Some moments in the always-shifting world of internet culture stand out not only for their humour but also for the way they spread around the world; the hyperpigmentation meme is a great example of this. From a family living room to worldwide virality, this unusual meme has caught the attention of millions online, including thousands of Australians who can’t stop citing or re-creating the event.
Let’s explore the hyperpigmentation meme’s origins, meaning, why it’s gone viral (again), and appeal in Australia.
Origin of the hyperpigmentation meme?
The now-famous meme started from a nice home video shot in 2019. A young child called Sierra shows a hand-drawn portrait of her mother, Sonia Tiebi, in the video. Sonia responds to the drawing with the famous line:
Understanding hyperpigmentation
The line alludes to a dark area the toddler had sketched on the face—maybe trying to signify a mole or shadow—which caused Sierra’s father behind the camera to laugh out loud. Quickly catching fire online was the casual, off-the-cuff remark combined with unadulterated family humour.
The video was shared and reposted at the time, but it truly took off in late 2024, mostly because of TikHub.
What really is hyperpigmentation?
Before we go on, let us clarify what Sonia was really alluding to. A genuine dermatological disease, hyperpigmentation causes spots of skin to darken more than the surrounding ones. Excess melanin synthesis causes this, which can be brought on by sun exposure, inflammation, acne scars, or even specific drugs.
Hyperpigmentation is something many Australians are familiar with because skin health and sun exposure are major issues, which makes the remark all the more relevant and unintentionally funny.
The meme’s resurgence on TikTok
Though the video was first posted in 2019, it reappeared significantly around the end of 2024. Users on TikTok started incorporating the audio from the original film into their own skits, remixes, and reaction material.
Some re-created the event with their own families. While displaying poor drawings or theatrical makeup blunders, some lip-synced the line. Particularly Aussie TikTokers seized the concept with their own unique sense of humour—think caustic comments, backyard re-enactments, and even Bunnings sausage sizzle allusions tossed in for good measure.
Meme-lovers soon included the soundbite “Is that hyperpigmentation?” in their daily vocabulary. Should you be online in 2025, odds are you have seen it appear more than once.
Australians are enjoying it and personalising it.
Internet surfers in Australia have welcomed the meme with open arms. Not only has it become a standard audio on Aussie TikTok and Instagram Reels, but local artists have even begun producing fan art and goods based on Sierra’s original drawing.
From digital art interpretations to memes with local references—like someone comparing a poorly cooked snag at a footy BBQ to the image and labelling it, “Is that hyperpigmentation?”—you’ll find it all.
The Australian meme culture has a long history of putting its own spin on popular material, and this meme is no exception. The hilarity, the family dynamic, and the unexpectedness of it all strike exactly the correct chord.
GPS art elevates the meme to a whole new level
Melbourne-based ultrarunner and GPS artist Peter Mitchell ran the meme using a GPS app in one of the most uniquely Australian renditions of the meme. His nine-kilometre path across Baxter Park mirrored the form of Sierra’s now-famous image. It’s a strange but interesting mix of meme culture, exercise, and art that has Australians talking all over social media.
Though it may appear specialised, this sort of GPS art is part of a larger trend of Australians creatively interacting with viral material. It’s not only about the laughs; it’s also about community, relationships, and intelligence.
Commercial ventures and merchandise
Like with other viral phenomena, the hyperpigmentation meme has migrated from the internet to actual goods. Platforms like Amazon and Etsy now offer throw pillows, phone cases, mugs, hoodies, and t-shirts with the well-known saying or Sierra’s original artwork.
Australians are no strangers to jumping on a trend, and local companies have noticed the chance as well. Some are combining internet culture with local flair by developing regionally themed artwork using Aussie terminology or Aboriginal-inspired art forms.
A good family comeback
The Tiebi family recreated the original video to commemorate Sierra’s 13th birthday in early 2025; the internet adored it. The revised version showed a more mature Sierra and the same good-humoured atmosphere, showing the family had completely accepted their unanticipated internet stardom.
Their light-heartedness and self-deprecating humour enhanced the meme’s lasting appeal and made it even more relevant for Australian families that value maintaining reality.
The reason this meme appeals to Australians
What makes this specific meme so popular in Australia?
- Relatable comedy: The meme reflects the sort of genuine, somewhat naughty humour that Australians like.
- Aussie culture is quite family-oriented; thus, the good mood of the film resonates.
- Creative potential: From GPS art to fan merch, the meme is flexible and fun to play with.
- Timelessness: The comeback in 2024–2025 shows that excellent humour never grows old, even if it is a few years old.
Conclusion
The hyperpigmentation meme is evidence that occasionally the little, spontaneous events provide the greatest laughter. From a modest family film, Australians have turned a worldwide cultural event into their own in traditional style.
Whether you’re reciting it over breakfast, recreating it with friends, or just laughing along online, this meme is more than just a trend—it’s a reflection of how humour, creativity, and connection bring us together, no matter where we are on the globe.
Read also: What is WHS and why it matters in Australia
