“It’s just a Cosplay,” says Twisted Pennywise’s Instagram bio, but it’s a cosplay that has won him a huge audience across social media, with over 78,000 followers on Instagram and a mind-blowing 14.6 million TikTok followers and 182.6 million likes for his content on the platform (yes, you read that right: 182.6 million). He has performed viral dances and collaborated with major celebs and influencers including Jason Derulo, Blame It on Kway, and J Valentino. As if that wasn’t enough, he recently signed a partnership deal with Warner Bros Studios.

Twisted Pennywise may look scary – especially if you’re terrified of clowns – but don’t worry, he’s not real; he’s simply the brainchild of one Michael Taeza, a content creator from America. When the remake of IT was released in 2017, Taeza’s friends commented on how similar his laugh was to that of demonic clown Pennywise. As TikTok began to become a thing, Taeza downloaded the app, began dressing up as Pennywise (using an old costume so cumbersome that it took three hours to put on) and posting short videos of his impersonations.

Within a few posts, Twisted Pennywise had blown up and gone viral, and has continued to gain traction ever since. With big stars and even studios wanting in on the act, Taeza has created something very special.