When the camera tilted up to “Saturday Night Live” musical guest Role Model reclining in a hayloft this past weekend, whether they knew it or not, the show’s millions of viewers had their eyes glued to a Mainer.

Ahead of Cooper Flagg’s NBA debut next week, the thousands of Dallas Mavericks fans who’ve purchased No. 32 jerseys are sporting the name of a Newport native on their backs.

And on Capitol Hill, Democratic senators from Rhode Island to New Mexico are singing the praises of Sullivan oyster farmer Graham Platner in support of his bid to unseat five-term Republican Sen. Susan Collins — making old news out of the viral spat in February between President Donald Trump and Gov. Janet Mills, who launched her own Senate campaign this week.

Despite being tucked up in the corner of the country and ranking 42nd in state size, Maine keeps finding itself at the center of the national conversation, looming large, and it’s not just people who are making waves.

Hanging off of shoulders everywhere from TikTok to the streets of Tokyo, L.L.Bean’s canvas Boat and Tote continues to enjoy a resurgence in popularity, bolstered by ironic embroidery, bag charms and famous fans, including Hailey Bieber and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Even Maine lobstermen, the most unlikely of tastemakers, are inspiring fashion trends, with sardine tattoos and cable-knit sweaters among the markings of the fisherman core fad that one influencer described as, “You’re on a boat in Maine, but you’re a vibe.”

On Max this month, a fictional Maine town based on Bangor will take center stage in the new Stephen King-inspired series “It: Welcome to Derry,” a prequel to Pennywise’s reign of terror, and at the same time in theaters, a film based on King’s novel “The Long Walk” follows young men on a harrowing journey from the Canadian border to Freeport.

Meanwhile, the state’s backwoods provide the setting for the blossoming romance in “The History of Sound,” a Palme d’Or nominee at the Cannes Film Festival that had a limited theatrical run in September.

Although we’re used to new adaptations of King’s work hitting the screen and to Collins playing a pivotal role in national politics, seeing Mainers take the spotlight in professional sports and pop music is unusual. Collectively, it’s making for a significant moment, though that might not be apparent from anywhere but here.

Flagg’s Maine background — at least the small-town aspect of it — is an oft-repeated part of his story, but Cape Elizabeth-raised Role Model’s connection to the state is less apparent, considering his two releases are the EP “Arizona in the Summer” and studio album “Kansas Anymore.” (The “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out” singer, whose real name is Tucker Pillsbury, does have several Maine-related tattoos, however, including the “P” from the Portland Press Herald’s nameplate.)

And how many people singing along to Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” know they have Mainer Amy Allen — the Grammys’ 2025 songwriter of the year — to thank for the lyrics?

While political pundits might be obsessing over Platner, the fuss has much less to do with Maine than with the potential he has to affect the president’s power and chart a new path for a flailing Democratic Party. (For a daily dissection of why Trump’s power needs to be checked, join the millions who subscribe to the Substack newsletter written by Midcoast resident Heather Cox Richardson, one of Time’s 100 most influential creators.)

But what makes Platner appealing — that he’s down to earth, straight-shooting, rugged and working class — are characteristics also closely associated with the state.

Similarly, Flagg has stood out beyond his exceptional talent for his work ethic, team-oriented mentality and humility, qualities credited to his upbringing.

Role Model’s songwriting has been described as authentic and relatable. The L.L. Bean tote bag is understated and classic. Scenes of Maine on screen highlight its natural beauty and charm.

Regardless of whether other people associate these cultural icons with our state, if this surge in relevance is an indication that broader society is valuing the same things Mainers do, it’s a good sign.