Steven We Can't Both Exist

Editor's Note: This entry contains spoilers for Steven Universe; read at your own caution.

About

Steven We Can't Both Exist is a copypasta and series of memes based on a scene from Steven Universe in which the character Rose Quartz says she is going to become half of Steven when he's born as they both can't exist at the same time. The episode aired in December 2014 and became the subject of memes as early as 2019.

Origin

In season one episode 35 of Steven Universe, Steven watches a videotape of Rose Quartz telling him that they can't both exist at the same time and that she has to become half of him (shown below).

On January 23rd, 2019, X^[1] user @likeguyswalker posted an image of Lois Griffin from Family Guy saying a variation of the monologue from the episode as if talking to Stewie, garnering over 10,000 likes in five years (shown below). This is the earliest known iteration of the meme.

Steven, we can't both exist…I'm going to become half of you. And I need you to know that every moment you love being yourself, that's me, loving you and loving being you. Because you're going to be something extraordinary. You're going to be a human being.

Spread

The meme gained viral spread over the following months, seeing significant virality on X / Twitter in June 2023. For example, on June 7th, 2023, X^[2] user @drosellie_4148 posted a meme using Jesus in place of Rose Quartz, garnering over 32,000 likes in 10 months (shown below, left).

On July 10th, X^[3] user @DeJected_Axe posted a Jujutsu Kaisen version of the meme, garnering over 4,500 likes in nine months (shown below, right).

On April 16th, 2024, X^[4] user @piss_wizzard posted a version of the meme referencing Smiling Friends character Smormu, garnering over 21,000 likes in a day (shown below).

Various Examples

Search Interest

External References