Think back to the beginning of TikTok – Charli D’Amelio had just risen to fame, the renegade dance was trending, and people were obsessed. Now everything has changed.

TikTok would not have become the platform it has if it weren’t for those dance videos. They are what allowed everyone to connect on the “for you page”. They were the first form of virality on TikTok – the dances ranged from single to partner dances, ones that needed a group or ones that were inclusive to elder family members. There was something in the dances for everyone, even if they were just fun to watch. For something that felt like everyone was doing it, it was still quite niche. The people that were successful at TikTok dances were often dancers or had hours to spend learning the high-paced moves, not to mention the time it took to record it. That’s how Charli became the most followed on TikTok at 137.2 million followers – and still averages over an additional 66 thousand followers a day – she made it look effortless.

In the same manner, TikTok trends that required special transition techniques were niche too. They looked really cool but seemed hard to make, needing a large investment of time to learn and teach oneself how to do it correctly. Even then, it all added up to a certain level of confidence. Now, however, these trends seem more prominent than dances on TikTok. Once Charli stepped back, dancing on TikTok took a loss.

Charli is not as active on TikTok as she was, instead she’s on Hulu with her own reality television show. Charli and Addison Rae are not as close as they used to be, the original Hype House isn’t either. Not to mention, Dixie D’Amelio is now opening for Big Time Rush on their return tour.

Needless to say, TikTok is not what it used to be.

@mtv

If you meet @charlidamelio on a red carpet, you ask her to do the #renegade dance 😏

♬ Lottery – K CAMP

@dixiedamelio

going on tour with @Big Time Rush this summer!! tickets on sale now #btrforevertour

♬ Not Giving You Up – Big Time Rush