10 People Who Went Viral for All the Wrong Reasons

Welcome to WatchMojo, today we're looking at notorious times people were turned into internet celebrities, but not for the pure reasons they likely dreamed of. We'll explore the incident that sparked their infamy and the aftermath.

1. Nicole Arbour

Nicole Arbour, an actor and comedian, gained significant attention in 2015 with confrontational YouTube sketches designed to insult various groups under the guise of comedy. She went too far with a video titled "Dear Fat People," dismissing obesity as a disease and going on a fat-shaming rant. Her video was widely criticized, and Arbour justified it as satire. The controversial video reportedly cost her a film job, but she admitted later that it was a marketing ploy that garnered her thousands of followers.

2. Charles "Charlie" Withers

In 2014, Ashley McGuire's Facebook post went viral as she searched for her estranged English husband and TV chef, Charlie Withers. He had disappeared a year before, leaving her and their children without a trace. McGuire’s post caught the attention of an army of women who tracked him down, discovering he had moved from Massachusetts to Texas. McGuire confirmed that Withers contacted her but seemed more worried about his new employer being publicly outed than about his own children.

3. Dan Bilzerian

Known as the "King of Instagram," Dan Bilzerian is a professional poker player and businessman who flaunts his extravagant lifestyle. Bilzerian has faced accusations of using women as props, posting insensitive videos, and facing various legal issues. His reputation took a significant hit after he posted a video running from the shooting tragedy at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival in Las Vegas, which many found inappropriate.

4. Oli London

Oli London became infamous for undergoing a series of surgeries to look Korean, despite being of white British descent. Inspired by BTS member Jimin, London appeared on several TV shows to highlight his "transracial" identity. He faced heavy criticism, especially from the South Korean community. In 2022, after coming out as a transwoman and later de-transitioning, London radically changed his views and began focusing on political commentary.

5. Courtney Stodden

Courtney Stodden (who later came out as non-binary) shocked the U.S. in 2011 by marrying actor Doug Hutcherson while only 16 years old, Hutcherson being more than 30 years older. The scandal led to Stodden appearing on several reality shows. In 2020, Stodden announced their divorce and accused Hutcherson of grooming and abuse.

6. Kim Davis

In 2015, Kim Davis, a county clerk in Rowan County, Kentucky, gained notoriety for refusing to issue same-sex marriage licenses citing her religious beliefs. Her actions led to her being jailed for five days for contempt of court. In 2024, Davis was ordered to pay over $ 360,000 after being successfully sued by a couple she had rejected.

7. Marvel Women

In 2017, a group of women from Marvel Comics posted a selfie enjoying milkshakes in memory of the late Flo Steinberg. The innocent picture triggered Comicsgate, an alt-right movement of people criticizing "diversity hires" in the industry. Heather Antos, who posted the photo, received massive online harassment but continued to be celebrated within the industry.

8. The HK Tua Girl

In 2024, Haley Welch went viral for revealing her intimate bedroom techniques in a street interview while slightly inebriated, earning the nickname "HK Tua Girl." Welch capitalized on her new fame, quitting her job, signing a merchandise deal, and forming her own company. She also began appearing in various media and podcast episodes.

9. Danielle Bregoli aka Bhad Bhabie

Danielle Bregoli became an internet sensation in 2016 after her appearance on Dr. Phil, coining the phrase "cash me outside, how about dat." Bregoli's rebellious demeanor and legal issues turned her into a meme. She later spoke about the abuse she endured at Turn-About Ranch. Bregoli leveraged her internet fame to build a career as a rapper.

10. Logan Paul

Logan Paul, a popular YouTuber turned wrestler, faced massive backlash in 2017 after posting a video from Japan's Aokigahara forest that included footage of a deceased man. Paul's insensitivity drew widespread condemnation, leading him to delete the video and apologize. Nonetheless, numerous acting roles and business opportunities distanced themselves from him.

Keywords

Here are some keywords extracted from the article:

Nicole Arbour
Fat shaming
Charlie Withers
Dan Bilzerian
Oli London
Transracial
Courtney Stodden
Kim Davis
Comicsgate
HK Tua Girl
Danielle Bregoli
Logan Paul
Viral Internet
Controversy

FAQ

What did Nicole Arbour do to gain notoriety? Nicole Arbour faced criticism for her confrontational YouTube video "Dear Fat People," which dismissed obesity as a disease and fat-shamed individuals.

Who is Dan Bilzerian and why did he face backlash? Known as the "King of Instagram," Dan Bilzerian faced backlash for his extravagant lifestyle posts, using women as props, and an insensitive video from the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival shooting.

What was Oli London's controversial claim to fame? Oli London underwent multiple surgeries to look Korean despite being white British, inspired by BTS member Jimin. London later de-transitioned and turned to political commentary.

Why was Logan Paul criticized in 2017? Logan Paul faced massive backlash after uploading a video from Aokigahara forest in Japan, which included footage of a deceased man, leading to widespread condemnation.