The 'Celebrities Complaining About Quarantine' meme emerged during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic as a sharp critique of the disconnect between the wealthy and the general public. It gained traction after several high-profile stars posted videos from their expansive estates expressing distress over social distancing, notably Ellen DeGeneres comparing her mansion to a prison and Sam Smith posting photos of a 'breakdown.' The meme is used to satirize tone-deafness and the disparity in living conditions during global crises. It often features screenshots of these posts juxtaposed with images of cramped apartments or essential workers, serving as a pillar of internet culture that mocks performative celebrity struggle.