We’ve put together a list of our top five Internet celebrities – animals included – in the hope of deciphering their secrets to online fame.
1. Justin Bieber
If you haven’t heard about Justin Bieber, then you haven’t been living on this planet.
This 19-year-old singing sensation shot to fame in 2008 when he posted a video of himself singing on YouTube, which was then discovered by American talent manager Scooter Braun, who went on to become Bieber’s manager.
YouTube: 329 064 468 views of his first-ever single, One Time
Facebook: 55 845 813 likes
Twitter: 42 007 271 followers
2. Grumpy Cat
Sitting at number two is the ever-fluffy, ever-frowning Grumpy cat.
This annoyed-looking ball of fur, whose real name is Tardar Sauce, became an Internet sensation after her photo was posted on Reddit on September 22, 2012.
Her claim to fame is, of course, the grumpy expression on her face.
YouTube: 131 340 subscribers
Facebook: 1 088 028 likes
Twitter: 98 997 followers
3. Psy
On December 21, 2012, Psy’s music video for Gangnam Style exceeded 1-billion views on YouTube, becoming the first and currently only video to do so in the website’s history.
He has been subsequently dubbed the “King of YouTube” by the media.
YouTube: 6 187 123 subscribers
Facebook: 8 021 793 likes
Twitter: 3 231 435 followers
4.Sophia Grace and Rosie
Cute and cuddly will get you everywhere.
Sophia Grace and Rosie are two 8-year-old cousins who gained fame after posting a video on YouTube singing one of Nicki Minaj’s songs, Super Bass.
Facebook: 66 120 likes
YouTube: 42 587 060 views of Super Bass
5. Sweet Brown
Coming in at number five is Sweet Brown, of the popular catchphrase “Ain’t nobody got time for that!”
YouTube: 30 780 537 views of the original video
Facebook: 5 285 likes
Twitter: 15 137 followers
It seems that the key to Internet fame is to either be cute and cuddly (or extremely bizarre-looking) and out of the ordinary, or to actually have a real talent.
Doesn’t seem like rocket science at all, really ...
- Figures as of 18 July 2013