Kim Kardashian's most recent music video for "Santa Baby" has elevated the tradition of Christmas surprises to a whole new level with the Macaulay cameo (jumpscare).
Macaulay Culkin plays Santa Claus in the music video, which was released right before Christmas. Yes, to the delight (and perplexity) of his fans, the Home Alone star has replaced his child-star persona with a Santa outfit.
The film, which was directed by an avant-garde pair, is a modern take on the holiday classic, complete with slick graphics, a high-end Santa, and Kardashian's seductive vocals. Although Kim's performance was the highlight, Culkin's final appearance was what really made the internet buzz.
Culkin's portrayal of St. Nick, complete with his trademark quirky charm and a shabby Santa costume, left viewers feeling a little... confused. As fans attempted to comprehend the surprising casting decision, the question, "Wait, is that really Macaulay Culkin?" reverberated over social media.
Humorously, one Twitter user summed it up:
"Does Macaulay Culkin look like Joe Dirt?"
In an instant, memes, jokes, and many replies took the internet by storm.
Fans react to Macaulay Culkin’s Santa Claus cameo in Kim Kardhashian's new music video
Naturally, Twitter exploded after the release of the video. The main conversation? Whether or not Macaulay Culkin bears an uncanny resemblance to Joe Dirt—David Spade’s iconic (and scruffy) movie character. The tweet asking this question quickly became a meme in itself, with users riffing on Culkin’s rugged appearance in the video.
One fan exclaimed,
“Is that @IncredibleCulk at the end?? What did I just watch?? 😳,” mirroring the widespread confusion and curiosity.
Another viewer chimed in,
"I was so disturbed I didn’t even notice or care, but yeah wow who knew,"
Highlighting the bizarre yet intriguing experience. If the goal was to make viewers do a double take, the video clearly succeeded.
Some fans found Culkin’s Santa unexpectedly charming, with one tweet declaring,
“He can get it.”
Meanwhile, others weren’t so sure, joking,
“They both kinda look stinky,” referring to the Joe Dirt comparison.
The reactions weren’t just limited to Culkin’s appearance—some praised the video as a whole for its creative direction. One user boldly stated,
“This video is better than Fortnite, and I’m saying it as head Swiftie.”
Another, however, admitted they couldn’t handle the weirdness, saying,
“Oh, I didn’t make it that far 😭😭🤣🤣🤣🤣.”
Clearly, the MV evoked strong opinions, and whether viewers loved it or found it downright odd, it’s safe to say it made an impact.
The surprising partnership and history
Although Kim Kardashian and Macaulay Culkin's partnership was unexpected, there's a rationale for the craziness. Travis Barker produced the "Santa Baby" rendition, which gave the beloved Christmas song a rock twist.
The music video, which was directed by two up-and-coming movie stars, sought to combine high couture with oddball, unexpected elements, which is why Culkin appeared.
Culkin, who was well-known for his erratic performances and quirky public character, was the ideal option to give Santa Claus a unique advantage.
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Kardashian's choice to do a music video like this also signals a change in focus for her holiday endeavors. Everyone was taken by surprise when the season switched from fashion or reality TV to music, complete with an appearance from a well-known kid star.
However, the Kardashian empire is renowned for its ability to generate conversation, and this video undoubtedly succeeded in doing so.
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