From Coldplay’s controversy to India-Pakistan diplomatic drama, these 10 viral incidents captured global attention, sparked debates, fueled memes, and dominated social media conversations throughout 2025, across platforms worldwide online constantly.
Coldplay Scandal to Diplomatic Drama: 10 Incidents That Dominated Social Media in 2025
2025 turned out to be wildly unpredictable. Just when it seemed like the internet had reached peak chaos, a fresh moment would explode across feeds—bigger, louder, and more viral than before. In the fast-moving digital space, many stories vanished almost as quickly as they appeared, forgotten within moments.
Others, however, refused to disappear. These incidents sparked heated discussions, captured public attention, and stayed relevant far beyond their brief viral spotlight. In a year shaped heavily by algorithms and artificial intelligence, it was unfiltered footage and genuine human reactions that truly cut through the clutter.
Videos raced across platforms at lightning speed, shaping narratives in real time and drawing people from around the globe into shared conversations—sometimes bringing them together, sometimes driving sharp divides. As 2025 draws to a close, we revisit the moments that dominated online spaces and ignited wider discussions beyond digital borders.
1. Coldplay kiss-cam catches 'cheating' couple
Coldplay’s Massachusetts concert in July offered fans far more than just confetti, fireworks, and nostalgic singalongs. One unexpected moment from the show quickly turned into an internet sensation.
A clip that went viral showed frontman Chris Martin unknowingly drawing attention to a man and woman displayed on the venue’s jumbotron, seen standing close with their arms around each other. The pair were later identified as Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and the company’s HR head, Kristin Cabot.
As the camera lingered on them, both appeared visibly uncomfortable, hurriedly separating and attempting to hide their faces from the massive screen. Noticing their awkward response, Martin jokingly remarked that they were either extremely shy or possibly involved in a secret romance.
Audience members erupted in laughter as fan-recorded videos of the moment rapidly circulated online. The clips amassed massive engagement across platforms, with one TikTok video alone crossing more than 46,500 views in a short span.
2. Aura farming kid
He was seen effortlessly cruising through Indonesian waters, balanced at the edge of a speeding boat, moving with confidence while sporting dark sunglasses and flawless dance steps.
Rayyan Arkan Dikha first captured the internet’s attention when a short video of him, dressed in traditional Indonesian clothing, showed him dancing aboard a racing boat during a local festival. The clip instantly struck a chord with viewers.
What truly set the 11-year-old apart was his composed, unbothered attitude and smooth presence, which quickly captivated millions. The video sparked a viral trend known as “Aura Farming,” inspiring countless recreations and even drawing participation from celebrities worldwide.
3. Zohran Mamdani's historic New York mayor win
In 2025, New York City’s mayoral race captured global attention, from India to the Middle East, as the city elected its first Muslim mayor. Zohran Mamdani secured a landmark win in early November despite facing intense criticism over his political views and Muslim identity from President Donald Trump, powerful business figures, and right-leaning media outlets.
Mamdani was born in Uganda to a family of Indian origin and is known for his outspoken support of pro-Palestinian causes. He is the son of Mahmood Mamdani, a renowned scholar of colonial and postcolonial studies at Columbia University of Gujarati Muslim heritage, and Mira Nair, the celebrated Indian-American filmmaker behind internationally acclaimed films such as Monsoon Wedding and Salaam Bombay.
4. Sydney Sweeney's 'Good Jeans' ad controversy
An American Eagle ad starring Hollywood actor Sydney Sweeney quickly sparked backlash, with viewers accusing it of subtly reinforcing ideas of racial superiority and glorifying Eurocentric ideals of beauty.
In the commercial, Sweeney delivers a line comparing genetics to denim, saying that traits like hair color, personality, and eye color are passed down through families, before adding, “My jeans are blue”—a remark many linked to her blond hair and blue eyes.
Following the wave of criticism online, the clothing brand clarified that the campaign was intended solely to highlight self-assurance and style in denim, denying any underlying or controversial implications.
5. Justin Baldoni-Blake Lively legal feud
Justin Baldoni – Blake Lively legal feud Justin Baldoni- BlakeWhat began in late December 2024 continued to unfold into the following year. The dispute emerged months after the release of It Ends with Us, when Lively lodged a formal complaint on December 20, accusing Baldoni of inappropriate behavior during the film’s production.
According to the filing, Lively, accompanied by her husband Ryan Reynolds, held a meeting with Baldoni and other producers before filming resumed after the Hollywood strikes. She further claimed that Baldoni later responded by engaging crisis management specialists to allegedly orchestrate a campaign aimed at damaging her reputation.
6. No handshake during India-Pakistan Asia Cup
India beats pakistan by 8 wickets in Asia Cup clash on September 14 marked the first meeting between the two rivals since their military standoff in May. While the match drew massive attention, controversy followed afterward when Indian players exited the ground without exchanging handshakes.
Addressing the issue during the post-match press conference, India captain Suryakumar Yadav justified the decision, stating that the team’s actions were in accordance with the stance taken by the Indian government and the Board of Control for Cricket in India regarding post-match formalities with Pakistan.
7. Katy Perry's space visit
Pop icon Katy Perry made headlines on April 14 as the most prominent member of an all-female crew that successfully journeyed into space aboard a rocket backed by billionaire Jeff Bezos.
The singer behind hits like Firework and California Gurls crossed the 100-kilometre mark above Earth in a spacecraft operated by Blue Origin, Bezos’s private space venture. She was joined by five other women on the short mission, including Bezos’s fiancée, Lauren Sanchez.
The launch took place in West Texas and lasted roughly ten minutes before safely returning to Earth. The flight marked a historic moment, becoming the first space mission with an all-women crew since Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova’s solo spaceflight in 1963.
8. The killing of Charlie Kirk
Charlie Kirk, a prominent ally of former President Donald Trump and founder of the influential conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, was fatally shot on September 10 during a speaking engagement at a university in Utah.
Wearing a white t-shirt emblazoned with the word “Freedom,” Kirk was seated under a tent, responding to questions from a large audience when a gunshot suddenly rang out. The 31-year-old collapsed, bleeding from his neck, sending the crowd into chaos. He was quickly carried away on a stretcher by his security team.
A graphic video of the incident rapidly circulated online, shocking both supporters and critics alike. Social media reactions were mixed, with many expressing horror, while others noted the irony given Kirk’s staunch pro-gun stance.
9. Super bowl half-time show
In February, Kendrick Lamar took center stage as the headliner of the Super Bowl halftime show, further cementing his rise from rap icon to global pop superstar.
During his set, Lamar delivered a mix of his most beloved tracks while keeping fans on edge with one burning question: would he include Not Like Us, the provocative diss track that ended his high-profile rap feud with Drake?
The answer was a resounding yes. Released in May 2024, the track saw the Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper—also the first solo hip-hop artist to headline a Super Bowl halftime—fire sharp lyrics targeting Drake, accusing him of serious misconduct, all while the Philadelphia Eagles dominated the Kansas City Chiefs on the field.
10. Diddy's sexual assault trial
The legal saga began with numerous civil lawsuits alleging sexual assault, abuse, trafficking-related conduct and coercive behavior by famous rapper Sean John Combs, who goes by the professional name Diddy.
The trial unravelled the secret life of celebrities, many known to attend parties hosted by the rapper, with images and disturbing details surfacing online.
The most prominent initial lawsuit was filed by his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in late 2023, accusing him of physical and sexual abuse and coercion. Combs denied all wrongdoing and settled the case within a day for $20 million.
In September 2024, Combs was arrested in New York and federally charged with multiple felonies including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
