Meeting an influencer in public can be exciting. It’s a chance to tell them you’re a fan and maybe snap a quick pic together.
But one University of Texas fraternity pledge turned what could have been a friendly encounter into an uncomfortable confrontation. The influencer certainly wasn’t afraid to clap back.
Why Are Frat Pledges Like This?
In a viral video with more than 4.1 million views, content creator James (@jamesisnotverynice) shared a story about being recognized by a group of fraternity pledges while walking to his girlfriend’s apartment.
James, who has 3.7 million followers, explains that he frequently gets recognized by frat guys, and most interactions are positive.
“Usually they’re really nice. They’ll walk up to me. They say, ‘Yo, James.’ I say, ‘What’s up?’ And they say, ‘Dude, I love your videos. I hope you have a good night,'” he recounts. “But in the small chance that they’re just a——-, they’re always pledges.”
This incident occurred as James was walking from his apartment carrying a bouquet of flowers, a bottle of champagne, and a large pumpkin on his shoulder. He was noticed by a group of fraternity pledges, identifiable by their matching outfits.
One member of the group called out to him and complimented his humor and videos, but it was another guy that blew it.
The second guy asked who James was and questioned why he was carrying flowers, calling it “kinda corny.”
“You’re standing on the side of the street hammered on Tuesday night with five dudes. I’m going up to a girl’s apartment. What’s corny about that?” James says he responded.
James says the pledge asked if he thought he was “gonna get some play” and punched the pumpkin James was carrying on his shoulder.
“It didn’t fall or anything. I said, ‘Bro, stop touching my s—,'” James recounts.
Did They Get Into A Fight?
When the pledge asked what James would do about it, James responded with an insider reference.
“Listen, man. I’m so sorry that you’re mad at the world. I understand Arch Manning’s been playing like s—, so you’ve been having to do a lot of elephant walks,” James recalls saying. He was alluding to an alleged fraternity hazing tactic.
“I understand you’re really angry, but if you get in a fight, you get dropped from your frat. I will put a ring in your forehead. Quit testing me,” he says he added.
At that point, the pledge who had originally recognized James intervened.
“He goes, ‘Bro, he’s gonna make a video about this and make you look like a dumbass,'” James remembers.
In the video that he did in fact make, James sent a message to the confrontational pledge:
“Listen. I understand. You feel very cool in your $60 boots and skinny jeans, but please stop messing with me, or do. Guys, if y’all come up to me, I’m just making money off of these stories. So go for it,” he says.
What Is An Elephant Walk?
James’s reference to “elephant walks” alludes to a hazing practice that has been documented in fraternities and athletic settings.
According to the University of Central Florida, an “elephant walk” is when a group of guys line up naked and are connected in a chain by holding on to the male body part of the guy behind them.
The practice made headlines a few years ago when Sacramento State investigated reports that a fraternity had forced pledges to participate in the ritual, according to the New York Post.
Commenters React
“Dude who recognized james is probably GEEKED to see this vid,” a top comment read.
“WHEN MEN CALL OUT OTHER MEN ITS SO SATISFYING,” a person said.
“Whys it always the pledges,” another wrote.
“Mind you he was going to an absolute BADDIE,” a commenter added.
BroBible reached out to James for comment via email and TikTok direct message.