Nicholas Alexander Chavez is experiencing an extraordinary surge in popularity following his breakout roles in two of Ryan Murphy’s latest productions. The 25-year-old actor portrays Lyle Menendez in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story and takes on the character of Father Charlie Mayhew in Grotesquerie. These projects, released just days apart in September, have catapulted Chavez into the spotlight.
Reflecting on his newfound fame, Chavez expressed his astonishment during an interview with PEOPLE. “How could you ever keep track of it all?” he wondered, acknowledging the whirlwind that has characterized the past year and a half. “Honestly, to be direct with you, it’s very cool. It’s strange to see the response,” he added, referring to his status as the latest “Internet Boyfriend” phenomenon.
One particular TikTok edit featuring Chavez as Lyle Menendez has gained immense popularity, amassing over 52 million views. “My girlfriend, my brother, and my friends send me the ones they think are funny,” he shared. “I could have never predicted that.” The actor was particularly amused by a video showing hundreds of students in a classroom watching the TikTok edit, saying, “I’m bowled over by the whole thing. But it’s cool. I’m glad people are having fun.”
Chavez has also seen a significant boost in his social media presence, with his Instagram following increasing by more than a million in just a few weeks. While he struggles to articulate his feelings about this rapid change, he emphasized his gratitude for the audience’s response to his work. “Whenever I see comments from people who found the show meaningful, or entertaining, that’s what we set out to do,” he remarked.
Chavez first gained attention for his role as Spencer Cassadine on General Hospital in 2021. His interest in acting developed slowly, sparked by a school performance of To Kill a Mockingbird. “The faculty responded positively, and I thought, ‘Wow, that’s really cool.’ Not many kids in Denver are told they should be actors for a living,” he recalled.
After a challenging period during the pandemic, which included selling cars and life insurance in Florida, Chavez landed his role on General Hospital, leading to opportunities in Monsters and Grotesquerie. He described the surreal nature of his current experience, often questioning with co-star Cooper Koch, “Is this real life right now?”
Chavez views the success of Monsters as a gateway to new opportunities and conversations in the industry. “It’s the best feeling in the world,” he said, expressing excitement about collaborating with some of the best artists in the business.
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is currently streaming on Netflix, while new episodes of Grotesquerie premiere Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET on FX and are available for streaming on Hulu the following day.
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