What is the “GigaChad” meme?

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What is the "GigaChad" meme?

“GigaChad” is a made-up name linked to a photo project called berlin.1969 or Ernest Khalimov. It’s a collection of edited pictures of some models made by Krista Sudmalis, a photographer from Russia, for her work called Sleek’N’Tears.

The name “GigaChad” suggests that the person in the photos, who people first thought was a real person, is the perfect example of a very manly and good-looking guy. This idea became well-known on the internet, especially in groups known as incel communities.

Origin

On October 15, 2017, someone posted anonymously on Reddit, sharing a link to the @sleekntears Instagram page in the bodybuilding subreddit. The post got over 495 points (92% liked) and 100 comments in under four years.

The next day, on October 16, 2017, a picture of Khalimov appeared on the /pol/ board on 4chan. The caption called him “Gigachad,” saying he was the ideal person meant to guide us in a fight against reptilians.

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On that same day, October 16th, Khalimov was the subject of a post on the Lookism Forums, where he was called “Ultra Chad.” Later, on October 24th, 2017, an image was shared on Imgur with a caption suggesting that “The Gigachad” was trying to make copies of himself.

Then, on February 17th, 2018, a Reddit user posted a photo of Khalimov with the title “Gigachad, the destroyer of virgins” on the /r/Bossfight subreddit. A few months later, on April 27th, another Reddit user shared a picture with a detailed explanation of “GIGACHAD” on the /r/braincels subreddit.

Finally, on May 7th, a discussion expressing regret over Khalimov’s presence was started on the /int/ (international) board on 4chan.

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Average Fan vs. Average Enjoyer

In March 2021, the GigaChad meme became really popular after a video used his photos in the “Average Fan vs. Average Enjoyer” meme.

On February 7th, 2021, a YouTuber called Socialism Done Left created a meme video that got over 190,000 views on YouTube and 134,000 views on Twitter in just a month. The video had a fast-paced clip from “itzmefraz episode 7” by itz me Fraz as the “fan,” and a series of GigaChad pictures as the “enjoyer.” It also played the song “Can You Feel My Heart” by Bring Me The Horizon. On the same day, Socialism Done Left shared a template for making this meme on Twitter and Google Drive.

After this video came out, the format became a big hit, with lots of people making their own versions in February and March 2021.

Opinion on Memes

Until April 2021, the individual known as Khalimov stayed quiet about his image being used in the GigaChad and Average Enjoyer memes and even turned off comments on his Instagram. He was also not very active online before becoming a meme, and his choice not to talk about the memes or do interviews made some people think it matched the GigaChad image.

On April 13th, 2021, Ernest Khalimov talked about the GigaChad memes for the first time on his Instagram account, saying he liked them and asking people to leave comments. Then, on April 23rd, he posted again, saying he enjoyed reading the comments and that they made him seem more interesting than he really is.

People May Ask

Who is the GigaChad? 

GigaChad refers to a character associated with the art project berlin.1969, also known as Ernest Khalimov. It’s a series of edited photos created by Russian photographer Krista Sudmalis.

What is the meaning of GigaChad? 

The term “GigaChad” is used to describe an ultra-masculine, extremely attractive male archetype. It’s an exaggerated version of the “Chad” meme, which represents a certain ideal of male attractiveness and confidence.

Is GigaChad actually real? 

The person in the photos, Ernest Khalimov, is a real person, but the “GigaChad” persona is a fictionalized, idealized version created for the art project. The images are photoshopped to enhance this persona.

Who is the female GigaChad? 

The “Female GigaChad” is a nickname for a character used in a series of memes featuring black-and-white images of Krista Sudmalis, who is the photographer behind the GigaChad photos. The original photos were posted on her Instagram in early 2020, and the first image macro memes appeared on Reddit in September 2021. 

Just like the GigaChad, the Female GigaChad images are often used in various memes as a symbol of an attractive and powerful woman.