Who is Horace on TikTok?
With huge eyes and a red onesie, Horace is always grooving and minding his own business, and he’s a TikTok filter that’s currently taking over the social media platform, with users like @tina_042 dancing alongside him. The old man-like figure, with a long neck and non-threateningly small hands and feet, moves to and fro, spinning occasionally, surprisingly fitting into many different scenarios. Jackson Q. Gray In particular, TikTok users love pairing him with Drake’s song “Feel No Ways.” You can add Horace to a video, make him as big as a person or as small as a cup, add whatever music you want, and you’re bound to have a hilarious video.
Who made Horace on TikTok?
The quirky yet charming filter was created by Jackson Q. Gray, who is from Troy, New York. While it might be surprising to TikTok users used to seeing the little man in his red PJs, Horace actually originated as a filter on Instagram—in his birthday suit. He was born as a filter on the platform on April 26, 2020, and his popularity took off immediately. But a week later, he was removed by Instagram, citing “content of an adult or sexual nature” because he wasn’t wearing clothes. Naturally upset by Instagram’s decision, Gray wrote a letter to the social media platform about it, also sharing the text publicly on his account. In the letter, Gray wrote, “When I made Horace, I wanted him to bring some light into the lives of everyone at home who is facing boredom, solitude, and uncertainty amidst such heavy hearted times…[Horace] just wants to live life & have a good time, and his removal on the grounds of nudity is not only disappointing, but excessively stringent. It blatantly ignores the distinction between art and pornography. I’m not surprised it happened, but I am sad it did.” Jackson Q. Gray Many creators have faced issues with Instagram’s inconsistent censoring. In fact, photographer Jeff Bennion wrote about his experience facing these issues for Fstoppers, highlighting how Instagram’s policy claims that they will allow nudity in comedic content. The policy states, “We only show this content to individuals 18 and older: …Digital content that meets our definition of sexual activity, where:…The content was posted in a satirical or humorous context.” Horace should’ve definitely fallen into this category, but unfortunately, Instagram’s monitoring and censoring system didn’t work as intended. Luckily, Gray thought to simply give him a little outfit of footie pajamas, which he confirmed to GARAGE are cashmere. Only the finest for Horace, of course! Then Horace was back on Instagram, and later TikTok, and his star power continues to rise.
How was Horace made?
Horace is a creation in Gray’s signature art style, which you can see on the artist’s Instagram. According to Gray’s interview with GARAGE, the animator created Horace with an animation program called Blender, which he taught himself how to use in three days. He told the publication that once he was created, “Something felt unlocked in [Horace’s] spirit: pure joy. He still has a helplessness and fragility, but he’s not as pathetic anymore…there’s a lighthearted confidence in him and a love for life that I didn’t know existed.” Gray has also created versions of Horace and other characters as bronze castings, 3-D renderings and prints, and regular, 2-D drawings on paper. TikTok is known as a social media platform that allows its users’ creativity to flourish and grow, with the art sometimes taking on a life of its own. This certainly seems to be the case with Horace, as Gray told GARAGE, “Every time somebody makes a post with Horace, they’re doing their own sort of creative process. They’re finding the right song for him, and they’re making determinations about how big he’s going to be or how he’s going to relate to things in the scene.” Each TikTok with Horace adds something new to his story. Jackson Q. Gray
Why is Horace going viral?
Well, it’s hard to say for sure, but it seems like the strange old man is endearing and adaptable. TikTok users are making a variety of videos with Horace, leading to hilarious results. Some use Horace to act out scenarios in the club, like @itssophiemilner, while others see themself in Horace, like @jakefresca. Even the mayor of Flavortown, U.S.A., Guy Fieri, has joined in the trend, adding Horace dancing to a video he took while working out. Other official accounts, like the WWE and the Texas Longhorns, are also dancing with Horace in recent videos. So, if you haven’t already joined in on the trend and created your own little dance-off with Horace, there’s no better time like the present! Next, Jiggle Jiggle: Everything to Know About Louis Theroux’s Viral TikTok Rap
