The Snapchat Gender Change Filter became a global phenomenon in 2019 when the app introduced remarkably realistic augmented reality lenses. These filters allowed users to see a convincingly masculine or feminine version of themselves, sparking a massive wave of internet humor. Users began 'catfishing' their friends on dating apps, comparing their filtered faces to celebrities, or joking about how they would definitely date their own opposite-gender version. The meme's popularity stems from the surprisingly high quality of the AI transformation, providing a level of realism that made the 'before and after' comparisons both fascinating and hilarious. It remains a staple template for any joke involving dramatic personal transformations or hidden alter egos.