Finally, an internet ‘It Girl’ we can relate to

I’m issuing a public apology to my sibling because Moo Deng is officially replacing her as my soul sister. The baby pygmy hippopotamus did what none of us can—she became internet-famous without even trying. While the rest of us are out here carefully curating our feeds, pretending to hold it all together, Moo Deng waddled onto the scene, slipped a few times, and still managed to steal the spotlight with zero effort. She doesn’t have a brand to sell, a viral hook step, or a line of beauty products. What she does have are neck rolls, pink cheeks, and a whole lot of sass packed into a tiny body.

Every move she makes is under the spotlight, and every new photo sparks a flurry of shares and endless discussions. Case in point: her naturally dewy glow. It’s got fans creating art and makeup tutorials like she’s the next beauty icon. Moo Deng may not be your typical A-lister, but this two-month-old pygmy hippo from Thailand is getting star treatment, and honestly, we get it.

Moo Deng is the most relatable content creator on the platform right now. When life feels like it’s going up in flames—when you’re 999999+ in the queue for Coldplay tickets in Mumbai—spotting Moo Deng on your feed, munching on air as she watches her mother eat (she’s not allowed solids yet), is like a balm for your soul. Her chunky little chomp somehow eats away your sorrows, even if just for a brief moment.

Moo Deng, which translates to ‘bouncy pork’ in Thai, resides at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo. Her charm has translated into some serious money. The zoo reportedly expects to finish its fiscal year on September 30 with 200 million baht in revenue from one million visitors and will be “putting it towards supporting activities that will make the animals’ lives better,” according to zoo director Narongwit Chodchoi. People are flocking to catch a glimpse of her, and with good reason. In a world obsessed with filters and clout-chasing, Moo Deng is pure, unadulterated realness.

But perhaps the thing Moo Deng has mastered at such a young age is the art of not caring. While the rest of us—and our social media feeds—lose our minds over every scandal and trending topic, Moo Deng is just out here living her best, unbothered life. Drama? She doesn’t know her. Moo Deng is peaceful vibes manifested (I guess it’s a real thing, after all), and in a world where everyone’s worked up about something, her energy is a mood we could all use.

Her influence is also undeniable—without even trying, she’s sparked a campaign by Sephora Thailand, urging shoppers to “wear your blush like a baby hippo.” That’s right, Moo Deng’s baby pink cheeks are officially beauty goals. And this is all without her even lifting a hoof to promote it. No DM for promo or link in bio hustle. Just pure, unfiltered hippo charm.

Of course, while Moo Deng might be the softest, squishiest little star of 2024, let’s not forget what her species is capable of. Hippos, after all, aren’t exactly known for their gentle nature. We can’t forget Paul Templer’s article in the Guardian about how he was literally swallowed by a hippo – swallowed whole. It’s easy to forget that behind Moo Deng’s adorable face is a species that has one of the deadliest reputations in the animal kingdom. But Moo Deng? She’s far from a future villain in a nature documentary. She’s all innocence and tiny tantrums.

Every post I see of her, I think, that’s me. I, too, would scream if someone touched me. I also prefer visitors stick to a 5-minute viewing schedule, and yes, I’ve fallen asleep mid-meal. She’s all of us, really. She’s not trying to be anyone’s #Goals, but she is. And therein lies exactly why we love her. She is the kind of star that we need right now: unfiltered, unbothered, and absolutely unforgettable.

There’s chaos in her beauty and blubber, and for the first time, I’ve found an internet celebrity I can actually get behind.