Exclusive Interview with the #internetson Meme Kid Gavin Thomas about Being Famous on Instagram, & Growing a Recognizable Brand in China & Beyond

The Internet’s Son Lives in Minnesota?!Behind the Scenes with Gavin Thomas & His Mom, KatieIf you’ve spent any time online in the past decade, you’ve seen his face.The fake smile.The “I’m fine… but clearly not fine” expression.The meme that refuses to die — and honestly, gets funnier with age.That kid?He’s Gavin Thomas.He’s eight years old in this interview.He lives right here in Minnesota.And somehow he’s more famous in China than most American celebrities are in America.This week on the Twin Cities Collective Podcast, the episode takes a different shape. First I talk with Gavin — about China, Fortnite, meet-and-greets, and accidentally becoming a global meme. Then I sit down with his mom, Katie, to unpack what it’s actually like raising a kid who can’t walk through a mall in Shanghai without being mobbed.This is one of the most surreal and strangely wholesome conversations I’ve ever had.Gavin’s Story: How a Toddler on Vine Became a Global MemeGavin started showing up on Vine around age three with his uncle, Nick (Nick Mastodon). They made silly reaction videos — including the iconic lizard-bite Vine — and people loved his expressive little face.Then Vine began to die, and the internet did what it does best:It turned him into a meme.His “fake smile” face started showing up everywhere — BuzzFeed, Tumblr, Twitter — even Olympians Simone Biles and Laurie Hernandez posted him.Suddenly, this Minneapolis kid was the internet’s inside joke.Why China Became Obsessed With HimHere’s where the story gets wild.China doesn’t have Instagram, but Chinese social platforms LOVE expressive reaction faces. Gavin’s memes went viral there, and fans started begging Katie to create a Weibo account.When they finally launched it?He hit one million followers in 24 hours.A million.They’ve now traveled to China three times for events, campaigns, and media appearances, where he gets recognized everywhere — airports, malls, even children’s playhouses.In Minnesota?Occasional Target run-ins.In China?Security teams, huge crowds, and paparazzi-style airport photos.The Reality Behind Raising a MemeKatie doesn’t sugarcoat anything. She:Runs all of Gavin’s social mediaWorks with a management team in LAHas a lawyer, accountant, and a full safety strategyCarefully chooses brand dealsProtects his identity and privacyLets him be a kid first, internet personality secondWhat I love most is how normal their daily life still is. Gavin goes to school, plays Fortnite, negotiates “work first, then play,” and organizes freeze-tag games at concerts instead of watching the musicians.He’s famous, but he’s still eight.And Katie works hard to keep it that way.What’s Next for Gavin?Like most kids his age, he wants to be:a YouTubera gamera vlogger…and honestly, he already has a better start than most adults. He’s got millions of followers, brand experience, and a global fanbase waiting for whatever comes next.But at home?He’s still a kid who wants to finish the podcast so he can go play video games.Follow GavinIf you want to see his latest content:Instagram: @gavinthomasTwitter: @gavinthomasYouTube: GavinThomasYTFacebook: Gavin Thomas FBQuick Episode Highlights10–15 Timestamp Moments Worth Skipping To00:00 – Sponsor: Roadmap to You Life Coaching01:13 – Why this episode is structured differently02:22 – Gavin says “Ni Hao” and talks about China fame03:01 – Early Vine days with his uncle Nick03:53 – Becoming a meme + his favorite “fake smile” meme05:53 – What meet-and-greets look like for an 8-year-old07:06 – Winning awards in China (Bilibili, etc.)07:53 – Fortnite talk: Ninja, streamers, and playing with creators11:21 – Gavin ends the interview to go play video games13:37 – Katie joins the interview15:46 – The summer his memes exploded across the internet21:17 – Hitting 1 million Weibo followers in 24 hours23:01 – The moment 100 fans waited outside a playhouse in China27:04 – Why they hired managers, a lawyer, and a full team34:02 – Buying him a vlogging camera + making videos for classmatesIf you want me to tighten the post, punch up the hook, or add images/header formatting for Substack, just tell me.Follow Gavinwww.instagram.com/gavinthomaswww.twitter.com/Gavinthomas Get full access to Red Thread Toolbox by Jenna Redfield at jennaredfield.substack.com/subscribe