Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

People Who Made The Most Of Their 15 Minutes Of Fame

Man wearing a hat that says famous on it.
man wearing multicolored Famous cap
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

Reddit user TonyClifton323 asked: 'Who has most successfully milked what should have been 15 minutes of fame?'

Initially, to become famous, one needed an impressive skill set or talent, or needed to have accomplished a notable achievement, or a notorious one for that matter.

Today, one could argue that becoming famous is much, much, easier than it's ever been, either by appearing as a contestant or participant on a reality show, or through one of the numerous social media platforms on which they could go "viral".


Generally, these newfound celebrities tend to be a flash in the pan.

Most of the time owing to another unexpected celebrity displacing them, but now and then by their own decision to step out of the spotlight.

Many of these viral sensations can't get enough of their newfound fame and will go to great, sometimes even desperate lengths, to stay relevant.

Despite having a complete lack of talent or accomplishments to their name.

Redditor TonyClifton323 was curious to learn about media stars who made their fame last well beyond their allotted 15 minutes, leading them to ask:

"Who has most successfully milked what should have been 15 minutes of fame?"

TikTok Goes The Clock...

"The D'amelios."

"Can't believe they got a Kardashian wannabe show on Hulu."

"..to clarify.. i don't like the Kardashians."

"They're just the most notable instance of this phenomenon."- Reddit

Just Don't Go To Him For Medical Advice...

"Dr. Phil."

"In 1995, Oprah Winfrey hired Phil McGraw's legal consulting firm to prepare for the Amarillo Texas beef trial."

"Winfrey was so impressed with him that she thanked him for her victory in that case, which ended in 1998."

"Soon after, she invited him to appear on her show, which turned into a recurring segment."

"He turned that into his own show and now 25 years in the spotlight."- Ollivander451

One Way. To Get Your Music Heard...

"The Island Boys, they've stretched that sh*t out so far."- cantaketheskyfrome

Those Poor, Poor Children...

"Jon and Kate Gosselin."

"Only famous because she had a lot of babies and then verbally abused her husband on camera for years."

"The kids were adorable, but they should have had 1 television special, saved that money for kids' college funds or whatever and then disappeared."- KimboSlice129

She's Not The Only One Shaking Her Head...

"Bella Poarch."

"She has one of the biggest Tik Toks ever and all she did was shake her head."

"It became the most liked Tik Tok with over 61M likes and now she's the 3rd biggest Tik Toker, with 94M followers."

"Then, she somehow turned that into a music career."

"One song even charted on the Hot 100 and got a little bit of pop airplay."- Avicii_DrWho

Dolls GIF by Bella PoarchGiphy

All A Matter Of Taste

"I mean this not in a negative way at all because 'milking it' seems negative, but Brittany Broski became a meme for tasting kombucha and then took that opportunity to build an empire."

"Mad respect."- goblingirlie

Baby, You're A Firework!

"Guy Fawkes, it’s been over 400 years and we still celebrate him every year in the UK."

"Not that he lived long enough to enjoy his infamy."- bradley_b_

Never Be Afraid To Speak Your Mind

"Not most successful, but people talked about Ken Bone way more than I would’ve expected."- kingoflint282

debate kenneth bone GIF by Election 2016Giphy

He "Bang"ed His Way To Success...

"William Hung stuck around a good while."- svh01973

When Life Gives You Lemons...

"Bhad Bhabie, aka Danielle Peskowitz Bregoli."

"Cash me outside, how 'bout that?'"

"One episode on Dr Phil."

"Where he intended to exploit her and trash her on live TV."

"She just proved receipts for... a house in Florida for 6.1 million cash."

"Hate all you want, but I challenge anyone to do better quicker."

"I added those two figures in just as an 'icing w/ a cherry on top' cap, not to imply that is her sole source of income."

"She is currently 20 years old."- rFortressofRain


Angry Bhad Bhabie GIFGiphy

There's Going Viral, And Then There's Being Exploited...

"Deez Nuts guy."

"Although he is homeless, he still pops up from time to time and he still makes money off a 3-second meme."- LiteBeerLife

TAn Ongoing Tragedy

"Currently and on their way..Gyspy Rose and her Peter Griffin looking Husband."- hellooonurse23Being famous, even for only fifteen minutes, would seem to guarantee that you will be remembered long after you're gone.

Something to keep in mind before going to great lengths to sustain that fame, however, is what you'll be remembered for.

After all, there's being famous, and there's being infamous.

More from Trending

Pam Bondi
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Photo Of Epstein Victims Standing Behind Pam Bondi As She Ignores Them Goes Viral—And It's One For The History Books

Attorney General Pam Bondi's appearance before the House Judiciary Committee will now forever be associated with a viral photo captured by Getty Images photographer Roberto Schmidt showing several victims of the late financier, sex trafficker, and pedophile Jeffrey Epstein raising their hands to signal that Bondi and the Justice Department had ignored their accounts.

Democrats repeatedly pressed Bondi over what they described as her dismissive posture toward the crimes of Epstein and the influential figures named in recently released files.

Keep ReadingShow less
Margot Robbie attends the "Wuthering Heights" Australian Premiere at State Theatre in Sydney, Australia.
Don Arnold/WireImage via Getty Images

Fans Horrified After Margot Robbie Reveals Weight-Shaming 'Gift' She Once Got From Male Costar

Margot Robbie is reflecting on a moment from early in her career that still stings.

The Australian actor and producer appeared on Complex’s GOAT Talk series on February 9, where she sat down with Charli XCX to discuss her career, romance films, and the worst gift she has ever received. What followed was a candid story about a male costar who handed her something that felt less like a present and more like a pointed message.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot from Redditor Bulgingpants' Reddit post
u/Bulgingpants/Reddit

Restaurant Sparks Heated Debate After Adding Mandatory 20% No-Tipping Fee To Diners' Checks

Tipping culture is an incredibly divisive topic, leading people to question if customers and restaurant guests should be made responsible for the livelihood of those who serve them their meals at these establishments.

Redditor Bulgingpants added fuel to the fire when they shared a receipt in the "End Tipping" subReddit from a restaurant called Burdell in Oakland, California, remarking:

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots from @hackedliving's TikTok video
@hackedliving/TikTok

Viral Video Of Delivery Robot Maneuvering Around Unhoused Man In Miami Is Honestly So Dystopian

Technology is here to make our lives more convenient and successful, but it has a chilling way of calling out problems that we're experiencing.

In a TikTok video recorded by TikToker @hackedliving, an delivery robot named "Akira" was seen rolling down a sidewalk in Miami, eyes blinking as it approached its destination.

Keep ReadingShow less
'Dawson's Creek' cast
Warner Bros./Getty Images

'Dawson's Creek' Stars Lead Poignant Tributes To James Van Der Beek After His Tragic Death At 48

After revealing to the public in November 2025 that he was battling colorectal cancer, James Van Der Beek passed away on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at the age of 48.

Fans became concerned last December about the severity of his condition when Van Der Beek was unable to appear at the Dawson's Creek reunion at New York's Richard Rodgers Theatre, due to having multiple illnesses at once because of his weakened immune system.

Keep ReadingShow less