Every group chat could use its own "normal person deity," according to New York City-based comedian McKenna Moore. This concept has captured the internet's imagination, with Moore's viral TikTok video amassing over 856,000 views and sparking widespread recognition.
What Exactly Is a Normal Person Deity?
Moore describes these figures as "regular person celebrities who are only famous to me and my dumb friends." These individuals are not traditional celebrities or influencers but rather ordinary people whose lives become fascinating to a specific group. "The person just has to be going 'normal mode' all the time," Moore explained, "and for some reason, for your group, it scratches such a beautiful itch, where everything they do is important."
Perfect Candidates for Deification
Examples include a high school acquaintance who posts about her sock collection, an ex's cousin's mother-in-law who's a Disney Adult and recovering MLM participant, or "some dude just living in Rochester who's the voice of a high school football team." Moore joked about the latter: "Oh, he's getting super into Christianity because he married a white woman and they've got nothing else to do — awesome. We're going to talk about them for hours and hours and hours."
Social media users have enthusiastically shared their own normal person deities in comments. One woman wrote: "There's a barista/bar back in South Philly named Curtis and I need everyone to know that my group chat reacts to seeing him in the wild the same way you would if you saw your favorite celebrity." Others mentioned using their tax guy as a reaction emoji or following a coworker who fears tomatoes.
The Psychology Behind the Trend
Rana Bull, a therapist and owner of Burrow and Bloom Therapy in Arizona, explains that this phenomenon has become more visible due to social media. "We now have constant access to people's updates, personalities, and life events in a way that previous generations simply didn't," Bull told HuffPost. "From an evolutionary perspective, monitoring what others were doing in a community helped us stay informed, connected and safe. In a modern context, that instinct often shows up in lighter, more humorous ways."
Parasocial Relationships or Harmless Fun?
While elevating a random person to group chat patron saint might seem parasocial, Moore believes it's actually healthier than traditional celebrity worship. "I really do think that it's the best way to get around the parasocial relationships that people have with celebrities," she said. "I think celebrity has become way too central in our society, and we really should just be like, gossiping about a guy we met at an open mic three months ago."
Kiaundra Jackson, a marriage and family therapist in Los Angeles, sees positive aspects to the trend. "For instance, I love seeing people who are the underdogs win and become successful," she said. "When I see people who grew up from humble beginnings now having success, it makes me excited for them, but it also makes me excited for me, because if they can do it, I can also do it."
Historical Precedents and Modern Manifestations
This behavior isn't entirely new. Every generation has engaged in gossip and community observation. Bull notes: "Every generation engages in gossip and this kind of harmless, nonsexual community voyeurism." What's changed is the scale and accessibility through platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
Small towns have always had their local celebrities: "Jerry from Harbor Freight who is currently on marriage No. 4 but still flirts with everyone" or "Chem Trail Janice" who won't stop talking about conspiracy theories. Social media has simply expanded this dynamic to digital communities.
When Does It Cross the Line?
The trend only becomes problematic when it shifts from lighthearted observation to negativity. "Where it can become less healthy is when the dynamic shifts from lighthearted observation to fixation or negativity," Bull explained. "If a group becomes overly invested in criticizing or monitoring someone, especially if the person becomes a kind of 'group nemesis,' it can reinforce gossip-based bonding rather than supportive connection."
Moore and her friends take precautions: "We take great measures to make sure that the person doesn't find out about it — we don't want it to be bullying. We're just interested and this is more group chat specific."
The Public Nature of Social Media
Ultimately, in today's digital landscape, what people post is essentially for public consumption. Moore humorously noted: "If you have a public Instagram or an Instagram I follow, I get to watch it and talk about it! That's the rules."
This modern social phenomenon reflects our enduring human need for connection and entertainment through observing others' lives — just with a 21st-century digital twist. As long as it remains kind-hearted and light, therapists see it as a fairly harmless way for people to bond and find amusement in the everyday lives of ordinary individuals.
