Star Posting, also known as 'The Just Kidding Star,' is a viral internet aesthetic that juxtaposes a bright, cheerful, often glittery star graphic—frequently inspired by the Super Mario Invincibility Star—with captions that are unexpectedly dark, cynical, or brutally honest. This trend originated in 'sparkle-posting' circles on platforms like Tumblr and Twitter, where users utilized the contrast between the adorable, nostalgic imagery and the harshness of the text to convey irony or suppressed frustration. The meme typically features a bold statement of distress or a controversial opinion, followed by a playful 'just kidding' or 'lol' that hints at the user's underlying seriousness. It has become a staple for conveying social anxiety, academic stress, and modern nihilism through a colorful, retro lens.