Her Campus Logo Her Campus Logo
Pretty Little Liars Poster, four girls covered in dirt at a tea party outside.
Pretty Little Liars Poster, four girls covered in dirt at a tea party outside.
ACB Family (now Freeform)
Carleton | Culture

Nostalgia is Calling: “A” Is Back and Taking Over Our Feeds This Fall

Olivia Johnson Student Contributor, Carleton University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Carleton chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

Just when we thought we had finally left Rosewood behind, A is back, and this time, the messages are showing up on our social media feeds. If you spent your teenage years watching “Pretty Little Liars,” or recently discovered the show through TikTok, you probably recognize the iconic anonymous texts that kept Aria, Spencer, Hanna and Emily constantly looking over their shoulders.

Now, this fall, the infamous “A” text messages are having another moment online, bringing a little 2010s nostalgia back to our autumn feeds. 

For anyone who needs a quick refresher, “Pretty Little Liars” premiered in 2010 and followed four friends whose lives become increasingly complicated after they begin receiving threatening messages from someone known only as “A.” The messages exposed secrets, created drama and left both the characters and viewers questioning who they could trust. 

The series ran for seven seasons, ending in 2017, but its influence has clearly not disappeared. The anonymous texts became one of the show’s most recognizable features, making the simple combination of mysterious messages and a signature from “A” instantly memorable.

Text message from Aria to A from Pretty Little Liars
Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

The appeal of the trend is that almost anyone can put their own take on it. Instead of threatening to expose a major television mystery, creators can use the format to poke fun at everyday situations, embarrassing moments, friendship drama or secrets that are not really secrets at all.

The messages are also easy to recognize, even for people who have not watched every episode. The mysterious tone, text-on-screen format and familiar references do much of the work. While the trend’s exact appeal will be different for each person, its combination of humour and nostalgia makes it easy to see why it fits into today’s short-form content culture.

The most exciting part of this trend is that the original cast members are joining in, too. And the best post, in my opinion, was Shay Mitchell’s, who played Emily Fields.

In September, Mitchell shared an Instagram video that leaned into the iconic A-message. Filmed in a London pub, the clip featured a message reading,

“Pints before noon? London looks good on you, S. I’m still watching. – A.” She captioned the post, “Officially Fall now. You know what that means.”

– People

Mitchell was not the only former PLL embracing the nostalgia. Lucy Hale, who played Aria Montgomery, also posted a Pretty Little Liars-inspired TikTok featuring a cheeky message about her coffee. Her video attracted millions of views, showing just how excited fans were to see the actress revisit her former character. 

Seeing the actresses participate adds another exciting element to the trend. It is one thing for fans to recreate an iconic television moment, but it is even more fun when the people who helped make it memorable join the trend. It also keeps fans on their toes, wondering if these posts mean that the cast might reunite in the future. 

Pretty Little Liars Poster, four girls covered in dirt at a tea party outside.
ACB Family (now Freeform)

There is something special about watching a television reference from my childhood resurface years later. Social media allows old favourites to reach new audiences, while longtime fans get to relive the excitement in a completely different way.

Whether you were watching the original series like myself or discovering it for the first time, one thing is certain: A knows how to make an entrance. 

So, if an anonymous message suddenly appears on your feed this fall, do not be surprised. It might just be another reminder that, in Rosewood, secrets never really stay buried. 

– A 

Olivia Johnson

Carleton '28

Olivia is the Secretary for Her Campus at Carleton, where she helps keep the chapter organized and supports the team with communication, event planning, and other behind-the-scenes work. She is excited to help create a welcoming environment where members can get involved, meet new people, and make the most of their experience with Her Campus. Through her role, Olivia hopes to contribute to the chapter’s events and initiatives while building her leadership and teamwork skills. She is also looking forward to working with the rest of the executive team and helping bring new ideas to the chapter throughout the year.

Olivia is currently a third-year student at Carleton University studying Law and Legal Studies with a concentration in Business Law. She has developed an interest in the relationship between law and business and enjoys learning about how the two areas connect. Outside of her studies, she has gained experience through her work and other opportunities that have helped her develop strong communication, organization, and customer service skills. She hopes to continue building these skills throughout university and through her involvement with Her Campus.

Outside of school, Olivia enjoys staying active through fitness and sports and loves keeping up with fashion and beauty. She also enjoys reading, listening to music, and travelling whenever she gets the opportunity. She is always looking for new experiences, whether that means discovering a new place, like coffee shops, trying something new, or meeting new people. Olivia is excited for the year ahead with Her Campus and looks forward to getting involved, making new connections, and creating some great memories along the way.