Aidan Gallagher is an American actor who is best known for playing Number Five in the Netflix series The Umbrella Academy. He started his acting career as a child, appearing in commercials and shows like Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn and Chasing Life. Gallagher joined TikTok in March 2019 and quickly amassed a large following on the platform. His main TikTok account, @aidangallagher, has over 16 million followers and 679 million likes as of February 2023.
Followers and Popularity
As of February 2023, Aidan Gallagher has over 16 million followers on his main TikTok account @aidangallagher. His follower count has grown exponentially since he first joined TikTok in March 2020. In just his first few months on the platform, he quickly amassed over 1 million followers.
His rapid growth can be attributed to his status as a star on the popular Netflix series The Umbrella Academy. Each new season release brings a surge of interest and followers. He also often goes viral for his comedic videos and impressive talent, like his ability to solve a Rubik’s cube in seconds.
Engagement rates on his videos are very high, regularly getting millions of likes and thousands of comments. His most popular video has over 50 million views and 8 million likes. Fans are highly engaged with his content and interact enthusiastically in the comments.
Content Themes and Trends
Gallagher’s content showcases his talents in acting, comedy, and dance. He frequently participates in popular TikTok trends and memes, displaying his versatility across different styles. Some of his most viewed content features acting performances and scenes, drawing on his experience starring in Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy. He also posts comedy sketches and dances to trending challenges, displaying his sense of humor and movement abilities. Gallagher cleverly adapts the latest viral trends and audios into creative videos that allow his personality to shine. For instance, he participated in the popular “He’s a 10 but…” trend by listing off silly quirks and flaws, highlighting his gift for comedy [1]. His active engagement with what’s popular on TikTok allows him to produce fun content that resonates with viewers.
Signature Elements
Aidan Gallagher’s TikTok videos often feature inside jokes and signature elements that fans have come to love. One of his most popular recurring bits is dancing while wearing a towel on his head, creating a goofy persona his fans affectionately call “towel boy.” He frequently ends his TikToks by saying his trademark catchphrase “later dudes,” waving at the camera. Gallagher also occasionally posts videos pretending to be an eccentric chess master character he created named Gustav, wearing fake eyebrows and speaking in a silly accent.
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https://www.tiktok.com/discover/aidan-gallagher-signature
@347aidan okayy aidan back on his grind posting TikTok’s wowww okay aidan #fyp #chainsmokers #tcs #347aidan #music
Collabs and Guest Appearances
Aidan Gallagher has collaborated with some of TikTok’s most popular creators. Some of the big names he has teamed up with include Charli and Dixie D’Amelio, Addison Rae, and Bryce Hall.1 These collab videos often showcase fun dances, challenges, and comedic skits.
In addition to collaborations, Aidan has made guest appearances in other top TikTokers’ videos. For example, he has shown up in content from Josh Richards, Anthony Reeves, and other Sway House members.2 Aidan’s charismatic personality shines through in these cameos, where he participates in pranks, reacts to trends, and engages with fellow creators.
Fan Interaction
Gallagher frequently engages with fans in the comments and makes duets/stitches responding directly to their content. He often participates in fan polls and challenges, showing his willingness to interact with his followers. For example, Gallagher dueted a fan’s “He’s a 10 but…” video, playing along with the trend.
However, some fans have accused Gallagher of occasionally being rude or passive aggressive in his responses. In one video, a fan asked him not to make fun of people’s appearances. Gallagher stitched her video with a clip of himself rolling his eyes dramatically. Some felt this was mocking the fan’s valid request.
While Gallagher does try to maintain active communication with fans, some interactions have rubbed followers the wrong way. His duets and comments range from thoughtful engagement to flippant dismissal depending on the video. Maintaining consistently respectful interactions as his platform grows will be an important consideration moving forward.
Controversies
Despite his popularity and massive following, Aidan Gallagher has faced some controversies and backlash on TikTok. One major incident occurred in May 2020 when old comments surfaced showing Aidan making offensive jokes about gender identity and mental health conditions like OCD. The comments sparked outrage among fans who felt Aidan was punching down on marginalized groups. Aidan responded by posting an apology video on TikTok, acknowledging that the comments were “hurtful” and stating that he has grown since posting them as an immature 12 year old. He affirmed his support for LGBTQ+ rights and mental health awareness. While some fans forgave him, others argued the comments revealed underlying bigotry that an apology video couldn’t erase [1].
Another controversy emerged in late 2021 when Aidan endorsed Andrew Yang for New York mayor, despite not living in the city or being able to vote there. Critics accused Aidan of irresponsibly wielding his celebrity influence over an election he had no stake in. Aidan defended his endorsement, saying he believes celebrity opinions can “bring positivity into politics” and that he endorsed Yang based on policy alignment, not fame [2]. While Aidan hasn’t shied away from politics, these incidents reveal the backlash that can come with a teen celebrity activist using their platform to weigh in on social issues and elections.
Impact and Reach
Aidan Gallagher’s TikTok account has had a significant impact beyond just the app itself. With over 10 million followers, Gallagher has been able to use his large platform to support important causes and spread positive messages.
One way Gallagher has made an impact is by advocating for mental health awareness. He has been open about his own mental health struggles, especially with ADHD, to help break stereotypes and let others facing similar issues know they are not alone (source).
Gallagher has also used TikTok to support the Black Lives Matter movement, LGBTQ+ rights, and other social justice initiatives. During Pride Month in 2022, Gallagher changed his profile picture to feature the Pride flag to demonstrate allyship.
With his large following and influence, Gallagher has been able to drive awareness to causes he cares about beyond just entertaining his fans. His account has become an important platform for positive social change and impact.
Awards and Recognition
With over 44 million followers on TikTok, Aidan Gallagher has amassed significant recognition on the platform. He was featured on TikTok’s lists of top creators in 2021, including the Top 10 Breakout Creators (TikTok) and Top Creators You Need to Follow (TikTok).
Aidan has received numerous accolades for his work on TikTok. In 2021, he won the Kids’ Choice Award for Favorite Male Social Star (TikTok). He was also nominated for the MTV Movie & TV Awards Social Star in 2021.
His popularity on the platform has led to brand sponsorships and partnerships. Aidan has promoted major brands like Ralph Lauren, Pacsun, and Pokémon on his TikTok account through branded content videos and campaigns.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Aidan Gallagher’s TikTok presence has had a significant cultural impact, garnering a massive following of over 50 million fans in a short time. His account stands out for his quick-witted humor, passion for science and innovation, and imaginative videos. He frequently collaborates with other creators, engages meaningfully with his fans, and uses the platform to showcase his many talents. While not without some controversies, Aidan has largely channeled his reach in positive ways, partnering with organizations and supporting important causes.
Aidan’s charismatic and upbeat persona shines through on TikTok, where his science experiments, song covers, and acting skills entertain millions globally. As one of the most popular Gen Z creators, Aidan demonstrates the power of social media to make a difference in the world. His TikTok account provides an influential platform to creatively express himself and connect with an audience bigger than most TV shows or movies. By skillfully leveraging the format’s constraints and opportunities, Aidan has built a distinctive, engaging, and impactful presence on TikTok.
