Kevin James Spotted Looking Heartbroken During Super Bowl Game
While millions of fans were cheering for Bad Bunny’s colorful Super Bowl halftime show on February 8, many viewers were distracted by a much sadder sight in the stands. A viral video caught Grown Ups actor Kevin James looking completely miserable while sitting by himself in a suit, clutching a bunch of white flowers.
The footage showed the actor surrounded by empty seats and fans who were too busy filming the stage to notice the lonely celebrity sitting right next to them. The clip quickly sparked a wave of sympathy online, as people wondered if the comedy star had been stood up on a date at the world’s biggest sporting event.
However, it turns out that James wasn’t actually having a bad night, but was instead deep in character. He was appearing as “Matt Taylor,” a soft-spoken art teacher persona that had recently become a viral sensation on TikTok and Instagram.
The “miserable” moment was actually a clever piece of stealth marketing for his new romantic comedy, Solo Mio, which hit theaters just two days before the big game. Fans who had been following the mysterious Matt Taylor account for months were thrilled to see the connection finally confirmed on the big screen.
Many people jumped on social media to praise the stunt, with one fan calling it the greatest and longest promo for a movie they had ever seen. While James was playing sad for the cameras, another celebrity was caught having the absolute time of his life.
A video of Australian Wildlife Warrior Robert Irwin also went viral after he was seen dancing wildly to Bad Bunny’s performance in a private booth. Even though Irwin clearly didn’t know the Spanish lyrics, his high-energy moves earned him the nickname random white boy from a social media user who joked that everyone should learn from his pure, unbothered joy.
The funniest thing that happened at the Super Bowl was Kevin James being “stood up” as a marketing stunt for his new movie Solo Miami.
— Gentry Gevers (@gentrywgevers) February 9, 2026
Brilliant marketing. Well done.
He went to the superbowl alone 🤣☠️ pic.twitter.com/ufLBOUgWU3
As of February, Kevin James is celebrating a successful opening weekend for Solo Mio, which earned over $7 million despite the Super Bowl weekend competition. The film follows his character, Matt, as he travels to Italy for a solo honeymoon after being left at the altar.
Whether he is playing a quiet art teacher or a heartbroken groom, James continues to find creative ways to keep his fans guessing. His appearance at Super Bowl LX proved that even in a stadium filled with the biggest stars in the world, a well-placed bouquet and a sad face can still steal the show. It is a reminder that in the age of viral marketing, nothing is quite what it seems.
Do you think Kevin James using a “fake” TikTok persona to promote his new movie is a genius marketing move, or did it feel a bit too much like a prank on his fans? Share your thoughts in the comments.