“Behind the Meme: ‘Side-Eyeing Chloe’s’ Mother Opens Up About Guilt and the Untold Impact of Viral Fame”
In 2013, a two-year-old girl named Chloe Clem unwittingly became a meme sensation with her iconic “side-eye” expression, capturing the internet’s heart—and millions of shares—overnight. Fast forward a decade, and her mom, Katie, has opened up about the unexpected bittersweet journey of navigating viral fame. What started as a playful moment in a car ride to Disneyland turned into a whirlwind of recognition, money, and an undeniable twinge of guilt. Katie reflects, “At the time, it seemed fun and harmless, but now, as Chloe gets older, I feel a lot of guilt about it.” As Chloe transitions into her teenage years, the family grapples with the lasting impact of their viral moment— all the while pondering the complex nature of internet fame that can revive old memories even when one wishes they could have remained hidden. So, what does it truly mean to have a picture of your child go viral on a platform where the “internet is forever”? You might want to stick around because this story has more layers than a Hollywood drama! LEARN MORE.
In 2013, 2-year-old “Side-eye Chloe” became a viral meme thanks to a photo of her looking severely unimpressed. A decade later, her mother confessed to feeling “a lot of guilt” over Chloe’s viral fame.
“I didn’t fully understand how big it would get,” Katie Clem said in an interview with People Magazine. “At the time, it seemed fun and harmless, but now, as Chloe gets older, I feel a lot of guilt about it.”
Losing control over the image of their toddler daughter made the parents uneasy, especially considering how fast and wild viral fame can be.
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