On Thanksgiving morning, as millions watched the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade float by in New York City, fans did a double-take: there, in a glittering Seventies rockstar costume with false teeth, a fringed bob wig, and mirrored sunglasses, was KJ Apa—but not as Archie Andrews. This was Mr. Fantasy, his new musical alter ego, belting out a funk-inflected pop anthem live on the streets of Manhattan. The surprise performance, which occurred during the parade’s 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM EST window on November 28, 2025, wasn’t just a cameo. It was a full-blown debut, marking Apa’s most audacious artistic pivot since wrapping Riverdale in 2023.
The Mask Behind the Music
Mr. Fantasy isn’t just a stage name. It’s a character, meticulously crafted. Apa, 28, speaks in a thick British accent when in persona, a deliberate contrast to his natural New Zealand tone. He’s not signed to a label. No publicist. No team. Just him, a synth-heavy track called "Wayuwanna," and a vision shaped by one man: James Franco. In a recent Hollywood Reporter interview conducted just days before the parade, Mr. Fantasy—speaking only as the character—repeatedly cited Franco as his artistic North Star. "I think I’m honest enough to be an actor," he said. "Often the best performers, like James Franco, they seem to have honesty. It exudes off the screen." The quote wasn’t throwaway. It was a mantra. He mentioned Franco five times in the interview. When asked about collaborating with other artists, he replied, "I don’t think I’d do it without him." The interview’s manager even emailed the publication to request they not mention "the silly actor boy TJ Apple"—a baffling, possibly ironic nod to Apa’s real name, Kainohepera Apa, and perhaps a wink to his Riverdale fame.From Riverdale to Rockstar
Apa rose to global fame as Archie Andrews, the brooding, guitar-strumming heartthrob of Riverdale, a show that ran from 2017 to 2023. Before that, he played Kane Jenkins on New Zealand’s Shortland Street, a soap opera that gave him his first taste of the spotlight. But Mr. Fantasy is something else entirely. No script. No network. Just performance art disguised as pop music. His two released singles, "Mr. Fantasy" and "Wayuwanna," are lo-fi, groove-driven, and oddly charming—think David Bowie meets a 1975-era glam-rock fantasy. The third single, confirmed for release between November 25 and December 1, 2025, will drop with no fanfare, no press tour. Just a YouTube upload and a whisper on Instagram.The decision to unveil Mr. Fantasy at the Macy’s parade wasn’t random. It was strategic theater. The parade, produced by Macy’s, Inc. since 1924, draws 3.5 million spectators in person and over 20 million TV viewers. Apa didn’t need a label to get attention—he needed spectacle. And he got it. Fans flooded social media with videos of the performance. One clip, shot near Central Park South, shows a little girl pointing and yelling, "That’s Archie! But… with teeth?"
Why Franco? And Why Now?
The Franco obsession is the thread that ties it all together. Franco, born in Palo Alto in 1978, built a career on blurring lines: actor, director, artist, provocateur. He’s played a stoner in Pineapple Express, a serial killer in 127 Hours, and a version of himself in The Disaster Artist. He’s the perfect muse for Apa’s metamorphosis. "Any version of yourself seems to be accepted," Mr. Fantasy told Hollywood Reporter. "Look at how many stars were made here. James Franco, for example, came to Los Angeles to pursue this dream, and I’m just another artist who’s out here doing his thing." That line is the key. Apa isn’t trying to replace Archie. He’s not even trying to be a pop star. He’s exploring identity—something Franco has done for decades. The false teeth? A metaphor. The wig? A disguise. The British accent? A performance within a performance. This isn’t a side hustle. It’s a thesis.
What Comes Next?
The third single’s release will be the real test. Will Mr. Fantasy gain traction? Or will he vanish back into the shadows of Apa’s acting career? There’s no marketing plan. No interviews scheduled. No tour announced. But if history’s any indicator, the most compelling art often comes from the quietest launches. Apa’s move mirrors how artists like Lady Gaga or David Bowie built personas—not through corporate strategy, but through raw, unfiltered expression.And then there’s the question no one’s asking: Is Mr. Fantasy a character Apa will retire… or one he’ll outgrow? The fact that he’s already performing in full costume, in front of millions, suggests he’s not just pretending. He’s becoming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mr. Fantasy, really?
Mr. Fantasy is the musical alter ego of New Zealand-born actor KJ Apa, best known for playing Archie Andrews on Riverdale. He’s a fictional 1970s rockstar persona created by Apa, complete with a British accent, false teeth, and a fringed wig. Apa performs as Mr. Fantasy independently, without label backing, releasing funk-pop singles like "Wayuwanna" and "Mr. Fantasy"—with a third set to drop in late November 2025.
Why is James Franco so central to this persona?
Apa, speaking as Mr. Fantasy, repeatedly cited Franco as his artistic idol during a Hollywood Reporter interview, calling his on-screen honesty "exuding off the screen." Franco’s career—blending mainstream roles with avant-garde projects—mirrors Apa’s own desire to transcend typecasting. The repeated references aren’t just admiration; they’re a declaration of intent: Apa wants to be seen as an artist who can transform, not just act.
Was this performance planned as a surprise reveal?
Absolutely. Apa and his small team chose the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade specifically because of its massive, family-friendly audience and lack of media control. No press releases. No teasers. Just a costume, a song, and a 30-minute window on national TV. The goal was organic discovery—fans spotting him, sharing clips, and piecing together the mystery themselves.
Is Mr. Fantasy a one-time stunt or a new career path?
It’s too early to say, but the depth of the character suggests permanence. Apa didn’t just wear a costume—he developed a backstory, a voice, and a creative philosophy around Mr. Fantasy. The fact that he’s releasing a third single with zero promotional campaign implies he’s building something sustainable, not chasing viral fame. This feels like the beginning of a long, unconventional artistic journey.
How did fans react to the performance?
Fan reactions were overwhelmingly positive and viral. Thousands posted videos on TikTok and Instagram, many expressing shock and delight. Hashtags like #MrFantasy and #ArchieHasTeeth trended in New York and New Zealand. Some fans speculated he was an actor in costume; others immediately recognized him. The blend of nostalgia for Riverdale and curiosity about the new persona created a perfect storm of engagement.
Why did Mr. Fantasy’s manager ask The Hollywood Reporter not to mention "TJ Apple"?
"TJ Apple" is likely a fictionalized or satirical reference to KJ Apa’s real name, Kainohepera Apa. The request may have been a tongue-in-cheek attempt to protect the Mr. Fantasy persona from being reduced to "that guy from Riverdale." It reinforces the character’s separation from Apa’s acting identity, treating the persona as its own entity—something separate, sacred, and intentionally mysterious.