Some children want to be mermaids when they grow up. While most kids outgrow this dream, for some, it becomes their reality.
Keke is a professional mermaid and diving instructor. | @mermaid.keke/Instagram
Professional mermaiding, in which an actor or actress puts on a show while wearing a mermaid tail, has been around since the start of the twentieth century. “Real” mermaids are now a popular attraction at theme parks around the world, including Changchun Zhongtai Ocean World in China.
Mermaid performers used to be part of the Disneyland Park experience in 1959. | Disney
One of the park’s aquarium cleaners didn’t plan to add “merman” to his resume, but hey — when duty calls, he answers! In February, the man began working part-time in his new aquatic role to fill in for a female performer who was off work for China’s Spring Festival holiday. Little did he know that he would become an overnight sensation!
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The merman–who painted fake abs on his body and wiggled into a makeshift fishtail–became a fan favorite, thanks to his hilarious antics and interactions with guests. Several videos of him have gone viral, racking up millions of views–and scoring him a promotion.
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The merman started out as a substitute, but now he’s working his tail off full-time. According to this flippered superstar, the bonus pay was irresistible!
