Momo rose to internet fame in 2018 when a disturbing image of a wide-eyed, bird-like doll began circulating on WhatsApp and social media, linked to a widely reported hoax challenge. Although the challenge itself was largely debunked, the character stayed alive as a meme, especially in Spanish-speaking communities where short Momo audios became popular for pranks and jokes. The laugh is now shared as a reaction sound in horror edits and comedy clips, keeping the character recognisable long after the original scare faded.