If your head has been filled with thoughts of Grimace in the past month, you’re not alone – the bizarre purple mascot of McDonald’s has taken the internet by storm.
Grimace has been inspired by everything, from being a fan of art to celebrating the horrifying TikTok trend where people pretend to die or pass out in a terrifying location, and even by drinking his purple birthday milkshake.
(Let me clarify), the submersible Titan has disappeared, and even Donatella, with her constant online presence, has found her way into the memes about his grimace. He’s quite the character.
But behind the complicated reworking of personas, today is the day when the beloved figure reveals the grimace that turns the backstory into something entirely different.
Grimace was first introduced in 1971 as a new member of McDonald’s mascots, but he was a much friendlier version of the original blob.
He acquired a notoriety as “Malevolent Grimace,” an antagonist who would snatch people’s milkshakes — resembling the Hamburgular’s inclination to swipe hamburgers.
In 2012, Roy Bergold Jr., The ex-vice president of advertising at McDonald’s, expressed in QSR Magazine, “He frightened children. The initial Grimace possessed scales, a menacing appearance, four limbs, and lacked any sort of appeal.”
The masses were not attracting Evil Grimace, whereas other characters like Officer Big Mac and Mayor McCheese were friendly, including the renowned clown Ronald McDonald.
Bergold Jr. Mentioned, “Ronald, who only wanted McDonald’s milkshakes and hang out with a sweetheart, we replaced him with a plush, soft, two-armed blob.” It was his time for that.
He transformed into a cheerful violet giant with a highly comical temperament — a slight adjustment to rectify his past wicked actions.
The new and enhanced soft and amiable Grimace was a successful character, swiftly teaming up with Ronald McDonald in various commercials.
During a beach excursion, Grimace experiences rapid dehydration due to the intense sun exposure in a 1973 advertisement. In a comical turn of events, Ronald and a group of children rejuvenate him with McDonald’s frosties, leading Grimace to make a solemn commitment to only sunbathe in close proximity to a McDonald’s restaurant.
Ronald and Grimace embark on a daring adventure to explore the realm of McDonald’s sundaes by scaling a fudge mountain and trying to descend a caramel cave, as depicted in a 1977 commercial.
Eventually, they end up back at a McDonald’s location after fulfilling Grimace, but all these commercials for ice cream are still old advertising.
His lore is surprisingly rich for a mascot
Grimace has a pretty well-documented childhood, including celebrating his teenage years with braces and a mullet, while rocking McDonald’s with his friends and Early Bird on his birthday.
In 2021, a McDonald’s Exceptional Manager of the Year expressed their opinion that Grimace is a gustatory receptor.
However, a representative for McDonald’s confirmed to Insider during that period that Grimace’s identity is somewhat flexible.
The spokesperson stated, “He grimaces in the best way when his favorite purple blob, whether it’s a milkshake or a taste bud, is different from what others prefer.”
If you want to trace back Grimace’s history, you’ll find that he is a rather unique example of a species, but his origins are unknown, which is not surprising.
Different violet tones of a Grimace clan reside on Grimace Island, an unusual location where Ronald, Grimace, and their companions journey in a 2001 installment of “The Wacky Adventures of Ronald McDonald.”
The tribe is very protective of it, and there is also a special Grimace Island treasure. The island feels inspired by an Australian grassland or outback, with Grimaces wearing beaded necklaces and grass skirts, surrounded by wild vegetation.
Claus, the Irish capitalist who resembles Santa, brings Shamrock Shakes to McDonald’s for St. Patrick’s Day, including Uncle O’Grimacy and other members of the Grimace family.
Grimace’s birthday meal has brought him back into the spotlight
McDonald’s launched Grimace’s birthday package – along with a corresponding GameBoy Color video game – in the beginning of June.
Grimace acquired his own peculiar violet milkshake, he assumed control of McDonald’s online presence, and internet users adored it.
The unexpected attainment of queer icon status has placed him before Babadook and similar figures. The internet is filled with LGBTQ+ pride and celebrating both his birthday and art at St. Louis PrideFest, where someone dressed up as him and TikTokers refer to him as “Mother Grimace.” However, the celebrations of Grimace have gotten out of control.
Even more deranged are memes about Grimace’s milkshake causing loss of consciousness. Grimace himself replied, sharing a picture on Twitter of his vacant gaze and captioning it: “acting like I’m unaware of the Grimace shake trend.”
The fashion designer, Donatella Versace, has even been absorbed by the latest iteration of her name, as an off-topic comment referencing a meme, on an Instagram post about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, where a heart emoji was added and her name was shouted.
So if you witness individuals proclaiming “Donatella FROWN!” (Pronounced similar to the fashion designer), do not worry.
You can be certain that everyone will be able to take it to the extreme online, and it will make him the ideal material for memes. With a fascinating history and being a purple amorphous blob, Grimace’s comeback campaigns go as far as genius in marketing.