Rizz Alert! The Duolingo Owl Just Debuted a New Look and Outfit — Here's Why
![Kelly Corbett - Author](https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/v1T0LujY1/200x200/kelly-corbett-headshot-kelly-corbett-1632841187031.jpg)
Published Jan. 4 2024, 7:59 p.m. ET
![duolingo app tuxedo](https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/Y5A00BOF8/480x251/what-happened-to-duolingo-1704415365732.jpg 480w, https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/Y5A00BOF8/640x335/what-happened-to-duolingo-1704415365732.jpg 640w, https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/Y5A00BOF8/768x402/what-happened-to-duolingo-1704415365732.jpg 768w, https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/Y5A00BOF8/1024x536/what-happened-to-duolingo-1704415365732.jpg 1024w, https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/Y5A00BOF8/1280x670/what-happened-to-duolingo-1704415365732.jpg 1280w, https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/Y5A00BOF8/1440x753/what-happened-to-duolingo-1704415365732.jpg 1440w, https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/Y5A00BOF8/1600x837/what-happened-to-duolingo-1704415365732.jpg 1600w, https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/Y5A00BOF8/2160x1130/what-happened-to-duolingo-1704415365732.jpg 2160w)
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.
![Duolingo logo seen displayed on a smartphone](https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/hA0Kg3kas/480x252/duolingo-app-1697660939144.jpg 480w, https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/hA0Kg3kas/640x335/duolingo-app-1697660939144.jpg 640w, https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/hA0Kg3kas/768x402/duolingo-app-1697660939144.jpg 768w, https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/hA0Kg3kas/1024x536/duolingo-app-1697660939144.jpg 1024w, https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/hA0Kg3kas/1280x670/duolingo-app-1697660939144.jpg 1280w, https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/hA0Kg3kas/1440x754/duolingo-app-1697660939144.jpg 1440w, https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/hA0Kg3kas/1600x838/duolingo-app-1697660939144.jpg 1600w, https://media.distractify.com/brand-img/hA0Kg3kas/2160x1131/duolingo-app-1697660939144.jpg 2160w)
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?"
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.
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 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!