The I-45 bridge restoes the notable phrase after its defacing in April.
HOUSTON — Early Sunday, a video posted on Instagram by the user “LurkingHouston” showed two people atop the I-45 Union Pacific bridge with buckets of paint, restoring the iconic “Be Someone” mural. The video, showing the painters working overnight, gained traction online.
Many Houstonians eagerly shared the video, asking, “What took so long?” — referencing the two-month wait to restore the mural since it was defaced in April.
While driving through the north side of downtown, you may expect to catch a glimpse of the bridge with the phrase “Be Someone.” The motivating message brings people joy during their daily commute.
The “Be Someone” piece has been a staple of the I-45 bridge since 2012. In fact, a 2018 petition advocated for the artwork to be a city landmark. Signed by more than 16,000 people, it shows how Houston’s residents love the graffiti.
Despite its notable presence in the city, the mural has been defaced several times. The most recent act of vandalism occurred when someone painted over it with the word “MOSCOIN.” The term may be related to a cryptocurrency, but the true meaning remains unclear. The person responsible for the defacement remains unknown.
Another act of vandalism occurred in 2019, when the words “Be Someone” were painted over in black.
In 2018, someone altered the message to say “Be Mattress Mac.” The prank had no association with Jim “Mattress Mack,” who clarified, “I didn’t do it.”
However, despite repeated acts of vandalism, Houstonians are happy to see “Be Someone” return to its original glory.