Instagram/Willy Wonka Willy Wonka pictured on Instagram in June 2020.
Willy Wonka aka Duke Charlesworth is the TikTok star who cosplays as Johnny Depp’s character from Tim Burton’s 2005 remake Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Wonka boasts 14.3 million followers and has generated over 311 million views on his TikTok profile. He writes in his bio section, “I am not affiliated, associated, authorized, or endorsed by Willy Wonka.”
In the Video, Wonka Is Asked if He Can Speak Spanish
On October 2, multiple Twitter users alleged that Wonka had been canceled over a video that was posted on September 30. The video was titled, “Can’t speak Spanish yet, but I want to learn!” The video shows up on Google search but has been marked as private on Wonka’s TikTok page.
Wonka was answering a fan question, “Can Mr. Wonka speak Spanish?” Wonka responds by saying, “Yo soi Willy Wonka, si?” The social media star then lifts up a container of salsa and dips a chip before eating it. He smiles and gives a thumbs up to the camera. The song “Un Poco Loco” from the Disney movie Coco plays in the background.
Wonka Has Apologized Multiple Times for the Video
Wonka apologized for the video in a post on his Instagram story, saying:
Hey guys I just want to come on here and apologize for a TikTok video that I made a few days ago that was ‘Willy Wonka Speaking Spanish.’ The video was totally uncalled for and I’m so sorry to anyone that I offended or anyone that I stereotyped inside of the video. That was not the intention of the video and I am truly so sorry.
In a separate comment on Twitter, Wonka said:
I am so so sorry about my ‘spanish speaking video’ on Tiktok. Looking back on the video now I absolutely understand why the video was wrong. To anyone who I hurt with the video I apologize, and I promise to be better.
Wonka Is a 20-Year-Old Wedding Photographer Based in Utah
In July 2020, Wonka uploaded a YouTube video in which he discusses his newfound fame with his sister. During the video, Wonka says he is 20 years old, lives in Utah and works as a wedding photographer.
According to a Nylon Magazine feature, Wonka has a “Gen Z audience,” many of whom are “crushing hard” for his character. When asked about his followers having crushes on him in an interview with Mel Magazine, Wonka said:
I definitely didn’t expect it in the slightest! When I first started making thirst-trap videos — and still today — it was a joke. It was like, ‘Oh, this is funny. What is Willy Wonka doing? These people have a crush on Willy Wonka.’ It was a joke, but I’m quickly learning that it’s not always a joke with these people online.
After Wonka revealed his celebrity crush was YouTuber Emma Chamberlain in a TikTok video, Chamberlain denied in an interview that the couple was dating.
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