For the past few weeks, an animated dancing character named Horace has been dominating my TikTok FYP in the “Horace” TikTok trend. The hashtag #Horace has over 146 million views, and the viral filter has been used in tens of thousands of videos on TikTok. The filter is popularly accompanied by Drake’s hit song “Feel No Ways” from 2016. Users all over the world have been using the filter to dance with Horace, who can be best described as an elderly-looking man wearing an orange jumpsuit (it looks like pajamas to me, but I could be wrong).
But my question still remains: Who is Horace, and why is everyone obsessed with him?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m here for Horace. I’m a Horace stan. But — this trend seems a bit random, don’t you think? And why has it been going on for so long? What makes it so special? What makes Horace so special? Here’s everything you need to know about the viral “Horace” TikTok trend.
Who designed Horace?
Horace is a character and TikTok filter on the app designed by 23-year-old artist Jackson Quinn Gray. Gray recently spoke with Insider, saying that while he’s “excited” that the “Horace” TikTok trend took off, he actually created the character over two years ago. In other words, we’re a bit late to the game, besties.
Gray first designed and posted a picture of Horace in October 2019 and later introduced him as a filter on Facebook and Instagram. Originally, Horace had no clothes on and was described by Gray as a “tragic character” who was growing old “in his own world.” However, Gray quickly noticed that users were using the Horace filter humorously, setting music to the background of Horace’s dancing. “It was interesting to see how the music that people set to him really changed his spirit,” Gray told Insider.
But when the Horace filter quickly got taken down by Facebook for its nudity (which is just rude), Gray had to rethink his beloved character. That’s when Gray redesigned Horace with clothes, even creating a fictional backstory of Horace dying and getting reborn as a new character. And, contrary to popular belief (and my eyes, I guess), his jumpsuit is pink, not orange. It’s an important distinction.
In the “Horace” TikTok trend, users dance with Horace.
Users across the globe have been dancing with Horace on TikTok for the past few weeks, reviving Horace as a character and legendary icon. Celebrities like Jason Derulo have even hopped on the trend, with Jason saying, “When it’s 5am and that one friend just won’t leave.” Let Horace live, Jason.
Many users have been using the Horace filter to dissect the world of dating, with TikTokers like user @romitavlz dancing with Horace and saying, “When he’s not your type but he’s a billionaire.” Similarly, user @realperuvianbad said, “Vibing with the ugly dude I caught feelings for [because] he’s funny.” Hey, don’t call Horace ugly! He doesn’t deserve that kind of disrespect.
You’re not too late to the “Horace” TikTok trend.
Despite the trend starting a few weeks ago, the “Horace” TikTok trend is still alive and better than ever. To try the trend, scroll through the trending hashtag #Horace to get some inspiration from other creators. Then, activate the filter and choose what sound you want to put behind it (ideally, Drake’s “Feel No Ways,” but you do you, bestie) and dance with Horace! You may feel kind of silly at first, but that’s, like, kind of the whole point.
And a quick PSA, Horace is my new bestie — love ya, Horace.