Russell Horning, also known as the ‘Backpack Kid’, is an American dancer and social media personality who has gained immense popularity for his incredible and humorous dance moves. With a backpack on his back, he captivates audiences with his unique style. Starting as a regular high school student, his life changed overnight when Rihanna reposted one of his dances on Instagram, instantly creating a fan club for him. Now, with over 2.2 million followers on Instagram, he has become a recognizable figure in Atlanta’s social media scene. Apart from his dancing skills, Russell has also released two original tracks and aspires to enter the music industry. Born in Lawrenceville, Georgia, he grew up with his younger sister and is a strong advocate against racism. He believes that dancing has the power to unite people of different races and make the world a better place.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: Backpack Kid
- Age: 22 Years, 22 Year Old Males
- Family:
- Mother: Anita Redd
- Siblings: Jill
- Born Country: United States
- Height: 5’6″ (168 cm), 5’6″ Males
- U.S. State: Georgia
- Awards:
- Shorty Award for Best in Dance
- Kids’ Choice Award for Favorite Dance Trend
Rise to Stardom
Russell Horning was just a regular child until he started creating and posting videos of himself dancing in his bedroom that quickly went viral. His signature dance style, called “Flossing,” is his claim to fame. In this dance move, Horning swiftly swings his arms while shaking his booty and maintaining a stone-faced glare, carrying his backpack of course!
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Social Media Presence
Russell Horning has been active on social media since 2014 with his Instagram profile originally registered as Majestic Cat Lover. The following year, he got his first big break when another Instagram user who had hundreds of thousands of subscribers tagged him in a video. This ultimately led to a steep hike in the number of Horning’s followers in no time. Then in 2016, one of his dance videos went viral, making him quite popular.
Further Fame
In May 2017, Horning’s fame reached further heights when he was invited by Katy Perry to perform on the ‘Saturday Night Live’ show. In the show, he showcased his brilliant dance moves, impressing the viewers. He later also starred in the singer’s music video for the single ‘Swish Swish.’ Also that year, Horning’s fancy dance moves were mimicked by NFL player Mack Hollins during a Philadelphia 76ers game. His current Instagram account is in the name of “thebackpackkid” and it has more than 2.2 million followers.
Music Videos and Commercials
Russell Horning has also appeared in music videos by the dance duo Ayo & Teo and Blac Youngsta. Following his meteoric rise to stardom, the backpack kid has also scored a number of commercials for many renowned brands. He shot a promotional tape for the Georgia Swarm Lacrosse team and also attended one of their games in June 2017. In addition, he did an advertisement for Checkers to support their $1 Fries campaign. Currently, Horning is planning to design backpacks and other items, such as socks, caps, hoodies, and T-shirts.
The Secret behind the Name the ‘Backpack Kid’
According to Russell Horning, one of his friends had a cool backpack that looked great on him. Horning wanted the backpack too as he liked it very much. So, he started dancing with the backpack on. This is how he came to be known as the “Backpack Kid!” People often wonder what all items he actually carries in his backpack. Russell carries a water bottle, a charger, a GOATcase, his wallet, and a few fidget spinners in his backpack.
Personal Life
Russell Horning was born on December 19, 2001, in Lawrenceville, Georgia, the USA to Anita Redd and her husband. He has a younger sister whose name is Jill. He is good friends with a number of fellow star dancers including Benny Imprint and Mateo Bowles.