If you've spent any time scrolling through videos on TikTok or Instagram lately, there's a good chance you've seen Mike O'Hearn's face.
In fact, you've probably seen more than just his face. O'Hearn's chest and arms might have made an appearance as well.
Yes, Mike O'Hearn is the bodybuilder lighting up TikTok, and he hasn't gone viral because of a recent win, acting gig, or anything else. Sometimes, going viral on the internet is more about luck than anything else.
Here's what you need to know about O'Hearn, the memes, and how the trend started.
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Who is Mike O'Hearn?
O'Hearn is a bodybuilder and fitness model. He is a seven-time Fitness Model of the Year winner and participated on the popular show "American Gladiators" from 1989 to 1996. O'Hearn is also a four-time Mr. Natural Universe winner for his bodybuilding work.
O'Hearn has made a few acting appearances, including guest appearances on "Days of Our Lives" and "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia."
One of nine children, O'Hearn was born in Washington in 1969.
What does the Mike O'Hearn TikTok meme mean?
The O'Hearn memes feature an image of O'Hearn showing off his muscular body, often without a shirt, while the song "What is Love (Baby Don't Hurt Me)" by Haddaway plays over the video. An ironic caption is placed over the image.
What is the meaning behind using O'Hearn as the image? There's no specific reason why O'Hearn in particular was chosen, but a bodybuilder was chosen because, well, bodybuilders are presented as the ideal image of the male body.
Whether that's true or not is up to interpretation, but the image of O'Hearn is meant to show strength, attractiveness and masculinity. And let's face it: O'Hearn is ripped.
So, what's the point of the meme? To use the example from the section below, the image of O'Hearn could be used to promote a cologne brand. In that case, the message would be clear: This is how people will see you if you wear this cologne.
TikTok creators have taken this idea and applied to various other scenarios.
How Baby Don't Hurt Me TikTok trend started
The exact origin of the meme isn't clear, but Know Your Meme has identified one of the earliest viral examples as a video from an account named @thefragrancegod on Tiktok. The video featured a shirtless image of O'Hearn and promoted a cologne brand. The cologne brand is also mentioned in some of O'Hearn's own videos promoting the meme.
Why O'Hearn in particular became the face of this meme is anyone's guess. He's certainly not the world's most famous bodybuilder, but he is active on TikTok with a following that has grown to 1.1 million. In recent weeks, O'Hearn's videos have gone from averaging tens of thousands of views to millions in some cases.
@mikeohearn Sir the citys on fire we need help I have a sick pump and the light from the fire is immaculate #mikeohearn #mikeohearnmeme #natty ♬ оригинальный звук - Wengallbi
O'Hearn's following might be what's leading the trend to blow up. He's posted several videos of himself with "What is Love (Baby Don't Hurt Me)" playing. These videos include one of O'Hearn lifting weights while painted as Superman and another of O'Hearn riding a horse while shirtless.
Maybe that's a window into why the meme format works so well. Who wouldn't want the confidence to be able to ride a horse shirtless?
@mikeohearn On my way to your girls house 😉 #mikeohearn #fyp #nattylight ♬ original sound - Mike O’Hearn
What is Love (Baby Don't Hurt Me) lyrics
If you've seen the O'Hearn memes, chances are you already can't get "What is Love (Baby Don't Hurt Me)" out of your head.
Just in case you do need the lyrics, you can find them below:
What is love?
Oh baby, don't hurt me
Don't hurt me
No more
Baby, don't hurt me, don't hurt me
No more
What is love?
Yeah
No, I don't know why you're not fair
I give you my love, but you don't care
So what is right and what is wrong?
Gimme a sign
What is love?
Oh baby, don't hurt me
Don't hurt me
No more
What is love?
Oh baby, don't hurt me
Don't hurt me
No more
Whoa, whoa, oh
Whoa, whoa, oh
Oh, I don't know, what can I do?
What else can I say? It's up to you
I know we're one, just me and you
I can't go on
What is love?
Oh baby, don't hurt me
Don't hurt me
No more
What is love?
Oh baby, don't hurt me
Don't hurt me
No more
Whoa, whoa, oh
Whoa, whoa, oh
What is love?
What is love?
What is love?
Oh baby, don't hurt me
Don't hurt me
No more
Don't hurt me
Don't hurt me
I want no other, no other lover
This is our life, our time
If we are together, I need you forever
Is it love?
What is love?
Oh baby, don't hurt me
Don't hurt me
No more
What is love?
Oh baby, don't hurt me
Don't hurt me
No more
Yeah, yeah
Whoa, whoa, oh
Whoa, whoa, oh
What is love?
Oh baby, don't hurt me
Don't hurt me
No more
What is love?
Oh baby, don't hurt me
Don't hurt me
No more (whoa, whoa)
Oh baby, don't hurt me
Don't hurt me
No more (whoa, whoa)
Oh baby, don't hurt me
Don't hurt me
No more
What is love?
