Ice Bucket Challenge 2025: Why has the viral Ice Bucket Challenge come back, explained

If you were on social media 11 years ago, you’ll remember the teeth-chattering trend that took over the internet and saw millions pour buckets of iced water over their heads.

Some big names even got in on the action, with the likes of Bill Gates, Justin Bieber, Oprah and Taylor Swift taking on the challenge to raise funds and awareness for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) research.

Now, more than a decade on, the challenge is back. 

The return has sparked feelings of nostalgia for many, as creators douse themselves in freezing water once again – but this time, for a completely different reason.

Read on to learn refresh your memory on the Ice Bucket Challenge and why it’s back more than a decade later.

Watch the video above.

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What was the original Ice Bucket Challenge?

The Ice Bucket Challenge took the social media world by storm in 2014.

The challenge encouraged individuals to face discomfort by pouring a bucket of iced water over themselves, or have it poured onto them by someone else.

Individuals filmed themselves being doused in the freezing cold water before posting it to social media to raise awareness and funds for ALS research.

Once they’d taken on the challenge themselves, participants would then nominate others to take on the challenge.

The general premise was that the nominees had 24 hours to complete the challenge or forfeit with a charitable donation.

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Who originally started the Ice Bucket Challenge?

Cold water challenges have been around for years for different charities, but the Ice Bucket Challenge we remember from 2014 began when professional golfer Chris Kennedy dumped a bucket of ice water on his head in honour of a relative who was living with ALS.

Kennedy went on to challenge others in his circle to take on the challenge and it snowballed.

It soon came into the hands of two men living with ALS – Pat Quinn and Pete Frates. The pair were determined to spread the Challenge as far and wide as possible to raise awareness and funds for ALS.

And that they did.

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Which celebrities took part in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge?

As the challenge boomed, countless celebrities got onboard.

Chris Pratt, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez and Justin Timberlake were among the many to take part.

Bill Gates went so far as to build a contraption with a pully to complete the challenge while Oprah’s reaction to the freezing trend was priceless.

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As the celebrities nominated more and more fellow celebs, the challenge blew up into a global phenomenon.

How much money did the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge raise?

According to the ALS Association, more than 17 million people around the world took on the challenge raising $115 million for the cause and much needed awareness of the disease.

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Why has the Ice Bucket Challenge come back in 2025?

In recent weeks, the challenge has been circling online again but this time for a different important cause.

It has been reimagined by students involved in the University of South Carolina’s Mental Illness Needs Discussion Club, or MIND, for mental health awareness.

The student club has partnered with mental health charity Active Minds to relaunch the challenge as the #SpeakYourMIND Ice Bucket Challenge.

The challenge aims to spread mental health awareness, encourage reaching out for help and raise money for the mental health charity.

How much has the challenge raised so far?

So far it seems to be working.

The challenge launched in late March and has since surpassed it’s initial fundraising goal of $250,000. The challenge has so far raised over $300,000.

Who has joined in on the #SpeakyourMIND Ice Bucket Challenge?

Like it did last time, the challenge has began circling around social media.

So far the challenge has been taken on by several high-profile social media creators including Hayley Kalill (@hayleyybaylee), James Charles, Mr Beast, Cassie of @cassiesbooktok and Brooke Monk each of whom boast millions of followers.

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“I have been nominated to do the Ice Bucket Challenge, and if you don’t know what that is it originally went viral to raise awareness for ALS which still does not have a cure,” Bayley explained as she introduced her challenge video.

“But this time around, it is the USC Speak Your Mind challenge which raises awareness for mental health and all those struggling with mental health.”

As creators continue to nominate other participants the challenge will grow so we are yet to see just how big it could get. 

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