Viral internet stars are made every day, but only a select few last in the public consciousness for years. These 15 children were just regular kids one day and online sensations the next. Most of them can thank their parents for posting their now-famous videos, but some of these memes happened because a random stranger posted a photo or clip and it just took off.
Because a lot of the children were pretty young when they first gained notoriety, it's interesting to catch up with them now and see how their lives may have shifted post-viral video. From the days of Vine to YouTube and TikTok, here's what these 15 meme kids are doing now.
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Corn Kid
Tariq, aka Corn Kid, went viral in 2022 for really liking corn on the cob. He was originally featured in a cute "Recess Therapy" video that later got turned into a catchy autotune song on TikTok. It's been a couple of years since the initial fame, and Tariq recently spoke to AdWeek about where he is now.
The 9-year-old juggles school and social media work, such as posting about his newfound love of cooking on TikTok. He told the news outlet that he still likes corn but doesn't like being asked about it. Fair enough.
Mason Ramsey
Also known as "Walmart yodeling kid," Mason Ramsey went viral in 2018 for singing "Lovesick Blues" in a Walmart, per Rolling Stone. People were taken with the then 11-year-old's talent, and he's since gone on to perform at the Grand Ole Opry.
According to All Country News, the now 17-year-old just performed with Lana Del Rey in Boston, and he's starting his own tour in September, his website notes.
Sophia Grace and Rosie
Ellen DeGeneres brought 8-year-old Sophia Grace and her 5-year-old cousin Rosie on her show to sing Nicki Minaj's "Super Bass." Viewers loved their fun personalities, cute pink tutus, and commitment to the song.
That was 12 years ago, though, and Sophia Grace is 21 now. She had a baby last year and documented the experience on her YouTube channel, where she regularly vlogs about her life.
Her cousin Rosie is 17 and pursuing singing. In June 2024, she released her song "No Lie."
Grace Van Cutsem
At Kate Middleton and Prince William's 2011 wedding, bridesmaid Grace Van Cutsem went viral for looking super grumpy. In reality, the roar of the crowd was probably just hurting her ears — she was only 3, after all. Now, the Daily Mail reported that Grace is 15, attending private school, and her mother Rose keeps her out of the spotlight.
Rose even went so far as to stop using the van Cutsem last name, going by Rose Astor instead. "I'm fed up with being associated with the royal family in everything I do," she said, per the Daily Mail. Seems like she's still grumpy.
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Disaster Girl
According to the BBC, the "Disaster Girl" meme went viral in 2008, featuring then 4-year-old Zoë Roth smiling mischievously in front of a fire. The BBC reported that her dad took the photo as they looked on at a controlled burn in their North Carolina neighborhood.
Zoë is 23 now and recently sold the original meme photo as an NFT for nearly $500,000, the BBC reported. She said she planned to use the money in part to pay off her college loans as well as donate to charity.
Alex From Target
In 2014, someone snapped a photo of Alex Lee during a shift at Target and posted it online. The 16-year-old went viral for being what many considered a cute checkout boy. (He was a minor, so the internet's obsession was a little weird.) Now he's 26 and living his life out of the spotlight, according to People magazine.
"I never wanted to be 'Alex from Target,' absolutely not," he told the magazine. He said he's happily working at United Parcel Service and building a home with his girlfriend. Hopefully no one takes a photo of him at work again.
David After Dentist
In 2009, David's dad posted a funny video of 7-year-old David, who was a little loopy after dental surgery. Now, 15 years later, the 23-year old posted on Instagram that he just graduated from the University of Florida.
According to Today, he majored in computer science. Today reported that the "David After Dentist" video sold as an NFT in 2021 for over $11,000.
Zombie Kid
Jonathan Ware went viral in 2007 when a Portland KGW reporter asked him how he liked his zombie face painting and he replied, "I like turtles." Now 27, Jonathan recently reprised his "I like turtles" character in a promo video for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem movie, according to KGW.
Rebecca Black
In 2011, Rebecca Black's silly but catchy song "Friday" hit YouTube. The hate was intense. People made fun of the song's cheesy lyrics and production quality and extended their vitriol to 13-year-old Rebecca. She weathered the intense scrutiny, though.
Now 27, Rebecca continues to make music and performs around the world, as seen in this TikTok video on her Australian tour. At her concerts, she even sometimes plays a sped-up remixed version of "Friday" that has since become kind of a cult classic.
'Charlie Bit Me' Kids
Charlie and Harry Davies-Carr went viral in 2007 for being super-cute kids. Charlie playfully bit his brother Harry's finger, and Harry cried out in an adorable English accent, "Charlie bit me."
In 2021, the family sold the video as an NFT for $760,999, according to the BBC. The brothers told the BBC that they planned to use the money for college and to help their non-viral younger brothers Jasper and Rupert with school costs as well. Harry is now 20 and Charlie is 18.
Side-Eyeing Chloe
When Chloe Clem's parents surprised her and her sister Lily with a trip to Disneyland in 2013, little Chloe couldn't have looked less thrilled. Her funny side-eye facial expression soon went viral. Chloe is now 13 and her mom still posts videos about Chloe, Lily, and the whole Clem family on their YouTube channel.
'Apparently' Kid
In 2014, Pennsylvania's Newswatch 16 interviewed Noah Ritter about the local fair. Noah kept using the word "apparently" incorrectly in all his answers, and he totally charmed people online. Now, Noah is 14 and posts movie reviews on his YouTube channel.
'Smells Like Beef' Girl
Ava Ryan went viral on Vine in 2014 when her mom posted a video of her repeating the phrase "I smell like beef." In a TikTok video years later, Ava explained that her grandpa had just made steak, which is why she had beef on the brain.
A couple of years later, Ava went viral again for her "it's frickin' bats" video. She recently turned 14 and continues to post videos with her mom on TikTok.
Kazoo Kid
In 1989, Brett Ambler filmed a kids kazoo play-along video. Decades later, the clips went viral, with Brett becoming known as "Kazoo Kid." A couple of years ago, Know Your Meme caught up with Brett for a YouTube video on what he was doing after his internet fame. According to that video, Brett lives in Colorado and is a performer and actor.
Brett is now 43, and when he turned 40 he tweeted, "Feel old yet? I don't." After all, he's frozen at 8 years old in most people's minds.
Four Seasons Orlando Baby
It was hard to miss the Four Seasons Orlando Baby going viral because it just happened in May 2024. But for those who only saw the original video, you may want to know that the baby did, indeed, go to the Four Seasons Orlando, per People magazine.
Kate Wise, the baby in question, went viral for loudly cheering, "Me!" when her mom asked who in the family wanted to go to the Four Seasons hotel in Florida. People were taken by how conscious such a young child seemed. Since then, Kate's aunt Stefanie O’Brien (who posted the original video) has continued to document her niece on TikTok . She plays into the "fully conscious baby" trope by featuring Kate dressed in a suit, making coffee, etc.
