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

Screenshots from Priscilla Houliston's TikTok video
@the1870studio/Tiktok

Woman Who Bought An Old Church For Under $40k To Live In Explains How She Did It

It's becoming increasingly difficult and expensive to find a home for those who do not already have one or who are in dire need of an upgrade.

TikToker Priscilla Houliston is here to teach us another way: seeking out old churches and other obscure properties that can be re-zoned as a residential home property.

Keep ReadingShow less
Pete Hegseth
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Pentagon Just Banned Press Photographers Over 'Unflattering' Photos Of Pete Hegseth—And The Internet Got To Work

The internet reacted exactly as you might expect after the Pentagon announced it would ban some press photographers from briefings about the Iran war due to their "unflattering" photos of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Here's a silly one, just because.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots from @italiangirl1130's TikTok video
@italiangirl1130/TikTok

Italian Exchange Student's Reaction To American Host Mom Taking Him To Olive Garden Is An Instant Classic

A joy that not nearly enough people get to have during high school is hosting an international student who comes to visit for either one semester or perhaps even an entire year to experience the world and the educational system from another country.

Tiktoker Rhonda, who goes by @italiangirl1130 on the platform, currently has the pleasure of hosting Alessandro, and her family has already filmed a variety of antics on the platform, trying to give the teen the best American experience they can.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots from @ali.fragster, @pluto_theservicedog, and @thatflippingagent's TikTok videos
@ali.fragster/TikTok; @pluto_theservicedog/TikTok: @thatflippingagent/TikTok

Woman's Video Shooing Kid At Disneyland Away From Her Service Dog Sparks Heated Debate

A massive debate has taken over TikTok about who needs to be protected, children or service dogs or both, and it all started with a video taken at Disneyland.

TikToker @pluto_theservicedog frequently posts videos of her travels with her service dog, Pluto, and she also creates informative videos about how the general public should interact with service dogs.

Keep ReadingShow less
Hudson Williams (left) and François Arnaud (right)
Swan Gallet/WWD via Getty Images; Gary Gershoff/Getty Images

'Heated Rivalry' Stars Call Out The Show's Toxic Fans And Their 'Hateful Love' With Blunt Statement

Heated Rivalry stars Hudson Williams and François Arnaud took to social media to call out hateful comments from some of the show’s fans.

Both Williams, who plays Shane Hollander in the series, and Arnaud, who plays Scott Hunter, have recently been the targets of a wave of hostile online commentary. Their message addressed viewers who were trying to pit the actors and other cast members against one another.

Keep ReadingShow less