For better or worse, the internet has launched so many people into the spotlight that it would be impossible to remember them all. So we decided to revisit some of the more unusual cases.
From gluing your hair to inventing a new dance move, these moments prove that algorithms don't always reward those who carefully curate their online presence. There's an undeniable element of randomness to going viral.
What happens later to these celebrities varies wildly. And whether they try to capitalize on their sudden fame or step back into private life, consequences can remain unpredictable as well.
#21 The Siberian Granny Of Steel
Gravity apparently takes a holiday in Yekaterinburg, Russia, where an unnamed 80-year-old turned a terrifying window-cleaning mishap into an accidental stunt performance.
The elderly woman was caught on CCTV when she plummeted from her apartment block, only to find herself on a... perfectly parked car.
Rather than waiting for an ambulance, she simply shook off the impact and strolled away as if she had merely tripped on a rug, leaving viewers worldwide marveling at a constitution made of pure iron and the softest landing spot in Siberia.
The elderly woman was caught on CCTV when she plummeted from her apartment block, only to find herself on a... perfectly parked car.
Rather than waiting for an ambulance, she simply shook off the impact and strolled away as if she had merely tripped on a rug, leaving viewers worldwide marveling at a constitution made of pure iron and the softest landing spot in Siberia.
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19points
#22 Russell Horning Became Katy Perry's "Backpack Kid"
A stoic teenager from Georgia hijacked the cultural zeitgeist using nothing but a blank stare and a hypnotic pendulum motion of his arms. His deadpan "flossing" gained him global recognition, and pop superstar Katy Perry eventually recruited him for her Saturday Night Live performance of "Swish Swish".
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17points
#23 The Moms Lip-Syncing At The Bar
A casual night out for five suburban mothers turned into an unintentional comedy that captivated TikTok in November 2020. The group attempted to lip-sync to Aly & AJ’s "Potential Breakup Song" while seated at a bar, but their timing was delightfully off-beat.
Each woman took a turn reciting a lyric, missing the rhythm entirely while performing a synchronized, stiff-necked "mom bob" that instantly became iconic.
The video resurrected a 2007 pop anthem and sparked a global debate over which "mom" was the best, basically becoming the new version of Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte, and Samantha.
Each woman took a turn reciting a lyric, missing the rhythm entirely while performing a synchronized, stiff-necked "mom bob" that instantly became iconic.
The video resurrected a 2007 pop anthem and sparked a global debate over which "mom" was the best, basically becoming the new version of Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte, and Samantha.
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14points
#24 The 67 Kid
Millennials had 69, Gen Alpha has the much more nonsensical 6-7. Adding to the annoyance is the elaborate pronunciation and hand gestures. But like every catchphrase, it had to have a poster child.
At a basketball game in early 2025, an overzealous youngster was caught on camera shouting his favorite catchphrase. This made him an instant hit with the kids, and the boy was later christened by netizens as "Mason," a name that seemed fitting to the trend. And so, Mason 67 was born.
At a basketball game in early 2025, an overzealous youngster was caught on camera shouting his favorite catchphrase. This made him an instant hit with the kids, and the boy was later christened by netizens as "Mason," a name that seemed fitting to the trend. And so, Mason 67 was born.
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9points
#25 Alex The Handsome Target Employee
Scanning items in a Frisco, Texas, checkout line offered 16-year-old Alex Lee a quiet teenage existence until a stranger’s smartphone lens changed his trajectory forever.
One candid snapshot of the unsuspecting cashier hit Twitter in November 2014, triggering a global thirst that fried his Samsung Galaxy with endless notifications. Within days, he even landed himself an invite to The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
One candid snapshot of the unsuspecting cashier hit Twitter in November 2014, triggering a global thirst that fried his Samsung Galaxy with endless notifications. Within days, he even landed himself an invite to The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
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4points