When The 15 Minutes Run Out, What Happens Next?

Last September, Morning Consult released a report that concluded 57% of Gen Z wants to become influencers and make that their career. As they all scroll Instagram and TikTok, they see what appears to be lavish lifestyles, fun “get ready with me” videos, and lackadaisical “day in the life” vlogs in which the most challenging part of the day is a 5:00 a.m. pilates class. They watch as 23-year-olds buy houses in the Hamptons and drive 2024 Range Rovers around town.

But what if that all comes crashing down? What happens when you lose your relevance or when audiences decide they’ve seen too much content? Sometimes, people who become incredibly but fleetingly popular on social media are not able to launch into more mainstream fame — so they fizzle out. Jason Nash is a prime example.

In the early 2010s, actor and stand-up comic Jason Nash became friends with YouTuber David Dobrik, joined his “vlog squad,” and soared with it to the height of its popularity. But a few years ago, Dobrik and his entire group fell from grace, and the vlog squad dissolved. Now, Dobrik owns a pizza parlor, and Nash asks for money on live TikToks.

Source: tiktok.com/@kicks.and.gigs.re

When someone is live on TikTok, viewers can send you “gifts,” like roses or other little emojis that turn into actual money for the creator who receives them. As a result, Nash goes live everyday doing random things so people will send him gifts (i.e., money).

This is a man who was once making millions on YouTube. He was producing shows with Dobrik, starring in “Funny or Die” videos, but now, he is attempting to hold onto any of his leftover relevancy to make money. Of course, the comments are ruthless, with some people hypothesizing that Dobrik’s pensions ran out, feeling sorry for Nash’s kids, and comparing this to “asking for money on the street.”

Source: TikTok

Nash’s TikTok lives have gotten to the point they are just sad, uncomfortable, and embarrassing. He’s angry, occasionally sad, and sometimes even cries.

Source: tiktok.com/@namikazej117

The comments just continue, going so far as to name this virtual panhandling. One commenter flat said they want to see him get “an actual job.”

Source: TikTok

I think that’s a challenge everyone wants him to attempt — everyone except Jason, that is. 

WATCH: The Comments Section with Brett Cooper

In a recent podcast, he was confronted about “getting a real job,” and he responded that he doesn’t have any skills and has no interests outside of entertainment. Apparently, he seems to look down on normal jobs.

Source: tiktok.com/@spillsometeawithme1

He gives excuse after excuse as to why he is not seeking gainful employment. If he were being honest, he would say, “I’m lazy, and I think I’m too good to work a ‘normal job.’” Because he most definitely has the skills to be a DoorDash driver or work at a retail store. Furthermore, good, hard-working people work those jobs. He needs to grow up, and the commenters agree:

Source: TikTok

Nash got famous in his 30s, so he had to be doing something before that. Struggling actors all have a side job, so he is bound to have some kind of skill. Some of the comments offer elements of personal responsibility and common sense:

Source: TikTok

To Nash’s explanation of why he is not in real estate, one commenter explained the gap in understanding:

Source: TikTok

Jason Nash’s journey to and fall from influencer fame should serve as a cautionary tale to everyone. If you are in a fickle, unstable business, know that — and handle your money responsibly. Then, squelch your ego and be realistic. Life comes for everyone, and no one is immune. And when hard times come, you should never look down on the work that every normal person does.

This brings me to the Hawk Tuah girl, the details of whose story I will skip over, but in short form, a girl went insanely viral after her man-on-the-street interview:

Source: tiktok.com/@ahpositive

My concern for this girl stems from watching Jason Nash and people whose fleeting fame lands them in hardship. In an interview she did with Barstool, she explained she has quit her job to move to LA to be a celebrity. She states, “I think we’re going to do like a show and then we’re just gonna be like on a bunch of podcasts and everything else in between.” After a seven-second viral clip, she has a whole team now. And she plans to figure it out as she goes but “there’s more to come.”

Source: tiktok.com/@barstoolsports

I would love to have a word with whomever is advising her. She is doing documentary-style videos on TikTok, selling Hawk Tuah merch, but simultaneously doing press saying she does not want to be known for that. This all seems like a recipe for disaster, but at the end of the day, it’s her life — go for it if you want, take the leap, but I hope she will keep some humility as she leaps.

That said, I kept my Trader Joe’s employee name tag, and I will absolutely march right back in if need be. Being an influencer or content creator does not excuse anyone from the realities of life.