TIFFANY “NEW YORK” POLLARD: an inspiration, icon and queen of memes

One of the most iconic scenes in television history

The meme that started it all

Tiffany Pollard, also known as her nickname “New York” is an American reality TV personality and actress. She is also the self-proclaimed ‘HBIC’ (Head B**ch In Charge). She is mostly known for her role in VH1’s Flavor of Love, a dating show in the mid 2000s and than her own reality Tv show “I love New York” where she was the quest to find true love. Many clips, screenshots and gifs of her on these shows has become staple memes in this generation. One of her most famous memes is of her sitting on a bed, expressionless, her hands folded in front of her. This photo was taken from her season on “Flavor of Love” and has become a universal image for impatience and silent annoyance and rage. Tiffany is a naturally funny person as she is not afraid to say what’s on her mind even if its rude. She bad tempered, feisty and will pop off on anyone who gets in her way. Even a decade after her reality show’s have ended she still remains relevant because she is relatable and her memes from the shows are the perfect thing to encapsulate a specific feeling many people from our generation feel. Another one of her famous’s gifs is the “Beyonce” one, which can be used to express any emotion such as shock, surprise, or to express something you were not expecting. The Beyonce clip is also one of the best scenes in TV history and will never die. In 2016, she stared on the UK’s “Celebrity Big Brother” which came with a whole new set of memes, as she once again is so ridiculous it is impossible to not laugh at. Tiffany still remains relevant today because she is was a reality star like no other, she created drama, fought constantly, laughed at everyone and became a hit because she made everything about her. According to Jenkins et al,  sticky media “attracts and holds attention”, which Tiffany does whenever she walks into a room. People became so intrigued with her life because she clearly did not care what other people thought of her and viewers found that refreshing to watch. When she made her reality tv show comeback in “Celebrity Big Brother” in 2016 she gained the public interest once again and now two years later, the memes from the show are still being used. Jenkins describes “spreadable media” as content that does need to rely on corporations or production companies to circulate media, but media that can be shared and controlled by anyone with a social media account. Tiffany spread all over social media when people started discovering her old tv shows and making memes to express how they felt. She was easily spreadable, because she was relatable, ridiculous and hilarious. It is hard not to laugh at the memes and want to sent it to friends or post on your wall. Overall, Tiffany Pollard is an icon, legend and a pioneer meme queen. She was relevant in 2006 and will still be relevant in 3006, because there is simply no one like her.

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