In a cultural shift that no one asked for, a growing faction of self-proclaimed INCELs (involuntary celibates) has adopted Kelly Clarkson’s 2009 pop hit "I Do Not Hook Up" as their unofficial anthem of defiant celibacy.

The reclamation began on Reddit’s r/UnwantedKings, where user CelibateAndThrive93 posted a meme of Clarkson’s album cover alongside the caption: “She gets it. No hookups. Just dignity. This is our fight song.” The post quickly went viral within the community, sparking a weeklong discussion dissecting the lyrics of the song as a “powerful rebuke of hookup culture” and an “unintentional rallying cry for those living the Sigma grindset.”

“Kelly Clarkson is basically the patron saint of voluntary celibacy now,” said Reddit user JustHonor, who recently created a 14-minute YouTube video titled Clarkson Was Right: Why Hookups Are For Betas. “When she says, ‘I’ll go slow, so you can handle me,’ she’s rejecting modern society’s expectation of instant gratification. That’s INCEL 101, man.”

Despite the song’s original context of seeking meaningful love rather than endorsing a lifestyle of rejection and internet forums, INCELs insist Clarkson’s message aligns with their worldview. Many have even begun organizing “Clarkson Listening Circles” on Discord, where they reflect on the lyrics while simultaneously vowing to “level up” in preparation for a future where they’ll be respected by women “on their own terms.”

Critics, however, have noted the irony of the movement’s adoption of a pop song performed by a strong, self-assured woman. “Kelly Clarkson, a successful artist and feminist, would probably be horrified by this co-opting of her work,” said Dr. Lena Hathaway, a sociologist specializing in internet subcultures. “Also, did they just completely skip over the part of the song where she’s clearly flirting?”

When reached for comment, Clarkson’s representatives issued a brief statement: “Kelly appreciates her fans’ enthusiasm but politely asks everyone to just... not with this shit for once.”

Meanwhile, members of the INCEL community are doubling down on their musical movement, suggesting that the next step is to reclaim other misunderstood hits like Beyoncé’s "Single Ladies" and Britney Spears’ "Toxic"—songs they’ve interpreted as secretly warning against the dangers of female autonomy.

“It’s not just a song anymore,” Thrive93 explained in a follow-up post. “It’s a lifestyle. Also, has anyone else noticed how the Stronger video low-key feels like an ad for home gyms?”

Sources confirm Clarkson is currently Googling how to block Reddit from her search results.

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