They made us laugh and went viral online—but where are those meme stars now? From “Success Kid” to “Disaster Girl,” many of these Internet-famous faces have grown up and moved on. Some turned their brief fame into real careers. Here’s a look at 10 popular meme stars and what they’re doing in 2025.

1 Side‑Eyeing Chloe (Chloe Clem)

Chloe Clem shot to fame at age two when her priceless side‑eye on camera became a viral meme after a 2013 Disneyland surprise video. Now 14, Chloe has grown into a teen with over 600,000 Instagram followers, and in 2021, her family sold the meme as an NFT for approximately $74,000

2 Overly Attached Girlfriend (Laina Morris)

Laina Morris became known in 2012 as the Overly Attached Girlfriend after posting a parody video that quickly went viral. Her sudden Internet fame led to a large YouTube following—over a million subscribers. However, she eventually stepped away from content creation, citing struggles with anxiety, depression, and the personal pressures that came with being a meme figure. In early 2025, she reflected publicly on how viral fame complicated her dating life as well. Today, she works freelance and creates short‑form content on her own terms.

 

3 Success Kid (Sam Griner)

Sam Griner’s photo became a global symbol of success, often used online to celebrate wins, big or small. Born in 2006, Sam is now an 18‑year‑old self‑described “lazy teenager” and artist, whose family once used the meme to fund a kidney transplant campaign for his father.

In 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court let stand a ruling ordering former Congressman Steve King to pay $750 for using the “Success Kid” meme in a political ad without permission. The case reinforced that even viral memes are protected by copyright, and unauthorized use, especially in political campaigns, can lead to legal consequences.

4 Strained Face in Classroom (Michael McGee)

Michael McGee’s tightly strained face from a classroom moment turned into an Internet classic, often paired with the caption “Trying to hold a fart next to a cute girl.” Snapped by a friend during school, the candid shot captured a mix of panic and restraint that made it meme-worthy. The meme spread across Reddit and classrooms worldwide. Today, McGee is active on social media, where he proudly shares memes and jokes about them himself.

 

5 Bad Luck Brian (Kyle Craven)

Kyle Craven’s goofy school portrait became the “Bad Luck Brian” meme in 2012. As of 2025, he’s VP of his family’s construction business based in Bath Township, Ohio, and co‑owner of the Quaker Square redevelopment. He’s appeared in ad campaigns with Shaquille O’Neal, sold NFTs, travelled internationally, and earned revenue from merchandise and licensing deals (approximately $20K by 2018).

6 Scumbag Steve (Blake Boston)

Blake Boston became “Scumbag Steve” after a 2006 photo circulated as a meme in 2011. He tried launching music as “Wheezy Bee,” and today, he is a father of two, active in music and gaming communities. He’s embraced his meme identity with humor, continues to post on social platforms, and reflects on life beyond the meme.

 

7 Good Luck Charlie (Mia Talerico)

Mia Talerico, who played Charlie Duncan on Good Luck Charlie (2010–14), is now a 14-year‑old high school sophomore. She’s continued acting, appeared on Brat TV’s Mani, shares content as a creator, and was part of a cast reunion in 2024. As of March 2025, she posts regularly on Instagram and hinted at future film roles, including American Summer.

8 Disaster Girl (Zoe Roth)

The iconic “Disaster Girl” photo was taken in 2005 by Zoe Roth’s father during a controlled fire in their neighborhood in Mebane, North Carolina. Now in her early 20s, she works as a research associate at S&P Global, where she analyzes trends in Internet-of-Things (IoT) technologies—covering areas like smart cities, connected vehicles, and intelligent infrastructure.

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.

 

9 First World Problems (Silvia Bottini)

Silvia Bottini, a classically trained actress from Italy, rose to Internet fame when a 2008 stock photo of her tearful expression became the widely shared “First World Problems” meme. Despite early frustration over losing control of her image, she embraced the fame by creating a short film and web series about meme culture. Now based in Los Angeles, she continues to act, perform comedy, and explore how Internet fame intersects with real-life identity and performance.

 

10 Popeyes Kid (Dieunerst Collin)

Dieunerst Collin became famous at nine after a Vine video captured his confused side-eye in a Popeyes, earning him the nickname “Popeyes Kid.” Now an offensive lineman at Lake Erie College, he helped lead his high school to a New Jersey state football championship in 2021, then 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.