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Realistic jack-o’-lanterns with celebrity faces go viral

Posted on by L. Dreeye
Realistic jack-o’-lanterns with celebrity faces go viral

These carved pumpkins look like they were created by artificial intelligence, but we assure you that they are real. At first glance they look like uncut pumpkin porridge, but become masterpieces when the light shines from within. Pumpkin carving extraordinaire Carra Youngblood has gone viral on TikTok with her hyper-realistic pumpkin carvings.

The jack-o'-lanterns are carved with the faces of five celebrities. Clockwise: Snoop Dogg, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Zendaya and Travis Kelsey.The jack-o'-lanterns are carved with the faces of five celebrities. Clockwise: Snoop Dogg, Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Zendaya and Travis Kelsey.

Carra Youngblood

Youngblood, a native of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, has recently gained fame for her extremely detailed pumpkin paintings featuring the faces of various celebrities. Youngblood has done the faces of various celebrities such as Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Travis Kelsey and Zendaya. She said she would try to create only women this year, but Travis Kelsey was the exception.

A graphic designer by profession, Youngblood uses techniques based on light and shadow to create specific facial features. It all starts with a black and white template she creates on her computer. Then, using pushpins, she traces the design onto the pumpkin, using it as a guide for carving.

Two celebrity carved pumpkins. (Left) Beyoncé (Right) Maggie SmithTwo celebrity carved pumpkins. (Left) Beyoncé (Right) Maggie Smith

Carra Youngblood

However, when you look at them first, they look… well, not the best. The details of the pumpkin are not fully visible until they are lit from the inside. All the details and depth of detail are visible in the light. Her viral videos feature an unsuspecting, unlit pumpkin and then open up, turning off the lights and illuminating the pumpkin.

Youngblood’s TikTok videos have received over 20 million views. Her comments are full of praise, from “GET IT IN THE MUSEUM” to “Fantastic. I’ll take 12.” In an interview with NPR, Youngblood emphasized how important people’s support is.

I was standing in my kitchen. I just started crying. It was just overwhelming, the nice things that were said. And I think they don’t say that about my face,” Youngblood said. “They don’t talk about, well, my car. They’re talking about something I created.”

If you can’t get enough of the spooky spirit and want more pumpkin – that’s it, watch this video that explains the levels of pumpkin carving or how these cute animals eat it.

To celebrate the upcoming Halloween, Youngblood is sharing Taylor Swift’s DIY pumpkin carving template for free on her website, Pumpkin Brains. So perhaps you can try your hand at this craft; who knows, you might just go viral.