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Going to prom is supposed to be one of the most memorable nights of high school. After months of planning, many students have extremely high anticipations, hoping to feel like movie stars for just one evening. But even when they get all they wished for — extravagant gowns, over-the-top rides, sweat-filled dances, and wild after-parties — some things are bound to go wrong.

In honor of prom season, Jimmy Fallon asked his audience to participate in yet another challenge. "It's Hashtags time! Tweet out a funny or weird story about your prom and tag it with #PromFail," he wrote and triggered an avalanche of painfully relatable tales from people’s teenage years.

From hilarious wardrobe mishaps to hair catching on fire, we at Bored Panda have selected some of the best tweets from this thread. So buckle up, scroll down, and share how ridiculous your prom experience was in the comment section below! And after you’re done reading this post, be sure to check out some funny responses to Fallon’s recent challenges on #NanaQuotes, #MyHighSchoolWasWeird, and #WorstGiftEver.

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Kat O.
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's an absolute fail on the planners. Most of the guys would be wearing black tuxedos. Someone wasn't thinking.

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For most, the iconic high school dance is one of the most unforgettable moments of the entire school year. Prom-goers shiver from anticipation and hope to leave with some of the best memories from teenage life. But if you look back to that crazy night and cringe with nostalgic discomfort or think back on your wardrobe choices with a bit of a shudder, you're definitely not alone.

So this recent challenge on The Tonight Show was all about the funniest and weirdest #PromFail moments. Jimmy Fallon kicked off the thread himself by tweeting: "My friend ripped his tuxedo and spent the night crying because he thought Men’s Wearhouse was going to sue him." But it seems that people on the Twittersphere have had it way worse. I mean, we’re talking about being named the "condiment couple" or being crowned as the Prom Queen yet having to slow dance with the King who turns out to be your twin brother. Pretty odd, right?

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Ines Olabarria-Smith
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My date was best friend’s with my sisters so we double dated because she wanted to go with this guy. Later she married my date. Not a fail. Just funny.

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After all, prom is notorious for being the perfect ground for things to go terribly wrong. We all remember how hard our own teenage years were, so just imagine having a school full of overly excited youth — there’s bound to be no shortage of mortifying moments. Moreover, they sometimes expect too much from this celebration and often label it as the most important night of their young lives, something that’s hard to live up to.

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Robertas Lisickis
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is it just me, or is the lad on the left oddly reminiscent of the son in Modern Family?

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According to columnist Claire Suddath, the word prom is short for promenade — the formal, introductory parading of guests at a party. The prom can be dated back to the simple banquets that happened in the 19th-century American universities to celebrate each year's graduating class.

"A growing teenage culture pushed proms younger and younger, and by the 1940s, the adolescent dance we know today had almost entirely taken hold," Suddath added. With time, every generation continues to improve and change our society, and that in turn leads to proms becoming more eccentric each year. As customs change, we see an increasing amount of extravagant limousines, creative themes, colorful wardrobes, and teens trying to make this celebration represent what they believe in.

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Aisling Raye
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How does having a limo for the night = catching feelings? Maybe it's just where I grew up, but having a limousine for any school dance was very normal. The part that cuts deep is that they considered him their best friend but he didn't care enough to even call. Friends don't ghost friends. (And dad is an a-hole but that goes without saying)

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As you’re scrolling through this list, you’ll notice that no one is immune to occasional slip-ups on this big night. Some teens feel extremely worried about this iconic dance and may fear creating situations that would be the perfect material for the next #PromFail challenge. To avoid that, parents can also help out their children with handling the many stresses and challenges.

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Amber Olson, a licensed clinical social worker, explained that parents can play an important role in how teens experience their prom. "Ask your teen about what they want from their prom experience and then help shape healthy expectations for the evening," she suggested.

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That includes considering several elements your child might be slightly obsessing about. For example, you could set a realistic budget for the apparel and the extravagant "promposals". Or discuss your teen's feelings about their potential date or the celebration in general. You could also sit down and have a chat about unhealthy diets or extreme workouts your teen may do to lose some weight. "These short-term gains can lay the groundwork for long-term unhealthy eating habits and poor body image," Olson said.

"Role model for your teen the importance of being present in the moment and encourage them to stay mindful as they take in all the details of the evening," she added.

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Hphizzle
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mine was $45 dollars and had pockets!!!! (Going out of business sale) And I fit in it better now than I did then(20 years ago)!!

Tiger Pearl
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol wow, mine was maybe $40, still very pretty. Other dances like home coming were also very cheap dresses and skirt/shirt combo. It doesn’t have to be expensive to look nice!

Mermaid Elle-Jaye
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

dunno, I would have been said kid, and I would of had one of my friends lend me a dress they already had. I hope this happens there for the ones who want to go.

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Gretchen Esquilin
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My prom dress was $93 from DEB & I wore it as my wedding dress yrs later. I still have it & it's all in tact almost 25 yrs later! LOL

Penny Fawver
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I paid $15 for my daughter's prom dress 4 years ago. It was brand new, not from wish. It was the first dress she found. I didn't have to alter it in anyway. It is still in perfect condition. Price means nothing. Not sure what she plans on doing with with a black and lavender tulle skirt dress in the future. But She bragged to everyone about her super cheap dress.

Hailey B
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For prom, I’m wearing a $30 dress I’ve had for 3 years and I’m going with my 2 gay best friends, one boy and one girl. We’re all wearing heals and tiaras! Mine is black, hers is purple, and his suit is pink. Heals, nails, and tiaras all match the dress

Huddo's sister
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My year 12 formal dress was the most expensive I had up to that point- $65! Very similar price to the bridesmaid dress I wore to my mum's second wedding!

L1z
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I worked hard to buy my own dress.. I paid $475CAD for it and I still have it 18 years later, still in perfect shape. I've worn it as part of a Hallowe'en costume a few times as well. Dead prom Queen, Victorian vampire, etc.

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Viktor
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s fun to clean. I remember a friend vomiting in another friend’s car and it still smelled a year later when it was warm.

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Kusotare
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She married you anyway. That's a win. Dance like nobody's watching, Scott!

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May
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I didn't know people went to other schools' proms? Is that a thing?

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H G
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You're still in the bathroom? Jeez, how long have they been going at it?

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Laura Jackson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My first prom my date tried to kiss me as he was driving a Cadillac at 60 mph down a very dark, very empty middle of nowhere road in a narrow valley at 2:30 in the morning. Ended up going off a steep embankment Luke Duke style. He climbs up without me, I'm hurt but don't know how bad yet because adrenaline, y'know. Get halfway up in a floor length sequined gown and bare feet ( had to remove 4" stilettos) in briars waist high. Of course I fall and roll back down. Finally get to the top. It's another hour+ until a car comes by. Home is closer than hospital, so we go there. Call his mom, she comes to get him. I'm getting out of my dress and pain shoots down my entire spine. Go to ER and get to spend the next 6 months in a neck brace and I still have migraines from my injury today. This was in 1993 so, good times, yep!🙄

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DaisyGirl
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Perhaps he was on the spectrum and wore headphones to minimise the overload of noises

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TKA
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I assume it wasn’t glow in the dark but reactive to black lights, but at least they were matching lol

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Kiss Army
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can understand punishing your kids if they do something wrong, but unless it was an absolute COLOSSAL f*ck up, I would never ground my kid from a once(or twice)-in-a-lifetime event like prom that you just can't get back. Also when their date and/or friends have put out money for an event it isn't fair to punish them too. Come up with another punishment!

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Nathaniel
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tonight I gotta cut loose, footloose Kick off your Sunday shoes Please, Louise Pull me up off my knees Jack, get back C'mon, before we crack Lose your blues Everybody cut footloose

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Miguel justino C
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reap what you sow. It’s so empathetic to be considered the “other guy”

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ArodTheHorrible
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just got an idea for a new show... cross between Pimp my Ride and Sweet 16... Pimp my Swee... uhhh, nvm

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Jake B
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Years from now they will tag those who went through school during Covid as the Covid Generation.

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Mobey Drunk
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm guessing it would've been different if it was "Cruise" by Conflict. However, the square dancing would've been funny as hell. Though, I'm not an expert, but I never heard of square dancing at a prom before.

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Geeki Nikki
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But grenadine is made with cherries...I wouldn't have assumed there was pomegranate juice in that punch.

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Lulxby
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

lol nice nickname! Wholesome (unless he didn't like it)

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Kristin Ingersoll
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm not sure how the name of the venue beats some of the stories above!

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