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Sumnima Kandangwa

Freelance Editorial Assistant for Style by SCMP


Every few years, the internet collectively selects a person to obsess over, usually because a hilarious video clip starring them goes viral, or because they said something “memeable”.
Past iterations include Bhad Bhabie, who went viral for her catchphrase “Cash me outside, how about that”, and now has a successful music career. More recently, Haliey Welch became an overnight sensation as the “hawk tuah girl” after a clip of her being unfiltered during a street interview did numbers on social media.

Often, these meme personalities end up evolving beyond what they initially became famous for. One such example is The Rizzler, a now 10-year-old boy who became an internet star after a video of him wearing a Black Panther costume went viral in 2023. “Rizz” is a Gen Z slang term for “charisma”.
Now known for his trademark “rizz” face (raising an eyebrow, sucking in his cheeks and pouting while stroking his chin), The Rizzler has become something of a celebrity. He has more than 1.8 million followers on Instagram, and even appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in 2024.
Last month, The Rizzler appeared on the popular show Subway Takes hosted by Kareem Rahma, where the young boy proclaimed that “peanut butter is overrated”.
So, who is The Rizzler? Here’s everything you need to know.
What is The Rizzler’s background?

The Rizzler, whose real name is Christian Joseph, was born in April 2016 and hails from New Jersey. Joseph’s social media accounts are largely managed by his father, who is known to fans as “Papa Rizz”. While The Rizzler’s content primarily focuses on his antics, Papa Rizz also appears in his videos.
Joseph’s mother, “Mama Rizz”, has her own Instagram page where she shares family life photos and videos. Joseph also has a younger brother.
Why is he called The Rizzler?












View this post on Instagram























A post shared by The Rizzler (@itztherealrizzler)



In 2023, Joseph went viral after his father shared a video of him running around in a Black Panther costume while showcasing his sense of humour. “Just because I’m Black Panther doesn’t mean I’m going up a ladder! Mommy said it’s dangerous,” he said.
Over time, his one-liners and his signature “rizz” face made him an internet celebrity and earned him his famous nickname.
His fame has landed him several brand deals – last year he even launched his own drink with Arizona Tea called the Rizzler Berry, and the can comes with an illustration of Joseph doing his rizz face. Joseph has also since met and snapped pictures with celebrities like John Cena, James Marsden and Rebecca Ferguson.
Is The Rizzler related to the Costco Guys?












View this post on Instagram























A post shared by Andrew Befumo Jr. (@a.j.andbigjustice)



Joseph often appears in videos with the “Costco Guys”, made up of father-son duo Andrew AJ Befumo and Eric Befumo (aka Big Justice). The pair went viral on TikTok for their videos rating Costco food items with an approving “Boom!” or an unfortunate “Doom!”. AJ is a former professional wrestler who came out of retirement in 2024, when he appeared in a match for All Elite Wrestling, a professional wrestling promotion based in Jacksonville. The Costco Guys gained further fame when they released a song titled “We Bring the Boom!”, which later inspired a college American football dance.
The Rizzler and the Costco Guys made a joint appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in October 2024. Fallon seemed bemused by his guests, and some fans even pointed out that the host looked annoyed with the Costco Guys for repeatedly yelling their “Boom!” catchphrase throughout the show.


Because of their frequent collaborations, some fans may mistake Joseph as part of the Befumo family – but The Rizzler is not related to AJ and Eric by blood.


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Who is The Rizzler? Meet 10-year-old Christian Joseph, known for his ‘rizz’ face

Internet celebrity The Rizzler, whose real name is Christian Joseph, is known for his “rizz face” expression. Photo: @itztherealrizzler/Instagram

The Rizzler in 2022 before his viral fame. Photo: @mamarizz____/Instagram

The Rizzler celebrating Mother’s Day with his family in May. Photo: @itztherealrizzler/Instagram

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Henry (left) and Nick Burch attend the opening of Butter Baby’s store at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, Indonesia, in June 2026. Photo: Handout

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Thai actor and singer Bright Vachirawit Chivaaree attends the opening of Butter Baby’s store at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta in June 2026. Photo: Handout

Butter Baby’s store at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta. Photo: Handout

Butter Baby merchandise at its Soekarno-Hatta International Airport store. Photo: Handout

A selection of Butter Baby doughnuts at its Soekarno-Hatta International Airport store. Photo: Handout

(From left) Nick Burch, Jaehyun of NCT and Henry Burch attend the opening of Butter Baby’s store at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta. Photo: Handout

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The late actress Hayden Panettiere and her then-boyfriend Brian Hickerson in Los Angeles in 2019. Photo: Getty Images

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Hayden Panettiere and Brian Hickerson at the celebration of life for Panettiere’s younger brother Jansen in New York in 2023. Photo: Getty Images

Brian Hickerson poses with an MV Agusta motorcycle in 2024. Photo: @mvagusta.losangeles/Instagram

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Brian Hickerson wearing a T-shirt promoting his brother’s mental health foundation. Photo: @brianhickerson_/Instagram

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Oli Jacobs is also a recording engineer. Photo: @olijacobs1/Instagram

Taylor Swift with Oli Jacobs and Laura Sisk in 2024. Photo: @sharp_stick/Instagram

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The viral internet meme personality, who rose to fame after wearing a Black Panther costume, has appeared on Jimmy Fallon’s show and met John Cena


The viral internet meme personality, who rose to fame after wearing a Black Panther costume, has appeared on Jimmy Fallon’s show and met John Cena.


Who is The Rizzler? Meet 10-year-old Christian Joseph, known for his ‘rizz’ face

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The viral internet meme personality, who rose to fame after wearing a Black Panther costume, has appeared on Jimmy Fallon’s show and met John Cena

The viral internet meme personality, who rose to fame after wearing a Black Panther costume, has appeared on Jimmy Fallon’s show and met John Cena