In 2017, a teenager with a stone face and a backpack danced behind Katy Perry on Saturday Night Live. That moment changed Russell Horning’s life. Known as Backpack Kid, he introduced the world to “the floss” dance and became a viral icon overnight.
The dance exploded. Fortnite picked it up. Kids copied it across schoolyards. But viral fame never lasts. And for years, people wondered where Russell went. In truth, he didn’t vanish, he just grew up.
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Russell now lives in Atlanta, Georgia, and leads a busy, low-key life. He’s building a creative career with real depth.
In 2025, he landed a supporting role in an indie film titled The Hit List, filmed in Miami. Even more impressive, he scored the film’s entire soundtrack, which he previewed on Instagram (Oct 3, 2024: @thebackpackkid). He also dropped a beat tape that December, further showcasing his music production skills.
Fast Facts
- Name: Russell Horning (Backpack Kid)
- Location: Atlanta, Georgia
- Known For: Viral floss dance on SNL (2017)
- Current Roles: Actor, music producer, mental health advocate
- Estimated Net Worth: $3 million (as of 2023, may have grown)
Reinvention Through Music, Fitness, and Advocacy
Fitness is another big shift. Since mid-2023, Russell has committed to weight training and started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in February 2025. His progress is visible in Instagram and TikTok clips where he practices grappling and conditioning.
He’s also speaking at schools about suicide prevention and mental health, participating in fundraisers like Zumba events. His advocacy reflects personal growth and a desire to give back.
Russell no longer resembles the teen with a stiff pose and dangling arms. He appears more athletic and mature in recent social media clips. His long hair, lean build, and confident look reflect his fitness journey. You won’t see the iconic backpack anymore. What you will see is a 23-year-old rebuilding himself with intention.
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Russell’s reinvention wasn’t flashy. But it was meaningful.
- Acting: The Hit List and future projects
- Music: Beat tape releases and film soundtracks
- Fitness: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and regular strength training
- Mental Health Advocacy: School talks, fundraiser appearances
- Events: Attending anime expos and speaking panels
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Why the Spotlight Faded and Why He’s Fine with That
He didn’t vanish. His fame just stopped being viral and started becoming personal.
After peaking in 2017, Russell tried music, releasing songs like Flossin and Drip on Boat. He also launched merch lines with backpacks and streetwear around 2020, trying to turn meme fame into a brand.
In 2018, he joined a lawsuit against Epic Games, the creators of Fortnite, for using his floss dance without credit. But the court ruled dance moves couldn’t be copyrighted, so the case was dropped, then later refiled but never resolved. It was a turning point, not a scandal, but a reminder of how fast the internet can move on.
Rather than chase trends, Russell changed direction. He focused on music, acting, fitness, and speaking. He chose growth over virality.
In June 2024, Russell posted a reel on Instagram. In it, he said:
“Oh, he’s just a silly flossing kid, all he does is floss.”
(@thebackpackkid)
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It wasn’t anger. It was reflection. He knew he’d been boxed in by a single viral moment. But instead of resenting it, he used it to push forward.
In a 2025 appearance on the INFLUENCED podcast, he reflected that going viral gave him a platform, but it was personal growth that gave him purpose. (This is paraphrased, as no full transcript was available.) There’s no regret. Just perspective.
Want to know how another meme legend turned her moment into millions? Check out Zoe Roth’s $500K Disaster Girl story →Staying Grounded: Earnings, Lifestyle, and Family Ties
Russell earns through multiple paths:
- Instagram (1.4M followers) and TikTok (3.6M followers) bring in ad and sponsorship revenue
- Acting gigs like The Hit List
- Music production, beat tapes, and scoring film soundtracks
- Merchandise and past brand deals
- Public appearances like Anime Town Greenville (Jan 2025)
He’s built a career that’s not flashy but solid.
In 2023, his net worth was estimated at $3 million. That number may have grown based on recent projects, although no official 2025 estimate is available. There’s no sign of waste or burnout. Russell’s finances, like his career, look stable.
Russell keeps his private life quiet. There’s no public info about a spouse, partner, or children. But his family still plays a role in his life.
He often mentions his brother, who serves in the U.S. Marine Corps. That connection led Russell to support military nonprofits like the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. His mother, Antia Redd, helped guide his early fame, but recent updates about her have been minimal.
More Than a Meme
Not every viral star gets a second act. But Russell Horning built his quietly.
There was no scandal, no breakdown, no career crash. His fame dipped, like all memes do. The Fortnite lawsuit might have been a speed bump, but it wasn’t a crash. Russell faced the fading spotlight with maturity. He chose to evolve, not cling to a moment.
Russell lives in Atlanta, where he scores films, lifts weights, trains in Jiu-Jitsu, and helps young people navigate mental health. His income comes quietly from music, acting, and appearances. The lifestyle he maintains is comfortable but low-key. You’ll find him far from red carpets, but often in studios, gyms, or community spaces.
And that might be the most powerful move of all.
Curious about a Disney Channel favorite? Read what happened to Tyrel Jackson Williams from Lab Rats →Timeline: Backpack Kid’s Journey
- 2016 – Begins posting dance clips on Instagram
- 2017 – Goes viral for “the floss” on SNL with Katy Perry
- 2018 – Joins legal action against Fortnite over floss emote
- 2019–2020 – Releases music, merch, and brand collabs
- 2023 – Starts fitness transformation and music production
- 2024 – Drops beat tape (previewed Oct 3 on Instagram), advocates for mental health
- 2025 – Acts in The Hit List, scores soundtrack, joins Jiu-Jitsu, appears on INFLUENCED podcast
FAQs
As of 2025, Backpack Kid, whose real name is Russell Horning, lives in Atlanta, Georgia. He is actively involved in multiple creative and professional pursuits, including acting in independent films, producing music, and promoting mental health awareness through school and community events.
Russell Horning earns income through several verified sources. These include paid acting roles, sponsored content on his social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, music production for films, and appearances at fan expos and advocacy events. He has also previously monetized branded merchandise and music releases.
There is no public statement indicating regret. In fact, Russell has reflected on his viral fame as a unique opportunity. In a 2024 Instagram reel and a 2025 podcast appearance, he acknowledged being typecast early on but emphasized how that moment helped launch a broader, more meaningful career in entertainment, fitness, and advocacy.
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