We are all familiar with the Awkward Party meme, as it features an image that resonates with many of us.
There has never been a picture that captures the feeling of embarrassing oneself—whether through dancing or saying something inappropriate—better than this one.
Avery Wagner – the woman in the black tank top with tanned skin – has shared what really occurred when this photo was taken.Avery revealed that this famous meme originated from a video they created together, titled Don't Stop The Music.Credit: TIKTOK/@itsaverywagner
The viral image showcases numerous young party-goers staring at the camera with disapproving expressions while clutching the iconic red party cups.
This meme has circulated for over a decade, and many of us likely assumed it was simply a stock image.
However, according to someone who claims to have been part of the memorable snapshot, there is a completely different story behind the Awkward Party meme.
Now, more than ten years later, Avery Wagner (@ itsaverywagner ) – the woman in the black tank top with tanned skin – has disclosed what actually happened when the photo was captured.
“I’m going to share the backstory of how this all came to be,” said Avery, now 33 years old.
“So the year was 2012, which might be the most unbelievable aspect of this entire situation,” the US-based small business owner stated in the viral video .
“We were at the University of Arizona, and I was a sophomore in college […] – I believe I was 19 or 20 at the time.”
In the clip, the now 33-year-old explained that she was friends with Jimmy Tatro, who was a student at the time, along with Christian Pierce, who collaborated with Jimmy.
Avery explained that this iconic meme originated from a video the two had co-written, titled Don't Stop The Music .
Uploaded 13 years ago, the video remains available on YouTube and features a sketch about awkward social interactions at an American house party, illustrating how, when the music stops, you can overhear the most absurd conversations.
In the sketch, the character played by Jimmy discusses how a doctor wanted to insert a thermometer in a rather uncomfortable place.
Then, when someone unplugs the music at the party, the character says to another guy: “You can stick that thing in my mouth all you want, but don’t stick it up my a***hole.”
With the music halted, the entire party hears this and turns to look around—thus, the iconic meme was born.
“We were not creating content—we were filming a YouTube video. That specific reaction was part of the punchline in the YouTube sketch,” Avery clarified.
“The thumbnail from YouTube evolved into what you recognize today,” she informed her followers.
Uploaded three days ago, the clip—just like the meme—has taken the internet by storm, accumulating an impressive 2.6 million views.
“I feel like I'm meeting a celebrity,” joked one viewer.
“I forget that people in pictures are real individuals,” another commented.
“Now I can finally sleep peacefully knowing the context behind this infamous meme,” a third chuckled.
“Oh my gosh, you’re actually an icon,” a fourth chimed in.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Awkward Party meme?
The Awkward Party meme is an image that depicts a group of young adults at a party looking at the camera with disapproving expressions while holding red cups, symbolizing the embarrassment of social interactions.
Who is Avery Wagner?
Avery Wagner is the woman in the black tank top featured in the Awkward Party meme. She has shared the backstory behind the meme, revealing it originated from a YouTube video she created in collaboration with Jimmy Tatro.
I'm dedicated to creating high-quality content that informs, inspires, and delights. If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to get in touch. Happy reading!
Avery Wagner – the woman in the black tank top with tanned skin – has shared what really occurred when this photo was taken.
Avery revealed that this famous meme originated from a video they created together, titled Don't Stop The Music.Credit: TIKTOK/@itsaverywagner
