The Shocking Truth: What Was Blippi’s ‘Harlem Shake’ Video And Stevin John’s Regrettable Past?

In late 2025, the name Blippi remains synonymous with brightly colored, educational, and cheerful children's content watched by millions of toddlers worldwide. However, the man behind the iconic orange and blue outfit, Stevin John, has a past that continues to resurface, drawing a stark contrast between his current persona and his earlier work as a shock comedian. The most notorious piece of this history is the now-deleted "Harlem Shake" video, a controversial relic from 2013 that parents and media outlets occasionally revisit. This article dives deep into the full, updated story of the video, Blippi's reaction, and the massive empire built on his transformation. The enduring curiosity surrounding the "Blippi Harlem Shake video" stems from the sheer dissonance between the content creator's two public identities. Stevin John has successfully built a global brand focused on early childhood education, yet his pre-Blippi days included a brief, explicit, and highly regrettable attempt at viral shock comedy. Understanding this duality is key to grasping the full scope of the Blippi phenomenon and the journey of the man who created him.

The Man Behind the Bow Tie: Stevin John’s Complete Biography

The transformation from a controversial comedian to a global children's icon is one of the most remarkable stories in modern digital media. The man at the center of this narrative is Stevin John.

• Full Name: Stephen John Grossman (Legally changed to Stevin John)
• Stage Name: Blippi
• Date of Birth: May 27, 1988
• Birthplace: Las Vegas, Nevada
• Hometown/Upbringing: Ellensburg, Washington (Grew up surrounded by tractors and cows)
• Early Career Persona: Steezy Grossman (A shock comedian persona)
• Military Service: U.S. Air Force (2006–2008)
• Military Role: Loadmaster for the C-17 Globemaster airplane at the 4th Airlift Squadron
• Current Role: Children's entertainer, entrepreneur, and co-creator of the Blippi character.
• Marital Status: Engaged/Married to Alyssa Ingham (They welcomed a child in 2022)

Stevin John's early life in Washington state was marked by a desire to contribute to his community, which led him to an initial career path in the military. He served honorably in the U.S. Air Force as a Loadmaster. Following his service, he moved to Los Angeles, where he began "dabbling in video" and attempted to break into the digital content world with a very different type of humor. This is where his short-lived, controversial persona, Steezy Grossman, was born.

The Infamous 'Harlem Shake Poop' Video Explained

The "Harlem Shake" was a viral internet meme that peaked in 2013, involving a short video where one person dances alone, followed by a sudden cut where a large group is dancing chaotically. Stevin John, under his Steezy Grossman persona, participated in this trend, but with a shocking and explicit twist. The video, which became infamously known as the "Harlem Shake Poop" video, featured John, then in his mid-twenties, performing a version of the meme that culminated in him appearing to defecate on a friend. The content was explicitly designed for shock value, fitting the gross-out comedy style of his short-lived Steezy Grossman act.

Why the Video Continues to Resurface

The video was quickly deleted by John as he began his transition to the Blippi character in 2014. However, in the age of the internet, content is rarely truly gone. While the original video is no longer available, its existence is cemented in numerous reaction videos and articles that describe the explicit scene in detail. The controversy exploded in 2018 when media outlets first reported on John's past, creating a massive public relations challenge for the burgeoning Blippi brand. The primary reason for the enduring interest is the extreme contrast: the man who created a highly explicit, gross-out comedy video is now the face of a multi-million-dollar children's educational media empire. The video serves as a cautionary tale about digital footprints and a stark reminder of the creator's journey from obscurity to global fame.

Stevin John’s Response and the Blippi Brand’s Evolution

When the "Harlem Shake Poop" video controversy first broke, Stevin John and his team were quick to address the issue. John issued a public statement expressing deep regret for the content he created during his time as Steezy Grossman. He acknowledged the video as an immature and regrettable mistake from his past, emphasizing that his current focus is entirely on creating positive, educational content for children. His legal team has actively worked to have the original content removed from the internet, often utilizing copyright law to take down re-uploads and fragments of the explicit video. The controversy ultimately failed to derail the Blippi brand, which only continued to grow in the years that followed. This success is a testament to the brand's strong foundation in educational content and Stevin John's entrepreneurial vision.

The Multi-Million Dollar Blippi Empire

The Blippi character was conceived in 2014 when John noticed a lack of high-quality, engaging educational content for his nephew on YouTube. He saw a gap in the market and created the Blippi persona—a cheerful, curious, and brightly dressed character who visits places like museums, playgrounds, and construction sites to teach children about the world. The brand's success quickly transcended YouTube. The Blippi empire now includes:

• Multiple Streaming Platforms: Shows available on Hulu, Netflix, HBO Max, Peacock, and Amazon Prime Video.
• Massive Revenue Streams: Estimated annual earnings from YouTube ad revenue alone are in the range of $9 million to $12.5 million.
• Acquisition by Moonbug Entertainment: The Blippi brand was acquired by Moonbug Entertainment, a global entertainment company, for a substantial sum, solidifying its status as a major media franchise.
• Live Shows and Merchandise: Successful Blippi The Musical live tours and extensive merchandise lines, including toys, clothing, and books.

This explosive business success has resulted in Stevin John's estimated net worth being in the tens of millions of dollars, a remarkable achievement for a digital content creator.

The Final Verdict on Blippi’s Dual Identity

The story of the Blippi "Harlem Shake" video is a powerful case study in personal rebranding and the unforgiving nature of the internet's memory. Stevin John's journey from the explicit shock comedy of Steezy Grossman to the wholesome educational content of Blippi is a dramatic pivot. For parents, the knowledge of the "Harlem Shake Poop" video presents a choice: to judge the man by his past mistakes or by his current, overwhelmingly positive contribution to early childhood education. John has made it clear that he regrets his prior work and has dedicated his life to the Blippi mission. The brand's continued growth and acquisition by a major media company like Moonbug Entertainment suggest that the market, and a significant portion of the audience, has chosen to accept his apology and focus on the quality of the Blippi content today. The controversy, while shocking, ultimately serves to highlight the immense effort and success of Stevin John's transformation. The Blippi brand remains a dominant force in children's entertainment, proving that a strong vision and a commitment to positive content can, in the long run, overcome a controversial digital past.

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