It seems that the internet has been playing a guessing game for months — and now, the man at the center of it all has finally had enough. On May 6, Riverdale actor KJ Apa took to Instagram to call out Mr. Fantasy, calling him a “liar” and a “thief.” So, what’s the backstory on the drama between the two?
Since September 2025, TikTok personality Mr. Fantasy has been popular in the limelight thanks to his signature bob, quirky fashion sense, and undeniable charm. He has managed to gain over 1.2 million followers on TikTok — but Mr. Fantasy isn’t just a TikTok phenomenon. FWIW, fans believe that Mr. Fantasy is none other than Apa himself, operating under an alter ego.
For the past several months, the comparisons have flooded social media, but Mr. Fantasy told The Hollywood Reporter back in September 2025 that he was “not bothered” by them. However, “unbothered” takes a whole new meaning when the person you’re being compared to is now publicly saying your existence has damaged their career. Not only that, but the “Do Me Right” music video has only made the situation messier by featuring Apa’s own castmates — people who have worked alongside him for years.Â
So, Apa decided to finally take matters into his own hands and speak about the singer, claiming that Mr. Fantasy has “completely and utterly stolen my image and misappropriated my image and my likeness.”
On May 6, Apa broke his silence with a video on Instagram, calling out Mr. Fantasy for directly stealing his image and misappropriating his likeness. Although he doesn’t mention him by name, it’s obvious the jab is directed towards him — especially around the same time that Mr. Fantasy released a music video for his song “Do Me Right,” featuring a star-studded lineup which includes Apa’s Riverdale co-stars Camila Mendes, Lili Reinhart, and Madelaine Petsch.Â
In the Instagram video, Apa is visibly frustrated and doesn’t hold back. He described watching someone use his literal physical appearance — such as his tattoos — to build a career, while his own was quietly taking a hit behind the scenes. Apa mentions that he lost a “huge job” opportunity and felt he could no longer be considered for serious roles because people had come to associate his image with someone they viewed as a joke.
“If anyone out there thinks it’s okay to take someone’s image, literal tattoos, and to use it for their own success, it’s completely wrong,” the actor said. “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*cking idiot.”
So, whether you’ve been Team Mr. Fantasy since his rise on TikTok or you’re just now catching up on the drama, one thing is clear: KJ Apa is not playing anymore. Mr. Fantasy’s response will better clarify the situation, and of course, the internet will be respectfully watching. I, for one, think they should both… look in the mirror, and hash this out themselves.