Highlights
- Calvin Klein’s new Tate McRae ad went viral for her dancing, sparking comparisons to Gary the Snail online.
- Fans coined the moment Gary the Snail after mocking her choreography, but others called it hypnotic and iconic.
- McRae praises the denim’s confidence-boosting vibe, even as the internet insists on comparing her to a snail.
Calvin Klein unveiled Tate McRae, the 23-year-old Grammy-nominated pop star, as the face of its fall 2026 “Feel the Fit” denim campaign this week, filming her gliding through a mirrored dressing room to the tune of “Groove Is In The Heart.” McRae, for her part, was over the moon. “I’ve been dreaming of this for a long time,” she said in a behind-the-scenes clip.
Then the internet got a look at the choreography.
One viral post noted that McRae reportedly had only 20 minutes to learn the routine before cameras rolled, then delivered its verdict in three words: Gary the Snail.
Tate McRae stuns for new Calvin Klein ad. pic.twitter.com/HTLJ1jbHP4
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) August 25, 2026Another user piled on, comparing her slow-motion glide to the Loch Ness monster “when no one is looking.”
Somewhere, an assistant choreographer named Mauro Johannes decided the moment deserved a full recreation video, memes be damned.
Tate McRae’s assistant choreographer Mauro Johannes recreates her “Feel the Fit” choreography for Calvin Klein. pic.twitter.com/NjFH8YNo9v
— Tate McRae Crave (@TateMcRaeCrave) August 27, 2026The mockery didn’t slow Calvin Klein down one bit. The brand has already confirmed that more global stars will join as ambassadors of the Feel the Fit campaign this fall, meaning McRae’s viral hallway moment is just the opening chapter in a much bigger rollout.
Not everyone was clowning, either. Corners of the internet were reportedly busy praising McRae’s “hypnotic dancing,” because apparently nobody online can agree on anything.
Tate McRae takes over Los Angeles with her new Calvin Klein campaign. pic.twitter.com/jbuDgwqNbE
— Tate McRae Crave (@TateMcRaeCrave) August 28, 2026McRae herself sounded thrilled regardless of the discourse. “I’ve always been a fan of Calvin Klein jeans,” she said in her official campaign statement.
It’s not the first time she’s had to shrug off online chatter about her work ethic. Back when critics called her an industry plant, she snapped back in one interview, “I’ve been grinding since 13 years old!”
Grinding, apparently, doesn’t always translate to grace in a Calvin Klein hallway. But virality is virality, and right now Tate McRae is trending alongside a cartoon mollusk. Somewhere, Gary is taking notes.
