The Crying Evan Hansen meme features a highly emotional still of actor Ben Platt from the 2021 film adaptation of the Tony-winning Broadway musical, 'Dear Evan Hansen.' Upon the release of the film's trailer, the image quickly went viral due to Platt's intense facial expression and the widespread internet discourse surrounding his casting as a high school student despite being significantly older. The meme is primarily used to represent extreme, often performative or overwhelming sadness in response to relatively minor life problems. Its popularity lies in the blend of genuine theatrical emotion and the internet's penchant for 'cringe' humor, making it a go-to template for depicting relatable meltdowns, awkward social situations, or over-the-top reactions.