Aris Yeager, known for his role as “The European Kid,” has become an internet sensation through a satirical portrayal of a spoiled European elitist named Louis. With a unique persona and accent, he has amassed an impressive 1.7 million followers on TikTok and one million on Instagram. It was through his engaging and hilarious lifestyle videos that he managed to put himself on the global digital entertainment map.
In one video that went viral, Louis attempts to persuade a famous bouncer in New York City to let him into a club whilst exclaiming, “The richest family in Europe! Do you know who my dad is?”. The video swiftly attracted millions of views and had viewers mistaking him for the son of Bernard Arnault, Europe’s wealthiest man and the founder of LVMH, whose umbrella company includes luxury brands Louis Vuitton, Dior, Mot & Chandon among others. This miscalculation led onwards to an entire story being dedicated to the confusion on a major French TV station. Even Alexandre Arnault, the actual son of Bernard Arnault, felt compelled to clarify that he was not the one in the video.
“I could be a Formula 1 driver,” Louis told Formula 1 ace Carlos Sainz in another video, a prominent indication that Aris Yeager’s lifestyle isn’t just about aping the rich and famous. His social media influence has opened up gateways to the high society, rubbing shoulders with celebrities like Anne Hathaway and Shaun White.
Despite the conflation of his and Louis’ life, Yeager maintains that he isn’t just about portraying a luxurious lifestyle. He frequently visits the glamorous locations such as Saint-Tropez, St. Moritz, and the Hamptons, but there’s always hard work behind the scenes. Most of the videos shot amidst the glitz and glamour are part of brand sponsorships, real-estate promotions, or courtesy of friends who have access to such locales.
Aris Yeager doesn’t just draw the line at creating online personas, he also harbors an entrepreneurial spirit. His travels to exotic getaways often last just a few days as he needs to get back to New York to focus on his business. Leveraging his experience and understanding of the influencer culture, Yeager created an app called Storytime along with his former colleague, Philip Davis. The platform is dedicated to bridging the gap between influencers and small businesses in need of promotions.
Launched in April, the venture already enjoys excellent financial backing, including around $150,000 from family and friends, and an influx of influencer users and businesses are availing the platform’s services. The list of clients includes a prominent market in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, where Louis was filmed trying to buy an entire $2,000 wheel of parmesan cheese!
Recounting these memorable episodes, Aris doesn’t shy away from admitting the exaggerated nature of social media. He emphasizes the vital aspect of differentiating between his online persona, Louis and his real life. While he enjoys the benefits of global exposure, he also appreciates the small businesses that put passion into their work and loves being a part of their journey to success. This perspective is refreshingly different from Louis’ entitled persona, but that’s all part of the performance, a reminder that Aris Yeager’s life isn’t exactly a replica of the satirically spoilt European caricature he so successfully personifies.
