10 Things Doja Cat's 'Worm' Costume Looked Like at the 2021 VMAs

tempting the internet's meme machine. Her so-called “worm” look nearly overshadowed her “Best Collaboration” VMA win for her song “Kiss Me More” with SZA, and it certainly eclipsed her equally bonkers looks of the evening, including a chair headpiece and chicken-feet shoes.

The psychedelic yellow-and-blue tiered ensemble will go down in history as one of Doja's most memorable, if only because of its uncanny similarity to a startling array of fictional characters and inanimate objects.

“I never thought I'd be dressed as a worm accepting an award,” the singer said, and we must admit, Doja, neither did we. Below, 10 things the “Say So” singer looked like as she accepted her shiny silver moonperson.

1) The Alaskan Bull Worm from Spongebob Squarepants

We give this comparison a 6/10, if only because the notorious bull worm is a Spongebob antagonist, and we're afraid of making it angry.

2) Mr. Electricidad from The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl

When peering into Doja Cat's big blinking eyes, some saw George Lopez's impossible-to-forget turn as villain Mr. Electricidad/Mr. Electric in 2005's The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl, an ostensibly for-children acid trip.

3) A Playskool Glow Worm

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why tf is doja cat a playskool glow worm pic.twitter.com/x8OA27L6FR

— Shane Creamer (@VZRSportsBelle) September 13, 2021

Honestly, we see it.

4) Heimlich from A Bug's Life

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Doja Cat wasn’t lying when she said she looked like a worm #VMAspic.twitter.com/M0tZd7Keyx

— JushForFans (@jush_for_fun) September 13, 2021

“I'm a beautiful butterfly!” cried the caterpillar Heimlich in the 1998 Disney-Pixar film A Bug's Life. Doja certainly jives with that aspirational energy.

5) Lady Gaga at the 2013 VMAs

Kevin MazurGetty Images

Comparing anyone's VMA fashion to Lady Gaga's is a bold choice, but, sure, the face-framing similarities are a little striking.

6) A water bear

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She actually said she looks like a worm. Help ksjskskks? Personally I feel she looks like a tardigrade (as given below). No offense meant Doja, ily! ? pic.twitter.com/z0L9sJko4Q

— Amruta⁷ ?? (@moonchild_38) September 13, 2021

The scientific term is tardigrade, but “water bear” is considerably less nightmarish.

7) The caterpillar from Alice in Wonderland

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Doja Cat was like I wanna be the Catepillar from Alice in Wonderland. Stylist...say no more. #VMAspic.twitter.com/g7qUinAPWv

— Outdoorsy Diva (@Outdoorsy_Diva) September 13, 2021

Another caterpillar—this one less cute and cuddly than Heimlich. Not inaccurate, though.

8) A croissant

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love you doja but it kinda looks like a croissant pic.twitter.com/H3uJEmQRqh

— ☮︎ (@dykwyas) September 13, 2021

Croissants count as a snack, right? If so, we'll endorse this comparison.

9) The sun baby from Teletubbies

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Who would argue this eternally happy baby doesn't deserve a spot next to Doja's in infamy?

10) A chindi rug

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It was really sweet of Doja Cat to pay homage to my great grandmother's sunroom rug. #VMAspic.twitter.com/ch9t268KX4

— Small Screen Girl (@KiraJW) September 13, 2021

Doja's costume would probably make a chic throwback accessory in a ’70s remodel. Throw it down next to a refurbished credenza, and you'll make a killing on Facebook Marketplace.

Lauren Puckett-PopeAssociate EditorLauren Puckett-Pope is an associate editor at ELLE, where she covers news and culture.

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