Mr. Fantasy is this year’s breakout star but why are some fans convinced that the artist is actually actor KJ Apa in disguise?
For many of Us, Mr. Fantasy appeared seemingly out of nowhere. His first TikTok video was posted in August 2025, and three months later he was at nearly 1 million followers on the social media platform. His first single, “Mr. Fantasy,” quickly became a viral sensation, which paved the way for follow-up track “Wayuwanna” and a multitude of opportunities, including a fun cameo on Dancing With the Stars.
But while Mr. Fantasy was enjoying his overnight success, his fans were questioning if he was the modern-day Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus by offering Apa an alter ego to channel his musical talents into.
Apa, for his part, has largely stuck to acting since his role as Archie on Riverdale, which ran from 2017 to 2023. The actor branched out into film with The Hate U Give and I Still Believe. He even ventured into music with his 2021 debut solo album, Clocks.
Despite the comparisons — and conspiracy theories — Mr. Fantasy maintained that he isn’t familiar with Apa.
“I mean, I think I am a good actor. If I was given the right opportunity, I would be quite good. I think I’m honest enough to be an actor,” he told The Hollywood Reporter in September 2025. “Often the best performers, like James Franco, they seem to have honesty. It exudes off of the screen, and so yeah, of course I’d be very interested, you know. I’d love to work with James Franco, if I haven’t already mentioned that. If I was to do it, I don’t think I’d do it without him.”
Mr. Fantasy noted that he wasn’t trying to box himself in when it came to potential projects.
“I’m not trying to define myself, do you know what I mean? I sort of just am me. That’s how I’m trying to inspire people, by just being who they are, because that’s the biggest gift that we have,” he added. “I’m sorry to say it, but we were born all very different, and I think it’s very important to inhabit this thing that you are, instead of trying to be someone else. It’s very difficult now. We’re in a time where we all want to be like the big star, Austin Butler, or these other amazing people like James Franco. I’m guilty of it, aren’t I? Shoot me.”
He continued: “But I’m not trying to actually define who I am to people, do you know what I mean? What you see is what you get. Me sitting right here with you drinking this Guinness, Carly, is in fact who I am. And it doesn’t change when I go to sleep at night. I’m just me. And I love being me. The best part of my life is that I get to walk outside and I get to scream, “I am Mr. Fantasy!”
While Mr. Fantasy won’t play into the possible connection to Apa, his listeners have done deep dives to prove their theory. Keep scrolling for an explanation on Mr. Fantasy’s rise to fame — including his continued association with Apa:
Who Is Mr. Fantasy?
The TikTok singer blew up in August 2025 when he released his debut single titled “Mr. Fantasy,” which reached over 5 million streams (and counting) on Spotify. Not much is known about Mr. Fantasy except that he has a British accent, an abundance of love for actor James Franco and an eclectic style that has transformed over into his music.
What Signs Point to KJ Apa and Mr. Fantasy Being the Same Person?
Besides the quirky personality that might feel familiar to Riverdale fans who watched years of interviews with Apa, Mr. Fantasy’s appearance has made some wonder whether he is wearing a wig and fake teeth. Other eagle-eyed fans noticed that Apa and Mr. Fantasy have the exact same tattoos. There is also the fact the no one has yet to see Apa and Mr. Fantasy together in the same room.
Has Mr. Fantasy Addressed the Theories?
The Hollywood Reporter, which did a profile on Mr. Fantasy in September 2025, noted that they asked his manager, John, if they could ask about Apa. In response, John asked over email that the “silly actor boy TJ Apple” not be brought up during THR‘s interview with Mr. Fantasy.
“[I’m] not bothered by it, not bothered by it. Things bother me sometimes, but I keep my eyes upward, and I keep trudging the happy road of happy destiny,” Mr. Fantasy told the outlet of the comments about Apa. “You know, things can be hurtful, sure, but I focus on the positive. I focus on the people whom I love and who love me and that have a positive influence on my life, like James Franco.”
What Has KJ Apa Shared About the Speculation?
Apa’s former Riverdale costars have shown their support for Mr. Fantasy. Camila Mendes shared a TikTok in September 2025 of her working out to the musician’s hit song, writing, “We need more @iamtherealmrfantasy.”
Lili Reinhart, meanwhile, told Entertainment Tonight one month later that she is “a big fan” of Mr. Fantasy — even if he claimed not to know her.
“He doesn’t know who I am,” she noted. “I was like, ‘I am not relevant enough, I guess.’ Maybe one day he will know who I am.”
In May 2026, Mendes, Reinhart and Madelaine Petsch starred in Mr. Fantasy’s music video for “Do Me Right” — and Apa wasn’t happy.
“There has been something going on for a long time that I haven’t addressed because I didn’t think it was even worth addressing, but now because of how it’s impacted my life personally, I feel like I have to talk about it,” he said in an Instagram video days later. “I have to do it now because it’s hurting me and my career.”
Apa continued, “There was recently a music video that was released that included a bunch of people who are really close to me by a guy who’s completely and utterly stolen my image and misappropriated my image and my likeness. And I think we all know who we’re talking about. It’s f***ed up. It’s f***ed up because I just lost out on a huge job and can no longer go in for serious work because people think that I’m a joke because of this guy.”
The Riverdale alum then told viewers, “If anyone out there thinks that it’s OK to take someone’s image, literal tattoos, and use it for their own success, [you are] completely wrong. I can’t just sit back and watch it happen and see my life, literally everything that I’ve worked hard for, now come to a halt because of this f***ing idiot.”
Apa concluded by calling Mr. Fantasy a “liar and a thief.”
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