- Ma Jianping, a 48-year-old barbecue chef in China, has gone viral for his striking resemblance to Elon Musk, attracting swarms of fans to his eatery.
- A video showing Jianping serving barbecue in Shaanxi province went viral, receiving more than 1.3 million likes on Chinese social media.
- Jianping's sudden fame has doubled his business, but he has kept food prices unchanged, stating he feels 'shy and nervous' about the attention.
- Fans are now queuing up to take pictures with Jianping and shake his hand, highlighting the excitement around his resemblance to Musk.
- Locals had joked about Ma Jianping's resemblance to Elon Musk long before the viral video, noting his surname Ma sounds similar to Musk in Chinese.
Ma Jianping, a 48-year-old barbecue chef in Tongchuan, Shaanxi province, has become an internet sensation after a video showcasing his grilling skills went viral, garnering over 1.3 million likes on Chinese social media. His resemblance to Elon Musk has drawn huge crowds to his restaurant, Yilan Restaurant.12348
Fans are flocking to meet Jianping, with many queuing for photos and handshakes. One customer expressed excitement, saying, "I have only seen Musk grilling meat in AI-generated videos. This is my first time meeting 'Musk' in real life, and I'm thrilled." Locals have long joked about the chef's likeness, with some suggesting renaming his eatery to 'SpaceX Barbecue'.
Despite the newfound fame, Jianping remains humble, stating, "I don't want to use social media to cash in on going viral and instead want to focus on my restaurant." His sudden popularity has reportedly doubled his business, but he admits it has left him feeling "shy and nervous".56
As the buzz continues, Jianping's story highlights the intersection of social media fame and local entrepreneurship, proving that sometimes, a simple resemblance can lead to unexpected success.
“Ma Jianping, 48, drew more than 1.3 million likes for the viral video of him serving grilled meat in Shaanxi. He says sudden fame left him 'shy and nervous' and he wants to focus on his restaurant rather than cash in on social media.”
Daily Star
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