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“That Salt Sprinkling Prick”: 45 Celebs That Refused To Let Go Of Their 15 Minutes Of Fame
Interview With Expert
Fame is a polarizing topic. Some people wouldn’t want to touch it even with a 10-foot pole. Meanwhile, others aspire to it and would do nearly anything to be in the spotlight for just a while longer. This leads to a bizarre situation where individuals who might have no real ‘call to fame’ or conventional talents end up becoming actual celebrities.
Redditor u/TonyClifton323 sparked an interesting discussion about the people who “most successfully milked” their 15 minutes of fame to entrench their reputations as ‘stars’ for a long time. Scroll down to see what celebs many internet users personally think seized the opportunity best, even if they might not 'deserve' all the attention.
Mike Sington, an entertainment, pop culture, and lifestyle expert, was kind enough to share his thoughts about fame with Bored Panda. You'll find his insights on how to have a healthy relationship with fame, plus why some people don't think everyone 'deserves' attention, as you read on.
Image credits: TonyClifton323
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Kim Kardashian. OJ's lawyer's daughter f****d a C list rapper and now her family is worth a billion dollars.
Snowhoepandapro 10 months ago
Hate them or love them, they know how to market themselves and they do it well
#2
That salt sprinkling prick
TheGoodBoi 10 months ago
So he’s good at…sprinkling salt? Well I have a job for him! Come sprinkle salt in my driveway, we have snow coming…
#3
Dr. Phil
In 1995, Oprah Winfrey hired Phil McGraw's legal consulting firm to prepare for the Amarillo Texas beef trial. Winfrey was so impressed with him that she thanked him for her victory in that case, which ended in 1998. Soon after, she invited him to appear on her show, which turned into a recurring segment. He turned that into his own show and now 25 years in the spotlight.
Entertainment and pop culture expert Sington was happy to share his thoughts on how people can forge a healthy relationship with fame. According to Hollywood's Ultimate Insider, the fundamental thing is to find and maintain a balance between public recognition and one's personal wellbeing. This will help the person keep their sense of self intact.
According to the expert, "being true to oneself despite public attention" is paramount. Aside from being authentic, it's also vital to establish some healthy boundaries. These need to clearly separate your public and private life.
Sington told Bored Panda that celebrities can also use their fame “as a platform for positive influence or by contributing to meaningful causes.” So stars should think about what kind of greater purpose all the attention that they're getting can be used to help.
#6
Jon and Kate Gosselin.
Only famous because she had a lot of babies and then verbally abused her husband on camera for years.
The kids were adorable, but they should have had 1 television special, saved that money for kids' college funds or whatever and then disappeared.
At the same time, while the spotlight's on you, you have to remember to stay grounded and humble. That means feeling gratitude for what you have in life, without feeling like you’re defined solely by fame.
That also means putting in the time and care to nurture the positive relationships you have in your life. Hollywood's Ultimate Insider Sington warns not to let fame hinder the genuine personal connections that people had made before they started getting public attention.
Meanwhile, new celebrities ought to develop resilience so that they can weather the “ups and downs of public perception and media attention.” Sington also noted that it's worthwhile to take a moment to think about how fame is transient. Instead, he advises to focus on “long-term personal growth and fulfillment.”
#7
The cast of Jersey Shore.
Rocket Surgeon 10 months ago
Other than the one... Snooki? Is that her name? I don't know anything about any of the other ones. And Snooki all I know is her name. At least I think that's her name :D
#9
Yoko Ono. If she hadn’t been with Lennon she would have been a completely forgotten 60’s artist who’s been milking that s**t for decades.
Bored Panda was also interested to hear why some people have such strong feelings when they hear about someone who they believe might not 'deserve' the recognition they're getting in the public sphere.
According to entertainment and pop culture expert Sington, there's a whole host of factors that can influence a reaction like that, from societal values and personal biases to envy and even frustration.
For example, someone might start comparing their own achievements with someone who's currently in the spotlight. They might feel that they deserve the recognition, not the person in question.
Meanwhile, other individuals are critical because of how a particular celebrity behaves, what their personal beliefs are, and whether they have a "perceived lack of talent."
#10
Probably Jared from Subway… i believe someone at his university wrote a story about his unusual method of weight loss, which was then picked up by national news outlets, then subway put him in an ad, that was unusually successful, which ended up leading to 15 years of being the face of their brand internationally.
Then things went downhill pretty fast from there
Lunaofthenest (She/they) 10 months ago
He just recently got beat up in prison... again. Karma doesn't eff around when kids are involved and neither do a lot of the other inmates.
There’s a whole bunch of reasons why someone would like to be famous. A lot of them are perfectly natural—even if an obsession with external validation and becoming famous might not be great for your mental and emotional health.
Human beings are fundamentally social creatures. We all want to be loved, adored, and respected by members of our community and strangers alike. A good reputation means more trust and stability in your life. On top of that, this high level of sociability opens you up to more opportunities to meet new people and establish positive relationships. Those, in turn, lead to a healthier, happier, more meaningful life, as shown by research. However, you don’t necessarily have to be famous to reap these benefits.
You can cultivate deep and worthwhile relationships no matter who you are, what you do, and what circumstances you’re in.
#13
Probably one of the Paul brothers?
Boxing money and WWE fame
Not a fan of either of them but going from vine clips to all that is pretty remarkable
#14
Kyle Rittenhouse 🤣🤣🤣
#15
Bhad Bhabie, aka Danielle Peskowitz Bregoli "Cashme outside, how 'bout that?" 1 episode on Dr Phil...where he indended to exploit her and trash her on live tv...she just proved receipts for 52 million on OnlyFans and bought a house in Florida for 6.1 million cash. Hate all you want...but I challenge anyone to do better quicker. 😵💫
Arguably, being famous can act as a deterrent to quality relationships if you're not careful. This is because someone who’s in the spotlight tends to spend a lot of time interacting with their fans in order to keep their attention on them. It’s time that’s not spent building those meaningful connections with the people they truly care about.
Not only that, but celebrities sometimes have to deal with people who only pretend to want a real connection. When, in fact, they have a different angle. They might be aiming for money or to share some of that fame. Or they hope to use those celebs to advance their own goals. In short, some fans don’t see stars as actual people. They see them as tools for their own agendas.
#17
the damelios. cant believe they got a kardashian wannabe show on hulu
#18
Harry and Meghan
Rocket Surgeon 10 months ago
These don't count. They're royalty. They get a fame card when they're born or marry in and it has unlimited minutes.
Other folks imagine that becoming famous will solve all of their problems, whether that’s financial instability or emotional needs. We all want at least some recognition for our hard work and skills. And let’s be honest, many of us have daydreamed about changing the world and seeing our names in the lights for everything that we’ve accomplished.
However, you can still live a purposeful and happy life without being known all around the globe. It’s being recognized by the people we truly care about and our peers that matters the most. Moreover, you don’t have to rake in millions of dollars every year to be financially stable. A solid and purposeful job with good career prospects is enough. So long as you don’t spend more than you earn, save money every month, and invest part of your wages, you should be fine.
#19
Jeremy Meeks - that convict with the blue eyes or whatever
#21
Wendy Williams
Rocket Surgeon 10 months ago
Now we're not even getting pictures of these people we've never heard of.
If you’re chasing fame for its own sake, you’re missing the point. Broadly speaking, fame is a byproduct of quality work and skills, whether that’s entertainment, music, dance, art, business, science, or anything else.
If there’s anything to take away here, it is that you should primarily focus on doing a good job in your passion projects and other pursuits. Don’t worry about whether or not you’ll reach celebrity status. Fame comes with its own intense stress, scrutiny, and emotional baggage…
#22
Ryan Seacrest
No talent. He hosted EDIT American Idol (not Americas got talent). Then he was everywhere. He will sell anything. He does tons of radio ads. Yet most of the population could do his job with no training. I can't stand him.
Thee8thsense 10 months ago
Ryan Seacrest works his butt off. I don't agree that anyone could do his job(s). I feel neutral about him generally speaking, but admire his work ethic.
#25
While she did have a fall from grace relatively recently, Colleen Ballinger, aka Miranda Sings, certainly made good use of every second she could squeeze out of her time in the spotlight.
#26
Currently and on their way..Gypsy Rose and her Peter Griffin looking Husband.
#27
Omarosa. Was a villain on a reality show in *2004*, yet 20 years later you still know who I’m talking about.
#28
Anna Delvey
Rocket Surgeon 10 months ago
By all means don't describe who the person is, what their 15 fame minutes consisted of, or how they stretched it out to more.
#29
Guy Fawkes, it’s been over 400 years and we still celebrate him every year in the UK.
Not that he lived long enough to enjoy his infamy..
#30
That Canadian youtuber who says "aboot" I've been coast to coast in Canada 100X over and the only place I've heard anyone say aboot is him and South Park.
#31
Bella Poarch
She has one of the biggest Tik Toks ever and all she did was shake her head. It became the most liked Tik Tok with over 61M likes and now she's the 3rd biggest Tik Toker, with 94M followers. Then, she somehow turned that into a music career. One song even charted on the Hot 100 and got a little bit of pop airplay.
#32
The brown family from sister wives
#33
Guy Fieri
He was a contestant on a reality cooking show in 2005 Food Network.
He went on to win and then parlay that into almost 20 years of hosting shows, multiple restaurants owned and a lot of other successful ventures.
The show he won ran for 14 seasons with 14 winners, does anyone remember the other 13? Guy definitely seized his 15 minutes and ran with it
Lady Miss Pie 10 months ago (edited)
I have to stand up and disagree with this one. I used to hate him but he is a legitimately nice person. I met a disabled young man who won a chance to cook with him years ago and he said GF was incredibly fun and down to earth and still keeps in contact with him. He also made sure his employees—and other food service workers—were taken care of during the pandemic. There are a lot of people who deserve vitriol, but he isn’t one of them.
#34
I mean this not in a negative way at all, because "milking it" seems negative, but Brittany Broski became a meme for tasting kombucha and then took that opportunity to build an empire. Mad respect.
#35
Lil Tay
She was a meme for a hot minute. Got 'exposed' for being fake. Is apparently trying to make a comeback.
#36
Trisha Paytas. Her growth was bizarre and I honestly have no clue how she was able to land so many acting/reality tv gigs.
#37
Ken Jennings. I feel like most people in his situation would have faded into obscurity after finally ending their Jeopardy winning streak. But he's now hosting the show.
Edit: Yes, I know he was famous for a lot more than "15 minutes" while on his streak. But I kind of expected that fame to go away about 15 minutes after the streak ended.
#38
Too many to name Josie Gibson Rylan Clarke although idk if he's still going or not lmao Any c**t that was on Love Island (Molly Mae and Tommy Fury come to mind) same goes for Instagram influencers James Corden That prime drinking wanker Logan Majority of reality TV "stars" also Katie Price she will literally milk her worn out fame for all its worth whether it's sex tapes, autobiographies she hasn't written but she says she has, or numerous sob stories I've seen her post videos of her son Harvey when he's been ill and laying on the sofa trying to sleep but she's filming it on YouTube for the clout then she's going on TV with him saying how difficult it is to raise him when she's sat next to him. She is the dictionary definition of media w***e as well as many others.
#39
Ice spice is the most recent I can think of
Fynne 10 months ago
Unpopular opinion: all rappers are overrated. Listening to people yell slurs and suggestive language really fast is not fun to listen to
Max Fox 10 months ago (edited)
Were you hit by a rap tape when you were young? There are absolutely amazing rap and hip-hop artists out there. Just because you don't like that music genre doesn't mean that it isn't good or that the artists are "overrated". I dislike country music, and there is a lot of crappy country music, but I would never be willing to emit something as monumentally arrogant and dumb as "all country musicians are overrated". The Sugarhill Gang took a music genre that was entirely unfamiliar to the mainstream young audiences and changed the music scene in the world. However, you know that there is a group of people for which your opinion is VERY popular. They are known for many things, but their taste in music is not one of those things.
Load More Replies...
#41
Deez Nuts guy. Although he is homeless he still pops up from time to time and he still makes money off a 3 second meme.
Minecraft_Chicken 10 months ago
I honestly thought that the deez nuts joke was just started by some dumb middle school group and that the joke just became an internet sensation.
#42
Not most successful but people talked about Ken Bone way more than I would’ve expected
What do you think ?
Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 10 months ago
Most of these people I've never heard of. Sometimes, it's good to be old.
Peter Parker 10 months ago
Agreed. Either I'm old too, or their 15 minutes of fame luckily were only 60 minutes, maybe 90, and nothing more.
Load More Replies...
Nick 10 months ago
Elon Musk. Born into a rich family,had one successful company that got bought out. Used his money to push his way into Tesla which was already taking off. Claimed he founded the whole thing and sued the two founders when they spoke up against him.
Malakai 10 months ago
Milking 15 minutes of fame = continued, undeserved attention garnered through desperate or ridiculous behavior, like the island dudes or the salt sprinkling prick. It doesn't mean people who gained viral fame and went on to work hard for it or make successful careers or diversified. Kinda wish people would learn what sayings actually mean sometimes.
DB 10 months ago
Dan Quayle The only memorable part of him being vice-president was his inability to spell the word "potato" correctly.
John Dilligaf 10 months ago
this is pretty much true for any Vice-President. Unless they have a 15 min of fame/notoriety moment nobody's going to remember them for anything. Take Pence for example - a total non-entity until he refused to knuckle under to Trump. That's his 15 min and that's what he'll be remembered for.
Load More Replies...
Fora Nakit 10 months ago
Most of this people are from the USA, and the rest of the world doesn't have a clue who they are. If they are famous, they are famous because of American fetish on nobodies.
ohjojo (you/your's) 10 months ago
George Santos, that lying representative or senator from Long Island. Continue to lie. Thank God he's out of the Senate now
BW Gibson 10 months ago
Did anyone notice how many of these people. Got their start on TikTok? What does that say about the platform....or the mindless millions who rot their brains watching it day after day?
Tho Nguyen 10 months ago (edited)
LOL the only celebrity I actually enjoy seeing milking their 15m of fame is Smudge the cat. Google him if you're not familiar with the name, he's very deserving his fame. Most of these people I've never even known they exist unless it's an international name since I'm not American and don't watch American shows.
Auntriarch 10 months ago
I only recognised one of the British ones because my mother's TV is permanently on
Load More Replies... Say No to Downvoting 10 months ago
As a 40-something yo, I am sometimes saddened at how out of touch I have become….but I’m kind of happy that I barely know 50% or this list.
Say No to Downvoting 10 months ago
Thought I just thought of a good one: Honey Boo Boo
Load More Replies...
Dane 10 months ago
Reality TV, influencers, you-tubers, etc - nearly all of these people are "famous", simply because people make them famous...and keep making them famous. I have never understood the appeal, but I don't really understand the about-face either. It is a bit like Dr Frankenstein turning on his monster....
DoNotGoGentleIntoThatGoodNight 10 months ago
Katie Price really needs to be on this list. She soaks up all the attention she can get. Even if it means sticking her poor kids in the limelight. She's British though so I guess she unheard of in the US?
Renee Temple 10 months ago
I'm amazed no one has mentioned the Duggars on here yet, yet the Gosselin ones are on here
Gavin Johnson 10 months ago
I’ve got a grudging respect for anyone, however irritating they are, for taking a tiny amount of talent or having a tiny amount of charism or having 15 minutes of fame and then managing to multiply it into a small or indeed large fortune. Fair play to you, you’ve played the game VERY well, I tip my hat to you.
Birgit Sommer 10 months ago
Sweets Brown - ain't nobody got time for that! Man did she try to milk it...Jesus, it's a fire!
Suspicious looking chair 10 months ago
It would be nice if there was a description for who these people are!!!!!
MaxMi 10 months ago
The island boys are the most and all that generation of rappers like "get silly tatoos all over your face and it works", we have one in Italy who covered ONLY his face in tatoos, even. I like when their videos get analyzed and stash of notes are revealed to be movie fakes of white paper sheet. The worst side of it is just the effect they have on young generations.
René Sauer 10 months ago
As for the poll question: It depends on what these 15 minutes of fame were. If it was because they became a meme? I would embarrassed like hell about that and go hiding. If it was because they genuinely had some sort of talent/ability that helped them become famous? Sure, why not.
QUINN SANE 10 months ago
I’ve only heard of a few of these people. I think your definition of ‘fame’ differs from mine.
Nitka Tsar 10 months ago
I‘ve stopped reading after no 40. I only knew no 1 and only because she‘s mentioned on here often.
Magnifico Giganticus (it) 10 months ago
Victoria Beckham. The others seem to have been decent enough to go away. I could be wrong though.
Nike Pancakes 10 months ago
Tony Hawk. He keeps hitting the snooze bar on his fifteen minutes of fame by posting these completely made up stories of being recognized while traveling (even when it's proven that he wasn't even traveling at the time). As if the common person is going to even remember a skater who had minor fame decades and decades ago. Just a sad middle aged man who can't age gracefully and still clings to his old youth and fame by his fingernails.
Demosthenes 10 months ago
Tony Hawk did not have minor fame. Best you go back and watch some more Tik Tok where true famous people can be found.
Load More Replies...
Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 10 months ago
Most of these people I've never heard of. Sometimes, it's good to be old.
Peter Parker 10 months ago
Agreed. Either I'm old too, or their 15 minutes of fame luckily were only 60 minutes, maybe 90, and nothing more.
Load More Replies... Nick 10 months ago
Elon Musk. Born into a rich family,had one successful company that got bought out. Used his money to push his way into Tesla which was already taking off. Claimed he founded the whole thing and sued the two founders when they spoke up against him.
Malakai 10 months ago
Milking 15 minutes of fame = continued, undeserved attention garnered through desperate or ridiculous behavior, like the island dudes or the salt sprinkling prick. It doesn't mean people who gained viral fame and went on to work hard for it or make successful careers or diversified. Kinda wish people would learn what sayings actually mean sometimes.
DB 10 months ago
Dan Quayle The only memorable part of him being vice-president was his inability to spell the word "potato" correctly.
John Dilligaf 10 months ago
this is pretty much true for any Vice-President. Unless they have a 15 min of fame/notoriety moment nobody's going to remember them for anything. Take Pence for example - a total non-entity until he refused to knuckle under to Trump. That's his 15 min and that's what he'll be remembered for.
Load More Replies... Fora Nakit 10 months ago
Most of this people are from the USA, and the rest of the world doesn't have a clue who they are. If they are famous, they are famous because of American fetish on nobodies.
ohjojo (you/your's) 10 months ago
George Santos, that lying representative or senator from Long Island. Continue to lie. Thank God he's out of the Senate now
BW Gibson 10 months ago
Did anyone notice how many of these people. Got their start on TikTok? What does that say about the platform....or the mindless millions who rot their brains watching it day after day?
Tho Nguyen 10 months ago (edited)
LOL the only celebrity I actually enjoy seeing milking their 15m of fame is Smudge the cat. Google him if you're not familiar with the name, he's very deserving his fame. Most of these people I've never even known they exist unless it's an international name since I'm not American and don't watch American shows.
Auntriarch 10 months ago
I only recognised one of the British ones because my mother's TV is permanently on
Load More Replies... Say No to Downvoting 10 months ago
As a 40-something yo, I am sometimes saddened at how out of touch I have become….but I’m kind of happy that I barely know 50% or this list.
Say No to Downvoting 10 months ago
Thought I just thought of a good one: Honey Boo Boo
Load More Replies... Dane 10 months ago
Reality TV, influencers, you-tubers, etc - nearly all of these people are "famous", simply because people make them famous...and keep making them famous. I have never understood the appeal, but I don't really understand the about-face either. It is a bit like Dr Frankenstein turning on his monster....
DoNotGoGentleIntoThatGoodNight 10 months ago
Katie Price really needs to be on this list. She soaks up all the attention she can get. Even if it means sticking her poor kids in the limelight. She's British though so I guess she unheard of in the US?
Renee Temple 10 months ago
I'm amazed no one has mentioned the Duggars on here yet, yet the Gosselin ones are on here
Gavin Johnson 10 months ago
I’ve got a grudging respect for anyone, however irritating they are, for taking a tiny amount of talent or having a tiny amount of charism or having 15 minutes of fame and then managing to multiply it into a small or indeed large fortune. Fair play to you, you’ve played the game VERY well, I tip my hat to you.
Birgit Sommer 10 months ago
Sweets Brown - ain't nobody got time for that! Man did she try to milk it...Jesus, it's a fire!
Suspicious looking chair 10 months ago
It would be nice if there was a description for who these people are!!!!!
MaxMi 10 months ago
The island boys are the most and all that generation of rappers like "get silly tatoos all over your face and it works", we have one in Italy who covered ONLY his face in tatoos, even. I like when their videos get analyzed and stash of notes are revealed to be movie fakes of white paper sheet. The worst side of it is just the effect they have on young generations.
René Sauer 10 months ago
As for the poll question: It depends on what these 15 minutes of fame were. If it was because they became a meme? I would embarrassed like hell about that and go hiding. If it was because they genuinely had some sort of talent/ability that helped them become famous? Sure, why not.
QUINN SANE 10 months ago
I’ve only heard of a few of these people. I think your definition of ‘fame’ differs from mine.
Nitka Tsar 10 months ago
I‘ve stopped reading after no 40. I only knew no 1 and only because she‘s mentioned on here often.
Magnifico Giganticus (it) 10 months ago
Victoria Beckham. The others seem to have been decent enough to go away. I could be wrong though.
Nike Pancakes 10 months ago
Tony Hawk. He keeps hitting the snooze bar on his fifteen minutes of fame by posting these completely made up stories of being recognized while traveling (even when it's proven that he wasn't even traveling at the time). As if the common person is going to even remember a skater who had minor fame decades and decades ago. Just a sad middle aged man who can't age gracefully and still clings to his old youth and fame by his fingernails.
Demosthenes 10 months ago
Tony Hawk did not have minor fame. Best you go back and watch some more Tik Tok where true famous people can be found.
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