Bigfoot Becomes Instagram Influencer, Still Nobody Believes He's Real
Cryptid's million-follower account dismissed as 'really good CGI'
Bigfoot Becomes Instagram Influencer, Still Nobody Believes He’s Real
1.2M followers, zero credibility
After decades of blurry photos and failed sightings, Bigfoot has taken matters into his own hands—or paws—by launching an Instagram account. Despite posting daily selfies, unboxing videos, and #OOTD content, everyone assumes it’s an elaborate hoax.
The Origin Story
“I was tired of being called a myth,” explains Bigfoot (real name: Daryl, he/him, Pacific Northwest region) while adjusting his ring light. “I’m literally RIGHT HERE. I have a driver’s license. I pay taxes—well, I should probably start doing that, actually.”
The final straw came when a hiker walked past him in broad daylight, took a photo, posted it with the caption “Fake Bigfoot costume lol,” and got 47K likes.
“That was MY ACTUAL BODY,” Daryl sighs. “I wasn’t even hiding. I was buying trail mix at REI.”
“If people can’t find me in the woods, maybe they’ll find me on the Explore page.”
— @RealBigfoot_Daryl, Current follower count: 1.2M
The Content Strategy
Instagram Highlights Breakdown:
🏔️ “Life in the Woods”
- Morning routines (mostly foraging)
- Explaining why he doesn’t wear shoes (he IS the shoe)
- Dealing with hikers interrupting his lunch
- Bear selfies (they’re friends)
💪 “Fitness Journey”
- How to lift logs
- Tree climbing tutorials
- Running from cryptozoologists (great cardio)
- 800-pound deadlifts (literally just picking up what he dropped)
🧴 “Grooming Tips”
- Managing full-body hair
- Natural deodorant reviews (spoiler: none work)
- Why he doesn’t brush his hair (it’s impossible)
- Shampoo sponsorship deals (declined due to “ethical concerns about overconsu mption”)
📸 “Recreating Famous Sightings”
- The Patterson-Gimlin film comparison
- “Same energy” posts
- Throwing shade at blurry photos
- “Me in 4K vs me in grainy 1970s footage”
The Viral Posts
Post #1: The Face Reveal
Caption: “Face reveal! Just kidding, this has always been my face. You’ve seen it for 60 years. You just thought it was fake.”
Engagement:
- 847K likes
- 23K comments (all saying “the CGI is incredible”)
- 0 people believe it’s real
Top Comment: “Whoever hired this actor deserves an Oscar. The hair looks SO realistic.”
Daryl’s Reply: “I’m not wearing a costume. This is literally what I look like.”
Response: “Commitment to the bit! Respect 👏“
Post #2: The Grocery Store Trip
Caption: “Doing my weekly shopping. Yes, I buy groceries. No, I’m not ‘just a myth.’ I have a Costco membership.”
Photo shows Bigfoot pushing a shopping cart full of berries, 47 boxes of granola bars, and one rotisserie chicken
Engagement:
- 1.1M likes
- 67K comments
- Featured on Buzzfeed: “This Bigfoot Influencer Is Giving Us LIFE”
- Still no one thinks he’s real
Top Comment: “The photoshop on the furry hands is NEXT LEVEL”
Daryl’s Reply: “They’re not photoshopped. I WAS BORN LIKE THIS.”
Post #3: The Sponsorship Disaster
Caption: “#ad Thank you to @NorthFace for sending me this jacket! Unfortunately, it doesn’t fit over my fur. Or my arms. Or… anything really. Still love you guys! ❤️ #sponsored #bigfootlife”
Photo shows Daryl holding a tiny jacket that wouldn’t fit a toddler
North Face’s Response: “We… didn’t send you that?”
Daryl: “Oh. I might have shoplifted this. Sorry.”
The post was deleted. The sponsorship deal fell through.
The Comments Section
Real Comments from Real Posts:
@fashionista_xo: “OMG who’s the actor?? He’s so committed! 💯” @RealBigfoot_Daryl: “I’m not an actor. I’m Bigfoot.” @fashionista_xo: “Lolol love this energy!! Never break character! 😂”
@cryptid_hunter_99: “FAKE. The hair movement is too realistic. Real Bigfoot wouldn’t move like that.” @RealBigfoot_Daryl: “How would you know how real Bigfoot moves?” @cryptid_hunter_99: “I’ve been hunting you for 30 years. I’d know.” @RealBigfoot_Daryl: “And yet, here I am. On Instagram. Making content.” @cryptid_hunter_99: “This just proves you’re FAKE.”
@definitely_not_a_government_agent: “Very convincing costume. What studio did you use for the mocap?” @RealBigfoot_Daryl: “Mocap? I just… exist?”
The Brand Deals (That All Fell Through)
Attempted Partnerships:
1. Gillette - “Embrace the Shave”
- Offer: $50K to shave and document it
- Daryl’s Response: “Do you know how long this took to grow? 847 years.”
- Status: Declined
2. Old Spice - “Wilderness Collection”
- Offer: Be the face (and body) of new men’s body spray
- Daryl’s Response: “I tried your product. It attracted 47 bears. I’m suing.”
- Status: Legal dispute ongoing
3. Patagonia - “Wear Your Values”
- Offer: Exclusive outdoor gear ambassador
- Daryl’s Response: “I don’t wear clothes. That’s kind of my whole thing.”
- Status: Mutual confusion
4. Manscaped - ”…Do We Even Need to Explain?”
- Offer: Full-body grooming partnership
- Daryl’s Response: [blocked them]
- Status: Restraining order filed (by Daryl)
The Meetup Disaster
Daryl announced a “meet and greet” in Portland. 3,400 people showed up.
What Happened:
12:00 PM - Daryl arrives at park 12:01 PM - Crowd assumes it’s a guy in a costume 12:05 PM - Someone asks “where’s the real Bigfoot?” 12:06 PM - Daryl: “I’M RIGHT HERE” 12:07 PM - Crowd: “Wow, you’re really dedicated to the character!” 12:15 PM - Daryl attempts to prove he’s real by climbing a tree 12:16 PM - Crowd applauds “the excellent parkour skills” 12:20 PM - Daryl eats an entire watermelon in one bite 12:21 PM - Crowd: “SPECIAL EFFECTS ARE AMAZING” 12:30 PM - Daryl gives up, takes photos with fans 12:47 PM - Someone posts: “Met the Bigfoot guy! His costume is SO realistic!”
Total people who believed he was real: 0
The Documentary Pitch
Netflix approached Daryl about a documentary series: “Becoming Bigfoot: The Daryl Story”
Proposed Episodes:
Episode 1: “The Making of a Myth” (Daryl: “I’m not MADE. I just AM.”) Episode 2: “Behind the Fur” (Daryl: “There’s nothing behind it. IT’S MY SKIN.”) Episode 3: “The Man Behind the Legend” (Daryl: “I’M NOT A MAN. I’M A CRYPTID.”) Episode 4: “Revealing the Truth” (Daryl: “FINALLY.”)
The series was canceled when producers discovered Daryl wasn’t an actor.
“They thought I was METHOD ACTING,” Daryl explains in disbelief. “They kept asking who my agent was. I DON’T HAVE AN AGENT. I HAVE MOSS.”
The Existential Crisis
Recent Instagram Story Transcript:
[Daryl, sitting in a forest clearing, looking directly at camera]
“You know what’s wild? I have 1.2 million followers. People comment on every post. They love my ‘content.’ But not ONE person thinks I’m real.”
[Long pause]
“I could literally walk into Times Square, wave at a crowd, and they’d be like ‘sick costume, bro.’”
[Another pause]
“I’m having an identity crisis and I’m not even sure I have an identity to anyone but me.”
[Even longer pause]
“Also, does anyone know a good therapist who specializes in cryptid-related existential dread? Asking for a friend. The friend is me. I don’t have friends. Nobody believes I exist.”
Views: 847K Comments: “This is deep influencer content 💯“
The TikTok Crossover
Desperate for validation, Daryl joined TikTok. It went worse.
Viral TikTok #1:
Video: Daryl doing the “Wipe It Down” challenge Caption: “Same creature, different lighting 🤷♂️” Result: 4.7M views, people praising the “costume quality”
Viral TikTok #2:
Video: “Day in the life of Bigfoot” Shows: Foraging, napping, running from hikers Top Comment: “The COMMITMENT. How long did this shoot take?” Daryl’s Response: “This is just Tuesday for me.”
Viral TikTok #3:
Video: Daryl filming a tree falling in the forest Caption: “If a tree falls and no one’s around, does it make a sound? Yes. I’m here. I heard it. I’M SOMEONE.” Philosophy majors: have entered the chat Still nobody believes he’s real
The Book Deal
“Definitely Real: One Cryptid’s Journey Through Identity, Instagram, and Existential Dread” By Daryl (Bigfoot)
Publisher’s Note: “This is being marketed as fiction.” Daryl: “IT’S A MEMOIR.” Publisher: “Sure it is, buddy.”
Current Stats
Instagram: 1.2M followers TikTok: 3.8M followers YouTube: 674K subscribers Credibility: 0%
Brand Deals Secured: 0 Brand Deals Rejected: 47 People Who Believe He’s Real: Technically his mom, but she’s also Bigfoot, so doesn’t count
Therapy Sessions: 24 Breakthrough Moments: 0 Therapist’s Note: “Client insists he’s ‘actually Bigfoot.’ Recommend continued sessions and possible medication eval.”
The Future
When asked about his plans, Daryl becomes reflective:
“Maybe I’ll start a podcast. ‘Definitely Real with Daryl.’ We can discuss what it’s like to exist in a world that refuses to acknowledge your existence.”
Pause.
“Or maybe I’ll just go back to the woods and let people think I’m a myth. At least then my identity made sense.”
Another pause.
“Actually, can you help me figure out how to verify my Instagram account? The blue checkmark might help.”
Update: Instagram denied his verification request with the note: “Account appears to be parody/satire.”
Daryl was last seen rage-posting cryptid memes at 3 AM.
Follow @RealBigfoot_Daryl for:
- Daily existential crises
- Forest aesthetic content
- Proof that he exists (you won’t believe it anyway)
- 15% off mushroom foraging courses (code: STILLREAL)
This reporter met Daryl at a Starbucks in Portland. He ordered a venti cold brew with oat milk. The barista spelled his name “Dale” on the cup. He didn’t correct them. Five stars for giving up.