Distracted Boyfriend
The 2015 stock photo turned object-labeling meme — a man glances at another woman while his girlfriend looks shocked.
An object-labeling template: the boyfriend is whoever is tempted, the girlfriend is the current commitment, and the woman in red is the distraction. Used for everything from politics to tech preferences to personal vices.
History
Photographed in Girona, Spain in mid-2015 by Antonio Guillem for a stock series about playful 'infidelity.' First meme uses appeared in early 2017; labeled versions (including a capitalism/socialism joke) exploded on Twitter in August 2017. It won Best Meme of 2017 at the Shorty Awards.
Cultural scores
Editorial estimates of cultural weight — Current Popularity tracks how much people are posting about this now, not historical fame.
Current Popularity = how actively people are posting about this today. Influence = lasting footprint. Cringe = online reception. Brainrot = absurdist energy. Scores last reviewed 2026-07-25. How scoring works
Timeline
2015
Antonio Guillem shoots the stock photo in Girona with models 'Mario' and 'Laura'
Jan 2017
Early meme use in a Turkish progressive-rock Facebook group
Aug 2017
Labeled versions explode on Twitter — meme goes mainstream
Apr 2018
Wins Best Meme of 2017 at the Shorty Awards
2018+
Spin-offs include historical painting comparisons and other stock-photo sequels
Examples
- “Boyfriend: me · Girlfriend: my responsibilities · Woman in red: sleeping in.”
- “That meme where the guy looks at the other woman? That's me every time I open TikTok.”
- “Did you know Distracted Boyfriend won Best Meme at the 2017 Shorty Awards?”
Media
18th-century painting frequently compared online as a historical 'distracted boyfriend' composition — supporting context only.
Related entries
Culturally linked — not random recommendations.
Expanding Brain
MemeThe multi-panel 'galaxy brain' template ranking ideas from basic to absurdly enlightened as the brain lights up.
Surprised Pikachu
MemeThe wide-eyed Pikachu reaction face used when an obvious consequence somehow still shocks someone.
Drake Hotline Bling / Drakeposting
MemeThe Hotline Bling music-video stills that became the internet's default yes/no preference template — better known as Drakeposting.
Yanny vs Laurel
EventThe May 2018 audio clip that split the internet — half heard 'Yanny,' half heard 'Laurel' — a viral perceptual illusion.
Side Eyeing Chloe
MemeThe concerned side-eye toddler — Side Eye Chloe — Photoshop's default 'I heard that' face.
Epic Handshake
MemeThe Predator arm-wrestling handshake — labeled so two unlikely groups agree on one specific thing.
References
Sources behind this entry. Prefer primary reporting and established culture archives over rumor.
- Distracted boyfriend meme — Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org