Pedro Pascal, Zac Efron, and Ryan Gosling. In contrast, the “hear me out” cakes focus on less mainstream crushes, such as fictional characters and nostalgic figures from childhood cartoons. The trend has introduced a new form of self-expression and humor on social media platforms like TikTok and X, encouraging users to break away from societal norms and embrace their unconventional crushes through creative cake decorating.
Overall, the “hear me out” cake trend has become a viral sensation on TikTok and other platforms, attracting a large following of users who enjoy participating in this humorous and creative form of self-expression. By incorporating cakes into the mix, participants can playfully justify their crushes on unconventional characters, sparking discussions and interactions among viewers and content creators. As the trend continues to evolve and spread across social media, it remains a light-hearted and entertaining way for users to showcase their unique preferences and creativity through the creation of “smash cakes” featuring their most unusual crushes.
