The Backpack Kid

Russell Horning, known professionally as The Backpack Kid, is an American dancer, social media personality, musician, and actor recognized for popularizing the dance move known as the Floss. Horning gained widespread attention for his distinctive dance style, often performed with a backpack and a deadpan expression, which became his signature on social media platforms.

Horning's rise began after receiving an Instagram mention from Rihanna, which significantly increased his online following. His visibility expanded further when he performed alongside Katy Perry during her "Saturday Night Live" performance of "Swish Swish." He later appeared in the music video for the same song and made a cameo in the "Rolex" music video by Ayo & Teo.

The Floss, characterized by swinging the arms with clenched fists from the back to the front of the body, became a viral dance trend and was featured as an emote in the video game "Fortnite Battle Royale" by Epic Games. Horning's mother filed a lawsuit against Epic Games for copyright infringement related to the dance. The Floss has also appeared in "The Simpsons" and on television shows broadcast on Universal Kids, Disney XD, and Disney Channel.

Horning released the song "Flossin" featuring DJ Suede The Remix God, further establishing his presence in the music industry. He has received recognition with the Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Dance Trend and the Shorty Award for Best in Dance. Based in Atlanta, Horning has expanded his career into acting, participating in scripted projects, live performances, and digital series, and has developed skills in both comedic and dramatic roles. As a musician, he composes original music for short-form projects, independent films, and digital content, blending piano improvisation with electronic production and hybrid scoring techniques.

Horning has diversified his online presence by engaging in music, advocacy, fitness, and film scoring. He has participated in charitable initiatives, such as distributing backpacks to students at Elsa Ebeling Elementary in Brooklyn in partnership with Kids in Need Foundation and Blue Sky. On TikTok, Horning shares content related to suicide prevention and school outreach, using his platform to address important social issues.