How memes are making stars in 2025 and why that’s what it takes to be famous

There was a time when fame was measured in box office numbers, magazine covers, and your face on giant billboards that loomed over city skylines. If you had all that, congratulations—you were officially a star. But 2025 has its own rules. Now, stardom isn’t just about awards or covers; it’s about whether the internet thinks you’re meme-worthy. One viral clip, one awkward blink, one perfectly ridiculous pose, and suddenly, you’re everywhere. So if you’re not "meme-worthy" in 2025, you’re not mainstream, aka you’ve officially been ghosted by pop culture.

Think about it: today, a celebrity’s relevance can hinge on a single moment that gets endlessly remixed, captioned, and looped across Instagram, TikTok, and X. And it doesn’t matter if the moment is intentional or a total accident. Sometimes, the bigger the blunder, the bigger the internet love. A slip of the tongue, a dramatic reaction, or even a casual Starbucks cup can catapult someone into meme royalty. Fame has officially gone from glossy and polished to chaotic, hilarious, and relentlessly shareable. And honestly? We’re here for it.

Stardom in the age of the internet

In India, especially, we have seen how a single moment, planned or unplanned, can launch a thousand jokes, edits, and Instagram reels. Remember Alia Bhatt’s infamous “Prithviraj Chauhan” slip-up on Koffee With Karan? That silly slip-up cemented her place in meme history, and what could’ve been a PR nightmare turned her into the poster child of “relatable.” And she’s still carrying that crown years later.

Fast forward to 2024, and Kareena Kapoor Khan’s iconic dialogues from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham came back as a viral TikTok audio. Suddenly, Bebo was a Gen Z obsession again. Her character and the dialogues weren’t new, but the internet had re-packaged it for a newer audience, reasserting Kareena’s relevance without her lifting a finger.

Global meme royalty

It’s not just Bollywood. Remember how Pedro Pascal—dubbed as “the internet’s daddy”—was endlessly "meme-fied" after that viral paparazzi click of him holding a Starbucks cup? Jennifer Lawrence tripped on the Oscars red carpet and instantly became a relatable, clumsy queen. Even Priyanka Chopra wasn’t spared; her old “My name is Priyanka Chopra and I am an actress” interview clip is now a meme template. Also, how can one forget her iconic Mad Hatter-inspired look at the Met Gala 2019, which got the internet spiralling!

Even this year's Emmys saw some hilarious red carpet moments, including RuPaul’s Drag Race star Joella showing up dressed as a Labubu, proving that red carpets, too, need meme fuel to stay relevant. 

Why memes work?

Here’s the thing: memes make celebs feel more normal. You might spend lakhs on couture, but the internet will usually remember your awkward slip-up or a goofy expression over your outfit. Plus, memes spread faster than trailers because they’re quick, funny, and insanely shareable.

We’ve turned Ranveer Singh’s dramatic faces into reaction GIFs. Taylor Swift’s shocked expressions at award shows? Instant reaction memes. Billie Eilish’s eye rolls have become a whole mood. And Nicole Kidman’s over-the-top clapping at the Oscars? Immortalised in endless loops. In the end, it’s not the red carpet or the stage that keeps a star relevant online—it’s the meme-ability factor.

The double-edged sword

Of course, not all memes are flattering. Ananya Panday’s infamous “struggle” moment haunted her way longer than it should have. Amber Heard’s courtroom expressions during the Johnny Depp trial were clipped, remixed, and circulated endlessly, turning a serious legal battle into meme content. And Kim Kardashian’s crying face? It’s practically eternal at this point. Once you’re meme-ified, it’s part of your brand forever, whether you like it or not. Because the internet is ruthless: you become a meme once, and it will be a part of your portfolio forever, whether you like it or not.

Stars who play along

Lately, many celebrities have learned to lean into meme culture rather than resist it. Diljit Dosanjh shares memes about himself and wins even more fans. Doja Cat knows exactly how to dress for the memes—whether it’s being painted head-to-toe red at Paris Fashion Week or showing up in literal cat cosplay at the Met Gala. Lil Nas X has practically made memes his entire brand, from trolling fans on X to wearing viral outfits on stage. Honestly, in 2025, being in on the joke is half the job.

The way things are going, future stars won’t just need acting skills or chart-topping hits—they’ll need meme power. If you’re not viral, you’re not relevant. The best part? Memes have made fame more democratic, because it’s the fans, not PR teams, who decide the next big trend.

So, if you’re not part of the meme machine, you’re not just missing the joke… you’re missing the magic.

Lead image: IMDb

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