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Inside the Gen Z Film Publicity Stunt That Had Manosphere Poster Boy Kyle University Stationed Outside L.A., London Studios (Exclusive)
A viral social media character called Kyle University, a hyper-masculine "manosphere" figure who amassed over 60 million views and 30,000 Instagram followers before being banned from TikTok, has been revealed as an elaborate publicity stunt. The Hollywood Reporter can exclusively confirm the persona, played by US bodybuilder Mike O'Hearn, is actually a satirical campaign devised by 22-year-old British director Noah Caplan to promote his debut film Impressionable, which critiques manosphere culture.
The campaign culminated this week when costumed "Kyle" recruiters, played by various young comedians including Rufus Rice and Auden Barnes, appeared outside major studios and talent agencies in Los Angeles and London, including the BBC, Lionsgate, UTA, WME, Working Title and Channel 4, distributing leaflets pitching a fake online course. The targets were handpicked by Caplan as "dream collaborators" for Impressionable, which is currently seeking financing and distribution, with the stunt designed to capitalise on industry interest generated by the viral hoax.
In short
- "Manosphere" star Kyle University was secretly a satirical film marketing stunt.
- Director Noah Caplan used it to promote his debut film, Impressionable.
- Costumed "Kyles" targeted top studios and agencies in LA and London this week.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters of the campaign would argue it represents legitimate artistic satire that illuminates how manosphere culture actually operates through authentic persuasive mechanics. By demonstrating how convincingly such personas work, the project critiques online manipulation more effectively than traditional filmmaking could. The deception itself becomes the message, revealing precisely how easily audiences and platforms are swayed by these tactics.
The case against
Critics contend that using systematic deception to promote work criticising deception fundamentally undermines its moral authority and message. The campaign accumulated 60 million views through deliberate falsehoods and disrupted physical spaces at studios—harms that cannot be justified retroactively by eventual revelation. Regardless of artistic intent, this precedent suggests ethically questionable means can be subordinated to artistic ends.
Explained simply
Kyle University was an influential online personality who built a massive following on social media with hypermasculine content aligned with "manosphere" ideology—a loosely affiliated online movement centred on promoting traditional gender roles and criticism of modern feminism. The persona accumulated millions of views before being banned from TikTok, where it had initially gained prominence.
The character has been revealed as an elaborate publicity stunt created by 22-year-old British director Noah Caplan for his debut film Impressionable, a satire that critiques manosphere culture. The persona was performed by US bodybuilder Mike O'Hearn, with the campaign designed to generate awareness and industry interest in the film, which is currently seeking financing and distribution.
The stunt was designed to target specific figures in the entertainment industry, identified as potential collaborators for the film, and culminated this week with costumed recruiters appearing outside major studios and talent agencies across Los Angeles and London, distributing leaflets for a fictional online course.
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