In a year dominated by serious global headlines, 2025 also served up a spectacular array of stories that made the public do a double-take. From concert controversies worthy of a soap opera to audacious daylight robberies and miraculous returns from the dead, the past twelve months have been anything but dull. Here, we revisit the most shocking, unusual, and downright bewildering moments that had everyone asking: 'WTF?'
Scandal, Heists, and Miraculous Escapes
The year's capacity for the bizarre was demonstrated across the globe, blending high-profile embarrassment with criminal audacity and sheer luck.
It began in July at a Coldplay concert in Boston, where the band's well-intentioned 'kiss cam' backfired spectacularly. The camera inadvertently captured a couple in a tender embrace, leading to a viral moment of acute embarrassment. Frontman Chris Martin quipped, "Either they're having an affair or they're very shy." The internet swiftly identified the pair as Astronomer tech firm CEO Andy Byron and Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot. The fallout was swift: both resigned after a company review, and the firm later released a tongue-in-cheek video featuring Martin's ex-wife, Gwyneth Paltrow, as a "temporary spokesperson."
In October, Paris witnessed a brazen theft straight from a movie script. Disguised as construction workers, thieves used a crane on a truck to smash a window at the Louvre's Petite Galerie. In a seven-minute operation conducted in broad daylight, they stole nine priceless pieces of French Crown Jewellery, including a diamond and emerald necklace gifted by Napoleon. Valued at around £76 million, the 'heist of the century' saw the thieves drop one item—Empress Eugenie's crown—during their escape on scooters. Four people have been charged, but the treasure remains missing.
Perhaps the most chilling story came from Thailand, where a 65-year-old woman, Chonthirat Sakulkoo, was found to be alive moments before her cremation. Her brother, Mongkol Sakulkoo, had brought her coffin to a Bangkok temple after believing she had died two days prior. Temple manager Pairat Soodthoop heard faint knocking from inside the coffin. "I was a bit surprised," he understated. The woman was rushed to hospital. In a shocking twist, her brother reportedly told local media he felt "indifferent" to the discovery.
Celebrity Controversies and Viral Sensations
The worlds of politics, entertainment, and social media collided to produce further head-scratching episodes throughout 2025.
In February, former US President Donald Trump shared an AI-generated video depicting a fantastical future for Gaza. The footage showed skyscrapers, luxury resorts, and a gigantic golden statue of Trump himself, with cameos from Elon Musk and Benjamin Netanyahu. Set to a bizarre dance track, the clip was described as "fever-dream-esque."
In September, broadcaster ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel's talk show "indefinitely" after he criticised Donald Trump and Republicans over their handling of a commentator's death. Trump fired back, calling Kimmel "not a talented person." The suspension lasted only a week before ABC reversed its decision, with Kimmel returning to air with a tearful monologue.
Meanwhile, a simple marketing phrase sparked a global debate. American Eagle's campaign with actress Sydney Sweeney, tagged "Sydney Sweeney has great jeans," led to discussions on race and eugenics due to the play on 'genes'. Trump again weighed in, praising the "registered Republican" and noting the jeans were "flying off the shelves." The controversy didn't hurt business; the company's shares rose nearly 60%.
Viral trends also captured the zeitgeist. The "6-7" meme, originating from a rap song, saw youngsters performing a specific hand gesture whenever they heard the numbers. Its meaning remained elusive, with a dictionary director confirming, "It doesn't mean anything." Even Prime Minister Keir Starmer attempted the dance during a school visit. Similarly, Jet2holidays' wholesome ad campaign was hijacked online, with its soundtrack superimposed on videos of holiday disasters, making its hold music, Jess Glynne's 'Hold My Hand', the UK's TikTok song of the year.
Final Bows, Space Flights, and Toy Mania
The year also featured remarkable cultural moments and surprising consumer phenomena.
Rock legend Ozzy Osbourne gave a final, epic performance with Black Sabbath at Villa Park in July before his death later that month. The 76-year-old, seated on a throne, commanded a crowd of 42,000 in a show that required no biographical embellishment.
In April, pop star Katy Perry blasted into space on Blue Origin's first all-female crew in sixty years, becoming the first artist to sing beyond the Kármán line. She was joined by figures including Jeff Bezos's fiancée Lauren Sanchez and journalist Gayle King.
In retail, Marks & Spencer left consumers stunned by selling a £195 Beef Wellington designed by chef Tom Kerridge. Despite the eye-watering price, it sold out. Conversely, Chinese toy brand Pop Mart saw its Labubu dolls cause a frenzy, driving profits up nearly 400%. The demand led to a flood of dangerous counterfeits, with over £3.5 million worth of fakes seized at UK borders.
From a mascot arrest at Chuck E. Cheese to a fan tackling Ariana Grande on a red carpet, 2025 proved that reality can often be stranger than fiction. As we look ahead, one wonders what bizarre tales the next year will hold.
