Going to prom is supposed to be one of the most memorable nights of high school. After months of planning, many students have extremely high anticipations, hoping to feel like movie stars for just one evening. But even when they get all they wished for — extravagant gowns, over-the-top rides, sweat-filled dances, and wild after-parties — some things are bound to go wrong.
In honor of prom season, Jimmy Fallon asked his audience to participate in yet another challenge. "It's Hashtags time! Tweet out a funny or weird story about your prom and tag it with #PromFail," he wrote and triggered an avalanche of painfully relatable tales from people’s teenage years.
From hilarious wardrobe mishaps to hair catching on fire, we at Bored Panda have selected some of the best tweets from this thread. So buckle up, scroll down, and share how ridiculous your prom experience was in the comment section below! And after you’re done reading this post, be sure to check out some funny responses to Fallon’s recent challenges on #NanaQuotes, #MyHighSchoolWasWeird, and #WorstGiftEver.
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For most, the iconic high school dance is one of the most unforgettable moments of the entire school year. Prom-goers shiver from anticipation and hope to leave with some of the best memories from teenage life. But if you look back to that crazy night and cringe with nostalgic discomfort or think back on your wardrobe choices with a bit of a shudder, you're definitely not alone.
So this recent challenge on The Tonight Show was all about the funniest and weirdest #PromFail moments. Jimmy Fallon kicked off the thread himself by tweeting: "My friend ripped his tuxedo and spent the night crying because he thought Men’s Wearhouse was going to sue him." But it seems that people on the Twittersphere have had it way worse. I mean, we’re talking about being named the "condiment couple" or being crowned as the Prom Queen yet having to slow dance with the King who turns out to be your twin brother. Pretty odd, right?
My date was best friend’s with my sisters so we double dated because she wanted to go with this guy. Later she married my date. Not a fail. Just funny.
After all, prom is notorious for being the perfect ground for things to go terribly wrong. We all remember how hard our own teenage years were, so just imagine having a school full of overly excited youth — there’s bound to be no shortage of mortifying moments. Moreover, they sometimes expect too much from this celebration and often label it as the most important night of their young lives, something that’s hard to live up to.
Is it just me, or is the lad on the left oddly reminiscent of the son in Modern Family?
According to columnist Claire Suddath, the word prom is short for promenade — the formal, introductory parading of guests at a party. The prom can be dated back to the simple banquets that happened in the 19th-century American universities to celebrate each year's graduating class.
"A growing teenage culture pushed proms younger and younger, and by the 1940s, the adolescent dance we know today had almost entirely taken hold," Suddath added. With time, every generation continues to improve and change our society, and that in turn leads to proms becoming more eccentric each year. As customs change, we see an increasing amount of extravagant limousines, creative themes, colorful wardrobes, and teens trying to make this celebration represent what they believe in.
As you’re scrolling through this list, you’ll notice that no one is immune to occasional slip-ups on this big night. Some teens feel extremely worried about this iconic dance and may fear creating situations that would be the perfect material for the next #PromFail challenge. To avoid that, parents can also help out their children with handling the many stresses and challenges.
Amber Olson, a licensed clinical social worker, explained that parents can play an important role in how teens experience their prom. "Ask your teen about what they want from their prom experience and then help shape healthy expectations for the evening," she suggested.
That includes considering several elements your child might be slightly obsessing about. For example, you could set a realistic budget for the apparel and the extravagant "promposals". Or discuss your teen's feelings about their potential date or the celebration in general. You could also sit down and have a chat about unhealthy diets or extreme workouts your teen may do to lose some weight. "These short-term gains can lay the groundwork for long-term unhealthy eating habits and poor body image," Olson said.
"Role model for your teen the importance of being present in the moment and encourage them to stay mindful as they take in all the details of the evening," she added.
and his tux stayed together? Can't even take a big step in some jeans before rrrriiipppp! Lol
Well, yes. I assume that’s why she won prom queen in the first place.
My first prom my date tried to kiss me as he was driving a Cadillac at 60 mph down a very dark, very empty middle of nowhere road in a narrow valley at 2:30 in the morning. Ended up going off a steep embankment Luke Duke style. He climbs up without me, I'm hurt but don't know how bad yet because adrenaline, y'know. Get halfway up in a floor length sequined gown and bare feet ( had to remove 4" stilettos) in briars waist high. Of course I fall and roll back down. Finally get to the top. It's another hour+ until a car comes by. Home is closer than hospital, so we go there. Call his mom, she comes to get him. I'm getting out of my dress and pain shoots down my entire spine. Go to ER and get to spend the next 6 months in a neck brace and I still have migraines from my injury today. This was in 1993 so, good times, yep!🙄
You’d think all the karate would mean he has a decent sense of balance.
waitwaitwaitwait he DIED like dead and nobody's talking about this
I was born in the 80’s and for some reason I loathe most fashion from that decade. My mum has the same thing about the 50’s, the era I love most…
I can understand punishing your kids if they do something wrong, but unless it was an absolute COLOSSAL f*ck up, I would never ground my kid from a once(or twice)-in-a-lifetime event like prom that you just can't get back. Also when their date and/or friends have put out money for an event it isn't fair to punish them too. Come up with another punishment!
Reap what you sow. It’s so empathetic to be considered the “other guy”
I just got an idea for a new show... cross between Pimp my Ride and Sweet 16... Pimp my Swee... uhhh, nvm
I'm guessing it would've been different if it was "Cruise" by Conflict. However, the square dancing would've been funny as hell. Though, I'm not an expert, but I never heard of square dancing at a prom before.
But grenadine is made with cherries...I wouldn't have assumed there was pomegranate juice in that punch.
I'm not sure how the name of the venue beats some of the stories above!
Same. I had no desire to get all dressed up with no date just to see all the people who had bullied me and made me the outcast since elementary school. Plus, tickets were too expensive. My dad didn't understand why I didn't want to go to the point where he had me pulled out of class and into my counselor's office because he thought something was wrong with me.
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My prom date was a freshman I asked to go with me because I needed to have a date to go. I was the outcast ugly girl. His dad picked us up in a camero. I had to squeeze into the back seat. He didn't get out of the car. Then we got there an he had a booger hanging out of his nose and I had to tell him to go clean that up. After we ate he didn't want to do anything so we had his parents drive us to the mall to see rocky horror where all my older weird friends were. Mind you we are in prom clothes. (1987 if that matters) after the movie we all get to a mcds an have a late snack. I called for a ride home from my mom who didn't mind. At least I was out being social. That was it. He didn't pay back the ticket. He didn't do anything but have a booger in his nose and get a free meal and movie. I hate Cameros to this day.
I dated a guy in the 80s, he was pretty cool. I asked him to my prom, he said yes. He waited until we were there to tell me he was in love with someone else. Someone else also had the same first name as me. So much for romance.
Same. I had no desire to get all dressed up with no date just to see all the people who had bullied me and made me the outcast since elementary school. Plus, tickets were too expensive. My dad didn't understand why I didn't want to go to the point where he had me pulled out of class and into my counselor's office because he thought something was wrong with me.
Load More Replies... My prom date was a freshman I asked to go with me because I needed to have a date to go. I was the outcast ugly girl. His dad picked us up in a camero. I had to squeeze into the back seat. He didn't get out of the car. Then we got there an he had a booger hanging out of his nose and I had to tell him to go clean that up. After we ate he didn't want to do anything so we had his parents drive us to the mall to see rocky horror where all my older weird friends were. Mind you we are in prom clothes. (1987 if that matters) after the movie we all get to a mcds an have a late snack. I called for a ride home from my mom who didn't mind. At least I was out being social. That was it. He didn't pay back the ticket. He didn't do anything but have a booger in his nose and get a free meal and movie. I hate Cameros to this day.
I dated a guy in the 80s, he was pretty cool. I asked him to my prom, he said yes. He waited until we were there to tell me he was in love with someone else. Someone else also had the same first name as me. So much for romance.
