Heroes Of Popular Memes: Then VS. Now

We’ve all had hours of fun on the Internet just looking at memes and wasting our lives away behind our electronic device of choice.

When these ordinary people got turned into an extraordinary symbol of laughter, their lives changed.

Let’s take a look at some meme heroes and what they look like now.

15. Crying Piccolo Girl.

When Villanova was kicked out of the NCAA Tournament this year, one sad band member who played the flute became a viral meme, “Crying Piccolo Girl.” Roxanne Chalifoux was that piccolo player, and her fleeting internet fame landed her a guest appearance on Jimmy Fallon’s show.

14. What does the fox say

“What does the fox say” was a viral YouTube music video that was watched over 336 million times. What does Ylvis, the duo behind the song, look like in real life? Ylvis, a Norwegian group comprised of two brothers, looks like this when they aren’t dressed as seals or foxes. They haven’t really done much that’s notable since 2013, but they did release a single in 2014.

13. Scumbag Steve

Millions of people have seen Scumbag Steve, whose actual name is Blake Boston. The picture was taken by Boston’s mother when her son was 16. Here’s Blake Boston in real life. He’s now 23 and he’s owning his scummy identity on his Tumblr, which reads: “I’m down with the meme. Also F— you. The internet made me and I’m f–king running with it, wouldn’t you? What choice do I have? You kind of owe me for the laughs no?”

12. Success Kid

Sammy Griner’s mom posted this picture back in 2007, when Sammy was a wee lad of 11 months old.

The buzz generated by the picture brought up enough money to pay for his dad’s kidney transplant, saving his life in the process.

11. Disaster Girl

While this may look like this girl, Zoe Roth, really likes arson, the picture was actually taken at a training session for local firefighters. Yay, she’s not a real psychopath!

10. The Ridiculously Photogenic Guy

One of the most famous internet memes is The Ridiculously Photogenic Guy. It stars 26-year-old Zeddie Little, who happened to be running a race and was spotted in the background of a group photo by Facebook users.

9. Overly Attached Girlfriend

Laina Walker posted a cover of a Justin Bieber song on YouTube and a bit later, she was famous. Because she has creepy mankiller-eyes.

8. Bad Luck Brian

Kyle Craven had this picture taken in college. The picture was allegedly taken repeatedly because the teachers thought he was deliberately pulling a face. That’s awkward.

7. “Ermahgerd”

Maggie Goldenberger currently works as a nurse, but created a meme long before that. Her excited face (and the braces) led to people interpreting her expression as “Ermahgerd!”
Because why not.

6. Side-Eye Chloe

Chloe became a meme when she reacted to her sister crying of pure joy because they were going to Disneyland. Apparently, Chloe didn’t feel like such a strong reaction was needed for such a simple feat.

5. Dissatisfied McKayla

This is the face you make when you win silver at the Olympics but you’re sure you should’ve won the gold instead. It’s sad that more people will remember her reaction after the competition rather than her actual match in the Olympics.

4. Outraged girl

This is kind of cheating, but we’ll allow it. Well, the Internet allowed it. This is Mia Talerico, an actress playing in the show Good Luck Charlie. This expressive face was actually a shot from that show.