If you tend to spend hours mindlessly scrolling on TikTok like me, then you’ve probably come across the internet’s newest niche obsession: Chanty Beluga. And even if you’ve seen the videos pop up on your FYP, you’ve probably also wondered: who is Chanty Beluga? Where did the meme even come from? So, if you’re clueless as I was before I deep-dived into the meme, don’t worry — I got you.
The meme started a couple of weeks ago after a user by the name of @ChantyBeluga posted a TikTok of her doing a self-tape. In the TikTok, she says, “Hi, I’m Chanty Beluga, 5 ‘4, and I am auditioning for the role of crypt keeper,” while the person behind the camera can be heard giggling. Her account has grown in popularity, and in just under a month, Chanty Beluga has amassed almost 40k followers. Talk about a star in the making.
In her TikToks, Chanty Beluga introduces herself while doing something normal. In one video, she introduces herself to a group of people at a pool party. In another, she orders a swordfish sandwich over the phone. In her most recently video at the time of publication, she’s looking for her name on a keychain display. (It’s not there, if you were wondering.)
There’s not much to the bit — and that’s the point. Simply saying the name “Chanty Beluga” is objectively hilarious, because it’s so ridiculous. Plus, her commitment to the bit — saying her full government name in all its glory — has fans hooked.
Since Chanty Beluga hit the FYP, internet users have been posting about her — some even going so far as to present deep dives on her lore.
Others have also come online to share that Chanty Beluga is the “next internet sensation.” Seriously, if this were the 2010s, she’d probably be on like, every daytime talk show by now.
But it’s not just TikTok. On X/Twitter, internet users are also spreading the word about Chanty Beluga. Some are confused. Some are enamored. And all of them are committed to the bit.
What is Chanty Beluga’s real name?
Behind Chanty Beluga is Courtney O’Donnell, a comedian based in Los Angeles, California. According to her website, she has an upcoming show at The Union Hall in New York City — so maybe we’ll get a Shanty Beluga appearance during her set. Beyond that, she’s an award-winning social creative who has worked with companies such as McDonald’s, YouTube, Google Maps, and Coffee Mates. And while she has just shy of 8,000 followers on her personal TikTok at the time of publication, something tells me that she’s about to blow up real quick. I was here first!