The “Alors on Danse” TikTok Trend Is Going Viral — But Where Did It Start?

Usually, TikTok dances look difficult to replicate, at best, and completely impossible, at worst. But, strangely, the latest trend to sweep the social media platform is set apart by its apparent simplicity.

The "Alors on Danse'' TikTok trend was created by 19-year-old Usim E. Mang — known on TikTok as @usimmango — who posted a video of him and his friends subtly rocking in perfect sync to "Alors on Danse'' by Belgian singer and rapper Stromae. The trend soon took off, with other groups trying to replicate the effortless cool of the original video. Usim's video now has nearly 120 million views, 19 million Likes, and 161,000 comments.

The TikTok begins with Mang and his friends improvisationally grooving to the music before seeming to suddenly shift into slow motion, leaning into a synchronized sway. It's short and simple, but somehow impossible to look away from.

Soon, other TikTok users began setting the video as the background in their own videos and adding a text overlay detailing an accomplishment or brag. Even celebrities like Chloe Bailey and Jesse Mccartney hopped on the trend.

Mang told BuzzFeed News that he was thrilled about the trend's success, saying, "By the time it was at 50 million, I knew we really did something here – all of my friends are stoked and can't believe it either, truly a blessing.

"What is making it go so viral is that people started their own trend on it, and dancing in front of the original video gives that video so much value," he added.

But not all the feedback Mang received was positive. Lindsey Shaw, famous for her parts in Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide and Pretty Little Liars, posted a TikTok mocking the dance challenge. She said, "Hey, are you OK? What the f--- is this?" before imitating the dance.

Her TikTok has since been deleted, but many users felt that Shaw's criticism carried racist undertones, given that she'd recently reacted positively to her former co-star Devon Werkheiser doing the trend. She even commented "Get it!!!!" followed by cry-laughing face emojis on his rendition.

TikTok user @notnotcandace reuploaded the video soon after Shaw took it down, and many users commented that they saw a double standard in Shaw praising her white friend for doing the trend and then criticizing the Black creators.

Shaw has since apologized. For Mang's part, he seemed unphased by the controversy.

"I really don't have much to say on that but she did make that video, and it was her actions that caused that backlash on her, so all I can do is stay in my lane and just spread positivity and love," Mang told Buzzfeed News when asked about the situation.