She Was a Fairy: Maleficent, Myaap & TikTok Trend Origin

If you’ve scrolled through TikTok lately, you’ve probably heard the dreamy voice say “she was a fairy” over a gentle melody. It’s become a staple of fantasy edits and playful roleplays—but where did it actually come from? We traced the audio back to a surprising mashup of a Disney movie and an indie song from 2009.

TikTok hashtag views: 103.2 million ·
Original video views: 1.4 million ·
Trend started: May 2023

Four key data points reveal the trend’s scale and origin.

Where does the phrase “she was a fairy” come from?

Origin in Maleficent

The spoken line “she was a fairy” comes directly from the 2014 Disney film Maleficent. Narrated by actor Janet McTeer, the phrase appears in the film’s opening narration describing the fairy kingdom. The Daily Dot, digital culture outlet confirmed the line’s origin.

Mashup with Sparky Deathcap’s “September”

Users combined the Maleficent line with the instrumental of “September” by Sparky Deathcap—the solo project of Rob Taylor, formerly of the band Los Campesinos!. The song was originally released in 2009 (The Daily Dot). The resulting audio became the basis for thousands of TikTok videos.

First use on TikTok

The first known use of this specific audio combination was on May 6, 2023, posted by the account @fairyxg0ddess (Know Your Meme, meme encyclopedia). The post showed a fantasy roleplay video of the creator dressed as a fairy.

What is the she was a fairy TikTok sound from?

Myaap’s audio snippet

In 2024, rapper Myaap released her own song called “Fairy” which also includes the line “she was a fairy.” Her music video on YouTube has garnered 8.8 million views as of early 2025. This created a second, parallel trend where users danced to Myaap’s beat. The two trends share the same phrase but use completely different audio.

Dubskie’s remix

Dubskie released a track titled “She Was a Fairy” in 2024 (Know Your Meme). This version was also used in many TikTok videos, further fragmenting the sound landscape.

Most popular TikTok versions

Despite these additions, the original Maleficent–September mashup remains the most widely used audio on TikTok. The hashtag #SheWasAFairy had surpassed 103.2 million views by August 16, 2023 (Yahoo Lifestyle, lifestyle news).

The variety of audio versions points to a trend that’s less about a single sound and more about a shared phrase and aesthetic.

What does “she was a fairy” mean in slang?

Literal vs. slang usage

On TikTok, the phrase is rarely used literally. Instead, it’s applied to someone who appears magical, ethereal, or stunningly attractive—often in a playful, self-deprecating way. A user might caption a glowing sunset selfie “she was a fairy” to imply they felt otherworldly that day.

Common interpretations on TikTok

The slang has been adopted across fantasy edits, makeup transformations, and gender-swap videos. The “yop yop” ad-lib that sometimes accompanies the audio adds a comedic contrast to the otherwise dreamy tone. The phrase is also used ironically, as seen in the parody video by @macsmissingeye featuring a disheveled Barbie doll (Know Your Meme).

Related slang terms

Similar TikTok slang includes “main character energy,” “fairy vibes,” and “glowed up.” But “she was a fairy” stands apart because it’s tied to a specific audio snippet, making it both a sound and a catchphrase.

What’s the she was a fairy trend?

Dance challenge

The trend includes a dance challenge where users perform choreography to the mashup audio. Many videos show compilation edits of multiple people doing the same moves. The dance is typically slow, graceful, and fairy-like, matching the audio’s ethereal quality.

Lip-sync videos

Lip-sync videos are also common, with users mouthing the line “she was a fairy” and sometimes acting out a transformation. The most viewed lip-sync on the hashtag belongs to the original @fairyxg0ddess post, which has over 1.4 million views (Yahoo Lifestyle).

Cultural impact

The trend revived interest in Sparky Deathcap’s song “September,” which had been largely dormant since 2009. Rob Taylor himself acknowledged the resurgence, saying in March 2024 that TikTok users “made it something different” (The Daily Dot). The trend also spurred a wave of fairy-core fashion edits across Instagram and Twitter.

Who started the she was a fairy trend?

Myaap’s role

While Myaap’s 2024 song “Fairy” contributed to a later wave, the original trend predates her release. Myaap’s song likely amplified the phrase but did not start the movement.

Early TikTok creators

The earliest known post is by @fairyxg0ddess on May 6, 2023 (Know Your Meme). A parody by @macsmissingeye on June 24, 2023 gave the trend a second life.

Dubskie’s contribution

Dubskie’s song “She Was a Fairy” (2024) provided another audio option, but the trend was already massive by then. No single person is definitively credited as the sole starter—it’s a case of organic, multi-user ignition.

Timeline

• 2009 – Sparky Deathcap releases “September” (The Daily Dot)
• 2014 – Maleficent releases, containing the line “she was a fairy”
• May 6, 2023 – @fairyxg0ddess posts the first video using the mashed-up audio (Know Your Meme)
• June 24, 2023 – @macsmissingeye parody posted (Know Your Meme)
• August 2023 – Hashtag reaches 103.2 million views (Yahoo Lifestyle)
• 2024 – Myaap releases “Fairy” and Dubskie releases “She Was a Fairy”
• 2024–2025 – Trend continues with millions of user-generated videos

What we know vs. what’s unclear

Voices from the trend

“She was a fairy — this is the true style of the she was a fairy trend.”

— Myaap, in her music video title

“I hear that sound everywhere now. It’s catchy but also kind of annoying.”

— Reddit user on r/PetPeeves, commenting on the song’s ubiquity

Summary

The “she was a fairy” trend is a textbook example of how TikTok resurrects and remixes culture. What started as a throwaway line from a 2014 Disney film, layered over an indie song from 2009, became a global meme with over 100 million views and countless reinterpretations. For brands looking to tap into Gen Z nostalgia, the lesson is clear: old media can become new content in seconds. For creators, the trend offers a simple formula: a dreamy audio plus a relatable fantasy edit equals virality. The trade-off: as the sound becomes ubiquitous, its novelty fades—but the phrase “she was a fairy” has already earned a permanent spot in internet slang.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Where to Watch Coraline – Another fantasy film with fairy-tale themes
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