Celebrity Memers in Retrospect: Current whereabouts of past internet sensations
In the ever-evolving world of the internet, memes have become a powerful cultural force, often launching their creators into the limelight. Here's an update on the careers and activities of ten popular meme stars in 2025.
Sam Griner, famously known as the "Success Kid," has embraced his meme fame and transformed it into a successful culinary career. With over 53 million followers on Instagram, Griner has become a renowned chef.
Zoe Roth, the original "Disaster Girl," continues to make headlines. After selling the original meme photo as an NFT for around $500,000 in 2021, she is now a research associate at S&P Global, analysing trends in Internet-of-Things technologies. In a playful nod to her past, Zoe recently recreated the meme as an adult.
Mia Talerico, who played Charlie Duncan on Good Luck Charlie, is a 14-year-old high school sophomore. Continuing her acting career, she was part of a cast reunion in 2024 and has hinted at future film roles, including American Summer. As of March 2025, she posts regularly on Instagram.
Silvia Bottini, the creator of the "First World Problems" meme, has embraced Internet fame. She created a short film and web series about meme culture and now resides in Los Angeles, where she continues to act, perform comedy, and explore the intersection of Internet fame and real-life identity.
Kyle Craven, the brain behind the "Bad Luck Brian" meme, has experienced a turn of good fortune since embracing his fame. He is the VP of his family's construction business and co-owner of the Quaker Square redevelopment. Craven has appeared in ad campaigns, sold NFTs, travelled internationally, and earned revenue from merchandise and licensing deals.
Blake Boston, known as "Scumbag Steve" from a 2006 meme, is a father of two and remains active in music and gaming communities. He continues to post on social platforms.
Chloe Clem, known for the "Side-Eyeing Chloe" meme, has over 600,000 Instagram followers and sold her meme as an NFT for approximately $74,000 in 2021.
Laina Morris, the Overly Attached Girlfriend, gained fame in 2012 and has over a million YouTube subscribers. After stepping away from content creation due to personal struggles, she now works as a freelancer, creating short-form content on her own terms and reflecting publicly on the impact of fame on her personal life.
Dieunerst Collin, known as "Popeyes Kid" from a Vine video, is now an offensive lineman at Lake Erie College. He secured a sponsorship with Popeyes, featuring on billboards and ads. Collin studies sports management and dreams of a career as a professional football player or sports analyst.
Lastly, Nick Young, beyond meme fame from a reaction video, maintains visibility for his successful NBA career. No recent change has been reported in 2025, but he remains publicly known.
In summary, several meme stars like Sam Griner, Laina Morris, and Chloe Clem have either leveraged their fame for new careers or continue participating in social media, while others maintain their original professions or privacy. For some meme figures, specific 2025 updates are not available and would require further research.
Celebrities like Zoe Roth and Chloe Clem have dabbled in the world of online markets, selling their meme images as NFTs in 2021. Meanwhile, social-media platforms continue to be a source of entertainment and news, with figures like Sam Griner, a renowned chef after his meme fame, posting regularly on Instagram.
