Introduction
This article will explore which cat has attained the most followers and social media fame. While cats have long been popular online for their cute and quirky antics, some felines have achieved astonishing social media celebrity. We will focus on uncovering the identity, background, and path to digital stardom of the most followed cat across today’s major social platforms.
As internet use exploded over the past decade, cat-lovers have flocked to viral feline stars for lighthearted fun and entertainment. But one grumpy-faced furball stands out from the rest with the largest social media audience. That cat is none other than the infamous Grumpy Cat, whose unique scowling appearance and comedic persona have captured the hearts of millions worldwide.
The Cat – Grumpy Cat
Grumpy Cat, whose real name was Tardar Sauce, was a female cat known for her grumpy facial expression caused by feline dwarfism and an underbite. She was born on April 4, 2012 in Morristown, Arizona and lived 7 years before passing away in 2019. Grumpy Cat was a mixed breed cat, with some Siamese and Ragdoll lineage. Her owners were Tabatha and Bryan Bundesen, who named her Tardar Sauce as a reference to the tartar sauce colored patches on her fur. Tardar Sauce went viral in 2012 after her photo was posted on Reddit by Tabatha’s brother, quickly gaining popularity for her unique scowling face.
According to Kiddle Encyclopedia, Grumpy Cat’s permanently grumpy expression was caused by feline dwarfism and an underbite. Despite her upset appearance, Tabatha Bundesen described Grumpy as being cuddly and loving.
Origin of Fame
Grumpy Cat, whose real name is Tardar Sauce, first went viral in September 2012 after photos of her were posted on Reddit by her owner Tabatha Bundesen. According to reference, Tardar Sauce was born on April 4, 2012 and got her grumpy facial expression from feline dwarfism and an underbite. The original Reddit post of her photo gained over 1 million views in the first two days. After that, Bundesen created social media accounts for Grumpy Cat which went on to gain millions of followers across platforms like Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Grumpy Cat’s scowling, grumpy facial expression was a big part of what made her go massively viral online. Her unique look struck a chord with people, who created memes featuring her photos with grumpy or cynical captions. As Grumpy Cat memes spread rapidly across the internet, she gained more and more followers and even began making TV appearances and other media deals.
Social Media Presence
Grumpy Cat has built an enormous social media following across multiple platforms. She has amassed over 8 million likes on her official Facebook page (TheOfficialGrumpyCat), over 2.6 million followers on Instagram (realgrumpycat), and over 1.5 million followers on Twitter (realgrumpycat) as of June 2023 according to Wikipedia (Grumpy Cat – Wikipedia). This makes her one of the most followed animal personalities on social media.
Notable Media Appearances
Grumpy Cat rose to fame through multiple high-profile media appearances that capitalized on her permanently grumpy facial expression. She appeared on popular TV shows like Good Morning America and American Idol in 2013, bringing national attention to her amusing scowling face. According to Grumpy Cat 37 Success Secrets – 37 Most Asked …, Grumpy Cat’s first major TV appearance was on the Today Show in September 2012.
Grumpy Cat’s unique appeal led to partnerships with major brands for advertising campaigns and merchandising. She became the “spokescat” for Friskies cat food in 2013 and appeared in a series of YouTube videos promoting the brand. Grumpy Cat was also featured in commercials for Honey Nut Cheerios cereal in 2013. According to MemePedia, by 2013 Grumpy Cat merchandise was available in brick-and-mortar retail stores.
Impact and Influence
Grumpy Cat’s fame extends far beyond just internet memes. Her iconic scowling face has become a part of internet culture and inspired countless parodies, spin-offs, and merchandise. According to this article, Grumpy Cat helped popularize the concept of memes going viral online. Her “Grumpy Cat No” meme took on a life of its own and became a common way for people to express disapproval or rejection online.
Grumpy Cat also inspired various spin-off memes featuring other cats with grumpy expressions. Her popularity highlighted how cats perfectly capture different human moods and emotions. According to this source, Grumpy Cat’s impact transcended just memes. She helped raise awareness for feline dwarfism and became a pop culture icon. From merchandise to media appearances, Grumpy Cat shaped internet culture and left a lasting legacy as one of the web’s most famous felines.
Earnings and Net Worth
Grumpy Cat generated significant income for her owner Tabatha Bundesen. Initial media appearances brought the cat attention and popularity, but most of the earnings came through merchandise, advertising, book deals and more.
According to Fox Business, in 2013 Grumpy Cat brought in $1 million for her owner through an advertising deal with Friskies. In 2014, the Daily Express reported Grumpy Cat had earned $100 million total, but Bundesen denied that figure in an interview with Newsweek.
More reliable estimates put Grumpy Cat’s net worth around $10 million by 2019. This came through various merchandise, appearances, partnerships and even a Lifetime holiday movie called Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever.
While the exact figure is unknown, it’s clear Grumpy Cat generated substantial wealth and income for her owner before passing away in 2019. Her online fame translated into lucrative business deals and allowed Tabatha Bundesen to profit from the viral meme.
Comparison to Other Famous Cats
While Grumpy Cat ruled as the most popular and highest-earning feline star during her lifetime, she has had many notable feline competitors over the years. According to PetSet, some other famous internet cats include Snoopy the Cat, Garfi the Angry Cat, Cole & Marmalade, Monty the Cat, Hamilton the Hipster Cat, Waffles the Cat, Keyboard Cat, Lil Bub, Colonel Meow, and Nala Cat (PetSet). Of these, Lil Bub and Nala Cat have come closest to achieving the same level of virality and earnings as Grumpy Cat.
Lil Bub rose to fame in 2011 and was known for her unique appearance due to genetic anomalies. She garnered over 2 million Facebook fans and collaborated on merchandise that raised over $700,000 for animal charities. While very successful, her earnings did not rival Grumpy Cat, who earned an estimated $100 million during her lifetime according to her owners (Wikipedia).
Nala Cat is a Siamese-tabby mix who was rescued as a kitten in 2012 and now has over 4 million Instagram followers. She has an endorsement deal with Friskies cat food and a merchandise line that includes books, calendars, and clothing. However, Grumpy Cat still surpasses her with nearly double the Instagram followers at 7 million. In terms of earnings, Nala Cat is likely worth low millions while Grumpy Cat was worth close to $100 million (Wikipedia).
So while Lil Bub and Nala Cat are undoubtedly massively popular felines in their own right, Grumpy Cat maintains the title as the most famous and wealthy cat in internet history based on her social media followings, endorsements, and merchandise empire.
Grumpy Cat’s Legacy
Grumpy Cat became an icon and left a lasting legacy thanks to her perpetually grumpy facial expression caused by feline dwarfism and an underbite. Her annoyed look resonated with people and became incredibly meme-worthy. Grumpy Cat represented the feeling of constant irritation that many related to in modern life. Her image conveyed a universal sentiment without needing any words. According to the Telegraph, “It was this accessibility that lay at the root of her appeal and enabled her to cross geographical and cultural boundaries to become a global sensation.”
Grumpy Cat also arrived on the scene around the same time memes and viral internet content were taking off in popularity. She rode this rising tide and paved the way for other famous animal memes. As Modern Cat put it, “Her popularity has opened the door for other […] famous felines.” Her unique appearance and meme-ability made her an unforgettable icon of internet culture.
Even after her passing in 2019, Grumpy Cat lives on through her ubiquitous memes and gifs that continue to populate social media today. As Modern Cat states, “The Grumpy Cat phenomenon is still going strong.” Her legacy as one of the first and most influential animal memes endures.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Grumpy Cat has clearly established herself as the most followed cat on social media, thanks to her instantly recognizable scowling face and playful personality. With millions of followers across platforms like Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and more, Grumpy Cat’s hilarious grumpy persona has captured the hearts of people all over the world.
Even though she passed away in 2019 at the young age of 7, Grumpy Cat’s legacy lives on through memes, images, and videos that continue to go viral online. She paved the way for other famous animal influencers, but none have quite matched her level of global superstardom and pop culture presence.
When it comes to cats ruling the internet, no feline comes close to the social media power and influence that Grumpy Cat commanded at her peak. Her permanently grumpy expression seemed to channel the inner frustration and moodiness of cat lovers everywhere, making her incredibly relatable and lovable.
So for cats with the biggest online fandom and most extensive reach across social platforms, Grumpy Cat remains the undisputed champion. She set the standard for cat-based internet celebrity, and her hilarious photos and videos will likely continue making people smile for years to come.