The Little Lad: 5 Facts About The Berries And Cream Starburst Meme And Where He Is Now

The "Little Lad who loves berries and cream" is one of the internet's most enduring and bizarre viral sensations, a cultural artifact that has outlasted the product it was meant to advertise. Originally a bizarrely charming character from a 2007 Starburst commercial, the phrase and the accompanying "Little Lad Dance" experienced an explosive and unexpected resurgence on TikTok in 2021, cementing its place in modern meme history. As of this current date in December 2025, the Little Lad's legacy continues to fascinate, a perfect example of how niche content can achieve timeless virality.

The man behind the distinctive look and unforgettable song is New York-based artist, writer, and professor Jack Ferver. While the commercial launched a short-lived candy flavor, the character himself launched a thousand memes, remixes, and a whole new aesthetic known as "berries and cream-core." This is the deep dive into the Little Lad's origin, the man who played him, and the meme’s incredible journey from early YouTube to the chaotic corners of "DeepTok."

The Man Behind the Meme: Jack Ferver’s Full Biography

The person who brought the "Little Lad" to life is Jack Ferver, a highly respected and multi-talented figure in the world of contemporary performance art and academia, a stark contrast to his viral persona. His career is extensive, focusing on challenging and genre-defying works that explore themes of trauma and identity.

• The Unseen Story Jessica Simpsons Battle For Privacy And Body Image In A Digital Age Mlvqa

• Full Name: Jack Ferver
• Born: February 1, 1979, in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin.
• Primary Careers: Writer, Choreographer, Director, Dancer, Performer, Actor, and Professor.
• Academic Role: He currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Theater and Performance at Bard College. He has been teaching at Bard since 2014, and also works with the graduate Vocal Arts Program.
• Other Teaching Affiliations: Ferver has also taught at prestigious institutions including NYU Tisch and SUNY Purchase, and has set choreography at The Juilliard School.
• Notable Works and Style: Ferver is known for creating dance-theatre shows that are often described as "so extreme that they are hilarious" while examining complex issues like trauma. His work has been presented at major venues like New York Live Arts, the New Museum, and The Watermill Center.
• Major Recognition: His collaborative work, *Chambre*, created with visual artist Marc Swanson, was nominated for a Bessie Award (New York Dance and Performance Award) for Outstanding Production in 2016.
• Childhood Ambition: Ferver once stated that as a child, he wanted to be both an actor and a therapist, a goal that reflects the deep, often psychological nature of his performance work today.

Ferver began performing his own full-length dance pieces in 2007, the same year the Starburst commercial first aired. While he embraces the fame of the Little Lad, he is primarily focused on his serious, acclaimed work in performance art, which is a world away from the viral meme.

From 2007 Commercial to 2021 DeepTok Phenomenon

The journey of the "Little Lad" from a promotional ad to a global meme is a fascinating case study in internet culture and nostalgia. It demonstrates how content can lay dormant for over a decade before being resurrected by a new generation on a different platform.

The Starburst Commercial Origin

The character was created for a 2007 television advertisement for the then-new Starburst "Berries and Crème" flavor. The ad features a young man—dressed in a bizarre, anachronistic outfit of a frilly-collared shirt and blunt bangs—being confronted by two modern-day teens. When asked what he is eating, he launches into the now-iconic, high-pitched proclamation and dance: "Berries and cream, berries and cream, I'm a little lad who loves berries and cream!"

• The Surprise Vegas Wedding And Shared Grief 5 Shocking Details Of John Schneider And Dee Dee Sorvinos Whirlwind Romance Ohirf

The commercial was intentionally strange, leaning into a surrealist, almost unsettling humor to promote the smooth, soft taste of the new candy, which was a departure from the traditional tangy Starburst flavors. The commercial became a minor viral hit on early platforms like YouTube, but its true moment of global fame was yet to come.

The TikTok Resurgence and the Little Lad Dance

The meme experienced its massive, unexpected resurgence in 2021. The catalyst was a sound clip of the "berries and cream" song being uploaded to TikTok. The person credited with uploading the viral audio is Justin McElroy, a well-known podcaster from the popular *My Brother, My Brother and Me* (MBMBAM) show, who had posted the dance audio to his TikTok account.

The sound quickly gained traction, leading to the creation of the "Little Lad Dance" trend. The dance itself, a simple series of steps and toe-taps, was actually featured in a follow-up Starburst ad where Jack Ferver's character gave a "tutorial" on the steps. The ease of replication, combined with the catchy, almost haunting refrain, made it perfect for the TikTok algorithm. Users created countless videos, from simple lip-syncs to elaborate costumes and mashups, making it one of the most dominant trends of that year.

• Shania Twains Bold Statement Why The Star Chose Nude Photoshoots At 57 Qf9cg

Berries and Cream-Core: The Lasting Cultural Impact

The Little Lad's second life on social media transcended a simple dance challenge; it became a recognized cultural moment that influenced aesthetic and meme subcultures, particularly on the platform's more niche side, often referred to as "DeepTok."

The Rise of DeepTok and Surreal Humor

The "Berries and Cream" trend is often cited as a prime example of "DeepTok" content. This term refers to the surreal, niche, and often intentionally uncomfortable or bizarre humor that thrives in the less mainstream corners of the app. The Little Lad, with his unsettlingly mature mannerisms and childlike naivete, perfectly captured this surrealist aesthetic.

The trend was a rejection of conventional, polished content, embracing the absurd. It was a digital equivalent of the Dada movement's successor, Surrealism, where the humor comes from the sheer, unexplainable oddness of the content. Users would adopt the "berries and cream-core" aesthetic, featuring blunt bangs and frilly-collared shirts, in their own content.

Starburst’s Response and the Legacy

The Starburst brand was quick to capitalize on the unexpected viral moment 14 years after the original ad. In 2021, they officially leaned into the Little Lad's popularity by releasing a limited-edition Halloween costume of the character, complete with the iconic wig and outfit. This corporate acknowledgment further cemented the meme's status as a mainstream cultural phenomenon.

For Jack Ferver, the experience has been a mixed blessing. While he is primarily focused on his serious work as a writer and choreographer, he has acknowledged the fame, even offering personalized messages on platforms like Cameo. The "Little Lad" may be a character he’s happy to put behind him, but the legacy of the dance and the song is a testament to the unpredictable nature of internet fame. The Little Lad remains a beloved, strange, and endlessly re-watchable figure, proving that sometimes, the most successful advertising is the kind that makes absolutely no sense.