How a 2016 track became a global anthem through TikTok and commercials
In short: Released in 2016, Sia's 'Unstoppable' was not an immediate radio hit. Instead, it underwent a slow-burn ascent, eventually conquering TikTok and the Billboard charts years after its debut to become a billion-stream powerhouse and a definitive anthem of empowerment.
Originally appearing as the fifth track on Sia's 2016 studio album, This Is Acting, 'Unstoppable' was written by the Australian singer-songwriter and Christopher Braide. While it was released as a promotional single in January 2016, the song's massive commercial impact arrived much later. It gained significant momentum through high-profile advertisements, including a 2016 Gillette Olympic campaign and a 2019 Lancôme Idôle fragrance commercial starring Zendaya.
The track's true resurgence was fueled by digital culture. After gaining popularity on the video-sharing app TikTok, the song was officially released to US radio in October 2022. This late-blooming success saw the song debut at number 98 on the Billboard Hot 100—six years after its initial release—before climbing to a peak of number 28. It also achieved a historic milestone on the Adult Contemporary Chart, spending 100 non-consecutive weeks there and ranking in the top five for 84 consecutive weeks starting in October 2022.
Critics have frequently noted the song's empowering themes, with some speculating it was originally intended for artists like Demi Lovato or Katy Perry. By the end of 2023, the track reached one billion streams on Spotify, marking Sia's third song to reach that milestone. Its enduring popularity is further evidenced by its performance on social media, where it has accumulated over 22.8 million video creations on TikTok as of April 2026.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Unstoppable (Sia song)
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-unstoppable-sia-song.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
