College freshman Dieunerst Collin’s road to internet meme fame started with a confused side-eye at a Popeyes in New Jersey. It was a decade ago, and the then 9-year-old was in line waiting for a family pack of chicken, biscuits and fries at the fast-food chain in Irvington. A stranger pulled out his phone and started recording Collin, comparing him to Lil TerRio, a boy who was famous on social media at the time for his dance moves.
On January 8, Collin posted a throwback of his viral photo on Twitter and Instagram and urged his followers to help him get Popeyes’ attention for an NIL deal. His fans rallied and tagged Popeyes in posts supporting Collin. “Collin Dieunerst is now a freshman offensive lineman at Division II Lake Erie College and if this guy doesn’t have an NIL deal by tomorrow, the Louisiana kitchen needs to clean house on upper management,” one man tweeted. Even other fast-food restaurants joined the push.
Instinct, never fails.