The clip starts with a striped patterned background and a disembodied voice saying, “And, there we go… did you need something?” At this point, Swift has appeared in frame with her hands behind her back, lipsyncing as the audio said, “I have to show you something—what I do,” before she briefly disappeared. “Ummm….okay,” the disembodied voice answered. After the brief sound of scrambling, Swift popped back into frame juggling three previously unseen vinyl editions of Midnights, spreading them out to show off each one as the voice on the audio gives a well-meaning, “Ooooh, alright,” in response, with Swift smiling proudly before walking out of frame again. “That’s how I just do it,” the voice representing Swift said as the screen changed to announce that the new covers, Jade Green, Blood Moon, and Mahogany, would only be available for a week. The audio comes from a video originally uploaded by Leigh McClendon in Dec. of 2021. McClendon became popular for reenacting encounters with his students from his empty classroom, humorously embodying elementary-aged children with ease. The clip from this particular video finds McClendon at his desk, perhaps grading papers, when he noticed a student (also, of course, played by him) standing nearby. As the student, McClendon has his shirt rucked up, revealing part of his stomach to appear a bit disheveled. As the teacher, he dutifully watches himself show off what turns out to be an attempt at a headstand or somersault that results in several desks being knocked out of place. Even so, McClendon supportively claps for the student, who is undoubtedly impressed with themself. Though that’s where Swift—and most others—cut the audio, the video goes on, with the student racing around in a circle and then attempting several more tricks that result in them rolling on the ground as a result. The viral sound is often used by TikTokers showing off something silly that their pets or own kids do, as well as artists or other creators showing off what they’ve made recently. McClendon was understandably thrilled by Swift’s use of his sound, writing “I feel honored” in the comments and duetting her to lipsync his own voice as her “captivated” audience. As far as the covers go, Swift smartly blurred the tracklist, so even the most eagle-eyed Swifties couldn’t decipher it. Who knows how many midnights we’ll have to wait through before we get a clue? More Pop Culture: • The Monkees’ Micky Dolenz Sues FBI for Files on Band, Members • Woman Forced to Call 911 After Getting Stuck in Gym Equipment in Viral TikTok Video • Couple Shares Nightmare Wedding Scenario Using Viral ‘Put a Finger Down’ TikTok Trend
