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Whatever Happened To The First Viral YouTube Stars

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YouTube opened its doors in 2005 and made way for a new kind of celebrity: the viral star.

Some used their newfound stardom as a springboard to bigger and better things, while others faded away just as quickly as they arrived. So how has your favorite YouTube obsession fared over the years? Here’s a look at what happened to the first viral YouTube stars…

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How did viral success on YouTube impact the personal and professional lives of the platform’s early creators?

The dawn of YouTube ushered in a new era of digital content and online stardom. But with over a decade having passed since the platform’s inception, one has to ask – what happened to the first viral YouTube stars?

In the early days of YouTube, before the rise of influencers and brand deals, viral videos were the currency of internet fame. Videos like “Charlie Bit My Finger” and “David after Dentist” were viewed millions of times, and their creators became overnight sensations. But what happened to these early pioneers of viral content?

One such creator is Judson Laipply, whose “Evolution of Dance” video went viral in 2006 and has since amassed over 300 million views. Laipply continued to create content for YouTube for several years before transitioning to corporate speaking, where he discusses the benefits of embracing change and adaptation.

Similarly, Gary Brolsma, better known as the “Numa Numa Guy,” achieved worldwide fame with his lip-sync rendition of a Romanian pop song. Though Brolsma continued to create content for YouTube, he largely retreated from the public eye and now works as a network engineer.

Other early YouTube stars, such as Chris Crocker and Tay Zonday, found that their viral success had unintended consequences. Crocker’s “Leave Britney Alone” video, which he created in defense of Britney Spears, quickly spread across the internet and led to a brief stint on reality television. However, the attention also brought unwanted criticism and harassment. Zonday, who rose to fame with his deep-voiced cover of “Chocolate Rain,” struggled to find opportunities outside of YouTube and was ultimately forced to return to a full-time job in research.

Of course, not all early viral stars faded into obscurity. Jenna Marbles, who rose to fame with her comedic vlogs, has maintained a strong presence on YouTube and remains one of the platform’s most popular creators. Similarly, Antoine Dodson’s “Bed Intruder Song” received widespread attention and even made it onto the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

So, whatever happened to the first viral YouTube stars? For some, viral success was merely a stepping stone towards other opportunities. Others found that the attention brought undue criticism and scrutiny. And for a select few, viral fame became the foundation for long-lasting careers in online content creation. Regardless of their differing outcomes, these early creators paved the way for the millions of creators who have since joined them on the platform.