Celebrate Grandparents Day with Badass Twitter Granny Baddie Winkle
In honor of Grandparents Day (and because Tom Hiddleston’s people told me stop calling them and asking if Tom will do a “hot tub” interview with me) we bring you an interview with Baddie Winkle, beloved badass Twitter granny.
You all know her as the 86-year-old 420-friendly, zero fucks-giving, dancing, Gucci down to the socks grandmother, proudly proclaiming she’s been “stealing your man since 1928” on Twitter. Jezebel life coach Baddie Winkle is the grandmother you always wanted but were secretly afraid might sneak into your room while you were sleeping, steal your car keys and take a joy ride to Tijuana at 4 a.m. with your boyfriend. For those of you who might be concerned, Baddie personally promised me she would not steal my man during our interview (WHEW).
The story of how Twitter user Baddie Winkle became an Internet sensation is the stuff of legend (MOVE OVER, PAUL BUNYON AND TAKE YOUR OX WITH YOU). Baddie’s granddaughter was in the process of relocating for a new job and didn’t want to leave her teenage daughter alone. So Baddie (who has asked that we not use her real name) volunteered to stay with her for a few days.
Somewhere during that time, Baddie tried on a few of her teenage great-granddaughter’s clothes (including a pair of cutoff shorts). And the rest is pretty much meme-able Internet history.
“I didn’t have anything else to do that day,” she said. “It was kind of warm, she had some cutoffs to cool off.” Yeah, when I’m bored I try on relative’s clothes. Don’t we all? (“So this is what it’s like to dress like my aunt. Huh.”) When her great-granddaughter saw Baddie’s new look, her first thought was to take a picture and get share it with the world. That girl is a goddamn American hero.