The Wiggles face backlash after viral TikTok shows characters dancing to song about drugs

A viral TikTok involving The Wiggles has sparked criticism from parents and child-safety experts after an edited clip appeared to show the group’s characters dancing to a song referencing ecstasy.

The video, posted to musician Keli Holiday’s account, was removed on Friday, November 28, but not before it was viewed more than 92,000 times. Holiday, also known as Peking Duk member Adam Hyde, shared footage that cut between him dancing in a towel and The Wiggles’ Blue Wiggle Anthony Field doing the iconic “Wiggle Finger.”

The clip was set to Holiday’s track Ecstasy, which includes the lyric: “You and your pocket full of ecstasy.” As first reported by The West Australian, the group said the video was edited and uploaded without their knowledge.

It’s important to note, there are several videos circulating of Holiday’s live performance of ‘Dancing2’ during the TikTok Awards. These videos include the Blue Wiggle appearing on stage playing a bagpipe. However, these are not the edited dancing videos in question.

The Wiggles respond to controversial TikTok

In a statement, a spokeswoman for The Wiggles said they “do not support or condone the use of drugs in any form” and clarified the clip was created independently.

“The content being shared was not created or approved by us, and we have asked for it to be removed,” the group said, adding that their original performance at the TikTok Awards was family-friendly.

Child psychologists reacted strongly to the viral edit. Dr Michael Carr-Gregg called the video “disturbing” and warned that associating beloved children’s characters with drug-related lyrics could send “a confusing and potentially dangerous message.”

Psychologist Clare Rowe shared similar concerns, saying the clip risked eroding parents’ trust in a brand known for its wholesome image.

Holiday has not publicly commented on the clip. The controversy comes as Australia prepares for new laws restricting social media use for children under 16.