The Fall and Rise of Katt Williams
Newsweek Europe|March 29 - April 05, 2024 (Double Issue)
He's had a string of run-ins with the law, yet the comedian's popularity continues to grow-with a recent podcast appearance blowing up the internet
RYAN SMITH
The Fall and Rise of Katt Williams

KATT WILLIAMS' WILD RIDE OF AN APPEARance on Shannon Sharpe's Club Shay Shay podcast started the year with one clear message: the comedian has far more than nine lives.

In a conversation spanning almost three hours, Williams, 52, discussed his family, career, legal issues, grievances with other comedians and this year's presidential election, among many other subjects. He also shared claims so wild that it was forgivable to expect a punchline (the assertion that his and Ludacris' fates in Hollywood were decided at a meeting with "the Illuminati" is a highlight; Ludacris dismissed the allegations via a freestyle rap).

On a personal front, the statements were no less sensational. He was reading fluently at 3 years old. He got accepted into college at 7. He read 3,000 nonfiction books a year in "multiple languages" between ages 8 and 12. He moved from Ohio to Florida by himself at 13, and later lived with sex workers.

The interview was social media gold. In the two months following its January 3 release on YouTube, it garnered over 60 million views. Countless snippets of Williams' cognac-fueled chat with NFL legend Sharpe have become viral hits on social media. And, according to research by Booking Agent Info, Google searches for the comedian exploded by 1,328 percent, rising from 85,900 to 1.2 million searches just 24 hours after the interview. Per the celebrity database, Williams' pre-Club Shay Shay Instagram following stood at 798,052. As of press time, it exceeds 1.3 million.

"The study's track of growth following the interview showcases how a single media appearance can lead to a substantial increase in public interest and online following," Sophie Miller, a celebrity contact agent at Booking Agent Info, told Newsweek. "Katt Williams' digital footprint [has] expanded dramatically, reflecting the power of viral content."

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 29 - April 05, 2024 (Double Issue)-Ausgabe von Newsweek Europe.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 29 - April 05, 2024 (Double Issue)-Ausgabe von Newsweek Europe.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS NEWSWEEK EUROPEAlle anzeigen
Ray Romano
Newsweek Europe

Ray Romano

THE MAJOR THING ABOUT NETFLIX'S NO GOOD DEED THAT APPEALED TO Ray Romano was that it was unlike anything he'd done before.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
December 27, 2024
Has J.K. Rowling Won the Culture War?
Newsweek Europe

Has J.K. Rowling Won the Culture War?

After years of backlash over trans issues, the Harry Potter author has received major business backing

time-read
7 Minuten  |
December 27, 2024
'This Murder Is a Symbol of the Times'
Newsweek Europe

'This Murder Is a Symbol of the Times'

Conservatives and liberals agree on the state of the health care industry following the killing of Brian Thompson

time-read
4 Minuten  |
December 27, 2024
The Defense Industry's Fight With ESG
Newsweek Europe

The Defense Industry's Fight With ESG

EUROPEAN DEFENSE COMPANIES, ESPECIALLY smaller businesses, are being blocked from investment they sorely need by sustainability rules, a senior NATO official and several industry figures have said.

time-read
9 Minuten  |
December 27, 2024
Nothin' Lasts Forever
Newsweek Europe

Nothin' Lasts Forever

Taylor Swift's Eras Tour' ends its record-breaking run..

time-read
3 Minuten  |
December 27, 2024
SPY IN THE SKY
Newsweek Europe

SPY IN THE SKY

CHINA FACES ACCUSATIONS of ESPIONAGE and WEAPONIZING OUTER SPACE as it BUILDS a NEW OBSERVATORY in CHILE critics say WILL BE USED for MILITARY PURPOSES

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
December 27, 2024
Margo Martindale
Newsweek Europe

Margo Martindale

\"WHO KNEW THAT A BARREL OF MAPLE SYRUP IS WORTH MORE THAN A barrel of oil?\"

time-read
2 Minuten  |
December 20, 2024
Malala Yousafzai
Newsweek Europe

Malala Yousafzai

\"AFGHANISTAN IS THE ONLY COUNTRY IN THE world where girls are banned from access to education and women are limited from work.\"

time-read
1 min  |
December 20, 2024
In the Eyes of the Law
Newsweek Europe

In the Eyes of the Law

Jude Law is unrecognizable as an FBI agent on the trail of aneo-Naziterrorist group in real-crime drama The Order

time-read
4 Minuten  |
December 20, 2024
AMERICA'S Most Responsible Companies 2025
Newsweek Europe

AMERICA'S Most Responsible Companies 2025

IN THE FACE OF ISSUES LIKE CLIMATE CHANGE and wage inequality, consumers care about the impact of the businesses they interact with and companies are responding.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
December 20, 2024