We can probably all agree that in this Year of Our Lord (Beyoncé) 2022, the internet can be a nightmarish hell of radicalization, division, and despair. But every once in a while, above the noise of social media, a voice rises so serious that it reminds us that the Internet is also a series of connected creative communities. More recently, that reminder came in the form of the Corn Kid aka #CornKid aka #TheCEOofCorn.
If none of this makes sense to you, reach out. Here’s everything you need to know about “Corn Kid.”
“Corn Kid” began in the web series Recess Therapy.
Released in 2021, Recess Therapy features comedian and actor Julian Shapiro-Barnum interviewing anonymous children in New York City playgrounds. The discussions are the perfect mix of heartwarming and hilarious, striking the perfect balance between chaos and charm. (That’s probably why the series’ Instagram account boasts 2.2 million followers.)
In a recent interview, Shapiro-Barnum interviewed a precocious boy who waxed poetic about his favorite vegetable (which he happened to be eating at the time): corn!
“Ever since I was told corn was real, it tasted good,” he explains (no further information on whether or not he ever believed corn was real), “but when I tried it with butter, everything changed!”
“Look at this thing!” he tells her another time. “I can’t imagine a more beautiful thing!”
He even manages to establish a catchphrase in the style of ’80s sitcoms: “Hope you guys have a fantastic day!” (Hearing the uproarious laughter of the adults around him, he asks in disbelief, “What? It’s just a pun on the corn!”)
The Instagram post has garnered over 1.2 million likes (to put it into perspective: Recess Therapy posts typically have between 50,000 and 200,000 likes).
Tariq has become known as the CEO of Corn.
A musical remix of his interview went viral on TikTok.
The little boy whose name (we later learn) is sullen Tariq has gone viral in his own right, inspiring TikTok user @schmoyoho to remix his interview with music and stuff. it is. one hit Accompanying Tariq on keyboard and vocal harmony, @schmoyoho only used the audio from the interview… but made it musical. The result is a delicious worm that captures the innocent enthusiasm of the original interview.
The ode to the Corn Kid went even more viral than the original post, racking up more than 5.6 million likes in a week. “When is this coming to Spotify?” jokes a TikTok user/maybe not entirely kidding in the comments.
“I’m not buying corn at the store tonight just because this song has been on my mind all day,” reads another.
“If this isn’t the most viral sound in TikTok history for the month, I’ll be disappointed,” proclaims a third. “Purely healthy, it’s fantastic… it’s… [corn emoji].”
TikTok is TikTok, thousands of people have now used the song for their own purposes, setting it up with recipe tutorials, cute animations, musical duets, and bear-feeding videos (no, seriously), to name just a few.
Tariq did a second interview with Shapiro-Barnum.
After his viral moment, Tariq met up again with Shapiro-Barnum to revisit the vital topic of (what else) corn. The importance of corn breaks, inventing a corn dance, and how to be a friend to corn. Tariq also gave thoughtful advice on how adults can find joy (remember when you were a kid) and some fun facts about Komodo dragons (a callback to another viral Recess Therapy alum).
Tariq gives advice on corn and joy and through corn.
He also talked about his viral fame. “It is incredible that everyone supports everyone, when there are negative things. [sic] in the world,” he said.
Brands have been willing to associate themselves with (or reference) Tariq’s (and corn’s) viral moment.
The internet being the internet, Tariq’s viral fame extended beyond his original interviews and TikTok. From Church’s Chicken to Chips Ahoy to Orlando International Airport, they’ve included corn in one form or another to capitalize on the vegetable’s viral moment.
Chipotle invited Tariq to a location near his home to film and included a sponsored video for Instagram. In it, an unseen employee asks an unseen customer what he would like in his bowl, the camera panning over each item. The customer declines each offer…until the clerk asks if he wants corn. The camera pans to Tariq, who lights up and declares “It’s CORN!” Chipotle told PR Week it was their highest-performing post of all time.
The Hollywood Reporter notes that Tariq was seen at the premiere of Disney’s live-action Pinocchio, presumably at their invitation.
Tariq has become an ambassador…sort of.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has declared Tariq the state’s official “Corn Bassador” and issued a proclamation declaring September 3 as “Official Corn Bassador Tariq Day.”
“South Dakota is one of the nation’s top corn producers, feeding people around the world, but especially Tariq, a 7-year-old boy who recently discovered that corn was real,” the document says. goes on to make a bunch of puns and references to Tariq’s interview with Recess Therapy.
Tariq was invited to South Dakota’s “Corn Palace” by the state Department of Tourism and received a scholarship to learn about rural tourism efforts throughout the state.
“Corn Kid” is available for Cameos.
Tariq has capitalized on his viral moment by joining Cameo, offering custom videos like “Corn Kid” ranging from $145 to $400 corporate videos. (Make money, Tariq!) Judging by the sample videos available on his page. , the same enthusiasm and sweetness seems to be present in the custom videos as well, which makes sense: you can’t fake this kind of sweetness and enthusiasm…also, it’s clearly powered by corn, aka lumpy and gnarled gold.
What Parents Are Talking About: Straight to Your Inbox
This article was originally published on August 26, 2022
Source: www.romper.com