Kevin James Masquerades as TikTok Art Teacher in Viral Promo for Upcoming Rom-Com

As of November 15th, 2025, actor Kevin James has been masquerading as a TikTok art teacher named Matt Taylor, posting a series of viral painting instruction videos. While the content of these videos may not be particularly groundbreaking, the vast majority of commenters have recognized the uncanny resemblance between Matt Taylor and James, the star of films like 'Paul Blart: Mall Cop'.

The reason behind James' peculiar online persona has become increasingly clear. Evidence suggests these TikTok videos are part of a promotional campaign for the actor's upcoming romantic comedy 'Solo Mio', set to hit theaters in February 2026. The film's production team, including directors Charles and Daniel Kinnane and writers Patrick, John, and James himself, all follow the Matt Taylor account on Instagram. Additionally, several cast members, including Julee Cerda and Julie Ann Emery, also follow the account.

Furthermore, the film's premise, as described in the initial press release, features a character named Matt whose "dreams of a picturesque Italian wedding are shattered when his fiancée leaves him at the altar." This aligns with the subtle hints dropped in the TikTok videos, where the art teacher character discusses his personal life and the inspiration he finds in the natural world, which seems to mirror the themes of the upcoming movie.

While there has been no official confirmation from the filmmakers or James himself, the evidence strongly suggests that this viral TikTok campaign is a clever marketing ploy to generate buzz and anticipation for 'Solo Mio' in the lead-up to its 2026 release.