The Berries And Cream Guy: Unpacking The Little Lad's Viral Journey From 2007 To TikTok Stardom
If you've spent any time online, especially on TikTok in the past few years, chances are you've encountered a peculiar, high-pitched voice exclaiming, "Berries and cream, berries and cream, I'm a Little Lad who loves berries and cream!" This catchy, somewhat unsettling jingle, accompanied by a distinctive little dance, has become an undeniable part of internet culture. But who is this "Berries and Cream Guy," and where did this viral sensation truly come from? The origins of this viral meme are even stranger than the song remixes themselves, tracing back to a curious commercial and the multifaceted artist behind the "Little Lad" persona.
The Peculiar Genesis: A Starburst Commercial in 2007
The journey of the "Berries and Cream Guy" begins not in the chaotic realm of TikTok, but in the somewhat more structured world of television advertising. Back in 2007, Starburst, the popular candy brand, released a commercial to promote their new "Berries and Cream" Starburst flavors. The candies themselves featured fruity, creamy combinations, and the advertisement aimed to capture their unique essence in an equally unique way.
This commercial introduced the world to the "Little Lad," a character dressed in antique garb, complete with a bowl cut and an oddly earnest demeanor. The character's performance was, to put it mildly, memorable. With wide eyes and a slightly unnerving smile, he would deliver the now-iconic line, followed by a peculiar little jig. It was a cunningly strange commercial, designed to be quirky and attention-grabbing, and it certainly achieved that, albeit in a way that few could have predicted.
From Obscurity to Overnight Sensation: The Meme's First Wave
While the commercial aired in 2007, the "Berries and Cream" phenomenon didn't explode into a global meme overnight. It simmered, gaining a cult following among those who appreciated its oddball charm. Over time, clips of the "Little Lad" began to circulate on early internet platforms, gradually building a reputation as a truly bizarre yet captivating piece of advertising history. It became known by various names:
- "Berries And Cream"
- "The Little Lad Dance"
- "I'm A Little Lad Who Likes Berries And Cream"
This initial spread was organic, driven by the sheer strangeness and quotability of the character and his simple, repetitive song. It was a precursor to the modern meme culture, demonstrating how a niche piece of media could find a life beyond its original intent through shared fascination and humor.
The TikTok Resurgence: A New Generation Discovers the Lad
Fast forward to the early 2020s, and the "Berries and Cream Guy" experienced an unprecedented resurgence, catapulting him into mainstream internet consciousness. TikTok, the short-form video platform, became the unlikely stage for the "Little Lad" to find a new, massive audience. If you’ve opened TikTok in the past few weeks or months, there’s a high probability that you’ve encountered countless videos featuring the "Berries and Cream" audio.
The trend started with users lip-syncing to the original audio, often replicating the "Little Lad's" distinctive dance moves and antiquated appearance. From there, it spiraled into a creative explosion of remixes, parodies, and interpretations. People used the sound for:
- Humorous reactions to everyday situations.
- Creating elaborate costumes and makeup to embody the "Little Lad."
- Producing musical remixes that ranged from EDM to heavy metal.
- Choreographing new dances inspired by the original jig.
This wave of TikTok videos has been viewed more than 350 million times, cementing the "Berries and Cream Guy" as one of the platform's most enduring and peculiar memes. Its virality on TikTok highlights the platform's ability to unearth obscure cultural artifacts and transform them into global phenomena, driven by collective creativity and a shared appreciation for the absurd.
Who is the "Little Lad" Behind the Cream? Meet Jack Ferver
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the "Berries and Cream Guy" phenomenon is the identity of the performer himself. For many, the "Little Lad" was just a character, a fleeting image from a strange commercial. However, the person behind that iconic bowl cut and earnest expression is a highly respected and accomplished artist named Jack Ferver.
Jack Ferver, born in 1979, is far from just a commercial actor. They are an American dancer, choreographer, actor, and professor. While the "Berries and Cream" commercial is arguably their biggest role in terms of public recognition, it stands in stark contrast to the majority of their artistic work. Ferver has mostly worked in the realm of dance-theatre, where their shows are known for examining complex and often challenging themes. They are particularly recognized for their work that delves into:
- Trauma
- Otherness
- Queerness
Their performances are often raw, emotionally charged, and thought-provoking, a stark departure from the lighthearted, albeit bizarre, tone of the Starburst commercial. The fact that an artist with such a profound and serious body of work also embodies the internet's beloved "Little Lad" adds another layer of fascinating irony to the meme. It turns out, the "Berries and Cream Guy" still dances, continuing their impactful career in performance art, even as their 2007 commercial role enjoys renewed viral fame.
The Enduring Legacy of the Berries and Cream Guy
The "Berries and Cream Guy," or the "Little Lad," represents a unique intersection of advertising, performance art, and internet culture. What started as a niche commercial for a candy flavor has blossomed into a multi-generational meme, transcending its original purpose to become a symbol of internet oddity and creative remixing.
Its enduring appeal lies in its inherent strangeness, its simple yet catchy tune, and the sheer unexpectedness of its resurgence. The character's innocent, almost unsettling earnestness, combined with the bizarre context, makes it endlessly rewatchable and adaptable. It’s a testament to how even the most obscure pieces of media can be resurrected and reimagined by a collective online consciousness, finding new meaning and humor years, even decades, after their initial creation.
The story of the "Berries and Cream Guy" is a fascinating journey from a quirky commercial to a viral sensation, reminding us that sometimes, the most memorable things are the ones that are just a little bit off-kilter. And behind it all, an artist continues to create, leaving a legacy both in the avant-garde world of dance-theatre and in the whimsical, unforgettable realm of internet memes.
Summary
The "Berries and Cream Guy," known for the viral "Little Lad" dance and catchphrase, originated from a peculiar 2007 Starburst commercial promoting "Berries and Cream" candy flavors. The character, a "Little Lad" in antique garb, gained cult status before exploding on TikTok in the early 2020s, inspiring hundreds of millions of views and countless remixes. The performer behind this iconic role is Jack Ferver, a renowned American dancer, choreographer, actor, and professor, known for their serious dance-theatre work exploring themes of trauma, otherness, and queerness. Ferver's dual identity as both a respected artist and the internet's beloved "Little Lad" adds a unique layer to the meme's enduring and widespread appeal, highlighting the unpredictable nature of internet fame.
Berries and Cream Guy in Starburst Commercials: 'Memba Him?! | TMZ.com
A Magnificently Fabulous Perfect Kitchen Giveaway | The Realistic
Starburst Little Lad Berries and Cream - YouTube
