It started as a simple visual trick on TikTok — people appearing to float in midair. Then rapper Myaap turned the phrase “she was a fairy” into a viral song, sparking a dance challenge that swept across platforms. The result? A trend that blurs the line between a Disney-inspired meme and an original rap hit, with millions of users jumping in.

4 related posts

Views on Myaap’s official music video: 1,000,000+ ·
Views on ‘She Was A Fairy Challenge’ YouTube short: 427,000 ·
Number of TikTok videos using the sound: Millions (estimated) ·
Instagram Reel featuring Myaap’s explanation: Published June 2025

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact date of the first viral TikTok using the sound
  • Whether the Maleficent reference is a direct quote or paraphrase
  • The meaning of “yop yop” in the song lyrics
  • Who originally combined the Maleficent clip with Myaap’s audio
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Continued evolution of the trend as users create new variations
  • Possible official response from Disney or Myaap
  • Potential mainstream media coverage linking the meme and the song

Six key facts capture the core data behind the trend, from its musical origins to its viral reach.

Label Value
Original song artist Myaap
Song title Fairy
YouTube views (official video) 1,000,000+
YouTube Shorts challenge views 427,000
TikTok sound usage Millions of videos
First known post Unknown – likely early 2025

Where does the phrase ‘she was a fairy’ come from?

The Maleficent connection

The line first appeared in Disney’s 2014 film Maleficent, where a character describes the fairy queen. In a TikTok clip, a scene showing a woman saying “she was a fairy” was paired with Myaap’s audio. According to Dailymotion (video platform), Myaap explained: “She went on TikTok and she showed me the original TikTok. It was like a lady from Maleficent and she was like she was a fairy.”

Myaap’s ‘Fairy’ music video

Myaap turned that phrase into a full song titled “Fairy,” released in 2025. The official music video has surpassed 1 million views on YouTube (video platform). The song samples the Maleficent line and builds a beat around it, mixing rap with fairy-themed imagery.

Viral spread on TikTok

The pattern: a single movie line, reframed by a rapper, then amplified by millions of creators — an almost perfect recipe for a viral moment.

What is the she was a fairy tiktok sound from?

Original audio source

The audio used in most “She Was a Fairy” TikTok videos is a snippet from Myaap’s song “Fairy.” The clip includes the line “she was a fairy” repeated over a trap beat. A separate, earlier visual illusion trend used the song “September” by Sparky Deathcap as background audio (Yahoo Lifestyle (lifestyle news outlet)), but the Myaap version is now dominant.

How the sound went viral

  • After Myaap posted the song to TikTok, users began lip-syncing and dancing to it.
  • The sound quickly crossed over to Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and even Reddit discussions.
  • A Reddit user in r/PetPeeves commented: “I hear it in my head now. It’s a whole lot better than that oh no, oh no, oh no no no no audio…” (Reddit (community forum)).

Differences between song and sound

The TikTok sound is just a short clip — often the first 5–10 seconds of the song. The full track includes additional verses and ad-libs. Myaap’s Instagram Reel (Instagram (social media platform)) shows her explaining the origin: she recreated the TikTok idea “into her own way” when making the song.

Bottom line: The TikTok sound is a clip from Myaap’s “Fairy,” but the trend’s meaning now includes both the visual illusion and the dance challenge. For users looking to join the trend: use the Myaap sound. For those curious about the earlier meme: look for the “September” audio version.

What does ‘she was a fairy’ mean in slang?

Literal vs. slang meaning

Literally, a fairy is a mythical creature. In slang, “fairy” has historically been used as a derogatory term for a gay man. But in this context, the word is reclaimed as a playful compliment. Myaap described a fairy as “like a baddie who” — indicating empowerment and magic (Dailymotion (video platform)).

Is it a compliment?

  • Most users interpret it positively — associating fairies with beauty, magic, and confidence.
  • Some online debates point out the word’s past hurtful usage, but within the trend it’s almost always lighthearted.
  • The phrase “she was a fairy with a fatty” adds a layer of slang — referring to someone attractive and magical.

Related slang terms

Terms like “fairy energy” and “fairy vibes” have popped up alongside the trend, often describing someone who is playful, ethereal, or glamorous. The meaning continues to shift as more creators adopt the phrase.

The implication: language evolves in real time on TikTok, and “fairy” is being redefined as a badge of coolness — not a label to be feared.

What’s the she was a fairy trend?

Overview of the trend

  • The trend has two distinct phases. Phase 1 (2023–2024): a visual illusion where people appear to float, often using fairy wings and the “September” soundtrack (Yahoo Lifestyle (lifestyle news outlet)).
  • Phase 2 (2025): a dance challenge set to Myaap’s “Fairy,” featuring twirls, hand gestures, and transformation reveals.
  • Both phases use the same phrase “she was a fairy,” creating confusion about which trend is being referenced.

The dance challenge

The dance challenge often involves a simple twirl or a sudden reveal where a person transforms into a “fairy” with wings or sparkly effects. TikTok pages for celebrities like Tyreek Hill (athlete) have labeled their content “She Was A Fairy Dance Challenge,” reinforcing the challenge format.

Platforms where it spread

  • TikTok: primary hub for the sound and dance.
  • Instagram Reels: Myaap’s explanation and many viral reposts.
  • YouTube Shorts: the challenge video has 427,000 views (YouTube (video platform)).

Why this matters: the trend’s ability to bridge two different formats — illusion and dance — shows how flexible TikTok trends can be when a core phrase sticks.

Who started the she was a fairy trend?

Myaap’s role

Myaap is credited as the artist behind the song that gave the trend its current audio. In her Instagram Reel (social media platform), she says she posted the song to TikTok immediately after leaving the studio. Her music video provided the visual template for the dance challenge.

First viral videos

The visual illusion trend predates Myaap’s song. Know Your Meme credits an early viral TikTok from May 2023 by user @fairyxg0ddess (Yahoo Lifestyle (lifestyle news outlet)). The first video combining the Maleficent clip with Myaap’s audio is attributed to an unknown TikTok user.

Community contributions

  • Millions of users created their own versions, adding personal twists.
  • Myaap herself acknowledged the community’s role in popularizing the trend.
  • The Reddit discussion (Reddit (community forum)) shows the trend has reached even non-TikTok audiences.

The trade-off: Myaap provided the soundtrack, but the trend’s organic spread makes it a collective creation rather than a single artist’s campaign.

The catch

The dual origin — visual illusion from 2023 and music challenge from 2025 — means anyone searching for “she was a fairy” will find two very different sets of videos. For creators, this is an opportunity to blend both styles; for casual viewers, it’s a reminder that viral phrases can mean different things depending on when you join the trend.

Confirmed facts

  • The phrase appears in Myaap’s song “Fairy” — confirmed by multiple video sources.
  • The line is inspired by a scene from Disney’s Maleficent — confirmed by Myaap’s statement.
  • The trend includes a dance challenge on TikTok and Instagram — confirmed by numerous user posts.
  • Myaap explained the origin in an Instagram Reel — published June 2025.

What’s unclear

  • Exact date of the first viral TikTok using the Myaap sound.
  • Whether the Maleficent reference is a direct quote or a paraphrase.
  • The meaning of “yop yop” in the song lyrics.
  • Who originally combined the Maleficent clip with Myaap’s audio.
  • Why the visual illusion trend and the music challenge share the same phrase.
Safety note

Some creators have attempted the floating illusion by balancing on counters or stair edges. Yahoo Lifestyle (lifestyle news outlet) warns that this creates serious fall risks, especially when wearing shoes improperly. Always prioritize safety over virality.

I’m like oh yeah… I recreated the TikTok idea into my own way when making the song.

— Myaap, via Dailymotion (video platform)

I hear it in my head now. It’s a whole lot better than that oh no, oh no, oh no no no no audio…

— Reddit user, r/PetPeeves (Reddit (community forum))

The story of “She Was a Fairy” isn’t finished. As more users layer the visual illusion with the dance challenge, the trend may evolve again — or fade as TikTok’s algorithm moves on. For creators who jumped on the challenge early, the payoff was millions of views. For latecomers, the window is narrowing: the most viral moments have already passed, but the phrase itself has entered the internet’s permanent vocabulary. For anyone still wondering what it means, the answer depends on which version of the trend you find — and that fluid meaning is exactly what makes it a true internet phenomenon.

Additional sources

instagram.com, tiktok.com, tiktok.com, tiktok.com, tiktok.com, tiktok.com, youtube.com

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Frequently asked questions

Is ‘she was a fairy’ a compliment?

In the context of the trend, yes — it’s generally used playfully to describe someone as magical, confident, or attractive. However, the word “fairy” has been used as a slur in the past, so context matters.

What does it mean if someone says you look like a fairy?

Typically they mean you look ethereal, beautiful, or magical — especially if you’re wearing fairy wings or sparkly makeup. It’s part of the positive reframing of the term.

What is the ‘she was a fairy with a fatty’ meaning?

It’s a variation of the lyric that adds slang for an attractive person. “Fatty” here is a colloquial compliment for someone with curves.

How did the ‘she was a fairy’ challenge go viral?

It started when Myaap posted her song to TikTok, and users began creating dance videos. The combination of an addictive beat, a simple dance move, and the Maleficent meme pushed it into millions of feeds.

What are the lyrics to ‘she was a fairy’ song?

The song “Fairy” by Myaap includes repeated lines of “she was a fairy” over a trap beat, with ad-libs like “yop yop.” The full lyrics are available on YouTube and Spotify.

Who is Myaap?

Myaap is a rapper and social media personality who rose to fame in 2025 with the viral hit “Fairy.” She is active on Instagram and TikTok, where she shares music and behind-the-scenes content.

What is the difference between the song and the TikTok sound?

The TikTok sound is a short clip (5-10 seconds) from the beginning of “Fairy.” The full song includes multiple verses and a longer instrumental section.

Can the phrase ‘she was a fairy’ be offensive?

Yes, historically “fairy” has been used as a derogatory term for gay men. In this trend it’s reappropriated, but sensitivity is advised — intent and audience matter.

Related reading: Where to Watch Coraline · Are Fireflies Going Extinct?