Matt Harding, a self-described “35-year-old deadbeat from Connecticut,” made quite the impact on the viral culture with his series of YouTube videos entitled “Where the Hell is Matt?”
In 2003, he traveled around the world, danced with the locals, and compiled that footage into a popular YouTube video. A few years later, he did it again (with the help of a sponsorship from Stride gum), and the second video entitled “Where the Hell is Matt 2008” catapulted him into internet superstardom. That video has received nearly 43 million views.
In short, it’s hard to have lived in the recent viral culture and not be familiar with Matt Harding.
His previous videos are so endearing partly because of his particularly goofy dance moves. He explains how that became part of the videos on his site:
A few months into his trip, a travel buddy gave Matt an idea. They were standing around taking pictures in Hanoi, and his friend said “Hey, why don’t you stand over there and do that dance. I’ll record it.” He was referring to a particular dance Matt does. It’s actually the only dance Matt does. He does it badly. Anyway, this turned out to be a very good idea.
But now, he’s back with an entirely different approach. Gone are awkward moves, having been replaced by a variety of new dances, all conforming with those of the locals.
Check out Where the Hell is Matt: the 2012 edition below: