You’ve seen the clip. You’ve probably seen the meme too. It’s that specific, almost indescribable moment where a performer—usually a woman—just transcends the script. People keep saying "she got whatever it is," and honestly, it’s the most accurate way to describe that lightning-in-a-bottle energy that turns a regular celebrity into a cultural titan.
It isn't just about talent. Talent is everywhere.
We’re talking about that specific "It Factor" that brands, directors, and fans spend billions trying to bottle. When people say she got whatever it is, they are usually referring to a cocktail of charisma, timing, and a very specific type of authenticity that feels rare in a world of filtered Instagram feeds and rehearsed PR statements. It's the reason why some people can walk into a room and the air just changes.
What Does It Actually Mean?
There’s no scientific formula for this. Seriously. If there were, every studio executive in Hollywood would be out of a job because they’d just run an algorithm to find the next big thing.
The phrase "It" was popularized way back in the 1920s by Clara Bow, the original "It Girl." But in 2026, the definition has shifted. It’s no longer just about being pretty or charming. Today, when we say she got whatever it is, we’re usually talking about a person’s ability to be meme-able, relatable, and untouchable all at once. Think about the way Ayo Edebiri or Sabrina Carpenter navigate fame. They don’t feel like they’re reading from a teleprompter. They feel like the smartest person at the party who is also somehow your best friend.
It's a vibe.
Psychologists often point to "charismatic signaling." This isn't just about what you say, but how you move, the micro-expressions you make, and how comfortable you are in your own skin. When a star has this, the audience feels a parasocial connection that is incredibly hard to break. It's why fans will defend their favorite artist to the death over a minor Twitter drama. They aren't just defending a singer; they're defending the feeling that person gives them.
The Chemistry of "It"
Why does it happen to some and not others? You can have the best vocal range in the world and still feel "flat" on stage.
Take the recent rise of several breakout stars in the indie film scene. They aren't necessarily "traditionally" polished. In fact, many of them are kinda awkward. But that awkwardness is exactly why she got whatever it is. In a landscape of over-processed AI-generated content, humans are hungry for something that feels slightly broken, slightly chaotic, and entirely real.
The "whatever it is" usually involves three core pillars:
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- Self-Possession: The person doesn't look like they are seeking your approval. This is the big one.
- Predictable Unpredictability: You know they’ll be great, but you don't know exactly what they’ll do next.
- The "Glance": It's that moment in a performance or interview where they look at the camera and you feel like they’re looking at you.
Cultural critics like Camille Paglia or even modern essayists often talk about the "daemonic" quality of great performers. It’s an ancient concept—this idea that some people are possessed by a creative spirit that makes them more "alive" than the rest of us. Whether you believe in the spiritual side or not, you can't deny the physical reaction. Your pupils dilate. Your heart rate increases. You stop scrolling.
Why Social Media Changes the Game
In the past, the industry gatekeepers decided who got to have "It."
Now? The algorithm decides. But the algorithm is just a mirror of us. When a clip goes viral because she got whatever it is, it’s usually because of a raw, unscripted moment. It’s the "Hot Ones" interview where a celebrity starts crying from spicy wings and suddenly becomes the most likable person on earth. It’s the behind-the-scenes footage that wasn't supposed to be shared.
We are living in an era of "The Unpolished."
Look at the way Chappell Roan exploded. It wasn't just the music; it was the drag-inspired, high-concept, totally unapologetic "don't give a damn" attitude. People saw her and immediately knew. It wasn't a slow burn. It was an explosion. That’s the hallmark of this phenomenon. It’s instant. It’s undeniable.
The Backlash Factor
Of course, once everyone agrees that she got whatever it is, the clock starts ticking.
Overexposure is the biggest threat to "It." Once someone is everywhere—on every bus stop, every pre-roll ad, every late-night talk show—the mystery starts to evaporate. To keep "It," you have to know when to disappear. You have to stay a little bit out of reach.
Greta Garbo knew this. Beyoncé knows this.
The moment you become too accessible, you become "content" instead of a "star." There is a massive difference between the two. Content is something you consume and discard. A star is someone you follow into the dark.
How to Spot "It" Early
If you want to be ahead of the curve, stop looking at talent and start looking at reactions.
Don't look at the person on stage; look at the audience. Are they filming on their phones, or are they standing there with their mouths open, forgetting to record? That’s the tell. Real charisma makes you forget your phone exists. It pulls you into the present moment so violently that the digital world disappears.
Experts in body language often talk about "high-status cues." This doesn't mean acting like royalty. It means taking up space. It means not fidgeting. It means holding eye contact just a second longer than is comfortable. When you see a newcomer doing this naturally, without a coach, you’re looking at the next person people will say she got whatever it is about.
Actionable Insights for the Curious
If you’re trying to understand this phenomenon or even apply a bit of it to your own life (professionally or socially), here is the reality of how it works in the real world.
- Audit your authenticity. People can smell a performance from a mile away. If you’re trying to "act" charismatic, you’ve already lost. The goal is to strip away the filters, not add more.
- Watch the greats without the sound. If you want to see why she got whatever it is, watch a performance or an interview on mute. Watch the movements. The way they occupy the frame. If they’re still captivating without words, that’s the "It" factor in its purest form.
- Embrace the flaws. The most magnetic people usually have a "signature flaw." A weird laugh, a gap in their teeth, an unusual way of phrasing things. Don't hide the things that make you "weird"; lean into them.
- Study "Presence." Read The Charisma Myth by Olivia Fox Cabane. She breaks down the science of how to project presence, power, and warmth—the three ingredients that make people think you have that mysterious "whatever."
- Understand the "gap." Greatness lives in the gap between what people expect and what you give them. If you’re predictable, you’re replaceable.
The next time you see a clip and you think to yourself, she got whatever it is, take a second to analyze why. Is it the way she laughed off a mistake? Is it the way she looked at the interviewer? Usually, it’s the fact that she’s totally, 100% present in a world that is constantly trying to be somewhere else.