Millennial Man Questions Why Gen Z Are Roasting This Emoji

Newsweek

2 days ago

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Generation Z are roasting a new millennial staple, and one 32-year-old is not impressed.
Michael Coale Grey, an actor, singer and entertainer based in Los Angeles, California, shared his lighthearted dismay at how Gen Z have scorned the "laughing crying" emoji in a recent post to TikTok. The hilarious video, posted on May 28 under @michaelcgrey, struck a chord with viewers online. It has been viewed more than 268,000 times to date, resonating with amused millennials and Gen Zers alike.
"Millennials getting roasted for using the laughing crying emoji," Grey said in the clip, his voice laced with mock drama. "Guess what...You know what...Sorry, sorry I love to laugh, sorry I love to laugh and cry and cry and laugh, with my friends and live and laugh and love."
He told Newsweek: "It feels like the kind of thing the internet was meant to be for, bringing people together."
The millennial uses social media both for work and for fun, but as the cultural tides continue to shift under the glow of LED ring lights and algorithmic timelines, even seemingly small choices—like emojis—can become signifiers of identity and age.
"As I age so gracefully into my 30s, I have really started to see the signs of becoming a member of an 'older generation,' as a millennial," Grey said. "Sometimes I get it, sometimes it catches me off guard."
The emoji in question has become a lightning rod of generational tension, its meaning apparently having evolved. What once universally represented "I'm laughing so hard I'm crying," is now, according to many younger TikTok users, passé. Some members of Gen Z now consider it outdated, opting for skull emojis to indicate their virtual laughter instead.
"I started to see more Gen Z friends of mine talking about how the 'crying laughing' emoji is a 'millennial favorite,'" Grey said. "I felt that beautiful terror that comes with realizing you're getting older. Kind of like the emoji version of using aging cream or dyeing your hair."
For a while, Grey said he even stopped using it, but eventually, he reached a turning point.
"I caught myself holding back from using the emoji and decided—no, not again. I won't censor myself again," he explained. "I won't hold back anymore."
The viral reaction to his candid video surprised even him.
From left: Michael Coale Grey lounges on a couch; and the "laughing crying" emoji.
From left: Michael Coale Grey lounges on a couch; and the "laughing crying" emoji.
Getty Images / @michaelcgrey / Hannah Hyatt
"I had a feeling the video might connect with some people but it is very funny to me just how many people loved it," he said. "I really struck a chord with my fellow millennials, who, understandably so, are clearly fed up with being called out or criticized for so many seemingly insignificant details."
The phenomenon is part of a broader trend where millennials find themselves under scrutiny—from fashion choices to punctuation.
"After all, there have been countless articles over the years now about all of the different pieces of society that the millennials are 'killing off,' from napkins to dinner dates," Grey said.
But this particular emoji moment felt less like an attack and more like a mirror.
"While this emoji situation is more of an observation than a criticism," he said, "clearly, based on the comments I've gotten on the video, there's some pent up rage and defiance amongst my fellow millennials."
Mostly, though, the comments have been lighthearted. Viewers have shared their opinions on how cool they think the emoji still is and how little they care about what Gen Z think, joining in on the mock rebellion.
"Didn't millennials basically invent emojis," one viewer said. "We decide what they mean."
"After the way Gen Z voted, they literally can not bully me into anything," another added.
"I don't [care] what Gen Z has to say," a third viewer shared. "They too do things that are viewed as lame.
"They are an insufferable generation, boomers 2.0, they don't know what joy is."
"It's fun," Grey said. "Some jokes, some messages of support, and of course, people using the crying laughing emoji a bunch, sharing in our beautiful millennial culture."
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