Viral Stars: Where Are They Now? Shocking Fates Revealed!

From Viral Memes to Modern Lives: Internet Stars Re-Emerge

Remember the days of early internet fame? Videos that exploded overnight, turning ordinary people into household names? Watch Mojo’s latest list, “Top 30 Viral Stars: Where Are They Now?”, takes a deep dive into the lives of these internet sensations, revealing what they’ve been up to since their meteoric rise to fame.

Iconic Moments, Lasting Legacies

The list features some of the most unforgettable viral moments in internet history. We’re talking about the kid who famously declared, “I like turtles.” Jonathan Wear, known as the “I like turtles kid,” became a sensation in 2007 after a quirky interview at an arts festival. He’s all grown up now and even revisited his iconic line for a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles promotion. While he keeps his celebrity status low-key, you can catch him on TikTok.

Then there’s David D’vor Jr., the “David after dentist” kid. His hilarious, post-anesthesia reaction in 2008 went globally viral. The family cashed in, appearing in commercials and even getting a Simpsons shout-out. Now an adult studying computer science, David and his family turned their viral moment into an NFT, selling it for over $10,000 in 2021.

The “double rainbow guy,” Paul Bear Vasquez, brought joy to millions in 2010 with his ecstatic reaction to seeing two rainbows. Though Vasquez sadly passed away in 2020, his YouTube channel continues to receive uploads, a testament to his enduring spirit. His viral fame significantly improved his life, helping him overcome struggles as an artist.

Singers, Dancers, and Unexpected Careers

The list also revisits musical sensations. William Hung, whose unforgettable American Idol audition became an internet phenomenon, released three albums and appeared in commercials and a movie. He later transitioned to a career as a crime analyst and then worked in public health before becoming a motivational speaker. He now works as an analytics professional.

South Korean pop star Psy, whose “Gangnam Style” video was once the most-viewed on YouTube, has continued to release music and collaborate with major artists like Suga of BTS. He also owns his own talent agency.

Rapper Silento, known for his 2015 hit “Watch Me Whip (Nae Nae),” saw his career take a tragic turn. After disappearing from the public eye, he was arrested and charged with murder. In 2025, he was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

From Memes to Mainstream Success

Some viral stars have leveraged their fame into unexpected careers. Brian Gaw, the “Left Shark” dancer from Katy Perry’s 2015 Super Bowl performance, now runs a salon in Los Angeles after pursuing a cosmetology license. Liam Kyle Sullivan, creator of the viral song “Shoes,” continues to perform as his drag character “Kelly” and works as a video editor.

Zoe Roth, the “Disaster Girl” from the iconic meme, has embraced her internet fame. She completed college and now works as a smart cities and IoT analyst. She also sold the original photo as an NFT for nearly half a million dollars, using the funds for charity and her college degree.

Russell Horning, the “Backpack Kid” famous for his “Floss” dance, gained significant social media following and launched a music career. His mother sued Epic Games over the use of the floss dance in Fortnite, though the lawsuit was dismissed. Horning continues to create content for his YouTube channel.

Unexpected Turns and Quiet Lives

Not all viral moments led to continued public life. Alex Lee, “Alex from Target,” found the pressure of fame overwhelming and now prefers a quieter life working for UPS. Daniel Lara and Joshua Holtz, the “Damn Daniel” duo, also chose to live private lives after their Vine fame, donating their lifetime supply of Vans to a children’s hospital.

Professor Robert Kelly, the “BBC Dad,” became famous when his children interrupted his live news interview. He and his family continue to live in South Korea, and he has embraced his “BBC Dad” moniker, sharing yearly updates on his kids.

Michael Senator, the “water bottle flipping” sensation, has since graduated from college with a business degree. He prefers to keep a private social media presence, but his simple act of flipping a bottle gained him national attention, including an appearance on The Tonight Show.

Danielle Bregoli, “Cash Me Outside” girl, found surprising success as rapper Bhad Bhabie, even earning a Billboard Music Award nomination. She expanded her empire, had a baby in 2024, but was diagnosed with cancer later that year and is currently battling the disease.

Alexi Veayner, who famously applied for a bank job with a video showcasing his diverse talents, tragically passed away in 2013 due to a drug overdose. Judson Lipley, known for his “Evolution of Dance” video, continues to blend comedy with public speaking engagements.

Tori Llyer, whose hair tutorial went viral after a curling iron mishap, has transitioned to TikTok, where she continues to make videos for her followers. Mark Allen Hicks, the “Afro Ninja,” who went viral after a botched backflip audition, has built a successful career as a Hollywood stuntman, with credits in major films like Avengers: Endgame.

Candace Payne, the “Chewbacca Mask Lady,” became a Facebook sensation in 2016. She has since appeared on talk shows, authored a book, and works as a motivational speaker and podcast host.

Mason Ramsay, the “yodeling kid,” exploded onto the music scene after a video of him singing Hank Williams went viral.

Source: Top 30 Viral Stars: Where Are They Now? (YouTube)