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The Viral Legacy Of "Wicked Witch Of The East, Bro!": Origin, The Star's Sad Update, And Ariana Grande's 2024 Recreation

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The "Wicked Witch of the East, Bro!" video is one of the internet's most enduring and re-shared viral moments, a masterclass in escalating, passionate, and utterly pointless pop culture arguments. As of late 2025, this clip—a rapid-fire, high-volume debate over the confusing geography and titles of the witches in *The Wizard of Oz*—continues to cycle through social media feeds, capturing new audiences with its sheer, unadulterated energy.

The meme’s recent resurgence and continued relevance are largely due to a massive celebrity co-sign in 2024, but the original clip is a fascinating case study in how niche, high-intensity content can achieve perpetual virality. This article breaks down the full timeline: the 2018 origin, the surprising update from the man at the center of the argument, and the major 2024 pop culture event that cemented its modern legacy.

The Complete Timeline: From 2018 Viral Clip to 2024 Pop Culture Nod

The phrase "The Wicked Witch of the East, Bro!" is the explosive climax of a short, chaotic video that first appeared on YouTube, instantly becoming a staple of internet comedy. The argument centers on a fundamental disagreement regarding the character of Glinda, the Good Witch of the South, from the classic 1939 film *The Wizard of Oz*, and her relationship to the other witches.

The 2018 Origin: An Argument Over Ozian Geography

The original video, titled "THE WICKED WITCH OF THE EAST, BRO!", was uploaded to YouTube on April 3, 2018, by user Austin Parrish. The clip features two Canadian men, one of whom is filming and laughing, while the other, the star of the meme, passionately argues his point. The core of the debate is a breakdown of the Ozian hierarchy and geography:

  • The Core Question: Was Glinda a witch or a princess?
  • The Yelling Man's Thesis: The man argues vehemently that Glinda "wore a crown and came down in a bubble, dawg," suggesting she was a princess, not a witch.
  • The Climactic Line: The argument culminates in the now-iconic, high-pitched scream: "And what was her sister? A princess? THE WICKED WITCH OF THE EAST, BRO!"

The video's immediate success was due to its relatable absurdity and the sheer conviction of the main speaker. It quickly became a "platonic ideal of a meme," used to express passionate disagreement or disbelief over any subject.

Deep Dive: The Oz Lore That Fueled The Fight

The irony of the meme is that the argument itself is based on a common point of confusion in the film's lore, which is further complicated by L. Frank Baum's original books. The entities involved in the core debate are:

  • Glinda: In the 1939 film, she is the Good Witch of the South. The man's argument is rooted in her regal appearance (the crown and bubble), which contrasts with the stereotypical image of a witch.
  • The Wicked Witch of the East: The witch killed by Dorothy's house. She is only seen as a pair of striped legs under the house.
  • The Wicked Witch of the West: The main antagonist, sister to the Wicked Witch of the East.

In Baum's original novels, the world of Oz is more complex: there are four witches, two good (North and South) and two wicked (East and West). Glinda is indeed a powerful sorceress (a witch) but is also benevolent and beautiful, challenging the man's assumption that "only bad witches are ugly," a line that is also referenced in discussions of the meme.

The Star's Update: The Sad News Revealed

While the video achieved lasting fame, the life of the man at the center of the argument, often referred to as "the yelling man," took a more somber turn. In a recent update, the star of the viral clip broke his silence, sharing some surprisingly sad news about his personal life. This adds a layer of human reality to a moment of internet absurdity.

The man, whose identity is often kept semi-private in meme discussions, revealed that the viral fame did not translate into lasting success or happiness. His admission served as a poignant reminder of the ephemeral nature of internet fame and the difference between a viral moment and a sustainable career. This update has led to renewed discussions on the ethics of sharing and profiting from viral content featuring non-celebrities.

The 2024 Revival: Ariana Grande’s Co-Sign

The meme experienced its most significant modern resurgence in 2024, thanks to a major pop culture event. Ariana Grande, who plays Glinda in the highly anticipated film adaptation of the musical *Wicked*, hilariously recreated the "Wicked Witch of the East, Bro!" meme on *The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon*.

  • The Context: Grande was promoting the *Wicked* film, which is a prequel to *The Wizard of Oz* and focuses heavily on the origins of the witches, including Glinda and Elphaba (the future Wicked Witch of the West).
  • The Recreation: Grande, alongside Jimmy Fallon, lip-synced and acted out the entire argument with perfect comedic timing and intensity.
  • The Impact: This recreation, coming from one of the film's stars, instantly introduced the 2018 meme to a massive new generation of fans. It created a perfect pop culture loop: the film about the witches of Oz inspired a meme that was then recreated by the star of the new film about the witches of Oz. The moment was even recognized by The Shorty Awards as a top cultural moment for 2024.

The Enduring Topical Authority of the Oz Witches

The "Wicked Witch of the East, Bro!" meme is more than just a funny argument; it’s a cultural touchstone that highlights the enduring, and often confusing, topical authority of *The Wizard of Oz*. The core entities—Glinda the Good Witch, the Wicked Witch of the East, the Wicked Witch of the West, and the Munchkins—remain subjects of intense debate and re-interpretation, as seen in the popularity of the *Wicked* musical and film.

The video’s success proves that a simple, passionate disagreement about established fantasy lore can resonate globally. It taps into the universal experience of having an unshakeable, if slightly misinformed, opinion on a piece of media, and the explosive energy that comes from defending it against all odds. The phrase itself has become a shorthand for "I am right, and I will yell until you agree with my very specific, niche point."

From its humble, loud Canadian origins in 2018 to its 2024 celebrity-endorsed revival, "The Wicked Witch of the East, Bro!" has secured its place in the internet hall of fame. Its legacy is a chaotic, beautiful blend of movie trivia, human passion, and the unpredictable power of the internet.

The Viral Legacy of
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