Getting 15 minutes of fame in today’s world is relatively easy. Today we have the internet, which means that people no longer need a particular skill or talent to be famous. The 15-minute fame of some people has turned into something much bigger, while that of others has faded into obscurity. Take a look at what people have done with their 15 minutes of fame through viral videos, news stories, memes, and talent shows.
Candace Payne’s hilarious video went viral, and millions of people laughed along with her. Payne, now known as Chewbacca Mask Lady, became famous after posting a video of herself on Facebook. A new Chewbacca mask was the subject of much laughter in the video. Candace Payne was pleased with the results of this video. She received a trip to Disneyland, gift cards, and even a scholarship for college. Payne met Chewbacca’s actor and even got a Chewbacca action doll with a detachable mask!
Bo Bice
Given the abundance of talented shows on television, more people will go unnoticed than are ever heard from again. In the end, these shows exist to make money for the network, not to discover new pop stars. American Idol’s fourth season featured Alabama native Bo Bice, who finished second to Carrie Underwood.
Despite being dropped by RCA Records following the show, Bo Bice has continued his music career. Three sons and a daughter were born to him and Caroline Fisher in 2005.
Judson Laipply
“Evolution of Dance” has become a household name among internet users since the early 2000s. Judon Laipply danced for six minutes to songs from the 20th century, as seen on YouTube. The video garnered 70 million views in less than eight months.
It was the most popular and most viewed video on the platform at the time. In addition to Judson Laipply’s original video, he has released two updated versions of it. Motivational speaker: He has also done this work.
Alex Lee
A photo of Alex Lee from Target bagging groceries was shared by a British adolescent in 2014. The photo was uploaded to Tumblr with the poetic caption “YOOOOOOOOOOO.” In the early days of the internet, Alex from Target became a viral sensation.
His manager had to put Alex in the back because of all his female fans because he didn’t have his phone with him. There are some well-known people who Alex is friends with on social media.
Rachel Dolezal
We’re still reeling from the events surrounding Rachel Dolezal. In 2015, it was revealed that Dolezal, who claimed to be a black woman, was actually white. Furthermore, she served as president of a group for people of color and taught African American studies at an academic institution!
Some accused Rachel Dolezal of committing fraud and cultural appropriation in the wake of her high-profile case. She has since changed her name to a Nigerian phrase and relocated to Arizona, where she now lives.
Russell Horning
Russell Horning made his name as a dancer when he performed Katy Perry’s “Swish Swish” live in 2017. His well-known flossing moves were also featured in the music video for the song, which featured him wearing a backpack. But, what happened to the kid with the backpack?
He has 1.6 million Instagram followers, so Russell Horning is doing quite well. Both on YouTube and TikTok, he keeps his fans up to date on his daily activities and the music he makes.
Kris Humphries
The Kardashian-Jenner machine devoured Kris Humphries. It was in 2010 that he began seeing Kim Kardashian. In a big, televised wedding full of famous guests, the couple got engaged quickly and married quickly.
We now understand that this union was never meant to be. Just 72 days after saying “I do,” Kim Kardashian filed for divorce. Since then, Humphries has largely faded from public view, despite his continued social media activity. A few weeks ago, Kim said she was sorry for what she’d done to him.
Zoe Roth
Doomscrolling on the internet has likely exposed most of us to the image known as Disaster Girl. Zoe Roth’s father took the photo in 2004 while she was watching firefighters pass by their North Carolina home. The picture went viral because of the girl’s mischievous expression, and it has since become a classic meme.
Zoe Roth fetched $473,00 for the original photograph when she sold it as an NFT in 2021. After wishing it would help her pay for college, it appears that her wish has come true!
Ylvis
This song will be stuck in your head, so we’d like to apologise in advance. ‘The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)’ was a huge hit in 2013. And we agree with that. Actually, this song was written for a talk show by the Norwegian comedy duo Ylvis.
The video for this ridiculous song has been viewed over one billion times as of 2021! A children’s book, album, and a series of musical documentaries about Norway have all been produced by brothers Vegard and Brd Ylvisker.
Nusret Gökçe
YAY! He’s here! Our beloved Salt Bae is back! A picture of Turkish chef Nusret Gökçe sprinkling salt went viral, making him an internet sensation. As opposed to simply sprinkling it on the ground, Salt Bae threw it in from a great height, showing off his style.
Nusret Gökçe’s career and brand were greatly benefited by the ridiculous popularity of Salt Bae. And he’s still salting like an absolute champ, with over 38 million Instagram fans to prove it. Impressive!
Mason Ramsey
Here’s a new internet sensation to add to your list. Little Mason Ramsey was thrust into the limelight in 2018 when a yodeling video of him went viral. While shopping at Walmart, Ramsey yodeled “Lovesick Blues” in full cowboy attire. Who in the world could possibly say no to such an opportunity?
Mason Ramsey ended up sitting next to Ellen DeGeneres and making a cameo appearance at Coachella. The talented kid has released several singles and collaborated with Lil Nas X, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Young Thug on a remix of “Old Town Road.”
Nancy Kerrigan
For our next post, we’re going back in time to pre-internet times. Nancy Kerrigan, an Olympic hopeful on the ice, was a world-class athlete in training. Someone smacked her knee with a baton as she exited practice one evening. To sabotage Kerrigan’s Olympic hopes, her competitor’s ex-husband orchestrated this scheme.
However, Nancy Kerrigan was able to compete in the Olympic Games despite the controversy. At the Winter Olympics in 1994, she came away with a silver medal. Later, Kerrigan toured with ice skating groups and worked as a commentator, among other things, after that.
Heather Mills
In the UK tabloids, Heather Mills McCartney was a regular feature. Paul McCartney’s second wife was a model who suffered a partial amputation of her left leg in a car accident in 1993. A daughter was born to them in 2003, and the couple got divorced in 2008 after getting married in 2002.
Even after she was no longer on the front pages, animal rights activist Heather Mills hasn’t let up. She began a massive project in England in 2019 to provide space and manufacturing for vegan businesses. She has since finished the project.
Psy
However, he has been around for a long time, even if most Westerners had never heard of him. The first video on YouTube to surpass one billion views was created by the rapper and singer from South Korea. The song “Gangnam Style” became a worldwide sensation because of his efforts.
For his song “Gangnam Style,” Psy is considered the first K-pop artist to break into Western audiences. With his wife Yoo Hye-youn and their twin daughters together, he is a father.
Tila Tequila
It’s never fun to see a former reality star like Tila Tequila again. She first gained attention on MySpace, where she had the most popular profile. A Shot at Love With Tila Tequila premiered in 2007 as her own reality series.
Since then, Tila Tequila has sadly gone astray. When she claimed that she was possessed by Satan and was kicked off a UK reality show for her obscene tweets, she was ejected. Tornado Thien now has two children and goes by that name.
Ted Williams
During the 1980s, Ted Williams was a popular radio announcer. He eventually ended up on the streets, though, as a result of his addiction problems. There is video from 2011 that captures the beautiful radio-friendly voice of a homeless Williams. Because of the video’s popularity, he received many offers of assistance and work.
Ted Williams, the voice actor known as the “Man with the Golden Voice,” is still going strong. A book deal, an endorsement deal with Kraft, and a contract with Pepsi have all been a part of his career.
Drew Scanlon
Blinking White Guy is instantly recognizable by anyone. You can use memes to express shock or disbelief in a variety of contexts. From a live stream of professional gaming website Giant Bomb, the original clip is shown. When Drew Scanlon’s editor made a joke, the video producer made the expression.
Giant Bomb’s Drew Scanlon resigned in 2017 when this meme became a craze. It was revealed that he had planned to leave even before his face became an internet sensation. On Twitter, he’s very active.
Cara Cunningham
Cara Cunningham (formerly Chris Crocker) posted a tearful video defending Britney Spears in 2007. Crocker (at the time) was clearly ahead of his time, as we now know the pop star has been held captive in an abusive conservatorship for decades. “Leave Britney Alone!” she screamed in the video.
Cara has been mocked and parodied numerous times since the viral video. She does, however, continue to produce content. Cara has always been outspoken about her gender identity, and in 2021 she came out as trans.
Constantine Maroulis
Reunite with yet another former American Idol contestant. Constantine Maroulis finished sixth on the show’s fourth season. Maroulis and Bo Bice were aided by the fact that older contestants were allowed to audition this year.
Prior to his 15 minutes of fame, Constantine Maroulis had appeared in Off-Broadway productions. A Tony nomination is nothing short of an honor! In 2010, he tied the knot with actress Angel Reed, with whom he has a daughter, Malena James.
Pippa Middleton
In hindsight, this one is a bit strange. When the world was focused on Kate Middleton and Prince William’s Royal Wedding in 2011, they were briefly distracted by something else. Pippa, Kate’s sister, lifted her long train behind her as she entered the church. Pippa’s booty made the front pages for some reason.
This makes absolutely no sense, especially considering that Pippa’s backside isn’t exactly shocking. The socialite tied the knot with hedge fund manager James Matthews last year. The couple is the parents of two children.
Grace Van Cutsem
The 2011 Royal Wedding has already been talked about, so let’s take a look at another viral moment. One of the flower girls appeared grumpy as the newlyweds stepped out onto the balcony of Buckingham Palace. One of the first memes to take off was Grace Van Cutsem’s expression of frustration.
In a decade, Grace has grown into a young woman. Lady Rose Astor and Hugh van Custem have two children, Rafe and Charlie, and she is the younger of the two.
Melanie Amaro
We’re headed to the United States to find out what happened to the first ever winner of The X Factor. At just 17, Melanie Amaro became the youngest Miss Universe winner ever. Amaro’s career never took off despite signing a $5 million recording deal with Simon Cowell’s record label.
Unfortunately, the singer’s first album Truly failed to make an appearance in any music stores or online catalogs at all. She has, however, already put out music and has signed with an Atlanta label.
Nadya Suleman
At one point, Nayda Suleman seemed to be in the tabloids every day. Having octuplets made the mother of six a household name. As a result, she has been dubbed “Octomum” by the media.
One time, Nadya Suleman was accused of welfare fraud and even boxed in the ring with a celebrity. Even though her younger self was described as “dumb” and “selfish,” she insists that she has no regrets about having any of her kids.
Charlie and Harry
Perhaps if it were released today, this particular viral video wouldn’t go viral as quickly. Because there was so little information available on the internet in the early days, we were amused by almost anything. And “Charlie Bit My Finger” is a perfect example of that.
“Charlie bit my finger” is what one child said after another child bit their finger in this video. That surprised and delighted us. His once-famous video with his brother Harry, Charlie is now an active Twitch streamer and has grown tired of reenacting it.
Astro
We’re back on The X Factor USA to look into the disappearance of yet another briefly famous person. I’m joking! Astro auditioned for the talent show when he was only 14 years old. “Stop Looking at My Mom,” the cute kid’s rap, charmed the audience.
Astro continued to release music after his time on the show ended, and he also landed some great roles. In 2019, he starred in a Spike Lee film and was set to star in Euphoria.
Maddie Poppe
American Idol is our next stop on our tour of reality television talent shows. There are many full-fledged stars who have appeared on the show since it debuted in 2002. A multi-instrumentalist by training, Maddie Pope was crowned the show’s 2018 winner.
Maddie Poppe appears to be doing well at the moment. In 2019, she released her debut album and went on tour with Ingrid Michaelson. Is the young singer able to make the most of her 15 minutes of fame?
Keenan Cahill
It’s a challenge to explain the early internet to someone who wasn’t around at the time. TV wasn’t influenced by memes, YouTube videos, or other internet nonsense because neither of these things existed at the time. That’s why we were so enamored with everything that was put in front of us.
However, does this explain why Keenan Cahill became so popular in 2010? What’s the point of this? One could argue that the internet sensation foresaw TikTok. It appears that he’s still active, even if he’s now focusing on his own music-making.
Alex and Sierra
Alex Kinsey and Sierra Deaton were the winners of The X Factor USA’s third and final season. Every week, viewers at home chose these two as their favorite contestants over the others because they were so beloved on the show. That’s a first for me.
In the end, Alex and Sierra were a flop. In the past few years, both musicians have released music on their own. 5 Seconds Of Summer’s Luke Hemmings is engaged to Sierra.
Darci Lynne Farmer
Even though singing talent shows have produced many flops, America’s Got Talent is a completely different animal. It’s not just singing and dancing that contestants can show off on the show. She got her 15 minutes of fame this way, as a 12-year-old ventriloquist named Darci Lynne Farmer.
Darci Lynne has made a nice living off her notoriety. As a performer, she has toured with her puppets and appeared in a film. See more of her work on TikTok!
Tonya Harding
Well, it’s Tonya Harding, the infamous reality TV star. We’ve already covered Nancy Kerrigan in our list, but what about her competitor?? An attack on the Olympian ice skater was later linked to her opponent’s ex-husband, Tonya Harding.
Harding was banned from the sport for life because of her possible involvement in the attack. When Margot Robbie portrayed her in a movie a few years later, Tonya found herself on the red carpet next to the star.
Liam Kyle Sullivan
The internet has returned to the dark ages! “Shoes,” the catchy tune by Liam Kyle Sullivan, was a hit in 2007. Lots of Liam in a blonde wig singing the word “shoes,” if you haven’t seen it yet. It’s illogical, but it appealed to the audience.
Liam Kyle Sullivan, it turns out, is a stand-up comic. More of his work, including TikTok videos, can be found here. Besides being an internet celebrity, the man also has a family.
Lauren Caitlin Upton
When we saw the viral video starring Lauren Caitlin Upton, we felt bad for her. But we also had a lot of fun laughing. The Miss Teen South Carolina pageant is featured in the video. They want to know why only one-fifth of the population can locate the United States on a map.
She had a difficult time coming up with an answer, to put it mildly. Sadly, she had a difficult time coping with the subsequent wave of online criticism. Real estate agent and mother of two.
Kevin Federline
In 2004, Britney Spears married dancer Kevin Federline, making headlines around the world. When they announced their engagement, the couple had only been dating for three months. With his ex-girlfriend, Federline was also pregnant at the time.
Kevin Federline has made a few public appearances since Britney Spears returned to the spotlight. Sean Preston, Jayden James, Kori Madison, Peyton Marie, Kaleb Michael, and Jordan Kay are among his six children in total.
Igor Nazarov
Igor Nazarov, a Russian schoolboy, became an internet sensation when a photo of him went viral in 2013. A desk in the middle of a swamp? When I was there, what was happening in Russia?
In reality, Igor, who was 16 at the time, had staged the series of photos in order to enter a photography competition for “unusual photos.” He was quickly pasted on countless other shots due to his stony-faced expression, and he became a verified meme. We don’t know where he is today!
Quintavious Johnson
It’s time for yet another contestant from America’s Got Talent to perform. During his audition for the show, Quintavious Johnson was only 12 years old. Fortunately, his outstanding vocals carried him to the final. There were even whistle notes in his repertoire!
Quintavious still performs today, many years after the show. In 2021, he put out a song called “Your Grace” and has been active on social media since then. He may yet have an opportunity, who knows.
Laina Morris
People who appear in viral videos and memes frequently have a difficult time afterward. Thousands of people are commenting or posting their faces, and they’ve been catapulted into the spotlight. Consider how difficult that must be!
After uploading a parody video to YouTube, Laina Morris became known as “Overly Attacher Girlfriend.” She went on to have a successful career on the platform after that, but she eventually decided to leave in 2019. Laina Morris is still active on Instagram, so she might come back at some point.
Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt
On an MTV reality show, these two were able to make a decent living. However, Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt — or Speidi — seemed to be everywhere for a while. They appeared on numerous reality shows, Heidi released a flop album, and, of course, she underwent a plethora of plastic surgery procedures.
Have Speidi’s nefarious activities ever been put an end to? They have a son named Gunner and continue to make public appearances. Currently, the drama-loving couple is working on a podcast together.
Olate Dogs
It’s because of the variety of acts that America’s Got Talent is so great. Here’s an excellent illustration of what I mean! Richard and Nicholas Olate, Chilean-American father and son, won $1 million on the show with their dog act.
At the circus, Richard Olate met Rebecca Smith, the woman he would later marry. He did his dog act while she was a human cannonball. Despite the fact that they spoke different languages, they fell in love. What a sweet idea! For the time being, at least, the Olate dogs are going strong.
Vanilla Ice
Vanilla Ice may have had just 15 minutes of fame, but he used it to make his song a permanent part of our memories. Robert Matthew Van Winkle, better known by his stage name Ice Ice Baby, released “Ice Ice Baby” as the B-side to his debut single in 1989.
Vanilla Ice did have a fairly successful music career, in reality. Vanilla Ice There have been numerous arrests for him since his heyday. The star is a mother of three.
Tay Zonday
Tay Zonday, better known as Adam Nyerere Bahner, uploaded a video of his original song “Chocolate Rain” over a decade ago. The song took off after a few months online and is now one of the most popular songs to appear on the platform ever.
It has more than 130 million views as of 2021. It was Tay Zonday’s singing voice that made him famous in the music industry. He has appeared on stage and in the music industry.
Gotye
Despite the fact that “Somebody I Used to Know” is Gotye’s most popular (and only popular) song, it is also the song that best defines his relationship with the mainstream audience.
Gotye had a solid stepping stone to international stardom after his smash-hit track took the world by storm. For nearly seven years following the 2011 release of his last album, “Making Mirrors,” he was virtually unheard from. That could have made him a superstar, but he lost it. Right now, he’s actively promoting his side projects on social media.
András Arató
“Hide the Pain Harold” has been one of the most popular memes of this century, making András Arató an international sensation. The man with the sad eyes and forced smile who stares into the camera is our favorite mood.
That year, he was an electrical engineer who became a stock photography model. Even after ten years, he’s still a household name. In 2019, he was chosen to be the face of Coca-advertising Cola’s campaign in Hungary. He currently lives in Budapest, Hungary, with his wife and their young son.
Ronnie Miller
Amber-haired Jessica performs an unsteady rendition of Flo Rida’s “Low” for the camera. The silence is broken by a woman in all black barging into the room and demanding to know if Jessica had an affair with her teacher.
A Ronnie Miller comedy skit is all that’s here. It was made public on Instagram in January of this year. Miller became an overnight sensation, amassing tens of thousands of Instagram and TikTok fans. “Mom” was actually just a good friend of hers.
Rebecca Black
Even though Rebecca Black was only 14 when she released “Friday” in September 2011, the fact that she was mocked for her music at such a young age makes it all the more tragic.
“Friday” is one of the videos on YouTube where the likes-to-dislikes ratio is extremely skewed, about one to three. Even though she only had 15 minutes of fame to her name, Black found it to be a humbling and draining experience. Although she’s still working in the industry, she’s a lot more low-key than she used to be.
Muhammad Sarim Akhtar
Known as the “Disappointed Pakistani Guy,” Muhammad Sarim Akhtar went viral. At one point, Sarim put on one of the funniest expressions we’ve ever seen in a cricket match between Pakistan and Australia.
The epic reaction became a big part of Indian meme culture, but it was also popular in other parts of the world. Surprisingly, Akhtar is a highly qualified and well-respected company executive based in the United Kingdom. Many of us would be embarrassed by his credentials and degrees.
Farrah Abraham
After meeting Farrah for the first time on an episode of Teen Mom, everyone felt sorry for her. Due to a tragic car accident, her daughter’s father was no longer around to help raise her.
The sympathy for Abraham quickly faded when it became clear that he was making rash decisions after rash decisions. She was eventually fired from the show. In order to make her look normal again, she underwent a slew of cosmetic surgeries. As an adult entertainer, she’s also been criticized for her work.
Sam Griner
It was originally known as the “I Hate Sandcastles” meme before becoming the “Success Kid” meme it is today. Sam Griner, the adorable blond child in the picture, was born in 2007.
When Laney Griner’s son was trying to eat sand, she posted the picture on Flickr. A number of advertisements and events have taken advantage of the meme since then. Sam is currently 13 years old and is living at home with his parents, just like any other teenager.
Side-Eyeing Chloe
The video of Chloe posted on YouTube in 2013 made her a viral sensation. You can see how little Chloe reacts when she learns she is going to Disneyland in a video posted by YouTuber @KAftC titled “Lily’s Disneyland Surprise… AGAIN.”
The meme was born when Chloe’s expression changed from one of surprise to one of confusion and annoyance. The meme is still relevant and widely used today. Chloe has over 600,000 followers on her Instagram account. I guess she still has a few more minutes of fame to enjoy!
Kayode Ewumi
Kayode Ewumi’s hilarious facial expressions made him a popular meme in 2016. As part of the Hood Documentary mini-docu series, he was able to express himself through the lens of the camera.
It wasn’t long before Euwni’s comedic brilliance caught the attention of the BBC, which picked up the show for a second season in 2016. A broader demographic was exposed to the sensationalized show. Also on the BBC, she appeared in the show Enterprice as Kayode Ewumi.
Kyle Craven
An Ian Davie yearbook photo of Kyle Craven, aka “Bad Luck Brian,” was posted on Reddit in 2012, and it quickly became a meme. He appears to have used a sweater to rub his face before the photo was taken, and then slapped on the most unappealing smile he could muster before the photo was taken.
People often used memes to express how they felt about unfortunate or embarrassing events. Currently, Craven and his wife and dog reside in Ohio. His father owns a commercial construction company, and he works as the manager of that company.
Michael McGee
In 2014, the “Trying to Hold a Fart Next to a Cute Girl in Class” meme first appeared. u/aaduk ala, a Reddit user, posted the image to a subreddit forum with the caption above it.
He must have been putting in serious effort to get that shot, because McGee’s veins were bulging like crazy! Embarrassing, annoying, and irritating situations are all well-suited for this meme. As recently as two years ago, the persona behind the meme was a high school student enrolled in a broadcast media program.
Zeddie Little
Even if you’ve done nothing, you can still be praised on the internet. It requires a sliver of good fortune (and an extremely beautiful face). In 2012, the Cooper River Bridge Run saw Zeddie Little’s photogenic features go viral after he was spotted running.
Many people were melted by her big smile. Will King, the photographer, uploaded this to the internet, where it quickly went viral. At the moment, he’s hiding out in New York City, avoiding the media spotlight.
Maggie Goldenberger
Anyone who is unsure of the term should know that “Ermahgerd” is an abbreviation for “Oh My God!” On March 14th, 2012, Maggie Goldenberg’s meme “Just a book owner’s smile…” first appeared on the internet.
Goldenberger claims the photo was taken when she was in fourth or fifth grade, according to her recollections. This unintentionally became the next big meme because she and her friends were obsessed with dress-up games. She is currently a nurse in the United States.
Frostbit Boy
Honestly, this is one of our favorites on this list. In 2015, Northern Ireland was subjected to temperatures that were well below freezing. Ruari McSorley, a 12-year-old schoolboy from a rural area, proclaimed on the local news, “You wouldn’t be long getting frostbit.” It was a momentous occasion.
Ruari has made headlines once more since then. When he was found in 2021, he had been lost at sea. A pod of dolphins swam around him, and he later revealed that this was true.
Ghyslain Raza
That the people who brought us so much happiness when we first discovered the internet were subjected to so much hatred is truly heartbreaking. When a video of Ghyslain Raza using a golf ball retriever as a lightsaber went viral, he never expected it to go viral. However, it was discovered and released against his will by someone else.
Raza was the victim of a lot of cyberbullying. That’s exactly what happened, according to his family’s lawsuit against those who released the tape. Ghyslain, listen up! We all adore you!
Antoine Dodson
Now, we’ve got a real star. His sister was threatened by an intruder, so Antoine Dodson used the local news cameras to speak to the public. Dodson, in his trademark style, cautioned, “Hide your kids, hide your wife, and hide your husband.”
The opening theme song for Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt was inspired by Antoine Dodson’s viral video, which went on to become a hit. He is now employed as a substitute teacher.
Robert and Marion Kelly
Look up the BBC News clip of Robert Kelly trying to speak if you need a smile today. His family interrupted the professor of political science in 2017 as he was giving his opinion.
Marion, her baby brother, and Robert’s wife all burst into Robert’s office at the same time, causing Robert to become frantic. Since then, Robert Kelly has been able to carry on with his work without incident.
Sweet Brown
Finally, we bring you a local news star who has gone viral on social media. When a fire broke out in Sweet Brown’s apartment building in 2014, she was agitated when she spoke to reporters outside. “Ain’t nobody got time for that,” she famously exclaimed in the wake of the devastation.
After the video went viral, Sweet Brown released her own merchandise and appeared on a number of television shows. There is evidence to suggest that she may have had a history of addiction, but she is now free of any use.