Let’s get one thing straight: Italian brain rot isn’t really Italian.
And trying to explain it? That might make you feel a little out of the loop. But here goes anyway.
First, Some Background
“Brain rot” was named Oxford’s 2023 Word of the Year — a nod to the mental mush that comes from endless scrolling through pointless or low-effort online content. It’s not just the effect; the term also refers to the content itself — goofy videos, weird memes, and stuff that leaves you wondering what did I just watch?
Now, add a dash of AI, a sprinkle of internet absurdity, and a vague whiff of “Italianness,” and you get Italian brain rot — a bizarre corner of TikTok that’s racked up over three billion views since it started showing up in early 2024.
So, What Is It?
It began with surreal, AI-generated characters — part animal, part object, sometimes human — and all ridiculous. Imagine a shark with feet in Nikes called Tralalero Tralala, or a crocodile-headed bomber plane named Bombardiro Crocodillo. These aren’t characters with deep backstories or clever punchlines — they’re just… strange. On purpose.
The most viral of them? Ballerina Cappuccina — a ballerina with a cappuccino cup for a head. Created in March by 24-year-old Romanian Susanu Sava-Tudor, the character exploded online, drawing over 45 million views and nearly 4 million likes.
The video’s Italian-ish soundtrack, if you translate it, makes even less sense than the visuals:
“Cappucina dancer, mi mi mi
Is the wife of the Cappucino Assasino,
And she loves music, la la la
Her passion is the lo lo lo dancer!”
That’s not a mistake — it’s the whole point.
Why Is This a Thing?
Because it’s weird, random, and very online. And that randomness? That’s the appeal.
“It’s like being in on a joke your parents don’t understand,” said Yotam Ophir, a communication professor at the University of Buffalo. There’s a self-awareness to it — everyone knows it’s nonsense, and that’s what makes it fun. It’s also a product of today’s AI culture — a kind of internet playground where anything goes.
Over time, TikTok users have turned the characters into a shared universe. People are giving them personalities, relationships, and dramatic adventures. Ballerina Cappuccina apparently has babies with other characters now. It’s like a chaotic soap opera written by the collective imagination of TikTok.
“It’s a huge internet collaboration,” said Philip Lindsay, a middle school teacher who tracks Gen Z and Alpha slang. He’s even seen his students doodling the characters and yelling their names in class — like “Skibidi Toilet” before it, these memes are spilling into real life.
But Not Everything Is Harmless
Some of the content is veering into darker territory. A few videos use the characters with disturbing or offensive audio — for example, Bombardiro Crocodillo has been featured in clips suggesting violent, Islamophobic themes. While it’s unclear how widespread these are, experts warn that memes can be hijacked — just like Pepe the Frog, which started out innocent before being co-opted by extremist groups.
So, What Does It All Mean?
Maybe nothing. Or maybe a lot.
“It’s not really about Italy,” said Sava-Tudor, the creator of Ballerina Cappuccina. “It’s more about the cinematic myth of Italy — the aesthetic, the vibe.” In other words, it’s Italy as seen through a meme-fueled funhouse mirror.
Whether this trend fades or becomes something bigger, it’s already left its mark — not just on TikTok, but on the way younger generations are creating and sharing culture in real time.
As Lindsay put it, “Maybe at some point there will be meaning to it.”
Until then, it’s just lo lo lo dancer chaos.