{{short description|American actor (born 1996)}} {{for|the Mississippi politician|Rickey W. Thompson}} {{EngvarB|date=March 2018}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox person | name = Rickey Thompson | image = | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1996|2|6}} | birth_place = Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S. | occupation = Actor | years_active = 2013–present | education = Millbrook High School }} '''Rickey Thompson''' (born February 6, 1996)<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/02/style/self-care/rickey-thompson-instagram.html|title=How to Be Famous Online, According to Rickey Thompson|last=Mzezewa|first=Tariro|date=April 2, 2019|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 2, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> is an American actor, comedian, and Internet personality. He rose to prominence for comedic videos he posts to Instagram, and previously Vine. Thompson starred in the YouTube Red series ''Foursome'' (2016-2018).<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/youtube-red-picks-up-gigi-863554|title=YouTube Red Picks Up Gigi Gorgeous Documentary, High School Comedy 'Foursome'|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=February 10, 2016|language=en|access-date=April 2, 2019}}</ref>

==Early life and career== Thompson grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina. He attended Millbrook High School,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mhscattalk.com/5089/features/where-are-they-now/|title=Where are they now?|last=Anderson|first=Summer|website=Cat Talk|access-date=June 27, 2019}}</ref> where he regularly performed in theater productions and was also bullied for being gay.<ref name=":0"/> During this time, Thompson posted YouTube videos about his experience with bullying as well as about fashion.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://nylon.com/rickey-thompson-instagram-vine-interview|title=Rickey Thompson Has 2.8 Million Instagram Followers—Here's Why|date=February 22, 2019|website=NYLON|language=en|access-date=April 2, 2019}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2018/09/17/rickey-thompson-vine-amine-dance-rant|title=Rickey Thompson is dancing, ranting, and thriving after Vine|website=The FADER|date=October 24, 2017 |language=en|access-date=April 2, 2019}}</ref> He also used Vine to post comedic videos of himself, usually speaking directly to the camera.<ref name=":0"/>

When he was 17, Kylie Jenner shared one of his videos, which led to an increase in his profile on the platform. He amassed 2.5&nbsp;million followers by the time Vine shut down in 2016.<ref name=":0" /> Thompson then began posting short videos to Instagram and continued to grow his social media following. He has monetized his videos with promotional posts and guest appearances at events and in other videos.<ref name=":0" />

Thompson starred in the YouTube web series ''Foursome'' from 2016 to 2018.<ref name=":2"/>

In 2018, Thompson narrated several interludes for Aminé's album ''OnePointFive'' and also appeared in the "Reel It In" music video.<ref name=":2" /> Aminé sent Thompson a direct message on Instagram to invite him to be on the album. That December, he walked in his first runway show for designer Alexander Wang.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Social Media Star Rickey Thompson Werks The Catwalk For Alexander Wang|url=https://www.essence.com/fashion/alexander-wang-fashion-show-star-rickey-thompson/|access-date=April 2, 2019|website=Essence|language=en-US}}</ref>

Thompson appeared in the 2022 stoner comedy ''Good Mourning'' with Machine Gun Kelly and Mod Sun.

He hosts the Spotify original podcast ''We Said What We Said'' with fellow internet personality Denzel Dion.

In 2024 he was featured on rapper Brooke Candy's album ''Candyland'' on the song "Juicy"<ref>{{Citation |title=Juicy (feat. Rickey Thompson) by Brooke Candy on Apple Music |date=July 25, 2024 |url=https://music.apple.com/us/song/juicy-feat-rickey-thompson/1758361448 |access-date=July 26, 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Personal life == Thompson moved to Los Angeles after high school to pursue a career in the entertainment industry and decided to forego college.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.out.com/out-exclusives/2018/10/16/rickey-thompson-joyous-face-among-vocal-visible-queer-black-men|title=Rickey Thompson is a Joyous Face Among Vocal, Visible Queer Black Men|date=October 16, 2018|website=out.com|language=en|access-date=April 2, 2019}}</ref> He also has great interest in fashion.<ref name=":1" />

Thompson is gay. He came out on Twitter in 2016.<ref name=":3" />

== Filmography == {| class="wikitable" ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |- | 2016 || ''Betch'' || Stormy Dee Watson || Episode: "A Rickey Thompson Sketch Show" |- | 2016–2018 || ''Foursome'' || Dakota Green || Main role (29 episodes) |- | 2016 || ''Sleep Tight'' || Bobby || Episode: "Exorsitter" |- | 2017 || ''Mourners, Inc.'' || Tony || Episode: "Pilot" |- | 2019 || ''Trend or End with Rickey Thompson'' || Himself || |- | 2022 || ''Good Mourning'' || Workout Demon || |- | 2023 || ''Swarm'' || Kenny || Episode: "Girl, Bye" |- | 2023 || ''Savage X Fenty Show'' || Himself || Cameo |- | {{TableTBA}} || ''Princess'' || {{TableTBA}} || Post-production<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barraclough |first=Leo |date=May 7, 2026 |title=Romantic Comedy ‘Princess,’ Starring Lucy Hale and Adam Demos, Wraps Production, With K5 Intl. Handling World Sales (Exclusive) |url=https://variety.com/2026/film/global/princess-lucy-hale-adam-demos-k5-cannes-1236740287/ |access-date=May 9, 2026 |website=Variety}}</ref> |}

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == * {{IMDb name|7413410}} * [https://www.instagram.com/rickeythompson/?hl=en Rickey Thompson] on Instagram

{{DEFAULTSORT:Thompson, Rickey}} <!--- Categories ---> Category:1996 births Category:21st-century African-American male actors Category:21st-century American comedians Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people Category:21st-century American male actors Category:African-American LGBTQ people Category:African-American male comedians Category:African-American comedians Category:American gay actors Category:American Internet celebrities Category:American gay comedians Category:American male comedians Category:Comedians from North Carolina Category:LGBTQ people from North Carolina Category:LGBTQ YouTubers Category:Living people Category:Male actors from Raleigh, North Carolina Category:Millbrook High School (North Carolina) alumni Category:Shorty Award winners Category:YouTubers from North Carolina