I am cockroach girl. At least that’s what I’m known as on the Internet.
This past Halloween, I posted what I thought was a harmless video on Vine. Within a few weeks, it spread like wildfire to every corner of the Internet, including Reddit, theCHIVE, WorldstarHipHop, Tumblr (thanks, Tyler Oakley) and countless Facebook pages.
In this Vine video, I stare at the camera for a few seconds before opening my mouth to reveal a cockroach inside.
Before you jump to the conclusion that I’m gross, let me explain myself. You’ll probably still think I’m gross but maybe a tiny bit less gross.
I definitely did not put a wild, microbe-ridden cockroach in my mouth. My mom (an entomologist) raises Madagascar hissing cockroaches. Madagascar cockroaches are relatively clean. As pets, they live in a glass tank and eat fruits and vegetables. Also, before I put the cockroach in my mouth, I let him walk over some rubbing alcohol to disinfect his feet.
I know what you’re thinking: “Wow, this girl is the bravest, coolest, most badass person I’ve ever had the honor of sharing a campus with.”
Astonishingly, the people of the Internet don’t seem to agree.
The most common comments include things along the lines of “I hate white people,” “This girl needs Jesus” and “What else would she put in her mouth?” I also received regular suggestions to commit suicide, which quickly grew irritating.
After reading through thousands of these incredibly clever, well-thought-out comments, I came across one in particular that really struck a chord with me. It was one of the most poetic, articulate pieces of writing I have ever read.
“THIS FUCKING TRIFLING ASS BITCH NEEDS THE DEVIL TAKEN OUT OF HER. THAT WAS SOME DEMONIC SHIT. BITCH I WILL SLAP THE HELL OUT OF YOU IF I EVER SEE YOU BITCH. YOU JUST RUINED MY FUCKING LIFE,” wrote Vine user Jasmine Clawson.
Hopefully this raving review has piqued your interest.
If you think your stomach and phone can handle it (some people have told me they threw their phones and cracked the screen), you can find the video on my Vine (username Bella Palopoli) or google “cockroach girl vine” and it’ll be sure to pop up.
Annabella Palopoli can be reached at annabella.palopoli@theminaretonline.com