At first glance, the idea that the September 11 attacks, the band My Chemical Romance, the Twilight franchise, and The Ellen DeGeneres Show are somehow linked might seem absurd. However, through a series of cultural ripple effects, these seemingly unrelated events and figures form an unexpected chain of influence—one that internet culture has turned into a viral meme.
Step 1: How 9/11 Led to My Chemical Romance
The connection begins with Gerard Way, the lead singer of My Chemical Romance (MCR). On September 11, 2001, Way was working as an intern at Cartoon Network in New York City. Witnessing the tragic events of that day profoundly impacted him. It inspired him to reevaluate his life and pursue music with a sense of urgency, leading to the formation of My Chemical Romance shortly thereafter.
The band quickly gained popularity, becoming one of the most defining acts of the 2000s emo movement. Their music, often centered around themes of loss, grief, and resilience, resonated with fans who were drawn to their dramatic and theatrical style.
Step 2: My Chemical Romance’s Influence on Twilight
MCR’s emotional, gothic aesthetic was a perfect fit for the emo subculture, which was thriving in the mid-2000s. Meanwhile, Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series—which debuted in 2005—shared many of the same themes that emo fans loved: doomed romance, supernatural elements, and intense emotional struggles.
Meyer has even cited My Chemical Romance as one of her inspirations when developing the atmosphere of Twilight. While the band ultimately declined to contribute music to the official movie soundtrack, their influence on the franchise’s aesthetic and tone is undeniable. Twilight’s brooding vampires, dramatic love story, and connection to the emo scene solidified its status as a defining pop culture moment of the late 2000s.
Step 3: Twilight’s Connection to The Ellen Show
With the massive success of Twilight, its stars—Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson—became worldwide celebrities. As part of the promotional cycle, they appeared on many talk shows, including The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
However, over time, Ellen’s interviewing style—once seen as lighthearted and playful—began to receive criticism. Clips resurfaced where her humor came across as awkward or even uncomfortable for her guests. Some interviews with Kristen Stewart, in particular, were revisited in a new light, as people noticed Ellen’s tendency to make fun of Stewart’s reserved and introverted demeanor.
This scrutiny became part of the larger controversy surrounding Ellen DeGeneres, which ultimately led to the downfall of her show in 2020. Reports of a toxic workplace environment and poor treatment of staff and guests tarnished her reputation, leading to The Ellen DeGeneres Show ending after nearly two decades on air.
Step 4: The Internet’s Love for Chaotic Connections
The reason this chain of events has become a viral meme is that it perfectly encapsulates how internet culture loves to make absurd yet oddly logical connections between historical and pop culture moments. While no one would seriously argue that 9/11 caused the downfall of Ellen DeGeneres, the butterfly effect of cultural moments is real.
- The trauma of 9/11 inspired Gerard Way to start My Chemical Romance.
- My Chemical Romance helped shape the emo aesthetic that became mainstream in the mid-2000s.
- That aesthetic influenced Twilight, which became a global phenomenon.
- Twilight’s stars frequently appeared on Ellen’s show, contributing to the eventual scrutiny of her interviewing style.
- Ellen’s perceived awkwardness and criticism from audiences contributed to her show’s eventual decline.
Final Thoughts
This entire theory is an example of deep internet humor, where unrelated events are linked together through a mix of irony and genuine observation. While the connections might seem far-fetched, they also highlight how cultural trends evolve in unexpected ways.
The takeaway? Pop culture is interconnected in ways we rarely think about, and the internet loves to uncover (and exaggerate) those connections. Whether meaningful or not, this chain of events is a perfect example of how history, music, movies, and media are all woven together in ways we never saw coming.
