Unexpected Influencer Rises To Fame in 2024
Hollywood’s fame game is infamous for its grueling marathon—years of auditions, rejections, and climbing the ladder, often with no guarantee of ever reaching the top. Social media, on the other hand, plays by its own rules. One moment, you’re a regular person with a quirky idea; the next, you’re riding the wave of viral stardom.
In 2024, the internet proved once again that it has the power to catapult ordinary people into extraordinary success stories. What started as fleeting moments of fame turned into lucrative careers—filled with brand deals, podcasts, and worldwide recognition. These stories remind us that sometimes all you need is 15 seconds of video and a dash of creativity to rewrite your destiny.
Here are three influencers who turned their viral moments into thriving legacies:
1. Jools Lebron (aka”Very Demure, Very Mindful”)
The year began innocently enough. Most people didn’t know—or care—what the word “demure” meant. But then Jools Lebron graced TikTok with her hilariously serious advice on how to dress for work: “Very demure. Very mindful.” The internet, as it does, ran with it.
Within days, her phrase became a cultural juggernaut, sparking hundreds of thousands of memes, parodies, and “demure” outfit reveals. It even became a sort of badge of honor to incorporate the phrase into everyday conversation. By the end of 2024, Jools wasn’t just a viral sensation; she was a bona fide influencer.
Netflix, Milk Makeup, Smashbox Cosmetics, and Zillow came knocking, and Jools answered in the most demure and mindful way possible—with massive brand deals. With her unique charm and more opportunities on the horizon, Jools has cemented herself as the internet’s favorite accidental wordsmith.
2. Hawk Tuah Girl
Picture this: a slightly tipsy Hayley Welch is wandering the streets when a TikTok street interviewer stops her and asks for dating advice. She smirks and replies with an unforgettable phrase: “You gotta give ’em that hawk tuah.” And from that moment on—the internet was hooked.
“Hawk Tuah” became the rallying cry of 2024. People turned it into a meme, a mantra, and even a lifestyle. Capitalizing on the craze, Hayley launched her own merch line within a week and quickly built a media empire around her viral fame.
Today, Hayley is the host of the Tawk Tuah podcast, one of the flagship shows at Jake Paul’s Betr Media. She’s also signed with Penthouse Media Firm, making her a rising star in the influencer and media space. What started as a late-night quip has turned into a full-fledged legacy.
3. The Costco Guys
AJ and Big Justice, affectionately known as the Costco Guys, became internet sensations after sharing a TikTok in March that celebrated their love for the iconic big-box retailer. The video racked up a staggering 60 million views, and the duo hasn’t looked back since.
Their newfound fame led to representation with Night Media, a hilarious and memorable appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and even their own catchy anthem, “We Bring the BOOM!” On top of that, the father-son team has partnered with major brands like AMC Theaters, Lubriderm, and Netflix, turning their viral moment into a powerhouse of collaborations.
The Takeaway
The stories of Jools, Hayley, and the Big Box Duo all have one thing in common: they remind us that social media fame isn’t just a flash in the pan—it’s a potential goldmine. With the right moves and a bit of creativity, fleeting virality can transform into a lifetime of opportunities.
So, if the internet ever shines its spotlight on you, don’t let it pass. Grab the moment with both hands, run with it, and who knows? You just might find yourself writing your own iconic success story.