Published April 28, 2021
Zoe Roth, the girl who became an internet meme thanks to a photo of her in front of a burning building, has just sold her meme as an NFT, and has made a hefty couple of dollarydoos for it too.
Roth, now aged 21, was only 4 years old when her photo became a viral meme sensation. The meme was aptly titled ‘Disaster Girl’, and features Roth giving a sly smirk in front of her North Carolina home as it’s burning down in flames. It sounds wild, but hey, it’s an iconic pic, and 2005 was a very different time.
How much money is this 16-year-old N.C. home photo worth? A lot
The now-viral ‘Disaster Girl’ meme was first taken in January 2005 in Mebane, N.C. The now-viral ‘Disaster Girl’ meme was first taken in January 2005 in Mebane, N.C. (Source: Knowyourmeme) By Maddie Ellis | April 27, 2021 at 4:43 PM EDT - Updated April 27 at 4:46 PM
CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina - Zoe Roth couldn’t stop checking her phone. “What’s it at now, what’s it at now?” her co-workers asked as they passed by the hostess stand at the Italian restaurant Il Palio. She gave a live play-by-play, and everyone on staff was invested.
How Much Money Is A 16-year-old Home Photo Worth? A Lot
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Zoe Roth couldn’t stop checking her phone. “What’s it at now, what’s it at now?” her co-workers asked as they passed by the hostess stand at the Italian restaurant Il Palio. She gave a live play-by-play, and everyone on staff was invested.
As the clock neared 6 p.m. on April 17, she was shaking.
Zoe was in the middle of an online auction for a photo, one that years ago had made her 4-year-old self famous.
In that photo, Zoe’s hair is askew. A close-up of her smirking face is in the foreground of the frame, and in the background, a house fire blazes. In her eyes there is a knowingness, as if she is saying, “Yes, it was me. I did this. Wouldn’t you like to know how.”
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@badluckbrian via foundation.app
Zoe Roth is 21 and gearing up to graduate from university. Sixteen years ago she was standing in front of a burning building in North Carolina when her dad, an amateur photographer, snapped a picture that would take on a whole life of its own.
The pre-schooler’s sinister expression in the face of apparent disaster made for perfect meme material; soon it was appearing on messageboards and forums, and eventually named Disaster Girl by Know Your Meme. It took on new significance in 2020 – a year defined by its own steady surge of terrible events. “It s the perfect meme for 2020,” says Roth. “Because 2020 was like a dumpster fire.” But soon, Roth hopes, the meme will be paying off her student loans.