The “blue sweatpants girl” is the latest sensation on TikTok, drawing comparisons to South African singer-songwriter Tyla. Tyla, who skyrocketed to fame with her viral single “Water” in 2023, is known for her captivating dance moves. Her popularity has only grown, with appearances on live streams with Kai Cenat and even at the Met Gala, where she made a memorable entrance by being carried up the stairs.
Enter Laura Sophia, a TikToker who has taken the platform by storm. Laura uploaded a video of herself dancing to CPK Shawn’s version of “Pop Like This Pt. 2,” wearing a pink t-shirt and blue sweatpants. Her dance style, reminiscent of Bacardi—a South African dance form—has led to her being dubbed the “blue sweatpants girl” and has drawn inevitable comparisons to Tyla.
The video has amassed over 91 million views, with countless comments likening her to Tyla. “Tyla is that you??” one user commented, while another said, “Rest of y’all put your phones away this is Tyla.” Some even suggested that Tyla should hire Laura as a backup dancer, with comments like, “Tyla needs to hire you.”
In a follow-up video, Laura introduced herself as a Puerto Rican who loves to dance. She humorously admitted that she doesn’t know how she managed to dance so well in the viral clip. Her candidness and charm have only added to her appeal, making her a beloved figure on TikTok.
Laura’s rise to fame has been meteoric. Her initial video garnered an astonishing 84 million views in just two weeks. The comments section was flooded with comparisons to Tyla, with many arguing that Laura outdanced the famous singer. “This might just be Tyla in another universe,” one viewer wrote, while another asked, “Tyla, where have you been?”
Laura’s sense of humor and relatability have further endeared her to fans. In another video, she addressed women worried about their boyfriends seeing her viral dance, offering to block them on Instagram if they sent her their handles. This playful interaction only made her more popular, with commenters praising her for being a “girl’s girl.”
Despite her newfound fame, Laura remains down-to-earth. She posted a compilation of her best wipeouts and fails, showing that she’s not afraid to laugh at herself. This authenticity has resonated with her audience, who appreciate her for being genuine.
However, Laura’s journey hasn’t been without hiccups. Shortly after achieving viral fame, her TikTok account was banned. She confirmed this in a comment, but fortunately, her account was quickly reinstated. Now, she boasts 676,000 followers and continues to climb the ranks as the internet’s latest “it girl.”
Laura’s story is a testament to the power of social media and the unexpected ways it can catapult ordinary people into the spotlight. Her dance moves, sense of humor, and authenticity have made her a beloved figure on TikTok, drawing comparisons to one of the biggest names in music today. As she continues to captivate audiences, it’s clear that the “blue sweatpants girl” is here to stay.