VIRAL ALERT: Jake Shane

Have you ever imagined being friends with your favorite celebrities? Maybe grabbing coffee with Tom Holland, showing up to Selena Gomez’s birthday party, or calling Charli XCX to vent about your day? It’s a fantasy most of us entertain but never get to live out, but for social media star Jake Shane, it has become a reality.

Elite Daily once dubbed him the guy “everyone” on the Internet wants to be friends with,” while GQcrowned him “the funniest guy on TikTok.” Somewhere between those titles, Jake Shane has carved out his own space on our screens and in our hearts.

When Jake launched his TikTok in 2019, he likely had no idea it would grow into the brand it is today, especially since he hopped on to review his favorite food: octopus. But once he found his niche in historical reenactments, the internet couldn’t get enough. Requests poured in, his following skyrocketed, and his signature style was born. 

Today, Jake boasts over 1.2 million Instagram followers and more than 3.7 million on TikTok. He’s even taken his presence offline with a national tour, meeting fans across the country while sharing stories, behind-the-scenes moments, and plans for the future. I had the chance to attend, and I can confirm it felt like one big slumber party. 

It’s not just his viral clips fueling his rise. Jake’s podcast, "Therapuss", has been a breakout success of its own. Shortly after launch, it debuted at #3 on Spotify’s Top Comedy Podcasts, and today it continues to hold strong, ranking #83 among all podcasts.

For fans, "Therapuss" has become the ultimate hangout spot. Jake stays true to himself with his sharp one-liners and effortlessly relatable banter while also pulling in an A-list carousel of guests: Selena Gomez, Joe Jonas, Madelyn Cline, Charli XCX, Tate McRae, Addison Rae – the list goes on. It’s the kind of lineup you almost have to see to believe.

Jake has managed to capture lightning in a bottle, blurring the line between creator and community. His fans don’t just feel like followers; they feel like part of a synchronized, connected circle. And while most don’t know him personally, Jake’s openness offers a glimpse into what makes him tick: his hopes, his anxieties, and everything in between.

It’s rare to find someone both so grounded and so elevated, but Jake embodies that balance, and at just 25, his future feels wide open. If you ask him, one dream sits at the top of his list: interviewing Taylor Swift. And honestly, it seems more possible now than ever.

When speaking to Variety, Jake shared a heartfelt message for the singer-songwriter, saying, “Taylor, you are a perfect person, inside and out. Your work ethic is so admirable. It has made me who I am today. And for that, I am always grateful. And I know that, no matter how I’m feeling, and no matter what life throws my way, your music, specifically Evermore, will always be there for me. And I love you, and if you ever do a podcast, please come on mine.”

Whatever the future holds for Jake, one thing is sure: he won’t be walking that path alone. He’s built a safe, welcoming community where fans can come together and celebrate the absurdities of life.