Paramount+ has dropped a bombshell with its latest documentary, *Thirst Trap: The Fame. The Fantasy. The Fallout*, delving into the chaotic rise and tumultuous aftermath of 21-year-old Canadian TikToker William White and the frenzied fandom that turned his online presence into a cultural phenomenon. Airing on September 9, 2025, the two-part series unpacks a saga that began innocently enough during the pandemic but spiraled into one of the most unhinged fan movements in social media history.
The Rise of a Retro Sensation
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White’s journey began in 2020 when, amid global lockdowns, he started posting lip-sync videos to retro hits like Barry Manilow’s “Mandy.” What set him apart was his unexpected appeal: rather than the typical Gen Z audience, he captivated women aged 40 to 50 — a demographic rarely targeted on TikTok at the time.
Within weeks, his follower count skyrocketed to hundreds of thousands, with adoring fans dubbing themselves the “Grotto Girls.” The documentary highlights how his charm and personal engagement during live streams — calling out fans by name — ignited a frenzy of devotion.
The Money Flow
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The financial aspect of White’s fame quickly escalated beyond imagination. Fans showered him with generous donations during TikTok Lives and direct PayPal transfers, often in exchange for personal acknowledgment.
One woman, featured in the documentary, shockingly revealed she had donated approximately $200,000 over time, a sum that underscores the depth of the fandom’s obsession. White’s content, initially lighthearted, became a lucrative enterprise, with donations sometimes reaching thousands of dollars per stream, fueled by the emotional connection he fostered with his mature audience.
Crossing the Line
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As White’s popularity grew, so did the boundaries of normal fan behavior, eventually eroding entirely. The Grotto Girls tracked down his parents’ address, inundating them with gifts and letters. His travels were stalked by overzealous followers, turning public appearances into chaotic encounters.
The documentary details a particularly volatile turning point: White’s brief romance with a fan known as “DisneyMama.” This relationship triggered a wave of jealousy among other followers, leading to threats, blackmail attempts, and a toxic online war that left White reeling.
A Cautionary Tale
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*Thirst Trap* frames White’s story as a cautionary tale about the perils of parasocial relationships in the digital age. The series explores how the pandemic’s isolation amplified his appeal, creating a perfect storm of loneliness and escapism among middle-aged women.
Yet, it also raises a broader question: are age restrictions on social media platforms misdirected? The documentary suggests that the 40-50 age group, often overlooked in online safety debates, may be more vulnerable to such intense fandoms than younger users, who are typically the focus of regulatory scrutiny.
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Cultural Impact and Reflection
The fallout from White’s fame has left a lasting mark. After a brief hiatus from social media in March 2025, he returned with a shift toward less provocative content, hinting at aspirations for a Hollywood acting career by age 30. His baptism in Greece in 2024, attended by international fans, is portrayed as a symbolic attempt to reclaim his narrative. However, the documentary leaves viewers questioning the ethics of influencer-fan dynamics and the responsibility of platforms like TikTok to moderate such extreme behaviors.
As *Thirst Trap* streams on Paramount+, it serves as both a gripping narrative and a stark reminder of the wild, unpredictable nature of online fame — proving that the most unexpected corners of the internet can harbor some of its most ardent, and sometimes dangerous, communities.
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*Published: September 15, 2025, 3:15 PM CEST*
