A mysterious pirate performer known as Mr Fantasy became an overnight internet sensation during the iconic Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, leaving viewers captivated by his energetic performance and curious about his true identity.
The Viral Parade Moment
On Thursday 27 November 2025, musical artist Mr Fantasy made a dramatic appearance aboard the Jolly Polly Pirate Ship during the celebrated Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Dressed in full pirate costume, the British-accented singer debuted his new single "Catapult" while entertaining millions of spectators with his enthusiastic dance moves and ship-climbing antics.
The performer's distinctive style immediately caught viewers' attention, particularly his gyrations and adventurous ascent up the vessel's ladder. Social media platforms quickly lit up with speculation about the identity of this flamboyant pirate performer who seemed to emerge from nowhere.
Unmasking Mr Fantasy
The man behind the elaborate costume is actually 28-year-old New Zealand-born Riverdale actor KJ Apa, who has created an entirely separate persona for his musical endeavours. Mr Fantasy represents a complete transformation for the actor, featuring false teeth, a fringed bob wig, sunglasses, and Seventies-style rockstar attire.
As Mr Fantasy, Apa has released two funk-inflected pop songs - "Mr. Fantasy" and "Wayuwanna" - with his third single launching this week. The character maintains his own distinct identity, having gained one million TikTok followers in just three months since his first post in August.
Maintaining the Mystery
Despite overwhelming evidence connecting the two personalities, Mr Fantasy maintains the elaborate fiction that he has never heard of Riverdale or actor KJ Apa. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the publication noted that Mr Fantasy's manager specifically requested that journalists avoid mentioning "silly actor boy TJ Apple" during discussions.
Throughout the interview, Mr Fantasy repeatedly expressed admiration for Pineapple Express star James Franco, describing him as an inspiration and stating he would only consider acting opportunities if he could work with Franco. "I think I'm honest enough to be an actor," Mr Fantasy told the publication. "Often the best performers, like James Franco, they seem to have honesty."
The performer credited his grandmother with encouraging his musical journey and explained his decision to pursue his dreams in Los Angeles. "America is this magical place where somehow you can be completely who you want to be," he remarked.
Meanwhile, under his real name, KJ Apa continues to build upon his successful acting career that includes six years as the male lead in CW's Riverdale from 2017 to 2023, along with roles in The Hate U Give and I Still Believe. The multi-talented performer also released his debut solo album Clocks in 2021, demonstrating his longstanding commitment to music alongside his acting achievements.
