The word “meme” has been around since the 70s but spread like wildfire in the early 2010s with some of the most popular memes to date. To make a successful meme, all you need is timing, comedic value, and preferably an embarrassing or public moment captured on camera. If you think you have what it takes to create internet gold, go for it! Who knows- maybe your next meme will be the one that blows up overnight… Some photos and videos become overnight sensations, while others manage to stay popular long after their time in the spotlight. These few memes have stood the test of time and remain some of history’s most significant.
With recent viral sensations such as Chewbacca Mom, the handsome vet, and sad Papaw filling up our social media feeds, it’s easy to forget some of the earlier greats. The virtualists remind us of some of these videos that put a smile on our faces at 3 am when we should be sleeping. Many people still remember the original, funny videos on the internet. The viral stars we’re talking about knew how to reach a new level of internet fame long before the globalization of smartphones. So, what was their secret?
YouTube was released on Valentine’s day in 2005, and now over 300 hours of videos are uploaded to the site every single day. More than 5 billion videos are viewed per day, making it difficult for new users to get their videos noticed unless they already have a fan following. With interesting and consistent content, you, too, could be an internet sensation. The majority of people on this list hit the jackpot with their specific niche markets- whether it was planned or lucky. Where would we turn for entertainment if not for these fabulous online celebrities?
Numa Numa Man
In 2004, Gary Brolsma uploaded a lip-syncing video to the song ‘Dragostea Din Tei’ by the band O-Zone that quickly went viral, being viewed over 100 million times. The video showed Gary throwing his hands in the air and dancing along to the song.
31-year-old Gary has finally accepted the fame his viral video has brought him. He’s even recreated the original video with some other well-known internet personalities. When he’s not making music with his band, Nonetheless, he enjoys recording solo tracks in his spare time.