If you saw the Internet-dubbed "Backpack Kid" upstage Katy Perry during her Saturday Night Live performance of Swish Swish, you probably have many questions for the teenage dancer.
For example, where have you been, joyful human? And how did you learn to move like that? Most importantly, what's in the bag, bro?
Well, we share your curiosity. So we had a text-message interview with the kid, a 15-year-old from Lawrenceville, Ga., who goes by "Russell Got Barzz" and Russell Horning. The following is a condensed and edited transcript of our messages, without the thumbs up, "lols" and hearts that were shared. USA TODAY's messages are in bold.
Hello! Are you on a plane from New York to Georgia right now?
Just got off.
The big question: What's in the backpack you dance with?
OK. So in the bookbag. I just have a full water bottle, a charger, a couple fidget spinners and earbuds to keep it a little heavy while I dance. When I'm not dancing I can listen to music, drink water, charge my phone, or fidget!
Why do you like to wear a bag that's a little heavy?
'Cause if it's too light it will bounce around too much.
When did you start wearing a backpack while dancing?
My friend had it on and it looked cool and I wanted it. We had the idea to trade right there and then. We were at a shoe store and I only had a (credit) card on me, so I traded a pair of shoes for the bookbag. That was a month ago, give or take a few days. I started dancing with it that day.
I see that in the pre-backpack days, Rihanna gave you an Instagram shoutout. Was that a big moment for you?
It was huge, because lots of smaller pages posted it from there, and it went super viral and I got 55K followers in two days.
Do you have a signature dance move?
Yes. The one I did on the show. I swing my arms around and sway my hips. I call it "The Russell," but some people call it "flossing."
Swish Swish #SNLFinale @katyperry pic.twitter.com/xMJpa1RtHS
— Saturday Night Live (@nbcsnl) May 21, 2017
When did you first perform The Russell?
June 2014 at summer camp.
Is the backpack emoji your favorite emoji?
No. This is (laughing with tears face).
How did you find yourself onstage dancing with Katy Perry?
She found my Instagram on her recommended page and saw that I enjoyed doing what I did, and liked that about me. She invited me to perform with her.
Can you tell me more about your Instagram bio? It says "Ending racism" and "I can't dance." Are those responses to commenters?
No. Those are my personal opinions. I dance with lots of black people and haters shun me for it when it's making the world a better place. And I can't dance, I just do my moves for comedy, to make people laugh.
Do you purposely keep a straight face while you dance?
Yes. It makes my videos more funny.
Agreed! Thanks for spreading the fun.
