KJ Apa Calls Mr. Fantasy a ‘Liar and a Thief’

KJ Apa has had enough. The Riverdale actor, 28, broke his silence on Wednesday, May 6, posting a pointed Instagram video calling out viral TikTok personality Mr. Fantasy — the vaguely British, bell-bottom-wearing, black-bobbed musician who fans have spent months insisting is actually Apa in an elaborate disguise.

“So, there has been something going on for a long time that I haven’t addressed because I didn’t think it was even worth addressing,” Apa said in the video, his tone unmistakably serious. “But now, because of how it’s impacted my life personally, I feel like I have to talk about it. I have to do it now because it’s hurting me and my career.”

The breaking point? Mr. Fantasy’s new music video for “Do Me Right,” the lead single from his upcoming debut album FANTASYLAND. The clip is packed with celebrities — and notably, a lot of them happen to be very close to Apa. His former Riverdale costars Camila Mendes, Lili Reinhart, and Madelaine Petsch all appear, alongside Nick Jonas, Dave Franco, Rob Lowe, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Derek Hough, Kiernan Shipka, Zoey Deutch, Alex Warren, Cody Simpson, Tyler Posey, Rufus Sewell, Neal McDonough, Jimmy Tatro, and Sombr — with Mr. Fantasy dancing, golfing, biking, horseback riding, and swimming through the whole thing.

“There was recently a music video that was released that included a bunch of people who are really close to me by a guy who’s completely and utterly stolen my image and misappropriated my image and my likeness,” Apa said. “And I think we all know who we’re talking about. It’s f***ed up.”

“I Just Lost Out on a Huge Job”

Apa made clear this isn’t just about hurt feelings. He said the situation has had real professional consequences, claiming he “just lost out on a huge job” and can “no longer go in for serious work because people think that I’m a joke because of this guy.”

“I can’t just sit back and watch it happen and see my life — literally everything that I’ve worked hard for — now come to a halt because of this f***ing idiot,” he said.

He also zeroed in on what he sees as the particular hypocrisy of the situation. “This person advocates for positivity and for kindness and for all of this stuff,” Apa said, his frustration barely contained. “Look in the mirror and tell yourself that you’re not a f***ing liar and a thief. Because that’s exactly what you are.”

His Instagram caption was equally unambiguous: “Enough is enough. I won’t sit back any longer and watch someone attempt to ruin my life and everything I have worked for.”

Friends Respond — Many With Apologies

The comments on Apa’s video turned into something of a confessional booth. Several of the celebrities who appeared in the “Do Me Right” video reached out directly.

Zoey Deutch wrote: “Hi, I am really sorry I agreed to do the music video with him. I had no idea it was affecting your life like this. I obviously won’t engage anymore with him and just feel really bad about the whole thing. I hope you can accept my apology.”

Patrick Schwarzenegger kept it short: “I’m sorry man.”

Derek Hough offered a different kind of response. “Bro, I’ve never met you before but I feel bad now that I’ve become so close with someone who has become a legend in so many lives. I hope you guys can find a middle ground. Prays to you 🙏🏼,” he wrote.

Madelaine Petsch, who had been spotted with Mr. Fantasy as recently as April 13 — when he called her “a queen” and “a kindly fierce woman” in a TikTok caption — liked Apa’s video without commenting publicly. Madelyn Cline summed up the situation with a pointed “Identity theft is not a joke.” Taylor Lautner commented, “I was a huge fan of his man but your right, this has to end,” while Alexandra Shipp, who is set to co-star with Apa in the upcoming film White Elephant, wrote, “I knew there was something off about him @kjapa I’m so sorry.”

The Theory That Won’t Go Away

Mr. Fantasy first went viral in the late summer of 2025, and almost immediately, fans started doing the math. The identical tattoos were the biggest piece of evidence — hard to explain away with a wig and fake teeth. Since then, Mr. Fantasy has racked up more than 1.2 million TikTok followers, performed “Mr. Fantasy” at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and cultivated a celebrity social circle that, as this week made very clear, overlaps almost entirely with Apa’s.

@iamtherealmrfantasy

There is a queen and her name is Madelaine Petsch. She is a force on the cinema screen and that is why I asked if she would teach me how to drive for SUMMERTIME BABY!!!! It’s imperative that I can transport from place to place this summer. Thankyou Madelaine for trusting me 😜😜 what a kindly fierce woman you are 😜😜 alright as you were 🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪 @Madelaine Petsch #madelainepetsch #mrfantasy #summer #vibes #music

♬ original sound – iamtherealmrfantasy

Mr. Fantasy himself has consistently played it cool about the comparisons. When The Hollywood Reporter asked him about it last November, he was characteristically breezy. “Not bothered by it, not bothered by it,” he said. “Things bother me sometimes, but I keep my eyes upward, and I keep trudging the happy road of happy destiny. I focus on the positive. I focus on the people whom I love and who love me and that have a positive influence on my life, like James Franco.”

He has not yet responded to Apa’s video.

Whether this is an elaborate performance art piece that’s gotten too real, or a genuine case of image theft that’s spiraling, one thing is certain: FANTASYLAND is on the way this summer, and the story is far from over.