Legendary McDonald’s mascot Grimace has turned into an online sensation and LGBTQ icon after being brought back for an eye-catching ad campaign.
Known as Ronald McDonald’s best friend, the purple blob has surpassed his buddy in popularity in recent days as McDonald’s takes time to celebrate the fuzzball’s birthday with a purple Grimace shake.
The wild promotion started June 12.
As part of the iconic brand’s marketing campaign, Grimace has taken over McDonald’s social media accounts, including Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
“wanna come 2 my party???? finallyy got my own grimace meal and purple shake,” one Instagram post read, including a smiling face.
“unrelatedd but do i (grimace) look like a purple bloater plss be honest,” another hilarious post reads.
He also posted a slew of selfies over social media to the adoration of fans.
And he’s even now featured in a Game Boy Color game released by McDonalds, according to IGN.
For years, fast food goers wondered what exactly Grimace was with a manager of a McDonalds in Windsor, Canada, Brian Bates, claiming in 2021 the purple pal was “an enormous taste bud” whose purpose is to simply show that food tastes good.
A McDonald’s spokesperson previously told Business Insider, “The best part about Grimace is that he means different things to different people. Whatever he is, we’re just proud our bestie makes people happy.”
Social media users have speculated whether the celebration for Grimace has anything to do with June also being Pride Month.
“grimace goes to pride,” one user posted with a photo of him decked out in rainbow colors.
“HEY GRIMACE HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND HAPPY PRIDE,” another user tweeted with fan art of the purple legend.
TikTokers have also paid homage to Grimace with one video showing a person getting a tattoo of the purple star and a young woman dressed in cosplay while at McDonald’s, according to Business Insider.
Grimace was first brought into McDonald’s cast of characters in 1971, but as an evil monster with four arms to steal milkshakes, according to the Washingtonian.
But after his appearance frightened children, he was recast as a warmer version of his old self with two arms instead of four.
Customers looking to mark Grimace’s big day can get a birthday meal: a ten piece nuggets or a Big Mac with fries to go along with the now-viral purple milkshake.