Vancouver tattoo artist fools millions with hot dog prank
A few weeks ago, Rad Carney was looking to fill time on a slow day at the shop.
“I’ve been pulling pranks my whole life,” said the artist working out of Adrenaline VanCity Granville.
“So it was just another day for me, you know?”
Inspired by the East Van cross symbol, Carney decided to make a Tik Tok video of him tattooing the words "hot dogs" on the forehead of a co-worker.
Carney used a stencil and simple photo editing to make it appear as though the tattoo was real. Even well-known online news outlets fell for the prank.
So far, the video has garnered nearly 10 million views and thousands of comments.
“A lot of really funny messages,” said Hunter Walls, the "star" of the video, who happily sacrificed his time and forehead.
“People kind of worshipping me in a sense, where it’s like, ‘Woah, the hot dog man.’”
Walls says viewers have even sent him fan art.
Carney, meanwhile, says more than 80 per cent of the comments have been negative and directed towards him.
“People telling me that I have no ethics, I shouldn’t be tattooing if I don’t have any respect for my clients,” said Carney. “(I) got mail saying I offended the whole Christian religion for putting hot dogs in a cross.”
Carney says he was shocked to receive that sort of passionate response for such a harmless video.
“The hot dogs seemed to push society and especially tattoo artists over the edge,” said Carney. “I was kind of watching myself get cancelled in real time.”
Carney posted another video to clear the air and help lighten the mood, but it only received a fraction of views compared to the first post.
In hindsight, he regrets posting the video due to the never-ending amount of notifications and unnecessary stress.
“I couldn’t use my phone for a week,” he says.
But, he admits, the post was good for business. He said he’s received several requests for his new signature "hot dogs" design.
“It’s just hilarious and people want it,” said Carney with a laugh.
So far, no one has requested the tattoo on their forehead, he added.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.