In February 2021, a war between millennials and Gen Z erupted on TikTok. Disagreements started off small, with users debating between middle parts versus side parts and skinny jeans versus baggy jeans. However, after uploading her now infamous song on TikTok titled “GenZ You Can Suck It,” entertainer Sarah Hester Ross definitely added fuel to the growingly heated debate between millennials and Gen Z. The debate grew even more after Ross’s TikTok was re-uploaded onto Twitter.
The video went viral and spawned a slew of debates. Was the undoubtedly cringey song an overdramatic response to young people and their dislike for interests held by the previous generation, or an accurate one? That said, what about the zillennials — the in-betweeners who are too young to be considered zillennials but too old to be Gen Z? I decided to explore this growing topic surrounding these cuspers by interviewing women of all three generations and asking if zillennials truly have the best of both worlds.
The Generations War and Zillennial FOMO
The generations war is nothing new. It is a normal part of the generational cycle for the newer generation and previous generation to have disagreements on various ideals, specifically those related to pop culture, fashion, and politics. Per the Pew Research Center, millennials are categorized as those born between 1981 and 1996. They are defined by their ability to remember world events like 9/11, having a “late” start to adulthood due to the 2008 recession, and making the Harry Potter series their entire personality. This generation were also early adopters of technology and helped Gen X transition to the digital world. Shows that best encapsulate the millennial experience are New Girl (2011), Broad City (2014), and Insecure (2016).
Gen Z, on the other hand, are classified as those born from 1997 to 2012. They are considered to be the most diverse generation thus far, with minorities comprising about half of this generation. They value community and increased interest in social justice initiatives compared to millennials. Gen Z’s are considered to be the tech and social media generation due to practically being born already knowing how to use a laptop/iPad (I’ve personally seen this with my now 12-year-old cousin). Shows that best encapsulate the Gen Z experience are Never Have I Ever (2020), The Sex Lives of College Girls (2021), and Saved By the Bell (2020).
As for zillennials, they are the bridge between Gen Z and millennials, generally believed to be born between 1994-1998. While there’s limited academic studies available exploring this microgeneration, market research proposes that zillennials are a unique generation. Over half are fully employed, financially frugal (to an extent), and heavily active on social media, gaming, and streaming platforms. They share some of the ideals of millennials and Gen Z, but have a worldview “not quite like either.” For instance, many zillennials grew up during the 2010s, a period that built upon the teen idol fandom era familiar to millennials, YouTube celebrities, and the existence of Vine and TikTok. They most likely shopped at Limited Too as tweens and Urban Outfitters, Hollister, and Forever 21 as teens. They witnessed the intersection of technology, creativity, and politics with shows like iCarly (2007), apps like Tumblr, and events like the Arab Spring and start of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Due to the lack of research and overall discussion about zillennials outside of marketing, I decided to explore the views of this unique, but underrepresented, microgeneration. As a zillennial myself, whenever these annoying (but entertaining) generational wars break out, there isn’t a clear side for me to root for. I relate to both but neither at the same time, making the views of mine and other zillennials wholly unique. “When people always talk about millennials versus Gen Z, I feel like it never really reflects my experiences,” says Kyla, one of the interviewees for this article. Ultimately, I want to ask: do we zillennials really have the best of both the millennials and Gen Z worlds or are we uniquely different?
The Millennial Perspective
Born in 1988, Raeyna is a married mother of three kids. Besides being a wife and mom, she is also an educator. She earned both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree, despite entering higher education shortly after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in her hometown and the early beginnings of the 2008 recession. In her downtime, she enjoys spending time with family, friends, and enjoying anything from the ‘80s and ‘90s.
The Gen Z Perspective
Born in 1999, Kenadi is as Gen Z as it comes. She graduated from college last year after spending more than half of her undergraduate career not being able to enjoy the full campus experience due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She also enjoys thrifting, working from home, and scrolling through TikTok.
The Zillennial Perspective
Born in 1996, Kyla is Kenadi’s older sister. She received her undergraduate degree in 2018, allowing her to enjoy the full college experience unlike her sister. However, going back to school to earn her secondary degree during the pandemic, especially as a medical student, was a bit of a challenge at first. And with the current rise of inflation, there’s some anxiety about her future, but there’s also a sense of optimism and hopefulness.
Beauty and Fashion
When asked about their preference between a middle or side part hairstyle, the millennial and Gen Z representatives sided with the style most associated with their generation as their preferred style. However, all agreed that head shape needs to be considered as well. Raeyna stated, “I’ve always preferred a side part because I feel like middle parts and side parts depend on head shape. So, as just a personal preference, I’ve always preferred a side part because I feel like a middle part draws attention to my head.” Kenadi, on the other hand, shared, “For my hair, I definitely [prefer] a middle part which is controversial too because I have a big forehead. But, I love a middle part. I feel like it looks clean and elevated.” Zillennial representative Kyla sided with the millennial side part style, stating, “On myself, I think my forehead is too big for a middle part so I’m team side part.” That said, both Raeyna and Kyla expressed their appreciation for the middle part on others. Kennadi also gave praise to the side part, stating that it “feels more classy.”
As for makeup style, there was a general consensus among the representatives that thick eyebrows are better than the ’90s thin eyebrows that have recently made a return. Clothes, on the other hand, are a different story. When asked about the infamous skinny jeans versus baggy jeans debate, there was a clear generational divide. Raeyna shared that she is definitely not a fan of mom jeans and was in disbelief after I showed her my own pair of baggy jeans. While she likes skinny jeans, she’s not a fan of the ones “where they cling to you.” Instead, she prefers flare leg jeans because of how flattering they were to her body type. Kyla agrees with this sentiment and is unequivocally Team Skinny Jeans. Kenadi was once a fan of skinny jeans, but has joined her fellow Gen Zers on the baggy jeans side of the debate. “I used to be a skinny jeans girl but I’m very much so a baggy jeans girl now. Very much so,” she said.
When it comes to shopping, there appears to be a deviation from the millennial and Gen Z representatives and their respective generations. While Raeyna is a fan of online shopping because of their size inclusivity for different styles, Kenadi and Kyla prefer in-person shopping for its social aspects and being able to buy something immediately instead of having to wait, even for a day or two. Kyla particularly doesn’t like online shopping because of the hassle of not being able to try on clothes to see if they fit and the return process when they don’t. Kenadi specifically enjoys thrifting nowadays, which has become a huge activity among Gen Z.
Social Media and Technology
Since the rise of Web 2.0 in the ‘90s, technology and social media has become second nature to us. When asked about their favorite social media platforms, Raeyna listed Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, Kenadi listed TikTok and Instagram, while Kyla shared TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter. Although both Kenadi and Kyla cited TikTok as their favorite social platform to use on a regular basis, Raeyna stated that she does not like the popular platform, stating that it’s “a little too Gen Z” for her. However, she watches TikToks and is aware of some popular creators on the app because of Instagram Reels, which she prefers. There was also an apparent difference of how they all use Facebook. While Raeyna uses it on a regular basis to socialize with family and friends, Kenadi and Kyla use it more for commerce. Facebook groups and the marketplace feature are useful for them in their pursuits to find an apartment and look for dogs to adopt.
Despite the convenience of streaming, there have been recent discussions about the importance of physical formats like vinyls and DVDs, especially with many streaming platforms completely removing items from their catalogs. So, do some generations still prefer physical over digital formats?
Raeyna expressed that she’s partial to CDs and DVDs but has become fluid with streaming. She understands that “the landscape changes with time” and doesn’t want to fall behind and be a “dinosaur” like her Boomer relatives. Kenadi and Kyla both prefer streaming to physical entertainment formats due to its easy access. Kendai specifically pointed out, “You have so much more options. Whatever mood I’m in, I can instantly listen to that song at the drop of a hat with a push of a button.” Kenadi also finds DVDs and CDs to be more nostalgic and going to the movie theater to be an “indescribable experience.” Kyla shares similar sentiments as her sister. She thinks that while it used to be fun to go to stores like Blockbuster to pick up movies, “it’s an extra trip you have to make to get one thing as opposed to being able to watch two movies in a row on whim.” However, like Kenadi, if there’s a movie she really wants to see she’ll go to the theater to watch.
TV, Movies, & Music
Like beauty and fashion, films, shows, and music are mediums that define a time period. Raeyna shares that she is a fan of shows and music from the 1970s-1990s, but not after the early 2000s. “It’s very hit or miss for me,” she says, adding that there are maybe five current artists that she’s a fan of.
Since its inception in the nineties thanks to MTV’s The Real World, reality television has changed from being real to being “real” (aka scripted). While she says it depends on the show, Raeyna says that she prefers older reality shows compared to current ones for being less authentic, noting that because of the rise of social media, now everyone is just trying to “do it for the ‘gram.” Kenadi notes that current reality shows are so heavily scripted that you know it’s fake and have a game show format. She and her sister find older reality shows like Dance Moms more enjoyable because although they’re scripted, “they still feel real and authentic,” they shared. Like Raeyna, Kenadi also pointed at the similarity between reality shows to social media vlogging, due to understanding that while it may not be completely authentic, content creators are still showing their everyday lives like reality stars.
Life Reflections: Impact of Generational Events
To close off our discussion, representatives were asked to share how societal events such as the 2008 recession, COVID-19 pandemic, and current rise in inflation have impacted how they see and navigate their lives in the past, present, and future.
Growing up in and around New Orleans, the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita in 2005 impacted the lives of each representative. Like any senior, Raeyna was looking forward to filling her last year of high school with nice memories and preparing for college. However, the hurricanes disrupted these plans for her final year. At the time, due to receiving limited damage, she didn’t realize the immediate impact of experiencing these natural disasters and saw it more as “a hurricane interrupting her [last] year [of high school].” Despite this disruption, she also saw positives to this, including allowing her to graduate and start college earlier. “I saw a lot of growth,” says Raeyna. She goes on to share that witnessing various political and pop culture events provided her a well-rounded view of the world and ability to “see both sides and […] broaden her objectivity.”
For Kyla and Kenadi, they were very young when the hurricanes hit (fourth and second grade, respectively). Because of this, the impact of this experience wasn’t immediately recognizable for them. Kyla notes that experiencing those hurricanes as a child created a lot of anxiety issues for her. Alongside that, she notes the current economic inflation as an event that’s impacting her life. “It makes me worried about if I’ll have enough money in the future to have the life I want to have,” she exclaims. Because of this, she’s trying to improve her budgeting skills and potentially moving back in with her parents during her final year of medical school to have enough money and not worry about having low funds in the future.
For Kenadi, she feels like global events like the COVID-19 pandemic made a big impact on her being able to connect with others. “We are already in a digital age and not being able to physically meet with people because of a virus you can’t see. It was very hard,” she says. This was especially tough for her as it occurred during her sophomore year of college and made her feel like she was missing out on a big part of her life. However, while reflecting on this period, she also says that it helped her grow professionally with the rise and normalcy of working from home. “It allows you to be more flexible, explore your passions, and live your life while being able to work and still make money.”
Having The Best of Both Worlds
The interviews show that while there are individual preferences that deviate from typical associations of each generation, there still appears to be a clear divide. That is for the millennials and Gen Z representatives. So, do zillennials have the best of both worlds like Hannah Montana said? Well, yes and no. Based on Kyla’s responses and existing research on the topic, while there is an affinity to aspects of both millennial and Gen Z ideals, the combination of that plus other experiences neither generations can relate to, a separate zillennial experience is born.
This article is part of EnVi’s Gen Z Issue. Get your physical copy here!
