What’s the deal with the "Chill Guy" meme? What started as a simple image of a laid-back dog quickly became an internet phenomenon – here’s the story behind its rise.
Curious about the "Chill Guy" meme? This laid-back dog went from being virtually unknown to taking over the internet – let’s dive into how it all happened.
The Birth of "Chill Guy"
The "Chill Guy" meme started with a simple piece of digital art by Phillip Banks. The image shows a dog in a grey sweater, blue jeans, and red sneakers, giving off the ultimate chill vibes. Titled Just a Chill Guy (or My New Character), it was first shared on Twitter and Instagram on October 4, 2023. But at first, it didn’t get much attention.
TikTok Takes Over
By August 2024, TikTok users had caught on, and the meme quickly became a symbol of "no worries". People used the laid-back dog in funny and relatable situations – whether to stay calm in chaos or just lighten the mood. It didn’t take long for the meme to go viral and spread far beyond TikTok.
The Vietnamese Magazine Cover Hoax
Things took an unexpected turn when rumors spread that the Chill Guy meme had been stolen from a Vietnamese children’s magazine cover. The cover showed a dog with Chill Guy’s face and a boy’s body. While the cover was real (from a December 2024 issue), the accusation was totally false. Phillip Banks quickly denied the plagiarism claims on social media, clearing the air. But the controversy only made the meme even more popular.
From Meme to Money
The meme didn’t just stay viral – it grew into something bigger. A cryptocurrency token called $CHILLGUY was launched, and at its peak, it reached a market value of over $580 million. This showed that the meme wasn’t just a hit online, it was becoming a cultural force in the world of investors and crypto, too.
rewatching @crypto_banter with my @moonshot ready. pic.twitter.com/0nYefwWmTS
— just a chill guy | fan page (@chillguycto) December 2, 2024
A New Twist: "Just a Chill Girl"
In late November 2024, TikToker @stopscrolling_22 introduced Just a Chill Girl, a female twist on the Chill Guy meme. The character maintained the same relaxed dog vibe but added feminine touches like long hair and a bow. Different versions of the meme quickly spread on TikTok and X, with users creating their own takes on the "chill girl" concept.
One of the first viral posts, captioned “When you’ve been spamming her all day with chill guy memes, but she doesn’t even get mad ‘cause she’s lowkey a chill guy too”, racked up over 6.3 million views in just three days. Just like the original, Just a Chill Girl even inspired its own meme coin, CHILLGIRL.
The Cultural Phenomenon
The Chill Guy meme, along with its various spin-offs like Just a Chill Girl, quickly became a cornerstone of internet culture. It showed up everywhere – fan art, brand collaborations, merchandise, and even cosplay. The meme didn’t just stay online; it evolved into a symbol of carefree, laid-back living, influencing everything from memes to cryptocurrency. It’s a cultural phenomenon that continues to inspire new variations, products, and digital trends to this day.
Which version of the Chill Guy meme do you vibe with the most?