Over a decade ago, Chloe Clem became one of the internet’s most known faces thanks to a simple family video. Since her childhood, Chloe, now 14 years old, has made significant progress. Here’s a peek at where she’s been since she inadvertently became a meme.
In the broad realm of memes, a handful stand out and get ingrained in online culture. Among these is the comically dissatisfied grimace of a child strapped into her car seat, which embodied sheer skepticism and judgment.
That child was Chloe Clem, and her response to a family surprise revelation in 2013 made her one of the internet’s most iconic faces.
The story started innocently enough. Katie, Chloe’s mother, posted a family video on YouTube, showing the moment she and her husband informed their children that they would not be attending school that day and would instead be heading to Disneyland.
Seven-year-old Lily, Chloe’s elder sister, burst into exuberant excitement. However, Chloe’s response was the highlight of the show. As the camera panned to her, her deadpan expression conveyed everything.
Katie subsequently characterized her attitude as characteristic of Chloe, as she appeared uninterested by the surprise. “… Chloe made the same face every day. It wasn’t anything new. So, when I panned over and she made that look, I didn’t think much of it,” Katie explained.
Initially, the film was intended for close friends and family as a follow-up to Lily’s initial Disneyland surprise two years ago. But, encouraged by friends, Katie chose to broadcast it publicly on YouTube, unknowing of what was about to happen.
Chloe’s expression swiftly transformed into a meme, rapidly disseminating across platforms like Tumblr, Twitter, and beyond. Katie clearly recalls the moment she discovered how far the meme had spread.
“My pals were saying, ‘You should see this. This is ridiculous. “I went online, and there was Chloe’s little face everywhere,” she said. Social media users took Chloe’s meme and ran with it, making movies and memes involving celebrities such as Taylor Swift.
The video’s success did more than simply make people laugh; it also created opportunities for the Clem family. The Clem family received invitations to stay in Disneyland’s special Dream Suite and even made a trip to New York City.
The meme’s popularity resulted in unexpected financial gains. The Clem family held the original photograph, allowing them to monetize it. The family was struggling financially at the time, so the meme’s fame could not have come at a better time.
“Ten years ago, we were really destitute. This occurred to us, and we were like, “What?” We can pay the bills. We can improve our modest flat to accommodate the four of us.” Katie shared.
The extra money enabled them to buy a car, pay for living expenses, and even set aside funds for Chloe’s future schooling and wedding.
Katie commented on how the meme brought stability at tough times, such as when her husband, David, lost his job. The revenue kept the family afloat and enabled David to return to school.
“I look back and I’m just like, ‘How?'” Katie said. “I do not believe in God. I’m not religious, but I’m like, ‘Wow, that intervention—supernatural intervention.’ It happened to us at very, very sensitive points in our lives over the previous ten years.”
For Chloe, the meme provided possibilities that most youngsters could only dream about. She visited Brazil twice, at the ages of four and six, and attended movie premieres.
She remarked on the experience, “My meme is changing my life because I’ve been able to do a lot of cool things that some people might not have been able to do.”
Despite the fame and privileges, Katie remained concerned about her daughter’s well-being. She originally embraced content production, often making videos on YouTube, but she began to cut down in 2020.
She saw her children’s excitement for filmmaking dwindling and decided it was time to prioritize their needs. “Initially, it was quite enjoyable…”You just get on this train and say yes to everything,” she explained. “Initially, I did not obtain my children’s approval. We just did it because you get caught up in everything.
Katie eventually chose to take a break from making material in order to keep her family’s life as regular as possible. “Eventually it got too much with my kids, and I just felt like no one was benefiting from it,” she told me.
However, by 2021, the family had discovered a unique method to celebrate Chloe’s meme legacy: auctioning it as an NFT. The family auctioned off the digital currency representing the iconic artwork, with bids starting at 5 Ethereum (about $15,000).
Katie described the decision as an obvious choice. “It’s a great opportunity, especially for Chloe fans who adore this meme and will be able to own it. “Even Chloe has said, ‘That’s pretty cool,’ which is a typical 10-year-old thing to say,” she explained.
Over a decade later, Chloe is no longer the gap-toothed two-year-old in the backseat of her parents’ automobile. Some may find it difficult to comprehend that she turned 14 in November 2024.
“I want to thank everyone who wished Chloe a happy birthday yesterday. She had a great day. We adore you, everyone! PS: @lilyaclem created the cake from scratch! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 💙🖤❤️,” she said on Instagram.
Social media users were astounded by how much she had grown and at how quickly time had passed since her viral moment originally caught the world’s attention.
“Oh, this was back in 2013?! I didn’t realize that!! “Wow, time flies 😢,” one individual said. Another person put, “The legend herself.” Another person commented, “She transformed from cute to beautiful,” while a fourth person added, “Only her hair makes a difference.””
A fifth person commented, “It’s amazing how she still radiates the same energy.”” Another person added, “Your meme is the most useful one ever,” while another posted, “How she grew up!! 😱❤️”
In January 2025, Chloe pondered her viral fame with no regret. When asked if she wished things had gone differently, she boldly said, “No, not at all.” As a teenager, she is pursuing her own interests, including the prospect of making material for Instagram and YouTube.
Katie describes her daughter as “shy” and “introverted,” but she has seen Chloe gain confidence over the years. As their youngest daughter is still a juvenile, the attentive parents continue to monitor her social media activities.
What began as a simple family video evolved into a life-changing event, providing them with chances and stability they never imagined. Chloe’s famous face is a timeless reminder of how one photograph can influence a whole decade.