How a Minneapolis boy became a Chinese internet superstar
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
There's nothing but irony in the BBC's video about a Minneapolis kid who has become a sensation in China because people there don't like to say what they really think.
Gavin Thomas joined the Chinese social media network, Weibo, last year and now his various expressions are used in memes across the country.
The kid goes to China now and he's a star.
This, a gecko on his forehead, is the moment when his internet fame took off.
His images are spread by WeChat, according to CNN. He's known as the "fake smile" boy because of his "forced, but polite" smile, which CNN described as a "social lubricant."
(h/t: Sam Benshoof, Paul Tosto)
Turn Up Your Support
MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all.
Dear reader,
Your voice matters. And we want to hear it.
Will you help shape the future of Minnesota Public Radio by taking our short Listener Survey?
It only takes a few minutes, and your input helps us serve you better—whether it’s news, culture, or the conversations that matter most to Minnesotans.
