In the realm of social media, memes have become a staple of everyday life. Some of these memes stand out for their humour and memorability, much to the chagrin of those depicted.
Just ask Gary Barlow of Take That fame, whose infamous ‘day out’ meme has gained notoriety on TikTok. While memes may come and go, some individuals find themselves on the receiving end of unexpected fortune.
Enter Zoë Roth, a name that may not immediately ring a bell, but you’ve likely encountered her iconic photo. At the age of four, Roth’s family ventured to observe a controlled fire in their Mebane, North Carolina neighbourhood.
While fires are typically distressing, this one was intentional and supervised by firefighters, fostering a relaxed atmosphere. Neighbours, including children, gathered to witness the event, even taking turns holding the hose.
As flames consumed the house, Roth’s father seized the opportunity to capture a snapshot of his daughter. Posing with a mischievous grin amidst the blaze, Roth unwittingly became the face of the ‘Disaster Girl’ meme.
The photo gained viral status after her father submitted it to a photo contest in 2007, winning acclaim. Since then, the image has been digitally inserted into various historical disasters, solidifying its status as a meme.
In 2021, ‘Disaster Girl’ made headlines once again when Roth, now an adult, auctioned the original copy of her meme as a non-fungible token (NFT), fetching nearly $500,000. In an interview with the New York Times, Roth expressed delight in seeing the myriad interpretations of her picture.
Her earnings from the sale are unsurprising, considering the widespread appeal and creativity inspired by her meme.
“I love seeing them because I’d never make any of them myself, but I love seeing how creative people are,” she remarked.
