The image was first uploaded to the web in 2010 and became popularized over the course of the decade in image macros and photoshops as an exploitable.
Origin
The exact origins are unknown, but the earliest archived upload of the image of the monkey boy was posted to ZanyPickle on June 18th, 2010, in a meme dump "grab bag" collection post.
The Internet’s Reaction 5 Heartwarming Truths
The phrase wtf gay little monkey became a common reaction online, expressing surprise and amusement.
For example, on September 23rd, Redditor weedIizard posted a photoshop to /r/traves replacing the monkey boy with a Minecraft character in a monkey skin (shown below).
On October 20th, YouTuber chickenbootsauce posted a video of an original song loosely about the gay little monkey boy image using the little monkey image (shown below).
On Nov. 19, 2023, two images were shared, allegedly showing Timothée Chalamet and Lana Del Rey in costume, apparently imitating an internet meme known as "Gay Little Monkey Boy in Apple Store." The most viral post on X (formerly Twitter) with the caption asking "is this real" reached over 640,000 views as of this writing.
Another post on X showed a screenshot of a TikTok post with the in-question pic and read:
tiktok is actually crazy cuz like i just sobbed over one video and the next is ai generated lana del rey and timothee chalamet as gay little monkey from the apple store
The images were also shared on Reddit with a caption "the drewth is a pandemic at this point."
the drewth is a pandemic at this point byu/mazzys17 inemergencyintercom
Both images had tell-tale signs of being generated using Artificial Intelligence (AI) software, however.
He has a management degree in Supply Chain & Operations Management and Marketing and boasts a wide-ranging background in digital media.
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How is this even real?”
The Cultural Impact of the Gay Little Monkey Meme
Beyond just laughs, the gay little monkey meme has sparked conversations about internet culture, viral content, and how simple moments can capture global attention.
Why Do We Love Viral Animal Memes?
Animals, especially ones showing human-like traits, resonate deeply with us.
Within hours, it was shared thousands of times, sparking the gay little monkey from the Apple Store trend.
WTF Gay Little Monkey? On November 20th, X user @airbagged posted a meme using the image, gathering over 41,000 likes in a day (seen below, right).
On November 24th, X user @Baileymoon15 posted a version of the image showing British singer Ed Sheeran in the "Gay Little Monkey" suit, gathering over 80,000 likes in two days (seen below).
Various Examples
Search Interest
External References
Are Pics of Timothée Chalamet, Lana Del Rey Imitating 'Monkey Boy' Meme Real?
Claim:
Photographs shared in November 2023 authentically showed Timothée Chalamet and Lana Del Rey in costume, imitating the so-called "Gay Little Monkey Boy in Apple Store" meme.
The image macro was reposted to Twitter by @reactjpg on September 17th, censoring "f--k" with "cool" and badly cropping the meme (shown below, right).
The image macro inspired numerous photoshops using variations of the phrase, often replacing the monkey boy with another character or putting him in a new setting. Know Your Meme, a website dedicated to documenting such internet phenomena, published an article about the meme.
If you don't want to be deceived by AI-generated images and videos in the future, read our tips here.
5 Heartwarming Truths If you’ve stumbled across the phrase “gay little monkey” recently, you’re probably wondering what it means and why it’s suddenly everywhere online.
The monkey’s playful antics, paired with cheeky captions, made it a perfect recipe for meme culture.
What Makes This Meme So Popular?
Relatability: The monkey’s expressions and movements mirror human emotions in a funny way.
Versatility: Meme creators have adapted the clip to fit various jokes and social commentary.
Surprise Factor: The setting—an Apple Store—adds an unexpected twist.
Gay Little Monkey at the Apple Store: The Original Clip
The original video shows a small monkey interacting with customers and devices inside an Apple Store.
The gay little monkey is no exception—it’s playful, relatable, and a little bit rebellious.
Risks and Considerations: Viral Fame Isn’t Always Easy
While the meme is fun, it’s important to consider the welfare of animals involved in viral content. Its curious and mischievous behavior caught the attention of shoppers and viewers alike.
How Did It Start?
A bystander recorded the monkey’s antics, and the clip was uploaded online.
Where can I find the original gay little monkey video?
The original clip is widely available on TikTok, Twitter, and meme-sharing websites under tags like gay little monkey Apple Store or gay little monkey meme.
Final Thoughts
The gay little monkey phenomenon is a perfect example of how simple, candid moments can explode into global viral sensations.
The song was originally posted to SoundCloud by Moe Lester and features Keeyoki and Nate, but was removed according to the upload's description.
Gay little monkey He lookin’ kinda fresh he lookin’ kinda funky
On January 13th, 2020, Instagram user jacks_spam_n_such posted a version replacing the boy with Kanbaru from the animeBakemonogatari, gaining over 800 likes in just under two years (shown below, left).
For example, on June 20th, 2012, it was posted to /r/pics titled "Monkey Boy at Apple Store."
What The F--k Gay Little Monkey
Around September 2019, MySpace user windows93 posted an image macro of the monkey boy captioned "what the f--k gay little monkey" (shown below, left). The trend was kicked off by TikToker @microplasticangel on November 20th, 2023, after they posted a slideshow of AI-generated images showing singer Lana Del Ray and actor Timothée Chalamet making a Thanksgiving meal together while dressed in Gay Little Monkey outfits.
The slideshow, set to Mazzy Star's "Fade Into You," gathered over 5.2 million plays and 800,000 likes in a week.
Images from another TikTok by @microplasticangel were reposted to X by user @yassambassador asking "is this real" on November 19th, gathering over 19,000 likes in a week (seen below, left).
On March 3rd, Instagram page @hykeq posted a version of the image macro with Minecraft music over it, gaining over 54,000 views in eight months (shown below).
Continued Spread
On November 21st, 2021, Instagram page boomer.jim posted an image macro using the monkey boy to mock people who used to watch Ben Shapiroanti-SJW videos as a teenager during Thanksgiving dinner, gaining over 38,900 likes in a day (shown below).
Gay Little Monkey AI-Generated Images
In November 2023, AI-generated images combining the "Gay Little Monkey" with various celebrities began going viral.
People were baffled but entertained by the monkey’s unexpected presence and personality.
One Twitter user commented: “WTF gay little monkey just stole my heart at the Apple Store. For instance, in the image below you can see that Lana del Rey's hands are deformed and even dissolving into the phone.
(X user @yassambassador)
Moreover, in the second picture, allegedly captured in the Apple Store, a blurred "SAFE" sign is visible in the background, both celebrities have deformed fingers and Chalamet's phone has weirdly formed charging cables attached.
(X user @yassambassador)
As social media users pointed out, the AI-generated images appeared to have been inspired by the "Monkey Boy" meme, which dates from around 2010.
But it’s actually tied to a viral meme that originated from a short video clip featuring a small monkey exhibiting playful, cheeky behavior in an Apple Store setting.
Why the Apple Store?
The Apple Store is a hotspot for viral content, thanks to its sleek design and the diverse crowd it attracts. Is the gay little monkey real or CGI?
The monkey is real, captured on video by a bystander at the Apple Store, making the meme authentic and relatable.
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Why is it called the gay little monkey?
The phrase is part of the meme’s humorous captioning style, reflecting the monkey’s cheeky and carefree behavior, not a literal description.
3. The gay little monkey at the Apple Store video captured a moment that was both adorable and hilarious, quickly spreading across TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram.
The Viral Spread: Gay Little Monkey Meme Explained
The gay little monkey meme took off because it combined humor, cuteness, and a bit of unexpected sass.
On April 9th, Redditor Chaz4220 posted a photoshop to /r/jschlatt putting the boy in a Gamestop, gaining over 190 upvotes in just under two years (shown below, right).
The meme persisted into 2021, continuing to inspire new variants. This quirky term has sparked curiosity, confusion, and even laughter across social media platforms.
It is unclear and unlikely that this is the original upload (shown below).