The 'It's gonna be May' meme is back: What it means and why it's all over social media
Show Caption
Hide Caption
Watch: Justin Timberlake reveals gender of fan's seventh child
Justin Timberlake revealed the gender of a long-time fan's baby during his concert in Salt Lake City.
As the calendar flips from April to May this week, social media users will likely see "It's gonna be May" memes featuring musician Justin Timberlake.
The meme stems from NSYNC's 2000 smash hit "It's Gonna Be Me." When singing the titular line in the song, Timberlake annunciates the word "me" as "May."
According to a 2016 article from E! News, the first iteration of the meme appeared on Tumblr in 2012. The meme included a calendar featuring a smiling photo of Timberlake on April 30 with "It's gonna be May!" written on it. The meme caught fire, and different versions of it have been in circulation online and on social media ever since.
Timberlake even got in on the fun himself in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, posting a version of the meme on X, then known as Twitter, where his mouth is covered by a mask.
Is Justin Timberlake saying 'me' or 'may' in 'It's Gonna Be Me'?
Timberlake said in a September 2023 interview on popular YouTube interview show "Hot Ones" that he was not the one who came up with idea to sing the line in the song that way.
The "Cry Me a River" singer confirmed on the show that he sang "It's gonna be me," and a producer told him to say "may" instead, with fellow NSYNC member JC Chasez chiming in to remind Timberlake the producers and songwriters Max Martin, Andreas Calsson and Rami were Swedish and had accents.
"What's funny specifically to Max Martin is the parts of their English that were broken actually made them catchier songwriters because they would put words in a way that almost didn't make sense, but when you sang them, they were more memorable," Timberlake said.
"I knew one day they're going to invent this thing called memes," the Grammy award-winning singer joked. "But yes, it was a specific note and I did it the way he requested and that's what made the record," he concluded.
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
Hundreds of historic tall ships arrive in Amsterdam for maritime festival
AMSTERDAM (AP) — Crowds packed vantage points along a major canal Wednesday to watch a flotilla of hundreds of historic ships sail into Amsterdam at the start of a five-day festival celebrating the Dutch capital's maritime history. Ships from all over the world, many with their masts and rigging decorated with flags, left the North Sea coastal town of IJmuiden to begin their hours-long journey up the North Sea Canal and into Amsterdam's IJ waterway for SAIL 2025, the first edition in a decade. A puff of orange smoke erupted into the sky, and ships' horns sounded as the replica three-masted clipper Stad Amsterdam passed through a lock to mark the official start of the event. Advertisement 6 Crowds packed vantage points along a major canal on Wednesday to watch a flotilla of hundreds of historic ships sail into Amsterdam at the start of a five-day festival. Hollandse Hoogte/Shutterstock 6 The festival is to celebrate the Dutch capital's maritime history. AP 6 Orange smoke signals the start of the parade of hundreds of tall ships sailing into the Dutch capital's harbor. AP Each ship is greeted with two cannon shots and its country's national anthem as it enters the harbor. Advertisement Hundreds of smaller boats with onlookers packed the waterways to sail alongside the visiting vessels. The event, which draws hundreds of thousands of visitors, is held every five years. The 2020 edition was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Advertisement 6 The barkentine Antigua passes as hundreds of tall ships sailed into the Dutch capital's harbor for the 10th edition of SAIL. AP 6 Ships from all over the world, many with their masts and rigging decorated with flags, left the North Sea coastal town of IJmuiden to begin their hours-long journey up the North Sea Canal and into Amsterdam's IJ waterway for SAIL 2025, according to reports. AP 6 The ships will remain in Amsterdam, many open for visitors, through the weekend. AP Wednesday's parade culminates in an evening fireworks display. Advertisement The ships will remain in Amsterdam, many open for visitors, through the weekend. The first event was first held in 1975 to celebrate Amsterdam's 700th anniversary, and this year's edition coincides with the city's 750th birthday.
Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
‘The Envoy' to Launch on Global Streaming as Emmy-Winning Creators Spotlight Superfoods Powering Health, Tourism and Technology
' The Envoy " is a fast-paced new docuseries from Emmy-winning talent behind Netflix, CBS, YouTube and Anthony Bourdain's original team. Premiering in 2025 on leading global streaming platforms with an estimated reach of 50 to 70 million households, the series brings a cinematic lens to extraordinary places, showing how what we eat shapes where we travel and how economies grow. Each 30-minute episode explores how food is shaping the future through three pillars: At a time when trust in traditional media is low and budgets are being slashed, 'The Envoy' stands apart: world-class cinematic quality, creator-led and mission-driven to bridge soft power with real-world impact. The mission of 'The Envoy' is to make audiences smarter, more connected and optimistic about the future. Governments Spend Billions, Yet Most Miss the Mark In 2024, governments invested over $642 billion in tourism and cultural promotion. Most of it is lost in ad buys, consultant decks and one-off campaigns with no clear return. 'The Envoy' is the first purpose-built platform for driving action among U.S. consumers, who control more than $8 trillion in global spending across travel, food and lifestyle. 'Sometimes the difference between a local tradition and a global success story is the right spotlight,' said Laura Layousse, CEO of Compagnie Africaine Agroalimentaire, who is featured in 'The Envoy: Senegal.' ''The Envoy' gives us that spotlight. We've always known fonio was something special — a beautiful, resilient grain that's nourished our communities for generations. This kind of visibility can change everything for farmers, families, and the future of African agriculture.' Case Study: Thailand's Culinary Diplomacy Success In 2002, Thailand launched the Global Thai program to boost its global image through cuisine — a key success for culinary diplomacy, the concept of sharing culture through food. The economic success of pad thai as a global staple resulted in increased demand for rice noodle exports, increased travel to Thailand and improved international perception. 'The Envoy' is the first systematic approach to taking this model further. Using premium global distribution and world-class storytelling, the series accelerates visibility and perception change by spotlighting tourism, trade and technology. A New Model For Media ''The Envoy' fills a critical gap in the market, aligning the goals of governments, nonprofits, and viewers to create shared prosperity and stronger global ties,' said Todd Green, strategic advisor to 'The Envoy.' 'Our media model is built to be sustainable and a blueprint for the future of content marketing where premium storytelling, journalistic integrity and real-world impact work hand in hand.' The series is already being featured at major global forums, including at a highly curated Sundance Film Festival event held alongside executives from Whole Foods Market and The Rockefeller Foundation, to connect storytelling with strategy. The show's marketing strategy embraces the power of in-person connection, with a presence at key cultural and commercial events including the Fancy Food Show, World Travel Market, U.N. General Assembly and SXSW. Premiere Episode: Fonio in West Africa The debut episode features Bill Gates, celebrity chef Pierre Thiam, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Borso Tall and philosopher-farmer Moussa Samb as they explore one of the world's oldest and most climate-resilient grains. Fonio was the grain of kings and buried with ancient pharaohs — until it was nearly lost. Today, this nutrient-rich grain is powering a new future across the Sahel by improving nutrition, expanding economic opportunity for women and helping reverse desertification. 'The Envoy' brings this story to life as a blueprint for healthier communities, economic growth and a more resilient planet. Looking Ahead 'We've combined world-class journalism, filmmaking, creator content and marketing into one platform,' said Anne Marie Hagerty, creator and host of 'The Envoy.' 'Our team aims to launch the next 'Food Wonders of the World,' using premium content to make our viewers smarter, more optimistic and more aware of how their choices can have a positive impact on the planet.' 'The Envoy' is now inviting select partnerships with aligned brands and foundations seeking purpose-driven content that travels — culturally and commercially — to amplify their mission on a world stage. New episodes will premiere throughout 2026. For private screening access to view the show, partnership inquiries or more information, visit or email [email protected]. About The Envoy Show 'The Envoy' is a fast-paced docuseries about food and travel, created by Academy Award- and Emmy-winning filmmakers and former producers of Anthony Bourdain to deliver cinematic storytelling that makes audiences smarter, more connected and optimistic about the future. For more information, visit Media Contact Christy Bastin [email protected] ### SOURCE: The Envoy Show Copyright 2025 EZ Newswire
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Gen Alpha Is Ditching Kids' TV for Twitch and YouTube—Should Parents Be Worried?
Ahead, learn more about Gen Alpha's media habits and how to create healthy boundaries around screen time and 'unfiltered' viewing. Fact checked by Sarah Scott Key Points Kids today watch more YouTube and Twitch than traditional TV, giving them control over what they see and when they see it. Live streams and other unfiltered media can expose kids to risky or inappropriate content, so adult guidance is key. Talking openly and watching with your child helps build trust and teaches safe digital habits. In past generations, kids turned on the TV to watch PBS, Saturday morning cartoons, the Disney Channel, or Nickelodeon. Today, most of what kids watch isn't a scripted sitcom, preschool learning program, or goofy cartoon—it's user-generated content on platforms like Twitch and YouTube. Generation Alpha, or children born between 2010 and 2024, is a digital-first generation. They've never lived in a world without the internet, social media, YouTube, or the iPhone—and this is clearly reflected in their viewing preferences. Instead of tuning into a tween-centric TV show on Nickelodeon, they're watching someone play a video game on Twitch or watching their peers open packages (also known as an 'unboxing') on YouTube. Media habits have always evolved across generations, but algorithm-driven feeds and live streaming present a whole new set of challenges and questions for parents, including limited parental controls, unpredictable content quality, and potential behavioral impacts. 'Traditional television was scheduled, passive, and standardized. It couldn't compete with the on-demand, personalized, and interactive nature of platforms like YouTube and later TikTok and Twitch,' says clinical psychologist Michael Wetter, PsyD, ABPP, FAACP. 'Children now grow up in an environment where they don't wait for a show to air—they expect content to be instantly available, tailored to their interests, and socially integrated. They don't just watch content—they remix it, comment on it, and share it with peers. It's not just entertainment; it's how they express identity, participate in culture, and feel seen." Generation Alpha's Media Habits, Explained Millennial and Gen Z kids grew up spoiled by great TV programming, including quality learning-focused shows like Nick Jr.'s Dora the Explorer and Disney Channel's fun, relatable tween sitcoms like Hannah Montana and That's So Raven. While shows like these still exist (Dora even got a modern reboot) Gen Alpha has shifted their viewing habits almost entirely online. Popular shows like CoComelon, Blippi, and Ms. Rachel got their start on YouTube, and need we remind you of the massive success of Pinkfong's 'Baby Shark' song? Creators like twins Vlad and Niki became popular on the platform with their user-generated preschool show, which has since become available on streaming services like Prime Video. According to Precise TV, 87% of kids ages 2-5 prefer to watch YouTube over other services. Common Sense Media also reports that children are watching fewer traditional TV shows but gaming more, with 40% of 2-year-olds already owning a tablet. "Unlike traditional TV, digital platforms let them choose the content, interact with it, and even become creators themselves. That level of control and customization is something cable could never compete with." Titania Jordan The appeal is clear: most kids watch YouTube on a phone or tablet, which parents often hand over to keep them occupied in restaurants, in waiting rooms, or during car rides. (That's where the term 'iPad kid' comes from.) 'YouTube and other phone-based apps are available anywhere,' says Devorah Heitner, PhD, author of the book Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World. 'It's to the appeal for busy, on-the-go families.' And Gen Alpha can watch whatever they want, whenever they want it, which anyone who waited by the TV hoping to catch a specific episode of their favorite show back in the '80s or '90s can tell you is a luxury. 'Unlike traditional TV, digital platforms let them choose the content, interact with it, and even become creators themselves,' adds Titania Jordan, chief parenting officer of Bark Technologies, a company that helps keep kids safer online. 'That level of control and customization is something cable could never compete with.' What to Know About Twitch While younger kids gravitate toward YouTube, older kids are more likely to be on Twitch. The streaming platform has long been popular with teenagers—more than 40% of its users are between the ages of 16 and 24, the majority of them male. Twitch began as an online gaming platform, but has since grown to include more first-person 'day in the life' content. Popular streamers like Kai Cenat and Clix have attracted tons of new viewers to the platform, and Twitch has become a modern way for teens to create community and find new friends. Scott H. Kollins, PhD, clinical psychologist and chief medical officer of Aura, points out that streaming isn't just a way for kids to share their hobbies. 'For some, it's about chasing a bigger dream. Streaming is now seen as a real career path,' he shares. 'Just like some kids dream of being pro athletes, others hope to become big-time streamers or esports stars. Even if only a few make it that far, the idea that it's possible is really exciting.' But because Twitch streams are live and not edited or censored like traditional TV programming, there are more risks involved regarding what young viewers may see onscreen. 'Children can be exposed to sudden shifts in tone or content that range from mildly inappropriate to deeply disturbing—often without warning,' explains Dr. Wetter. 'A streamer might begin with lighthearted gaming and suddenly veer into profanity, personal rants, or emotionally volatile behavior.' Dr. Wetter also flags Twitch's chat feature, which can expose children to 'toxic interactions, harassment, even grooming behavior.' Twitch has also come under fire for being an easy place for predators to interact with young users; in 2023, Bloomberg News analyzed over 1,000 Twitch Clips—or short, snackable videos similar to YouTube Shorts and TikTok—to find that 'at least 83 of the short videos contain sexualized content involving children.' And because kids often share details casually, they may accidentally reveal where they live or go to school without realizing the safety implications. Twitch doesn't allow children under 13 to create an account on the platform, but kids determined to get online can find workarounds. Even older tweens and teens can separate authenticity and performance, says Dr. Wetter. Children are always watching people around them and modeling their behavior as such, and they may be taking cues from streamers without recognizing that much of what they're watching is performance. 'Because livestream platforms prioritize engagement, streamers may act out in exaggerated, often reckless ways to hold attention or elicit donations,' says Dr. Wetter. What to Know About YouTube YouTube, built on an algorithm designed to show viewers more content they may enjoy and thus keep them on the platform longer, has long been criticized for exposing kids to questionable content, ads, and clickbait. In 2015, the platform launched YouTube Kids as a safer, more curated option, though its safety parameters haven't always been the most foolproof. Some creators have even used popular kids' characters like Elsa or Spider-Man to slip through the platform with inappropriate content, also known as 'Elsagate.' While YouTube Kids can feel like a safer choice, experts suggest still paying attention to what your kid is watching. 'YouTube Kids offers a more curated environment, but it's far from foolproof,' says Jordan. 'Content can still slip through, and recommendation algorithms often favor engagement over appropriateness.' When it comes to YouTube and YouTube Kids, 'nothing replaces active supervision and conversation,' she says. Parents should be actively involved in what their kids are clicking on and consuming; for every one Ms. Rachel, there are 10 videos that could be filled with inappropriate content for young viewers. 'Filters can help, but YouTube is the wild west in terms of content,' says Heitner. 'Kids can stumble on very harmful violent, sexual, and hateful content.' In recent years, there has also been a noted increase in AI content targeted at children. The Impact of Unfiltered Viewing Children's physical and emotional safety may be at risk, but their development can also be impacted by constant streaming. 'The real issue is not whether children are watching something 'safe' in the legal or moral sense—it's whether what they're consuming is shaping their expectations, their self-image, and their ability to tolerate the real world,' says Dr. Wetter. 'When children have unfiltered, unrestricted access to this type of content, they begin to rely on it not just for entertainment, but for emotional regulation.' This could show up as tantrums or conflicts around screen time, trouble focusing in school, or the inability to speak person-to-person without devices, he says. Because devices are always within reach, kids' screen time habits are affecting their sleep and mood, which may impact their schoolwork and day-to-day behavior. 'Children are losing the ability to self-regulate emotionally without external stimulation. They're staying up late watching autoplay videos, checking notifications the moment they wake up, and struggling to manage the sensory overload that comes from hours of screen exposure,' says Dr. Wetter. He also notes that kids today don't experience boredom like prior generations. 'Their ability to experience boredom—which is actually an important developmental skill—diminishes,' he says. 'In real-time, clinicians, educators, and parents are witnessing the downstream effects of what we might call poor digital hygiene.' A recent study from the Journal of the American Heart Association even found that kids and teens who spend more time on screens may be at higher risk for heart issues in the future. How to Keep Viewing Safe It's difficult to go cold turkey and prohibit your kids from these channels and platforms entirely. Dr. Wetter recommends setting clear, consistent, and age-appropriate boundaries around screen time. 'Instead of reacting with punishments or lectures when screen time becomes an issue, parents can establish daily tech-free zones, like mealtimes or the hour before bed, and create screen schedules that balance passive consumption with active play, school, and sleep,' he shares. Offer alternatives to YouTube and Twitch, like sports, music, art, playtime, or family time. Dr. Kollins suggests 'creating structure' around screen time, including time limits, privacy tools, regular check-ins, or making a family media agreement where parents and kids align on rules and expectations around screen time. For older kids, Jordan says to start the conversation with 'curiosity, not judgement.' She recommends asking your children what they're watching and why they like it. 'Consider watching together when you can. This helps you learn what your child likes and what the content presents to them,' she explains. 'The most powerful tool is still an ongoing, open conversation.' In fact, being actively interested and involved in what your kids are watching, no matter their age, is one of the most important things parents can do to keep their kids safe online. 'As parents, one of the best things we can do is help guide that exploration rather than shut it down,' says Dr. Kollins. 'Allowing kids to engage with digital content while they're still at home gives us a chance to support them when things get confusing, complicated, or overwhelming.' Screen Time Limits Matter for Parents, Too Parents should also practice what they preach when it comes to screens, phones, and tablets. 'Modeling healthy digital behavior—like putting phones away during conversations, prioritizing face-to-face connection, and valuing rest—also teaches children how to develop a healthier relationship with their devices,' says Dr. Wetter. Teach kids media literacy skills and tools to help them navigate what's OK to watch and what they should stay away from, as well as how to separate what's real and what is entertainment. 'Explain that influencers are often being paid to promote products, that videos are edited to seem more exciting than they really are, or that many online personas are exaggerated for effect can help children separate entertainment from reality,' says Dr. Wetter. 'Think of it like scaffolding. It's there to prop them up and for safety, but as time goes on and they can stand on their own, it can slowly come away,' Dr. Kollins explains. 'The goal isn't to control every moment; it's to create balance. That way, they get to build the digital skills and resilience they'll need while still knowing we're here to help when they need us.' Read the original article on Parents Solve the daily Crossword
