Ricardo Milos

In 2007, Brazilian-American dancer and stripper Ricardo Milos filmed a brief clip for the adult website Jock Butt. He probably didn't expect it to become one of the internet's most enduring bait-and-switch formats.

The setup is simple: you're watching something innocuous—a video game clip, an anime scene, a news segment—when suddenly Ricardo appears in his American flag bandana and thong, dancing to "U Got That" by Halogen. By the time you realize what's happening, it's too late. You've been Ricardo'd.

The meme exploded in 2018 when it spread across YouTube, Twitch, and gaming communities. Unlike the Rickroll's gentle trolling, Ricardo brought chaotic bisexual energy that transcended irony. People didn't just fall for the bait—they celebrated it. Getting Ricardo'd became a privilege, not a punishment.

Seven years and countless remixes later, Ricardo still lurks in the shadows of any video that feels suspiciously safe. The man himself has acknowledged the memes with good humor, and his legacy is secure: the internet's most wholesome thirst trap, forever dancing on the edge of your peripheral vision.