Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has found himself at the centre of a viral internet moment after attempting a trendy TikTok dance challenge to a Taylor Swift song.
The Cringeworthy Radio Moment
Well known for his love of music, the PM was appearing on the Nova 100 radio station when host Clint Stanaway challenged him to perform the routine. The challenge, set to Swift's new track The Fate of Ophelia, has become a viral sensation on the social media platform. A video of the attempt was later shared on the station's social media, capturing the entire awkward exchange.
In the clip, Mr Albanese is seen alongside hosts Clint Stanaway and Lauren Phillips, clumsily attempting a series of arm movements and dance steps. At one point, the Prime Minister appeared to completely crack up with laughter, waving his arms up and down and spinning in a circle. A mortified Lauren Phillips was heard declaring, 'This is so embarrassing.'
Mixed Reactions from the Public
The bizarre moment attracted a slew of comments on Nova's Instagram post, with many social media users taking a dig at the PM's dancing abilities. One user wrote, 'What an embarrassment,' while another compared him to the US President, stating, 'Omg he has about as much rhythm as old Joe Biden.' A further critical comment simply read, 'You've got to stop with this twit.'
However, others were quick to praise him for showing a more human side. One supporter messaged, 'Good to see the PM can have a good time.' This division highlights the fine line public figures walk when engaging with popular culture.
A History of Light-Hearted Controversy
This is not the first time Anthony Albanese has been mocked for showing a lighter side to his character. Back in July, he shared his favourite Aussie songs on social media, weighing in on Triple J's Hottest 100 of Australian Songs. His list, which included The Angels' Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again and Cold Chisel's Flame Trees, was met with a backlash from followers who deemed the post 'tone deaf' given more pressing global issues.
The song Mr Albanese danced to, The Fate of Ophelia, is from Taylor Swift's bestselling 12th album The Life of a Showgirl and is reputedly a tribute to her fiancé, Travis Kelce. Since the song's release last month, Swifties have been enthusiastically recreating the specific dance move on TikTok, making the Prime Minister's attempt a timely, if clumsy, entry into the pop culture conversation.
