And the woman who got boot-baed is now speaking out.
It’s only February, and 2017 has already given us Salt Bae, Hurt Bae, and Stranded Bae. We now have a story that features a new character whom people are calling “Boot Bae.” The story comes with a bit of drama — but we’ll get there.
In a clip that’s gone massively viral, a woman is seen instinctively sticking up her thigh-high boot to another woman approaching her man during what looked like a runway show:
When you got a girl who doesn't play that ? pic.twitter.com/XnbbZubwAU
— Chosen (@MikeChosen1) February 22, 2017
It’s unclear who filmed the clip and shared it first online, but the tweet from user @MikeChosen1 has already been retweeted more than 142,000 times.
People were both inspired and floored by the woman’s motion.
@YOiberlina @MikeChosen1 lmaooo she put the STOP sign up lol
— Melvin Mercedes (@M3L_13) February 22, 2017
People called it an assassin-like, “Mortal Kombat-level quality moment.”
@MikeChosen1 The most flawless thing I've ever seen. This is a Mortal Kombat-level quality moment. LMFAO.???
— Trudy (@thetrudz) February 23, 2017
Any woman that has the instinct to stop a chick in mid stride with her foot is an assassin fam #bootbae pic.twitter.com/f5xZRO0ZHJ
— Gandy (@g_dynamo) February 22, 2017
Just like that, #BootBae was born. Hilarious references were made, like to Nivea’s “Don’t Mess With My Man.”
#BootBae was out here like pic.twitter.com/98zCDW7iBa
— NANA JIBRIL ? (@girlswithtoys) February 23, 2017
And the “Stay in Your Lane” gospel.
Lil Mama: Can I borrow your man for a minute?#BootBae: pic.twitter.com/6HP4H22Zcg
— Olu' A (@Olufemiloye) February 23, 2017
And ofc, SpongeBob.
When she bout to approach ya man. #bootbae pic.twitter.com/2ORI0HdG5e
— 21Average (@chrischris400) February 23, 2017
There was a lot of discussion about what went down in the six-second clip. People thought the woman approaching the boyfriend was completely in the wrong.
@MikeChosen1 why would you even try that and you see his arm on her leg ? Girls be trying it lol smh
— jessssss. (@jssxcaa) February 22, 2017
Others thought Boot Bae took it to another level it didn’t have to get to.
Im sorry but #bootbae would have her foot snapped in half if that was me. Don't put your foot on me, tf ??? pic.twitter.com/7X4haoizTs
— Pinhead Larry (@Iosabane) February 22, 2017
And then there were sympathizers to Boot Bae’s bae, who joked that he got a handful and/or a mouthful afterward.
When #bootbae and her man got in the car to go home pic.twitter.com/JFX26ZlNic
— Miles Webb (@Milesc_Webb) February 22, 2017
But the woman on the receiving end of the heel has a different story, and doesn’t think it’s all jokes.
Jordan Smith, an 18-year-old from Houston, told BuzzFeed News she was asked to be a date auction at a scholarship fundraiser for the University of Houston Nigerian Student Association.
She said all she was doing was working the crowd to get bids up for a good cause.
Smith said she was specifically asked to be a part of the event by one of the organizers because they thought prospective suitors would bid high for a date.
“They thought I would have a good chance at getting bids,” she said.
“I was supposed to do something to entice the crowd to get my bids up and I didn’t really notice the couple,” Smith explained. “I just saw a guy.”
She said when the man’s girlfriend stuck her boot heel to her, she didn’t think too much of it and just kept it moving.
“In the moment I thought, Oh OK, she’s not a cool with this, it’s whatever,” Smith said.
To her, that was that, but the internet was just getting started. That moment was immediately turned into meme fodder.
You wouldn't have to drop kick a hoe if you don't bring your man to a date auction #bootbae pic.twitter.com/q6qG4WkejU
— Daba Ranch (@ProBlackBuilt) February 22, 2017
Don't do it, you gon die …? #BootBae pic.twitter.com/ADrso4QlcL
— Mr Pitse Sir. (@dxigner_soxial) February 23, 2017
Then, in a plot twist no one suspected, Smith got on Twitter and claimed she really wanted “her,” aka Boot Bae, and “not her man.”
I really wanted her not her man ??♀️ but it's whatever
— Joë (@JordanOhhMyy) February 22, 2017
Then, in a plot twist no one suspected, Smith got on Twitter and claimed she really wanted “her,” aka Boot Bae, and “not her man.”
I really wanted her not her man ??♀️ but it's whatever
— Joë (@JordanOhhMyy) February 22, 2017
Her single tweet’s been retweeted more than 10,000 times, and folks were like, what?!
RT @JordanOhhMyy: I really wanted her not her man ??♀️ but it’s whatever pic.twitter.com/mcYWqOeuvP
— ronald isley (@yoyotrav) February 22, 2017
Come again?
"i wanted her not her man" #bootbae pic.twitter.com/C0WVgpfk1a
— rosy (@ale_rosy) February 22, 2017
man oh man would y'all look at that #BootBae pic.twitter.com/vv3qKtzxbk
— Selena (@ygselena) February 23, 2017
Some even rewatched the clip closely to re-read the intentions and body language.
Me after watching the video 10 times and not seeing where she really wanted #bootbae instead of her man pic.twitter.com/1F1ppgEcmm
— not stoneyy (@stoneyydope_24) February 23, 2017
"If she wanted her…why was the trajectory of her walk aimed at his dick…?"
— me after a 5th viewing of #BootBae pic.twitter.com/Y4xTB2veu0
— …therefore, I am. (@Diokpa_Uche) February 22, 2017
Still, there were skeptics. Smith told BuzzFeed that it wasn’t a ploy or lie to save face — she was intending it to be a joke. “It was just humor to cut the tension,” she stressed.
@ygselena @Keabie_S Lies. She said that so tweeps wouldn't crucify her.
— ?Mosidi Promise ? (@Mo3_Promise) February 23, 2017
While she’s not too surprised by all the social media attention around it, she is startled by all the negativity. “All the name-calling isn’t needed from people who don’t know me,” she said.
That's funny. But see…
1. Ole girl was BOLD AF for walking up on him with his OBVIOUS girl right there.
These hoes got nerves.
ALSO…
— QuaBaè Ratatouille (@T_dot_Lee_PhD) February 22, 2017
Moreover, Smith is not concerned about the drama as long as it brings more attention and funds to the Nigerian Student Association at UH.
“I helped a great cause in the end and got mass attention for my institution,” she added.
And no, she did not exchange words with Boot Bae or Boot Bae’s bae at the event.
But only two other issues remain: 1) Where is everyone getting these fly-ass, over-the-knee boots?
for everyone else dying over #bootbae's incredible boots, they're currently on sale https://t.co/L0TnyoOJKr pic.twitter.com/KjOmWBYqSu
— (((JuliaReinstein))) (@juliareinstein) February 23, 2017
And where are the baes for everyone else? 🙁
There's been #SaltBae, #HurtBae, #StrandedBae, and #BootBae, but I still have #NoBae. pic.twitter.com/l3dsufW9jB
— Kristine Slade (@CallMeSlade) February 23, 2017