Fans of the global Netflix phenomenon Stranger Things have been left utterly astounded after unearthing a massive secret about one of the show's most beloved stars.
The Pop Sensation Hiding in Hawkins
While audiences know him as the fan-favourite character Steve Harrington, the man behind the role, Joe Keery, has been simultaneously building a spectacularly successful music career. Operating under the stage name Djo, the 32-year-old has captivated a staggering 326 million listeners with his chart-topping anthem, End of Beginning.
Despite being released nearly two years ago, the track, a nostalgic tribute to the city of Chicago, has absolutely dominated social media platform TikTok throughout this year. Its popularity soared to such heights that it clinched the number one spot in Spotify's worldwide rankings, cementing its status as a global hit. In a single month, Keery amassed an astounding 42.1 million monthly listeners on Spotify, establishing himself as one of the streaming service's most prominent artists.
Fans React With Utter Disbelief
The revelation sent shockwaves across the internet, with many fans confessing they had no idea about Keery's musical alter ego. The discovery went viral after content creator Jarred Jermaine, who has 5.6 million followers, posted a TikTok video asking, "Did you know Steve from Stranger Things (Joe Keery) made music?"
The response was one of collective bewilderment. One stunned fan commented, "Joe Keery is from DJO? ? ? how am i only finding out now? I've been a fan since 2019! ! !" Another admitted they mistook the song for a track by the famous band Tame Impala. Reactions were filled with exclamations of "What!", "No way", and "Girl, that's him?", highlighting the sheer surprise of the fanbase.
The Star is Just as Baffled by the Success
Interestingly, it appears that TikTok users were not the only ones left scratching their heads. In a recent interview with The Rolling Stone, Joe Keery himself confessed to being "more baffled than ever" by the song's explosive success.
"I have literally no idea what's going on," he stated. "I'm probably more confused than ever, but it's really, really cool to see something that you've written affect people and have them take it in as their own and into their own lives."
Keery explained that the song's power lies in its universality. "People can see themselves in the song," he added. "People substitute [my experience] for their own version in their own lives. It's not a feeling that's unique in their own lives."
While he follows in the footsteps of other stars like Ariana Grande and Miley Cyrus who successfully juggle acting and singing careers, Keery isn't planning to abandon acting for music entirely. He describes his music as something that satisfies his 'creative itch' during the downtime between auditions and new acting roles.
