Rizz Alert! The Duolingo Owl Just Debuted a New Look and Outfit Here's Why

Duolingo users have reported that the app's mascot, Duo the owl, looks different. A Duolingo spokesperson explained why Duo got a new look.

Source: duolingo

The popular language learning app Duolingo makes learning a new language fun and easy thanks to its charming mascot, Duo the owl. While Duo loves cracking jokes with users, don't worry – the viral meme and internet theory that he will threaten you and your family if you miss a lesson is completely bogus.

Still, Duo loves to tease users playfully and get their attention. He just wants us to keep practicing.

Source: getty images

That said, Duo has indeed been looking different lately. Users have noticed that their animated green feathered friend is suddenly sporting a tuxedo and a super neat bowtie.

"What happened to Duolingo? And why is he tryna rizz me up?" wrote one user on X, alongside a photo of Duo in his new fancy attire. Another user questioned: "Why is the Duolingo bird looking at me like this?"

what happened to duolingo and why is he tryna rizz me up pic.twitter.com/uaE8wrbQ4P

— amber ʚɞ ₊ ⊹ (@envytheangels) January 4, 2024

Clearly, Duo's new look is causing a stir, especially among some female users. After all, it's not every day you encounter a man who checks all the boxes: intelligent (knowing every language!), beloved worldwide, and now, impeccably dressed.

But if you're wondering why Duo looks so different (read: handsome) on the app as of late, there's actually a good reason.

guys why is the duolingo bird looking at me like this pic.twitter.com/AxxWa5V3cj

— epic gamer moment (@yoitslucy2) January 4, 2024

Why is Duo wearing a suit and bowtie?

In January 2024, Duolingo users began noticing that the app was updated to now show Duo wearing a bowtie and tuxedo. What prompted the change?

A spokesperson for Duolingo provided the following comment to Distractify about Duo's spiffy attire. "While our iconic mascot Duo the Owl can often be seen sporting a red bikini in TikTok videos, he decided to dress up this New Year in a tuxedo to remind learners that language learning resolutions are a serious affair."

Yup, that's the reason for his glow-up. He is just trying to remind us that our commitment to learning a new language is no joke.

Duo got the drip on, with the super Duolingo themed bowtie!!

— Zachary lumsden (@ZacharyLumsden) January 4, 2024

Duo also playfully acknowledged his new ensemble on X. Quote tweeting a photo that put his sharp new look in full display, Duolingo wrote "Tinder profile pic update, don’t mind me."

Users were clearly impressed by Duo's top-tier fashion sense. "Duo got the drip on, with the super Duolingo themed bowtie!" wrote one commenter.

This isn't the first time Duo has undergone a makeover in the app's icon. In October 2023, users were startled to see that Duo appeared to be melting on their screens. As it turned out, the melting was just a clever marketing ploy to encourage users to open the app and keep their language learning streak alive. Classic Duo!

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