Kid Internet Stars: Where Are They Now?
In the past, childhood moments were captured on Dad’s (extremely large) Camcorder and watched, well, never. These days, all parents need is a smartphone and a wifi connection to record and share funny kid moments with the family — and often the entire world. The following five children shot to Internet fame after their home videos went viral and Yahoo Parenting checked in with their families to see what life is like today.
David After Dentist
Seven-year-old David DeVore of Lake Mary, Florida became an internet sensation in 2009 after his father, David DeVore Sr., posted a video of his son in a woozy state following a dental procedure with anesthesia. The video, titled “David After Dentist,” garnered three million views in just three days (it currently has more than 127 million) and plenty of laughs. “How it did it go?” David’s dad asked after the procedure. “I didn’t feel anything,” says the boy. And: “I have two fingers!” David subsequently appeared on the Today Show and Tosh. O, and his most famous quote — “Is this real life?” — was even referenced on Glee.
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But, according to his father, despite his fame, David, now 14, is just a normal kid. He’s an honor roll student, plays lacrosse and football, and recently won his school’s science fair. And he rarely gets recognized. The good news: “We’ve never had a [negative] issue, either at school or among his friends or teammates,” Devore Sr. tells Yahoo Parenting. “Everyone has been very respectful.”
Anaconda Dancer
In September, when 11-year-old Taylor Hatala's dance choreographer posted YouTube footage of the girl's performance to Nicki Minaj’s 2014 hit “Anaconda,” it sparked a huge debate — many said the song was too racy; others applauded Hatala's dance talent. Hatala was featured on the Today show and even performed her routine on The Ellen DeGeneres show. Today, Taylor’s video has racked up an impressive 11 million hits.
Taylor now spends 28 hours a week in the dance studio performing ballet, jazz, and hip-hop. She’s also trying out for a role on a Canadian reality show and has even been stopped on the street and asked to perform on the spot. “The hardest part [of fame] was getting used to people coming up to her and saying ‘You’re famous,’” her mother Theresa Hatala tells Yahoo Parenting. “Taylor says, ‘I don’t think of myself as famous. I think of me as me.’” Taylor’s favorite jam these days is “Uptown Funk” by Bruno Mars.
Linda Honey, Listen!
Last March, 4-year-old Mateo Beltran of San Jose, CA became the Internet’s most beloved arguer after his mother Linda Beltran posted a video on YouTube of her son begging to eat cupcakes for dinner. Matteo’s adorable argument (which included his most memorable line, “Linda, honey listen!”) landed him an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and shout-outs from comedian Steve Harvey, Queen Latifah, and even First Lady Michelle Obama. Today, the video has more than 28 million views.
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"Mateo had a birthday in November—and he wants everyone to know that four is a lot older," Beltran tells Yahoo Parenting. She adds that her son is "your typical growing boy," however, fame occasionally takes a toll, particularly when people ask to take photos of Mateo and his brother, Kevin. "For the most part, everyone understands that both boys are still very young," she says. "Though, we have a hard time allowing pictures with the boys—we are teaching them about strangers and that not everyone is our friend."
As for the future, Mateo is still “full of questions and always ready for the next adventure.”
Annelise Forbes ‘Frozen’ song
10-year-old Annelise — who has no formal vocal training — channeled her idol Idina Menzel with a rendition of “Let It Go” from Frozen, which her uncle posted to YouTube last January. The video currently has nearly 1 million views. Since then, Annelise, of Ontario, Canada, appeared on Good Morning America and The Rachael Ray Show, the latter of which surprised her with an introduction to Kristen Bell, Annelise’s favorite actress.
“Annelise is thriving,” mother Tamara Forbes tells Yahoo Parenting. “She’s currently playing Alice in a local theatre production of ‘Alice in Wonderland Jr’ and is auditioning for television shows in Toronto.” The little girl will also watch Menzel perform in concert in September.
However, Forbes is determined to keep her daughter grounded. “Annelise wants to keep things low key, especially at school,” she says. “Her peers are supportive but there will always be the handful of kids who tease her or are jealous. Annelise never lets it get to her.”
5-Year-Old Needs a Job
Allie Graceman, 10, of Nashville, TN, knows what she wants. Her feminist philosophies were captured in a 2011 video shot by her sister Anna. Allie’s memorable speech — “I don’t want to marry someone if I don’t have a job first!” and “If he says he won’t come back to you, fine, I’ll find a different man!” — was covered by ABC News, the Daily Mail, Mashable, and racked up more than 13 million views.
Since her brush with fame, Allie continues making people laugh by creating short, funny videos of herself. ”[The video’s popularity] has given Allie more self-confidence knowing that people care about what she thinks,” Anna tells Yahoo Parenting. “She knows that she interests people and that people pay attention to what she says.”
And, of course, Allie is still giving women relationship advice. Her latest tip? “Don’t marry the boy that kisses you on the first date.”
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