Emily Carter
Step Chicken refers to a TikTok cult or fandom, whose members are known as Step Chickens. The term was coined by Melissa Ong, a 27-year-old content creator on TikTok, who goes by the username @chunkysdead. Ong's viral video, featuring two chickens related by marriage, sparked the trend, and she soon amassed a large following. Members of the Step Chickens cult typically change their profile pictures to one of Ong's blue-filtered selfies, participate in large-scale pranks, and fervently defend their leader in the comments section of posts. The phenomenon has been covered by notable publications like The New York Times and has expanded beyond TikTok, with the group even launching their own app, merchandise, and song.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Step Chickens |
| Type | TikTok "cult" |
| Leader | Melissa Ong (@chunkysdead) |
| Members | @reitergrace, @thejonathanmoss, Daniel Spencer, Phil Swift, Houston Rockets, Tampa Bay Rays, Kansas City Chiefs, The Washington Post, Adweek, Kelly Rizzo |
| Activities | Changing profile pictures, making absurdist videos, launching "comment raids", streaming songs, buying merch, creating news update accounts, defending their leaders |
| Goal | To have their own comedy show |
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What You'll Learn
Melissa Ong, the creator of the trend
Melissa Ong, also known as TikTok user @chunkysdead, is the creator of the Step Chickens trend. In May 2020, Ong posted a video on TikTok in which she played the parts of two chickens who are related by marriage, like step-siblings. The 27-year-old's video quickly went viral, and she soon amassed a large following.
Ong's newfound popularity led to her recruiting followers to participate in large-scale pranks. For example, she instructed her followers to tag a random TikTok account in videos featuring goats and encouraged them to bombard one of her friends with requests to recreate a scene from Shrek. She also asked her followers to adopt a specific name for their collective, eventually settling on "Step Chickens."
As the leader of the Step Chickens, Ong encouraged her followers to change their profile pictures to a blue-filtered selfie of herself, which became an iconic symbol of the group. This strategy helped the Step Chickens expand their reach beyond TikTok, with members adopting the profile picture on other platforms such as YouTube and Instagram.
The Step Chickens were described as a "cult," with Ong being referred to as the "Mother Hen." As the leader, Ong issued "commandments" to her loyal subjects, asking them to infiltrate the comment sections of other users' pages and spam them en masse. The group's activities were covered by The New York Times, which brought further attention to the trend.
While the Step Chickens' dominance on TikTok was significant, Ong's goal of total internet domination was never fully realized. However, she made an impact during the pandemic, providing a sense of community and connection for her followers. Ong's influence also extended beyond the virtual world, as she signed a contract with a management company and expressed aspirations for creating a comedy show on major streaming platforms.
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The meaning of 'step chicken'
The term "Step Chicken" refers to a TikTok "cult" or fandom, which started in May 2020. The creator of the trend is Melissa Ong, also known as @chunkysdead on TikTok. The trend began with a video in which Ong played the parts of two chickens who are related by marriage, like step-siblings.
The Step Chickens have their own app, merchandise, and song. Members of the group typically change their TikTok profile picture to one of Ong's blue-filtered selfies. The group has also been covered by The New York Times, which reported that high-profile members include Phil Swift, the creator of Flex Tape, the Houston Rockets, the Tampa Bay Rays, the Kansas City Chiefs, The Washington Post, Adweek, and Bob Saget's wife Kelly Rizzo.
The Step Chickens are an example of the rise of TikTok "cults", which are open fandoms revolving around a single creator. Members of these groups will often change their profile pictures to match their leader's, make absurdist videos praising them, and launch "comment raids" on famous people's Instagram accounts. While these cults are mostly innocuous, they can occasionally devolve into bullying and harassment.
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TikTok cults
The largest and most powerful TikTok cult is called the Step Chickens, led by 27-year-old Melissa Ong (@chunkysdead). The name comes from a video Melissa posted in early May 2020, in which she played the parts of two chickens who are related by marriage, like step-siblings. Melissa's following grew rapidly, and she soon had millions of followers. She encouraged her followers to change their profile pictures to one of her blue-filtered selfies, and even recruited them to participate in large-scale pranks. The Step Chickens now have their own app, merch, and song, and the hashtag #StepChickens has over 26 million views. Notable members include Phil Swift, the creator of Flex Tape, several sports teams, and The Washington Post.
While some people find the idea of TikTok cults worrisome, others argue that, at least in this early phase, they are mostly innocuous. In fact, some members of the Step Chickens cult have said that it helped them feel less isolated during lockdown. It's possible that the rise of TikTok cults is simply a result of teenagers being bored at home and looking for ways to connect with others online. However, it's important to remember that digital stan culture can be tricky, and there is a potential for these cults to be weaponized or used for harmful purposes.
As TikTok continues to gain popularity, it will be interesting to see how the platform and its users evolve. For now, it seems that the Step Chickens and other TikTok cults are mostly focused on building a sense of community and having fun online.
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The Step Chickens' recruitment strategy
The Step Chickens Recruitment Strategy
The Step Chickens is a TikTok "cult" that was started by Melissa Ong, also known as @chunkysdead, in May 2020. The name comes from one of Melissa's viral videos, in which she played the parts of two chickens who are related by marriage, like step-siblings.
The Step Chickens recruitment strategy involves encouraging followers to change their TikTok profile pictures to one of Melissa's blue-filtered selfies, also known as the iconic selfie. This simple tactic has been highly effective in spreading awareness of the group and has helped to recruit new members.
In addition to the profile picture change, Melissa, as the leader of the group, uses her influence to encourage followers to participate in large-scale pranks and "comment raids" on famous people's Instagram accounts. These pranks range from bombarding a random TikTok account with videos featuring goats to requesting a friend to recreate a scene from Shrek.
The group has also expanded its presence beyond TikTok by creating a dedicated app, merchandise, and a song. The Step Chickens have gained widespread attention, with notable members including Phil Swift, the creator of Flex Tape, several sports teams, media organizations, and celebrities' spouses.
While the term "cult" is used to describe these groups, they are more akin to fandoms focused on a single creator or influencer. The Step Chickens, in particular, has provided a sense of community and connection for its members during the lockdown and isolation caused by the pandemic.
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The future of the trend
The future of the Step Chickens trend is difficult to predict, but there are some indications that it could continue to gain popularity and expand its influence. As of May 2020, the hashtag #StepChickens had over 26 million views on TikTok, and the group was considered the largest and most influential cult on the platform. The group's leader, Melissa Ong (@chunkysdead), had gained millions of followers and was able to direct her followers to participate in large-scale pranks and change their profile pictures to match hers.
As the trend continues to gain traction, it is likely that more people will join the Step Chickens cult, either out of genuine interest or as a way to feel less isolated during lockdowns and social distancing measures. The group already has high-profile members and has expanded beyond TikTok to other platforms, such as YouTube and Instagram. It has also led to the creation of merchandise, a song, and even a dedicated app.
One potential outcome is that the Step Chickens cult could become more organized and structured, with a clear set of beliefs and practices. This could make it more similar to traditional cults, which could be a cause for concern. However, it is important to note that TikTok cults, at least in their early stages, are mostly harmless and are more akin to fandoms focused on a single creator or influencer. They provide a sense of community and connection for their members, especially during times of isolation.
Another possibility is that the trend could lose momentum and fade into obscurity. This could happen if the leader loses influence or becomes less active, or if members lose interest and move on to other trends or platforms. Additionally, there could be backlash or criticism against the group, which could lead to decreased popularity.
In conclusion, the future of the Step Chickens trend is uncertain, but it has the potential to continue growing and expanding its influence beyond TikTok. It is important to monitor the group's activities and be aware of any potential risks or concerns that may arise, especially if the group becomes more structured or ideological.
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Frequently asked questions
To be a step chicken means to be a member of the "Step Chicken Cult" on TikTok, which is a fandom focused on a single creator, Melissa Ong, who effectively functions as an influencer.
The term "step chicken" originates from a video by Melissa Ong in which she played the parts of two chickens who are related by marriage, like step-siblings.
Members of the "Step Chicken Cult" typically change their TikTok profile pictures to one of Melissa Ong's selfies, often with a blue filter. They also make absurdist videos praising her and launch "comment raids" on famous people's Instagram accounts.
The ultimate goal of the "Step Chicken Cult" and its leader, Melissa Ong, is to gain influence and build a large fan base on social media. Ong's goal is to eventually have her own comedy show.
While TikTok cults like the "Step Chicken Cult" may seem innocuous, there are some concerns about the potential for bullying and harassment. The use of the term "cult" and the extreme language used by some members can also be worrisome.
