Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Actor Who Played 'The Unknown' In Viral Willy Wonka 'Experience' Says It's Been 'Life-Changing'

Screenshots of the masked and unmasked actor playing "The Unknown" in Wonka Experience
@felicia.wishes/TikTok

A 16-year-old actor named Felicia who went viral for playing a bizarre character called 'The Unknown' at the viral 'Willy's Chocolate Experience' in Glasgow, Scotland, has spoken out on TikTok.

The masked actor who played a character called "The Unknown" in the viral Willy Wonka-inspired interactive exhibit in Glasglow, Scotland revealed her identity and talked about how the reaction to the experience was "life-changing."

"The Unknown" was a cloaked figure in a reflective mask described by AI as an "evil chocolate maker who lives in the walls of the factory."


The mysterious character terrorized children at the chocolate factory-themed experience playing off the success of the Wonka movie based on Roald Dahl's 1964 children's novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Now it can be known.

It was revealed that a 16-year-old girl named Felicia was hired to play "The Unknown" and she spoke about the experience.

A photo of Felicia, pictured on the left with fellow castmates, circulated online following the Wonka exhibit debacle that was forced to shut down on February 24 after many guest complaints about the cheap experience.

In response to inquiries regarding how she got the role of the villain, who is not mentioned in Dahl's book, Felicia said she was approached by an entertainment company called House of Illuminati.

She explained in the first of several videos:

"I was originally supposed to be cast as one of the Wonkas."
"When I had first read the script, I really did not like it."

She eventually got cast in the role of The Unknown and she had no idea what was in store for her.


@felicia.wishes

more to follow !! #wonkaexperience #theunknown #willywonka #willywonkaexperience #willywonkatiktok #maskedman #therealunknown #theunknownactor #meme

In another TikTok video, Felicia shared a behind-the-scenes look at the warehouse set of the sparsely-themed experience.

At £35 a ticket, about $44.50 U.S.D., it is understandable why customers who brought their families and expected to be transported to another world felt they were robbed.

Those who were hoping to see a version of Willy Wonka's famous factory saw a few scattered props and a bouncy house.

The children were given some jelly beans and a half cup of lemonade.

Here is Felicia's backstage tour video to give you an idea of the not-so-whimsical chocolate factory.

@felicia.wishes

i came out the walls for a wee walkthrough 🍫😈 #bts #behindthescenes #wonkaexperience #theunknown #willywonka #willywonkaexperience #willywonkatiktok #maskedman #therealunknown #theunknownactor #meme #feliciatheunknown #whoistheunknownuser #fyp #comedy #news #glasgow #chocolate #foryoupage

After many complaints from guests whose children were emotionally scarred by Felicia's terrifying character, along with many other gripes about the cheap experience, House of Illuminati apologized for the "stressful and frustrating day" and abruptly shut down the entire experience.

The company also offered 850 refunds.

In a third TikTok clip, Felicia unmasked herself, despite the already-leaked cast photo.

@felicia.wishes

The Unknown Evil Chocolate Maker, reveal yourself! 🤪 #wonkaexperience #theunknown #willywonka #willywonkaexperience #willywonkatiktok #maskedman #therealunknown #theunknownactor #meme #feliciatheunknown #unknown #intotheunknown #fyp #foryoupage #whoistheunknown #unkowngirl #comedy

TikTokers were relieved to see the adorable personality behind the mask.

@felicia.wishes/TikTok

@felicia.wishes/TikTok

@felicia.wishes/TikTok

@felicia.wishes/TikTok

Felicia said the Wonka experience was her first paid acting job.

She said she was nervous but the other "lovely" actors supported her by taking her under their wing.

On the first day of the event, Felicia said the cast was instructed to "patch the script and just improvise it."

According to the AI-generated script, the story involved the Unknown trying to steal Willy's "Anti-Graffiti Gobstopper". Her specific direction was to "act creepy."

"I tried to imagine what a man living in the walls should be like," she explained while showing guest-taken footage of her acting as directed.

The overall character interaction was met with mixed responses.

"Some people loved it. Some people hated it. Some people were left traumatized."

She added:

"Some people had no clue what was going on, including myself."
@felicia.wishes

follow for face reveal tomoz 😋(plus proof x) #wonkaexperience #theunknown #willywonka #willywonkaexperience #willywonkatiktok #maskedman #therealunknown


Felicia later told BBC that although she initially had misgivings about the gig, it was an experience she could reflect on with a sense of humor.

"At first I was really embarrassed about it. But when we went to the pub after, we were just laughing about it," said the teen, adding that she had no regrets despite the negative online publicity.

"It was so ridiculous it was actually funny. And now it's become viral, it's genuinely life-changing and I'm really happy I did it."
"Everybody loves the character and posting about it, so it makes me happy that people can see the funny side."

People had high hopes for Felicia's future in acting.

@felicia.wishes/TikTok

@felicia.wishes/TikTok

@felicia.wishes/TikTok


We all gotta start somewhere.

Here's hoping Felicia's career will gain traction, with more rewarding gigs and recognition—without a mask.

More from Entertainment/tv-and-movies

Screenshot of Sean Hannity and Stephanie Miller
Fox News

Fox News Guest Has Blunt Reminder About Trump After Sean Hannity Asks About Biden's 'Cognitive Decline'

Fox News personality Sean Hannity was widely mocked after guest commentator Stephanie Miller gave him more than he bargained for with her response to his question about when she first noticed former President Joe Biden's "cognitive decline."

President Donald Trump and Republicans have long questioned Biden's cognitive fitness for office to draw attention from Trump's own gaffes. Earlier this week, Trump made headlines for claiming "no one knows what magnets are" during an Oval Office exchange. He has also continued to attract attention for falling asleep during events.

Keep ReadingShow less

People Who Fled The U.S. Due To Trump Explain How They're Doing Now

We are in troubling times in this country and around the world.

America is more divided than it has ever been.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots from @max_balegde's TikTok video
@max_balegde/TikTok

'Lazy' Gamer Comes Up With Genius Hack For Getting Himself To Go To The Gym

We all have something that would be really good for us if we simply did more of it, but for whatever reason, we struggle to implement the new habit or activity.

But whether we're struggling to remember to do it at all, or can't find the motivation to get it done, there are ways around that.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jack Schlossberg; Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
MSNBC/YouTube; Alex Wroblewski/AFP via Getty Images

JFK's Grandson Announces He's Running For Congress—And Immediately Unloads On 'Dangerous' RFK Jr.

Democratic President John F. Kennedy’s grandson, Jack Schlossberg, sat down on Wednesday with MSNBC's Jackie Alemany for The Weekend—and he had a lot to say.

The pair discussed a wide range of topics including Schlossberg's decision to run for Congress in New York’s 12th Congressional District which includes the Upper West Side, the Upper East Side, and all of Midtown Manhattan.

Keep ReadingShow less
Hotel worker washing bed sheets in hot tub
@WCCO - CBS Minnesota/YouTube

Hotel Sparks Backlash After Worker Is Caught On Video Using Hot Tub To Clean Bed Sheets

Many of us love to travel, but with travel prices increasing and flights being delayed, it's becoming less desirable to go somewhere new.

There is also the increasing number of places being exposed for not properly cleaning and preparing for guests, so now we have to worry about our health and safety while trying to travel.

Keep ReadingShow less