Internet Culture

Greta Thunberg pulls off vintage prank on April Fools’ Day

‘I just got Rickrolled by my 9-year-old’s idol.’

Photo of Siobhan Ball

Siobhan Ball

Greta Thunberg and Rick Astley.

Greta Thunberg successfully pulled an April Fools’ Day prank on her followers Thursday.

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The 18-year-old climate activist posted a link, claiming it led to a video outlining all the small things the public can do to help resolve the climate crisis. But, in reality, she Rickrolled the followers who clicked on the link, directing them to Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” music video.

'I made a video where I talk about some small things we ALL can and should do to stop the climate crisis. We are in this together, and everyone is needed. YOU get to decide what future you’ll live in. So please watch, share and start doing your part today! https://youtu.be/dQw4w9WgXcQ' picture of dried up earth under an orange sky turning grassy beneath a blue sky
@GretaThunberg/Twitter

Some appreciated the by now-vintage trolling move by playing along and encouraging other unsuspecting Twitter users to also check out the video.

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You've made a profound argument. I can't argue with your logic. You've convinced me to change my ways!
@Cchris667/Twitter
I did not expect this. I do appreciate it however, and will definitely retweet to spread the word!
@Cchris667/Twitter
In Body Image
@Cchris667/Twitter

Others could not believe they got Rickrolled by Thunberg, with one saying, “I just got Rick rolled by my 9 year old’s idol.”

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Noooo! I just got Rick rolled by my 9 year old's idol. Was looking forward to sharing such a video with her. You win though.
@dbthiel/Twitter
@dbthiel/Twitter
Of all the people...
@Spenarama/Twitter
@Spenarama/Twitter
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Okay this is the last straw... I got fucking Rick Rolled by Greta Thunberg... I can’t even...
@RowanRivera2/Twitter

Strangely, some were delighted to get Rickrolled—which is something of a rite of passage for all internet users. “My kids asked me the other day if I’ve ever been Rickrolled and up until now I hadn’t, I didn’t even know what it meant!” one Twitter user said. “Thanks Greta! We must all do our part, we must all take our turn.”

In Body Image
@RowanRivera2/Twitter
I will be thinking of this video all day long. Way to play it Greta!
@lyonscm/Twitter
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https://twitter.com/SkinlessGestate/status/1377629884466495501
@lyonscm/Twitter
Mother Earth: never gonna give you up. Never gonna let you down.
@lyonscm/Twitter

And some users who’ve never heard of the concept of Rickrolling are notifying Thunberg that she shared an incorrect link.

Do you know you have a link to a Rick Astley video instead?
@Vdesaede/Twitter
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Something went wrong with the video, I see only Old pop music clip there
@Vdesaede/Twitter
The link to your video has an old pop music video instead of yours...please investigate!
@SuzannahTobin/Twitter

Of course, there were also people who didn’t bother to click on the link before forming an opinion about it. If there is a day on the internet one should not do that, it’s April 1.

First Of all Give us Back multi-billons $ gains from your great father George Soros IN Asset management hihgly speculative in offshore parkings
@SuzannahTobin/Twitter
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Individual choices , not systemic change ?
@DrLeoMarvin5/Twitter
Just sit comfortable and discuss. How dare you discuss such thinks without any action. First plant at least 1 saplings.
@DrLeoMarvin5/Twitter

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