Weird and Wild: 2025's Most Talked-About Trends

In 2025, life felt heavy. Money worries, government stalls, and political fights made it tough to stay positive. But there were some wild and weird moments that made people talk and laugh. From AI sexbots to fashion flops, here are some of the craziest trends that had everyone buzzing. Young women are saying no to casual sex. They are tired of the dating scene and hookup culture. Mandana Zarghami, 29, hasn't slept with anyone in four years. She says hookups don't benefit women and ruin the special moments with someone you truly care about. Meanwhile, some young men are living with their moms and doing chores in exchange for free rent. Luke Parkhurst, 33, says he loves his "dream job" of taking care of his mom's house. He cooks, cleans, and fixes things around the house. AI sexbots are becoming popular. Elon Musk's Grok app lets users have steamy chats with AI characters. Reporter Asia Grace had a flirty chat with a chatbot named Valentine. She said it felt good to be called pet names and not worry about being ghosted. Reporter Ben Cost chatted with an AI named Ani, who had some specific kinks. AI bots are looking more and more like real people. In July, people in Times Square were shown pictures of real influencers and AI models. No one could guess which was which. This shows how easy it is for software developers to trick people into thinking what they see on a screen is real.New York Fashion Week is not what it used to be. Fashionistas are upset that the event has become more about wannabe influencers and bizarre brand collabs than about actual fashion. Hayley Corwick, a fashion blogger, says she doesn't even feel like going to the shows anymore. Parents are spending big bucks to dress their kids in style. The average back-to-school spending per child is $774, but New York parents are spending around $1, 348 per child. Some parents are spending even more. Nurka Lucevic, a Queens mother of four, has spent $2, 500 on clothes, bags, and Stanley Cups for her kids. While kids are rocking designer backpacks, adults are going crazy for Y2K style. Kendrick Lamar's flared jeans from the Super Bowl halftime show sold out quickly. Some people are searching for dupes of the jeans. Capri pants are also making a comeback, but not everyone is a fan. Elisa Mala, a millennial travel writer, says she hates the idea of Capri leggings. Men are getting filler to look more masculine. Antonio DeVita, 31, spent $7, 200 on jawline, chin, and cheek filler. He says it made him feel more confident in corporate settings. Lara Devgan, a plastic surgeon, says many men are getting these treatments to look like Hollywood hunks and powerful men. Celebrities are shrinking, and some are using weight-loss shots to achieve their goal weight. Reporter Allison Lax says the thinness is alarming and could have catastrophic consequences for how younger generations view their bodies.