Last October, many people scrolling through TikTok came across charming videos from an art teacher named Matt Taylor. These videos quickly became popular because a lot of viewers were convinced the teacher was actually actor Kevin James in disguise. For months, people debated the resemblance, and even with his new movie, Solo Mio, coming out in 2026, Kevin James continues to act like he has no idea about the ‘lookalike’ account.
Recently, Entertainment Tonight caught up with the King of Queens alum in a video shared to the outlet’s official Instagram, pressing him to finally set the record straight about the nearly 30 TikToks he’s appeared in, allegedly, fully in character. Unsurprisingly, James leaned all the way in on the bit, responding:
Oh, I have no idea what you’re talking about…I don’t know.
James claimed he was hearing about TikTok, Matt Taylor, and the related online drama for the very first time. He quickly reiterated this statement, saying:
This is it. You’ve got the scoop, ET.
There’s a slight issue with that story, though. James’ new romantic comedy, Solo Mio, comes out on February 6th, and his character is named Matt Taylor. Even with all this evidence, the actor, known for the Grown Ups movies, wouldn’t fully admit he was playing the role. When ET noted that “people are really connecting with this character,” he nearly revealed the truth, responding:
We love this character…
The brief moment of honesty doesn’t last. As seen in the complete video, Kevin James, a frequent collaborator with Adam Sandler, immediately reverts to pretending he doesn’t know what’s going on. When asked if he’ll keep making TikTok videos, he feigns ignorance, saying with a straight face, “I didn’t even know TikTok existed…” Right, Kevin.
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“Solo Mio” tells the story of Matt Taylor, a kind and optimistic romantic whose dream Italian wedding falls apart when his partner leaves him at the altar. He’s now facing a solo honeymoon he never expected. The story began on TikTok, where viewers followed Matt’s life, his thoughts on love, and his excitement about the wedding. The movie picks up after the heartbreak, showing Matt as he deals with the situation and considers what the future holds – a future that might include a new romance.
It’s becoming clear that the Matt Taylor TikTok account was a brilliant and charming way to promote his new movie, Solo Mio. The character’s genuine personality has really connected with people, and many fans are excited to see him transition from TikTok videos to a full-length romantic comedy in theaters. It looks like a genuinely sweet film that could be perfect for couples looking for something to watch on Valentine’s Day. However, don’t expect Kevin James to publicly acknowledge this marketing strategy.
You can see Solo Mio in theaters starting February 6th. Be sure to check your local movie listings for showtimes. If you’re a fan of Kevin James and want to watch something else by him right away, he recently starred in the comedy Playdate with Alan Ritchson. While it didn’t receive great reviews, it’s currently available to stream on Prime Video if you want to give it a try.
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2026-01-28 22:39