‘This Is What I Was Born to Do’

Courtesy of Mr. Fantasy/John

Looks like there’s a new face on the music scene, but when you come to think of it, that face looks a lot like KJ Apa. The new musical alter ego, dubbed Mr. Fantasy, is going viral across TikTok and has fans wondering WTF is going on — so we got to the bottom of it and reached out to Mr. Fantasy himself.

“The aftermath of my new single ‘Mr. Fantasy’ left me absolutely floored,” the singer exclusively tells Teen Vogue via email. “I think I was sitting on the toilet when my music video went viral. I sat there reading through all the comments and I called John immediately. I said ‘John go and look at what’s happening on TikTok!!!’ (John, who is also my manager now, films and directs all my content.) John doesn’t have TikTok.”

(When Teen Vogue reached out to John, he clarified that he “does not know who this KJ Apa guy is” and that he “only represents Mr. Fantasy.”)

Courtesy of Mr. Fantasy/John

“The most fabulous part about it all, is that I seem to be bringing an immense amount of joy to people’s hearts. I love TikTok,” Mr. Fantasy continues. “I love seeing people smile, and it proves something I have believed all my life — that music is the great connector. A colossal language capable of bringing people of all shapes and sizes and colors together.”

Mr. Fantasy’s eponymous debut single is synth-y and funk-adjacent, with an earworm of a chorus and a catchy bass line. The song has received acclaim across social media, with many wondering what’s next for the bob-wearing Brit.

“Everyone is asking me when more music is coming,” Mr. Fantasy teases. “My plans for future music will remain classified at this time but just know this; this is what I was born to do, and I won’t disappoint you. Open your hearts and dare to see, that I can be your Mr. Fantasy. Now… as you were.” Below, find out more — and everything we know so far — about Mr. Fantasy.

How did Mr. Fantasy make his debut?

Great question. The first video dropped in mid-August from an account called @iamtherealmrfantasy. The man in the video has black hair worn in a ‘60s-inspired bob with bangs, similar to the shaggy styles worn by The Monkees and The Beatles back in the day. “Hello TikTok. Hello Los Angeles. Hello world,” the caption read.

The short video was set to a vibey, low-key song and the man in the clip bobbed his head, his eyes partially hidden by sunglasses. He looked familiar, but viewers were a bit confused about who, exactly, this was. Some noted the resemblance to KJ Apa, but weren’t 100 percent sure it was the same person — especially because “Mr. Fantasy” speaks in a British accent versus Apa’s Australian one, plus Mr. Fantasy has a wide gap in his teeth, which Apa does not have.

Wait, Mr. Fantasy really is KJ Apa?

Despite some confusion as videos kept trickling out of the Mr. Fantasy TikTok account, further videos can pretty much confirm that Mr. Fantasy is likely an alter ego of KJ Apa; one key hint was a video that showed off his tattoos, which are exactly the same as Apa’s. Followers are finally starting to understand that Mr. Fantasy could be a character or an alter ego, just one that hints at a new musical side project, given Mr. Fantasy’s whole bit is that he’s an aspiring musician trying to hit it big in Hollywood.

Courtesy of Mr. Fantasy/John

Fans are enjoying the ride, though, that’s for sure. The comments sections of all of Mr. Fantasy’s videos are bewildered, yet extremely supportive. “KJ Apa doing side quests,” wrote one TikTok viewer. “This is an excellent use of free will,” wrote another. “I know this is KJ Apa I just can’t prove it,” another viewer wrote.

Read More: Madelyn Cline & KJ Apa Improvised Romantic Map That Leads to You Moments

Meanwhile, a few others made Riverdale references. “KJ Apa wanted to cosplay as Dark Betty,” wrote one. “Such a shame that Archie got into the jingle jangle,” wrote another. Plus, the similarities to Apa’s voice are just too strong to ignore. “HIS SINGING VOICE JUST CONFIRMS IT 1000% AT THIS POINT, I HEARD HIM SING WAY TOO DAMN MUCH ON RIVERDALE NOT TO KNOW HIS SINGING VOICE,” added another.

KJ Apa has not explicitly acknowledged Mr. Fantasy on his own social media — if you scroll through his personal Instagram, there’s not a trace of the long-haired, funk-loving Brit.

So, is Mr. Fantasy’s single any good?

The alter ego dropped a self-titled single, “Mr. Fantasy,” on all streaming platforms on September 2, and TBH, it is a bop. “The wait is over,” Mr. Fantasy wrote on TikTok alongside a music video. “I love you all. The adventure has only just begun😜😜🤪🤪🤪 many more to come!!!”

Mr. Fantasy also has an official Spotify page and bio, which reads in part: “My music is my beating reason. My raw heart, manifested into colorful sonic waves. My music is my smile, my long wet tongue, my thrusting hips. My vibrations cause the cracks in my teeth, the tears in my eyes, the blisters in my feet. The sounds you hear here will possess you. They will wrap you up like a baby blanket, like the softest womb, with whispers and moans coming from the underworld. Welcome to my world, another dimension, where dreams are gripped like cold Guinness. Where shapes are made from love kisses. Leave your troubles behind and give your fears to me.”

The Mr. Fantasy TikTok account currently has more than 550,000 followers at the time of writing, and even Apa’s former Riverdale costar Lili Reinhart has weighed in, commenting “Oh my god” under the music video.

Fans are honestly delighted, albeit a little confused, by this new journey. “These are the kinds of antics we want from celebrities,” one fan wrote. “Mr. Fantasy I’m sorry for doubting you this is fire,” praised another. “Hannah Montana was right the whole time,” commented another TikTok viewer. Welcome to the music world, Mr. Fantasy. We truly can’t wait to see what you do next.

Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue

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