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.
@PreetBharara/X
@RepBrendanBoyle/X
@twesq/Bluesky
@christopherharris/Bluesky
@evangelinewarren/X
@FrankC164/X
AMC