Honor To Us All—The Best Trend on Tik Tok Thus Far

Photo by: Anna Shvets

A Disney song about pleasing the patriarchy has become the internet’s most glamorous act of rebellion. Mulan would be proud.

TikTok has a way of breathing new life into old media—resurrecting forgotten lyrics, breathing new meaning into childhood memories, and turning nostalgia into aesthetic currency. But few trends have done it as cleverly as the recent revival of Mulan’s “Honor to Us All.” What was once a musical number about fitting into rigid gender roles has transformed into a campy, empowering, and occasionally tongue-in-cheek celebration of identity, femininity, and performance.

This trend isn’t just about makeup or fashion. Instead, creators compile powerful image and video montages celebrating Native American women, African women, Mexican women, Chinese women, and many others, highlighting the vibrant cultural tapestries that define womanhood worldwide. At the same time, some edits critique the rise of AI, reminding us of the irreplaceable value of human imagination and handcrafted art.

By repurposing a song steeped in tradition, TikTok users are crafting a modern anthem—one that honors humanity’s diversity, creativity, and resilience in a rapidly changing world.

The TikTok trend particularly zeroes in on the song’s verse starting at 2:25, where the lyrics sing, “Each a perfect porcelain doll.” Originally, this line underscored the expectation for women to be flawless replicas of idealized beauty—identical and perfected to please others. But in these viral edits, that image is completely transformed. Instead of uniformity, creators showcase a vibrant tapestry of women who are vastly different in appearance, culture, and identity—each one imperfectly perfect in her own unique way. The porcelain doll becomes a symbol not of conformity, but of individuality, strength, and diverse beauty.

This edit, “Womanhood 🩷“ by @fant0mes beautifully highlights the rich diversity of womanhood across cultures while reminding us of the shared strength and identity that unites us all—we are women.

In edits focusing on human creativity and art, the repeated plea, “Please bring honor to us, please bring honor to us…” echoes through these videos not as a demand to conform, but as an urgent call to value human creativity, resilience, and artistic expression in an era increasingly dominated by AI and digital reproduction. It reminds viewers that honoring ourselves means embracing our differences and nurturing the irreplaceable spark of imagination that defines humanity.

This powerful edit, “please bring honor to us//“ by @elizabedit critiques the rise of AI in art, underscoring the irreplaceable value of human creativity, imagination, and the authentic touch that machines can never replicate.

Beyond the screen, this trend is a reminder to reconnect with the human stories behind creativity. Visit your local art museums and galleries—immerse yourself in the textures, colors, and emotions that only physical art can convey. Take a moment to stop by artists working on the sidewalks of busy streets and simply appreciate their craft. Read books that challenge and inspire you. Support creators by sharing their work, buying their art, and amplifying their voices. When you see AI-generated content misrepresented or uncredited, take a stand by reporting it. In a world rushing toward automation, these small acts of engagement help keep human creativity alive and thriving.

As a writer, I see my industry and future grow wearier every day, weighed down by the rise of cheaply made, soulless AI content. Yet, this trend gives me hope. It suggests that as artificial creations proliferate, the value of human-made art and work will only increase. The heart and imagination that come from lived experience and personal expression can’t be replicated by code—and that truth is worth honoring now more than ever.

Additionally, I find it deeply inspiring how passionately the TikTok community condemns AI-generated content while uplifting human-made creations. Social media often caters to short attention spans, churning out eye-catching, mindless content designed to distract and entertain—much of it now produced by AI. So to see millions band together in resistance to the very content designed for them feels like a virtual rebellion—a quiet, powerful uprising fueled by human passion, creativity, and intention.

As technology rapidly advances, threatening to overshadow human creativity, this trend urgently calls us to remember what only we can offer: our diverse stories, our imperfections, and our boundless imagination. Now more than ever, it’s vital that we champion authentic expression—both online and in our communities—to ensure that human art remains vibrant and valued. The future depends on our willingness to protect and celebrate the creativity that makes us truly human.