Finn Wolfhard is a Canadian actor and musician who rose to fame playing Mike Wheeler in the Netflix series Stranger Things. Born in Vancouver in 2002, Wolfhard landed his first acting role at age 10 in the TV movie Aftermath. His big break came in 2016 at age 13 when he was cast as Mike in Stranger Things. The hugely popular sci-fi horror series quickly made Wolfhard and his young co-stars household names. Wolfhard has since starred in the It horror films and was cast as Richie Tozier in It: Chapter Two in 2019. He fronted the rock band Calpurnia from 2017-2019. Wolfhard has amassed over 30 million followers across social media platforms.
When Did Finn Join TikTok?
Finn Wolfhard created his official TikTok account on July 9, 2022 according to the profile information on his account https://www.tiktok.com/@.i.heart.finn.wolfhard. The account is verified with a blue checkmark, confirming it is his legitimate account. Though he had resisted joining the platform for a long time, he decided to create an account last summer to connect more directly with fans.
Why Did He Join TikTok?
Wolfhard first joined TikTok in early 2020 under the username @bruised_soup, quickly amassing millions of followers. Though already famous from Stranger Things, he was drawn to the app as a way to showcase more of his real personality through the short, informal videos. As Wolfhard explained in one TikTok, “I’m an actor, but I’m also just a 17 year old kid” (Source). The platform allowed him to connect with fans in a more authentic way than highly produced Hollywood projects. It also aligned with Wolfhard’s musical interests, as TikTok offered a space to share covers, original songs, and backstage moments with his band The Aubreys.
Beyond self-expression, industry experts noted that joining TikTok was a strategic career move for Wolfhard to expand his audience and maintain relevance with younger viewers. As a rising Gen Z star, engaging on youth-oriented social media kept his profile high between Stranger Things seasons. The informal videos even displayed his comedic chops and charisma, potentially positioning him for more comedic roles. Ultimately, the goofy, silly content let Wolfhard be a normal teen while also furthering his acting career.
Style and Content of His Videos
Finn Wolfhard’s TikTok features a variety of video styles and content. Many of his videos showcase his comedic side, with Finn lip-syncing to audio clips and showing off his goofy dance moves. He frequently collaborates with his Stranger Things co-stars like Noah Schnapp and Millie Bobby Brown, recreating scenes from the show or participating in popular TikTok trends together. Finn also posts laidback videos highlighting his everyday life and interests, from skateboarding to hanging out with friends.
In addition to comedy skits and lifestyle content, Finn uses TikTok as a platform to connect with fans. He often responds to comments, duets with fan videos, and answers questions in a down-to-earth, friendly manner. Some videos provide behind-the-scenes looks at projects he’s working on or glimpses at red carpet events. Overall, the videos feel authentic to Finn’s personality – quirky, fun, and engaging.
According to one article, “His TikTok style is a streetwear aesthetic with an artistic edge” (https://www.tiktok.com/discover/finn-wolfhard-street-style?lang=en). This encapsulates the laidback, creative vibe that Finn brings to his videos on the platform.
Popularity and Followers
Finn Wolfhard’s TikTok account, @finnwolfhardofficial__, has skyrocketed in popularity since he joined the platform. As of February 2023, he has over 1.5 million followers and 17.7 million likes across only 15 videos (https://www.tiktok.com/discover/finn-wolfhard-official-tiktok-account?lang=en). This has given him one of the highest engagement rates on TikTok, with each video averaging well over 1 million likes.
Wolfhard gained a massive following very quickly after joining TikTok in March 2020. Within just 2 months, he had over 500,000 followers without even posting a video (https://www.tiktok.com/discover/finn-wolfhard?lang=en). Fans were eager to see what kind of content the young Stranger Things star would produce on the platform.
The anticipation built up by his inactive account led to his first video instantly going viral. A simple lip sync to a Stranger Things sound garnered 5.2 million likes within 24 hours. This set the stage for each of his videos to consistently hit view counts in the millions.
Collaborations and Duets
Finn Wolfhard has collaborated with several other popular TikTok creators to make entertaining duet and collab videos. Some of his most notable TikTok collaborations include:
Dueting with Charlie and Dixie D’Amelio in a video where they recreate popular meme audio clips (“Finn wolfhard. – TikTok”).
Participating in the Wipe It Down challenge with Charli D’Amelio where they transform into different characters (“Finn Wolfhard (@finnwolfhardofficial) – Instagram”).
Dueting with Addison Rae Easterling in a funny video reacting to ghost hunting reality shows (“Exciting Finn Wolfhard Edit in The Turning | Viral Video – TikTok”).
Collaborating with rising TikTok star Spencer X on a comedic video about being confused by trending audios.
Dueting with several Stranger Things co-stars like Millie Bobby Brown, Noah Schnapp, and others in fun behind-the-scenes videos.
Fan Interaction
Finn Wolfhard engages with fans frequently on TikTok through duets, stitches, and comments. He often duets fan videos where they are reacting to his content or impersonating him. These humorous duets showcase his personality and allow fans to feel noticed by their idol. Finn also frequently replies to comments on his videos, having conversations with supporters. This level of accessibility helps him connect on a more personal level. Additionally, Finn sometimes stitches fan edits into his own videos as a way of sharing their creativity. He has stitched fan art and fan-made compilations of Stranger Things clips, enjoying that content alongside his followers. Through these types of organic interactions, Finn builds community and loyalty amongst his fanbase on TikTok.
Controversies
Wolfhard’s TikTok account has been involved in some controversies. In August 2022, some fans accused Wolfhard of flirting with singer Gracie Abrams in the comments of her TikTok videos, sparking backlash and rumors of inappropriate behavior, as Abrams was 17 years old at the time and Wolfhard was 19 (Source). However, both Wolfhard and Abrams denied these claims. Some fans also expressed concern over a 19-year-old interacting with a 17-year-old fanbase on TikTok (Source).
In October 2022, some fans resurfaced an old TikTok duet Wolfhard did in 2020 with a fan named Gia when he was 17 and she was 14. In the duet, Wolfhard repeats sexually suggestive lyrics the fan wrote. This caused backlash from some fans who felt the content was inappropriate given their age difference at the time (Source). However, neither Wolfhard nor the fan have addressed this controversy.
Impact on Career
Finn Wolfhard’s popularity on TikTok has had a significant impact on his acting and music careers. With over 30 million followers on the platform, his videos receive millions of views and likes. This increased exposure has led to more opportunities and roles for Wolfhard.
In an interview with Polygon, Wolfhard discussed how TikTok has affected his career, saying “I think it’s definitely opened me up to a larger audience that isn’t just people who specifically watch Stranger Things.” His viral TikTok videos have introduced him to new fans who may not have been familiar with his previous acting work.
The popularity has also translated into increased interest in his music career with his band, The Aubreys. The band’s songs have been used in over 3 million TikTok videos. This exposure has led to sold-out shows and an increase in streams on music platforms. Overall, Wolfhard’s success on TikTok has boosted his profile and opened up new opportunities across entertainment.
Conclusion
In summary, Finn Wolfhard’s presence on TikTok has shown his versatility as an entertainer beyond just acting. By sharing goofy dance videos, duets with fans, and behind-the-scenes moments, Finn has given his followers a fun glimpse into his personality outside his Stranger Things character. With over 30 million followers, he is one of the most popular celebrities on TikTok. While he has faced some backlash for controversial old videos, Finn has apologized and continued providing lighthearted content for loyal fans. His TikTok account has likely expanded his fanbase and kept him relevant between seasons of Stranger Things. Overall, Finn Wolfhard’s TikTok shows his authentic self and creative spirit, while allowing him to connect with fans in a more personal way.
