Cecilia Giménez, the woman behind the viral 2012 botched fresco restoration of Jesus Christ known as 'Monkey Christ,' has died at age 94. Her well-meaning but flawed attempt to restore Elias Garcia Martinez's Ecce Homo gained worldwide attention, drawing over 150,000 tourists to Borja and inspiring an art exhibition of her own works. Despite initial distress, her story became a symbol of unintended artistic fame and community pride.
Researchers concluded that the famous 'Chicago Rat Hole' was not made by a rat, but most likely by a squirrel, based on size and shape analysis of the imprint, ending a viral mystery in Roscoe Village.
Viral sensation Hailey Welch, known as "Hawk Tuah Girl," plans to use her newfound wealth to support animals and provide pizza to the homeless. She gained fame from a viral interview and has since made significant earnings from appearances and merchandise. Welch is also considering starting a podcast and has received guidance from Shaquille O'Neal on managing her fame.
A 9-year-old boy from Oklahoma has gained TikTok fame after adopting an octopus named Terrance as a pet, fulfilling his lifelong dream. The family documented Terrance's adventures on TikTok, gaining over 425,000 followers. After discovering that Terrance was actually a female, she laid 50 eggs, which hatched into several baby octopuses. The family plans to move the babies to aquariums and research facilities, seeking assistance in naming and placing them. Despite challenges, the family has found joy in their unique pet and the wonders of wildlife.
During a post-round press conference at the 2024 Masters, amateur golfer Neal Shipley faced an awkward moment when a reporter asked about a note Tiger Woods allegedly passed to him during the final round. Shipley denied the exchange, leading to an uncomfortable back-and-forth. The incident added an odd conclusion to Shipley's memorable weekend, which also included viral attention for playing with Woods and a meme-worthy moment during a post-tournament interview.
After her viral performance as "The Unknown" at a disastrous Willy Wonka-themed event in Glasgow, 16-year-old Felicia Dawkins has landed a new acting gig at the London Dungeon. The company recognized her talent and passion for theater and invited her to train with the performance team and appear in the attraction, capitalizing on her newfound fame.
LibsOfTikTok founder Chaya Raichik criticized Southwest Airlines for allowing an overweight passenger to encroach on her seat, despite only purchasing one. Raichik posted photos and complained about the man's behavior, prompting a response from the airline offering a $150 voucher. She rejected the offer and vowed never to fly with Southwest again. The airline's 'Customer of Size' policy, which provides free seats for overweight passengers, has sparked mixed feedback, with some praising it for inclusivity while others criticize it for unfair advantages. Social media influencers have also advocated for similar policies across airlines.
Trader Joe's $2.99 mini canvas totes have gone viral on social media, leading to high demand and reselling for hundreds of dollars on platforms like eBay and Facebook Marketplace. The grocery chain has acknowledged the unexpected popularity of the totes and plans to restock them in late summer, while emphasizing that they do not condone the reselling of their products. This phenomenon reflects the impact of exclusivity and limited supply on consumer behavior, similar to other viral products like Stanley cups.
The unsettling character known as The Unknown from the viral Willy's Chocolate Experience event is set to star in their own horror movie, produced by Scotland-based company Kaledonia Pictures. The film, scheduled for a late 2024 release, will follow a couple haunted by the death of their son as they encounter an evil presence in the Scottish Highlands. Fans hope that the 16-year-old actress behind The Unknown will reprise her role in the upcoming film, which may include a scrapped fight scene with a legally distinct Willy Wonka character.
An event in Glasgow, "Willy's Chocolate Experience," promised a Willy Wonka-inspired fantasy world but turned out to be a disappointment, with an abandoned warehouse, sad props, and no chocolate delights. Organized by House of Illuminati, led by Billy Coull, the event was abruptly cancelled, leading to angry parents and viral social media coverage. Actors were offered AI-generated scripts and are unsure if they will be paid. The use of AI in marketing and writing appears to be a recurring theme in Coull's business endeavors. The event's internet notoriety has given it a worldwide audience, despite the disappointment it caused.
11-year-old guitarist Cole Parsons goes viral after performing an original instrumental composition in front of his 5th grade classmates, stunning viewers with his talent and cool demeanor. The video, shared by his mother on Instagram, has garnered millions of views and caught the attention of rock legends. Parsons, who has also showcased his skills in other videos, is now gaining widespread recognition and support from the music community.
Aeilla, a self-described "trailer park mom" living on less than $30,000 a year, has gained over 100,000 TikTok followers in just two months by sharing budget-friendly meal preparation videos from her humble kitchen. With a strict $250-a-week budget, she shops at Kroger, prioritizes fresh produce, and utilizes couponing to feed her family of four. Despite facing criticism, Aeilla's relatable content has earned her thousands of dollars through TikTok's Creativity Program and sponsorships, allowing her to support her family and connect with a growing audience while staying true to her working-class roots.
The viral sensation of the "gun hole" in Richmond, a sidewalk indentation shaped like a gun, has been patched up after gaining attention on social media. Fans of the hole formed a shrine with offerings, but it was eventually filled in, sparking posts on social media about its disappearance.
Foul-mouthed parrots at Lincolnshire Wildlife Park in England have become an unexpected attraction, with their profane language both amusing and mortifying staff and visitors. The park is attempting to integrate the parrots into a larger flock in hopes that they will learn nicer sounds and words. Despite warnings posted near their habitat, the parrots' profanity has garnered international media attention and amused the park's staff, who have received messages from relatives abroad about the parrots' viral fame. The park speculates that the parrots' foul language comes from human influence, as the birds can replicate voices exactly.
A rat-shaped hole in a Chicago sidewalk has caused chaos in the neighborhood, attracting thousands of visitors and resulting in calls to the police. The viral frenzy has led to loud gatherings, vandalism, and privacy invasion for the residents, prompting discussions about removing the sidewalk slab containing the hole. Despite the neighborhood's initial amusement, the situation has escalated, with people attempting to capitalize on the hole's fame by selling merchandise and making offerings at a makeshift shrine.
