Popular Internet Personalities of Yesteryears: An Update on Their Present Lives
In the ever-evolving world of the internet, memes have become a powerful cultural force, shaping trends and influencing popular culture. Here, we explore the current careers and activities of ten popular meme creators who have parlayed their online fame into successful ventures.
Sam Griner, aka Success Kid
Now an 18-year-old self-proclaimed "lazy teenager" and artist, Sam Griner's iconic "Success Kid" meme brought him fame at the tender age of two. In 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a ruling ordering former Congressman Steve King to pay $750 for using the meme in a political ad without permission.
Chloe Clem, aka Side-Eyeing Chloe
Chloe Clem, the face behind the "Side-Eyeing Chloe" meme, boasts over 600,000 Instagram followers and sold her meme as an NFT for approximately $74,000 in 2021.
Mia Talerico, aka Charlie Duncan from Good Luck Charlie
Mia Talerico, who played Charlie Duncan on Good Luck Charlie, is a 14-year-old high school sophomore who continues acting, shares content as a creator, and was part of a cast reunion in 2024. As of March 2025, she posts regularly on Instagram and hints at future film roles, including American Summer.
Zoe Roth, aka Disaster Girl
Zoe Roth, the creator of the "Disaster Girl" meme, now works as a research associate at S&P Global, where she analyses trends in Internet-of-Things (IoT) technologies. In 2021, her family sold the original meme photo as an NFT for around 180 ETH (roughly $500,000), using the money to support charitable causes and pay off student loans. In a fun nod to her past, Zoe recently recreated the meme as an adult, smiling in front of a burning background once again.
The Rise of Digital Content Creators
Other notable meme creators have also found success in the digital content creation sphere. Khaby Lame, the most followed TikToker globally, collaborates with major brands and maintains his humble, authentic style admired by Gen Z. Charli D’Amelio, MrBeast, Bella Poarch, and Addison Rae have diversified into acting, music, and beauty, while continuing to influence social media, fashion, and entertainment.
Katie Fang, known for morning routine videos, attends New York University, enhancing her digital marketing skills to advance her content creation career with a stronger strategic foundation. Shade Zahrai, a career and mindset coach, educates Fortune 500 companies on peak performance and confidence. Christian Lovell, a career educator, specializes in career development, money management, and life advice. Anna Belyaeva, a podcast host and career strategist, helps mid-senior professionals land high-paying roles.
Beyond Memes: The Evolution of Internet Fame
Some meme creators have ventured beyond their initial claim to fame. Kyle Craven, the creator of the "Bad Luck Brian" meme, is the VP of his family's construction business and co-owner of the Quaker Square redevelopment. He has appeared in ad campaigns with Shaquille O'Neal, sold NFTs, travelled internationally, and earned revenue from merchandise and licensing deals.
Silvia Bottini, the creator of the "First World Problems" meme, is a classically trained actress from Italy who continues to act, perform comedy, and explore how Internet fame intersects with real-life identity and performance. Despite early frustration over losing control of her image, she embraced the fame by creating a short film and web series about meme culture.
Michael McGee, whose tightly strained face from a classroom moment created the "Strained Face in Classroom" meme, is active on social media where he shares memes and jokes. Dieunerst Collin, known as the "Popeyes Kid," is an offensive lineman at Lake Erie College, helped lead his high school to a New Jersey state football championship in 2021, and secured a sponsorship with Popeyes, featuring on billboards and ads.
Laina Morris, the Overly Attached Girlfriend, has over a million YouTube subscribers but stepped away from content creation due to struggles with anxiety, depression, and personal pressures. Blake Boston, known as "Scumbag Steve," is a father of two and active in music and gaming communities, continues to post on social platforms, and reflects on life beyond the meme.
These meme stars serve as a testament to the power of the internet in shaping cultural icons and providing opportunities for success in various fields. Their activities align with the current trends of monetizing online presence, brand collaborations, and expanding personal brands beyond memes into broader lifestyle and career-oriented ventures.
- Sam Griner, now a 18-year-old 'artist', leveraged his fame from the 'Success Kid' meme to enter the world of news and entertainment, with a court ruling ordering former Congressman Steve King to pay $750 for using the meme without permission.
- Chloe Clem, known for the 'Side-Eyeing Chloe' meme, capitalized on her online fame by boosting her Instagram followers to over 600,000 and selling her meme as an NFT for approximately $74,000.
- Zoe Roth, creator of the iconic 'Disaster Girl' meme, transitioned from pop-culture to the realm of books and technology, now working as a research associate at S&P Global, analyzing trends in Internet-of-Things (IoT) technologies, while also using her meme earnings to support charitable causes and pay off student loans.
In addition to meme creation, these digital content creators also delve into various fields such as entertainment, business, education, and philanthropy, demonstrating the transformative power of internet fame and the vast opportunities it presents.
