
The Corn Kid, Tariq, is not in the hospital. In 2023, rumours began circulating on social media that Tariq had died, however, these were quickly debunked. The rumours originated from a viral Facebook post which featured a fake image of a news story claiming that Tariq had been found dead as a result of a gang-related shooting. The story looked very real at first glance, but it was soon discovered that the article had been edited to make people believe that Tariq had died. The Corn Kid is alive and well as of November 2023 and regularly shares updates on his Instagram and TikTok accounts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Real name | Tariq |
| Age | 8 |
| Viral video | "For me, I really like corn. Ever since I was told that corn was real, it tasted good. But when I tried it with butter, everything changed. Look at this thing. I can't imagine a more beautiful thing." |
| Number of views | Over 5 million |
| Social media accounts | TikTok (@kornboyofficial), Instagram (@iamtariqofficial) |
| Number of followers | TikTok: 973,000+, Instagram: 37,000 |
| Other ventures | Voice acting, gaming, charity |
| Death hoax | Rumors of Tariq's death started circulating in July 2023, but these were quickly debunked. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

Corn Kid is alive and well, despite death hoaxes
Corn Kid, whose real name is Tariq, is alive and well, despite death hoaxes. Tariq became a viral sensation in 2022 after expressing his love for corn in an interview. He was just seven years old at the time.
The death hoax seems to have originated from a viral Facebook post which featured a fake news headline claiming that Tariq had been found dead as a result of a gang-related shooting. The article was designed to look like it was from NPR and written by a reporter named Dustin Jones. However, there was no actual article by anyone named Dustin Jones, and the original news article instead featured reporting on Tariq's rise to fame.
Sadly, the story was confused with that of another 7-year-old boy, Kyrie, who tragically died after being shot as he slept in his bed. Several screenshots of articles about Kyrie's death circulated on TikTok with Corn Kid's name attached to them.
Tariq's family has asked that only his first name be used to maintain their privacy. Despite his fame, they seem to have maintained a relatively normal life, and Tariq has continued to attend school and spend time with his friends and family. He has also been able to enjoy the opportunities that his internet stardom has brought, such as travelling to Los Angeles and meeting celebrities. Tariq has also worked with various brands and was named South Dakota's "corn-bassador."
Sepsis: Hospital Admissions and Patient Care
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Tariq's mother, Jessica, manages his social media
Tariq, also known as "Corn Kid", became a viral sensation in 2022 after expressing his love for corn in an interview. Tariq's mother, Jessica, manages his social media presence and has shared that she has zero experience in this world. Despite this, she has successfully navigated her son's online stardom, and as of March 2024, Tariq has worked with brands such as Chipotle, MrBeast Burger, Green Giant, and Ken's.
Jessica has stated that she is the one running everything behind the scenes, with Tariq's older sister also helping with his social media channels, including editing and posting. The family tries to post three times per week and discusses any offers as a unit, ensuring Tariq is comfortable with the content and that it is kid- and family-friendly.
Jessica has also expressed a desire to maintain her family's privacy, requesting that their last name not be published and choosing not to put her children on social media. Despite this, Tariq's online fame has led to real-world recognition, with Jessica recalling an instance where parents at a park seemed to recognize her son as Corn Kid.
In addition to managing Tariq's online presence, Jessica also helps him navigate the opportunities that have arisen from his viral fame. Tariq has attended red-carpet events, travelled to Los Angeles, and met celebrities such as the Ninja Kidz. He has also raised money for charity and pursued voice acting. Jessica's role in coordinating these opportunities and managing his schedule is an essential part of her son's online success.
While Tariq's online stardom has opened doors, it has also brought challenges, including a death hoax that originated from a viral Facebook post. Despite this, Jessica has helped her son navigate the world of internet fame while also maintaining his privacy and well-being.
Caleb's Story: Shriners Hospital and Beyond
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Corn Kid has worked with brands like Chipotle and Green Giant
The Corn Kid, whose real name is Tariq, has worked with several brands, including Chipotle, MrBeast Burger, Green Giant, and Ken's. In 2022, a video of Tariq professing his love for corn went viral on Instagram and TikTok, attracting the attention of brands and creators.
Chipotle, always on the lookout for true fans of their brand, jumped at the opportunity to collaborate with Tariq. They created a comedic video featuring Tariq as a customer who only wanted corn in his bowl. The video was posted on various social media platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook, and it quickly became Chipotle's top-performing Instagram and TikTok post, with millions of views and shares.
Green Giant also recognised the potential of working with Tariq and ended their six-year advertising hiatus by launching a new campaign featuring the Corn Kid. The campaign, titled "That's Giant," introduced a new product called Dino Veggie Tots and starred Tariq as their iconic spokescharacter.
Tariq's viral fame has brought him numerous opportunities, including the chance to work with brands and create content. His family plays an essential role in managing his social media presence and coordinating his endeavours. Tariq's mother, Jessica, ensures that any brand collaborations are kid- and family-friendly and involves Tariq in the decision-making process.
Despite the rumours of his death, Tariq, aka the Corn Kid, is alive and well. He continues to navigate the world of social media and brand partnerships with the support of his family.
Tiffany and Sky: Hospital Visit and the Truth
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$39.99

Tariq has raised money for charity and wants to start a gaming channel
Tariq, better known as the "Corn Kid", has had quite a journey since his viral video in 2022. Despite some unfortunate rumours of his demise, Tariq is alive and well and has been busy. For his eighth birthday, he raised over $8,000 for City Harvest, and he has worked with several brands, including Chipotle and Green Giant. Tariq has also expressed a desire to start a gaming channel.
Tariq's interest in gaming is well-documented, and he has mentioned playing the game "My Singing Monsters" on his grandmother's tablet. With his passion for gaming and his established online presence, starting a gaming channel could be a natural next step for Tariq.
There is a growing trend of gamers and influencers using their platforms to raise money for charitable causes. Tariq has already demonstrated his commitment to charity with his impressive fundraising for his birthday, and a gaming channel could provide another avenue for him to continue his charitable endeavours.
Many influencers have successfully combined their love of gaming with charitable initiatives. For example, Benjamin "DrLupo" Lupo has raised over $13 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and the UK-based gaming channel Triple Jump has raised over $26,000 for various charities.
By starting a gaming channel, Tariq could not only pursue his passion for gaming but also potentially use his platform to make a positive impact and raise money for charitable causes. With the support of his family and his existing online presence, Tariq has the potential to build a successful gaming channel while continuing to make a difference through his charitable efforts.
Hospitals and Debt: How Does It Affect Your Credit?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Corn Kid has sampled corn-based foods on TV
The Corn Kid, whose real name is Tariq, has indeed sampled corn-based foods on TV. Tariq's love for corn began when he was interviewed by Julian Shapiro-Barnum for the web series Recess Therapy. In the interview, Tariq gushed about his love for corn, describing it as "a big lump with knobs" and "the most beautiful thing". This interview went viral on TikTok and Instagram, with many people quoting their favourite lines and relating to his corn adoration in the comments.
Tariq's fame grew as a result of this video, and he was invited to appear on The Drew Barrymore Show, where he sampled various corn-based foods, including baby corn, corn soda, dessert corn, and Quorn, a meat substitute brand. Tariq's appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show further cemented his status as a viral sensation, with many people continuing to quote his catchy sound bites and interpolating them into their own content.
Since his initial viral video, Tariq has continued to build his online presence with the help of his mother, Jessica, and his older sister, who assists with his social media channels. Tariq has worked with brands such as Chipotle, MrBeast Burger, Green Giant, and Ken's. He was even crowned South Dakota's "corn-bassador". Tariq has also used his platform for charitable causes, raising over $8,000 for City Harvest on his eighth birthday.
Despite his growing fame, Tariq has expressed some frustration with constantly being asked about corn. However, he still seems to enjoy the food, as evidenced by his partnership with Green Giant for a Thanksgiving campaign, where he created corn-filled side dishes and donated canned vegetables to a food bank. Tariq's love for corn has brought joy to many people online, and his candid and enthusiastic personality has helped him gain a dedicated following.
Hospitality's Air Travel: Airlines and Their Industry Classification
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
No, the Corn Kid is not in the hospital. He was the victim of a death hoax in 2023.
The Corn Kid, whose real name is Tariq, is a viral sensation who became famous for his love of corn.
In the video, Tariq described corn as "a big lump with knobs. It has the juice. I can't imagine a more beautiful thing."
Tariq has worked with several brands, including Chipotle and MrBeast Burger, and was named South Dakota's "corn-bassador." He has also appeared on TV shows such as TODAY and "The Drew Barrymore Show."









































