When KJ Apa climbed the rigging of the Jolly Polly Pirate Ship during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day ParadeNew York City on Thanksgiving morning, viewers thought they were watching a wild new musical act. They weren’t wrong — but they were also looking at the face of Archie Andrews, the teen heartthrob from Riverdale. By noon, TikTok was on fire. Fans had already matched the dancer’s eyes, his smirk, the way he tilted his head — all unmistakably KJ Apa. The performance, debuting his new single "Catapult," wasn’t just a surprise cameo. It was a meticulously crafted reveal, wrapped in false teeth, a fringed bob wig, and a British accent that had fans wondering: Who the hell is Mr. Fantasy?
The Alter Ego That Fooled Millions
Mr. Fantasy didn’t just appear on TV. He exploded. His first TikTok, posted in August 2023, showed a man in glittery pirate gear dancing to a funky, bass-heavy track. No name. No context. Just a voice dripping with theatrical British flair and a pair of mirrored sunglasses that never came off. Within exactly 90 days, he hit one million followers. By Thanksgiving, he was headlining one of America’s most-watched live events — watched by an estimated 22 million viewers — and his dance moves, especially the way he climbed the ship’s ladder while gyrating to the beat of "Catapult," became instant memes.What made it so convincing? Mr. Fantasy never acknowledged KJ Apa. In an email interview with The Hollywood Reporter, his manager insisted the publication avoid mentioning "the silly actor boy TJ Apple" — a deliberate, absurd misspelling of Apa’s name. The interviewers were never told who he was. Instead, Mr. Fantasy talked about James Franco as his idol, citing Pineapple Express as a key influence. He never mentioned Riverdale. He never mentioned New Zealand. He never mentioned KJ Apa.
How the Mask Stayed On — Until It Didn’t
It’s hard to keep a secret in 2023. But Mr. Fantasy tried. The wig, the teeth, the voice — all tools of separation. The same man who plays a high school football quarterback with a heart of gold on screen was now a funk-rock pirate who dances like he’s possessed by a 1970s glam spirit. And the public bought it. Until they didn’t.
Getty Images photos from the parade, side-by-side with stills from Riverdale’s 2022 season, made the connection undeniable. The jawline. The dimple. Even the way he scratched his nose during a pause in the performance — identical to how KJ Apa does it in behind-the-scenes footage. The Independent didn’t just report the connection — they celebrated it: "It’s pretty clear that Apa and Mr. Fantasy are the same person — especially considering they’ve never been spotted in the same room together."
That’s the genius. The separation isn’t accidental. It’s the whole point. KJ Apa — a New Zealand native who moved to Los Angeles to act — already released a solo album called Clocks in 2021. He’s a musician. But he wanted to escape the expectations of being "Archie." So he created someone else entirely. Someone who doesn’t care about teen dramas. Someone who only exists in glitter and distortion.
Why This Matters Beyond the Viral Moment
This isn’t just a fun stunt. It’s a cultural experiment. In an age where celebrities are expected to be "authentic" — posting selfies, sharing their thoughts, living their lives on camera — KJ Apa did the opposite. He disappeared. He invented a character so fully, so absurdly, that even the press played along. He didn’t just perform a song. He performed an idea: What if you could be two people at once?
And the internet didn’t just accept it — it loved it. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has been a platform for spectacle since 1924. But never before has a performer used it to launch a secret identity. The float, the music, the choreography — all designed to be seen by millions, yet understood by none. Until they were.
It’s also a masterclass in marketing. Three singles. One million TikTok followers in 90 days. A parade debut timed to Thanksgiving, when families are watching together. The release of "Catapult" didn’t just coincide with the parade — it was engineered by it. And now, with the mask off, Mr. Fantasy isn’t going away. He’s just becoming more real.
What’s Next for Mr. Fantasy?
With the secret out, the question isn’t whether KJ Apa will continue as Mr. Fantasy — it’s how far he’ll take him. The third single, "Catapult," has already charted on indie playlists. A full album is rumored. Live shows are being discussed. And fans? They’re not asking for the actor back. They want more of the pirate.
Some say it’s a gimmick. Others call it art. But one thing’s clear: KJ Apa didn’t just perform at the parade. He rewrote the rules of celebrity in the digital age. And for the first time in years, the world isn’t sure who’s really in charge — the actor… or the fantasy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mr. Fantasy, really?
Mr. Fantasy is the musical alter ego of KJ Apa, the 28-year-old New Zealand-born actor best known for playing Archie Andrews on Riverdale. He performs in full pirate costume with false teeth, a wig, and a British accent, deliberately separating his identity from his acting career. Despite efforts to keep the personas distinct, he was publicly revealed after his viral performance at the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Why did KJ Apa create Mr. Fantasy?
Apa created Mr. Fantasy to explore his musical talents without the weight of his Riverdale persona. He’d already released a solo album, Clocks, in 2021, but wanted a space where he could be experimental, flamboyant, and free from fan expectations tied to Archie Andrews. The alter ego allows him to embrace a 1970s rockstar aesthetic and perform without being immediately recognized.
How did Mr. Fantasy gain one million TikTok followers so fast?
Mr. Fantasy’s rise was fueled by mystery and visual spectacle. His debut TikTok in August 2023 featured no context, just a masked performer dancing to an infectious funk-pop track. The lack of identity sparked curiosity. Fans dissected every frame, and when he performed at the Macy’s Parade — watched by 22 million viewers — the connection to KJ Apa went viral overnight, driving millions to his profile and accelerating his follower count to exactly one million in 90 days.
Why does Mr. Fantasy reference James Franco?
In interviews, Mr. Fantasy named James Franco as his idol, particularly citing Franco’s role in Pineapple Express. This isn’t just a random mention — it’s a stylistic nod. Franco is known for blending comedy, eccentricity, and unexpected depth in his roles. Mr. Fantasy’s persona mirrors that same unpredictability: part clown, part artist, part enigma. It’s a deliberate signal that he’s not just a gimmick — he’s an intentional character study.
Is Mr. Fantasy a one-time stunt or will he continue?
With the release of his third single, "Catapult," and growing fan demand, Mr. Fantasy is far from over. His manager has already hinted at live performances and an upcoming album. The viral success of the Macy’s Parade performance proved there’s a massive audience for this version of KJ Apa — one unburdened by teen drama tropes. Expect more costumes, more mystery, and more music — even if the world now knows who’s behind the wig.
What role did the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade play in this reveal?
The parade was the perfect stage: a massive, live, nationally televised platform with 22 million viewers and countless social media users recording the event in real time. It gave Mr. Fantasy instant credibility and reach no influencer campaign could match. The combination of spectacle, surprise, and timing turned a musical debut into a cultural moment — and made the reveal inevitable. Without the parade, Mr. Fantasy might have remained a niche internet curiosity.