KJ Apa, star of Riverdale, opted to channel his viral TikTok alter ego, Mr. Fantasy, as he made an energetic debut during the 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade held in New York City on November 27, 2025. Dressed as a pirate on the Jolly Polly Pirate Ship float, he showed off high-energy dance moves and climbed the rigging while performing his self-titled track “Mr. Fantasy.”
Viral Alter Ego Identity Buzz
With matching tattoos, identical builds, and never having appeared in the same space, Mr. Fantasy is widely suspected to be KJ Apa. The New Zealand-born actor, 28 years old, keeps the mystery going with a ’70s rockstar look: fringed bob wig, fake teeth, sunglasses, and a faux British accent, denying all Riverdale ties. Memes and reactions like “KJ Apa what are you doing at the Macy’s Parade???” blew up on social media, along with debates about the evolving vibe of the parade itself.
Music Rise and Parade Highlights
Mr. Fantasy burst onto TikTok last August, reaching 1 million followers behind hits such as “Mr. Fantasy,” “Wayuwanna,” and forthcoming “Catapult” releasing on November 28. His parade set enthralled children cheering next to pirate-costumed performers, as he played his first live show amidst buzz from a recent Hollywood Reporter interview. The performance followed frustrations over a TikTok lockout, channeling Apa’s creativity into this funky pop persona.
