people lie over the internet?

Has 'Lonelygirl15' been revealed?
Our cool cousin Whitney over at Pop Candy says she doesn't want to believe it, but The Los Angeles Times today writes about how YouTube phenom "Lonelygirl15" may have been revealed to be something other than what she's claimed. Turns out she may be the creation of Beverly Hills-based talent agency Creative Artists Agency, not the compellingly candid teen she says she is on her very popular videos.

The news has the blogosphere buzzing: Lonelygirl15 is now the sixth most popular search term at Technorati.

Not familiar with Lonelygirl? You can check out her videos -- and those of others who are obsessed with her. There's also this story, from National Public Radio's On the Media. The New York Times' Virginia Heffernan tells OTM that each of Lonelygirl's 27 or so videos have been viewed about 500,000 times.

By the way, since the LA Times story was published it appears that Lonelygirl's website has malfunctioned. Before it went down, though, the "creators" issued a sort-of admission that she's not who she said she is. You can still see that at Heffernan's blog for The New York Times.

Posted by Mark Memmott at 03:49 PM/ET, September 08, 2006 in Life, Web/Tech | Permalink
Comments
GASP!

Posted by: Bob of WA | Sep 8, 2006 6:24:15 PM



Yawn

Posted by: Rick, New York | Sep 8, 2006 6:20:08 PM



I have no idea who this person is (or isn't) and I don't care. Those of us with real lives have better things to do. Sheesh.

Posted by: Julie S. | Sep 8, 2006 6:15:07 PM



I second that notion...

Posted by: MaJiC | Sep 8, 2006 6:02:01 PM



I kind of suspected it...
She was just too cute, too perfect, had her act down too pat.

But my hat is still off to the talent agency that created her. There is no denying that they are skilled.
They are the ones to watch in the future. I wonder what they will come up with next...

Posted by: Orange | Sep 8, 2006 5:56:00 PM



Did USA Today really think people that know who lonelygirl15 is would read this site? I just learned youtube existed a few weeks ago. It is called the generation gap. That means the younger generations have different interests. It is a good thing. It gives the world hope that the next generation won't be as stupid and as selfish as the old men who control the country/world now. Unfortunatly that might be a fasle hope but at least it is hope.

Posted by: Ray Jackson, MS | Sep 8, 2006 5:51:35 PM



Boy, and to think I believed it all along. The professional lighting, excellent streaming video quality, etc. No wonder people think I are'nt that smart!

Posted by: Dim | Sep 8, 2006 5:51:21 PM



Is this really a story?

Posted by: Bill K | Sep 8, 2006 5:50:49 PM



Could this be linked to Al Quaida? Better ask Bush. It might be part of a bigger plot.

Posted by: Steve | Sep 8, 2006 5:50:48 PM



So close to becoming a viable news source...yet so far. Leave this stuff for the tabloids.

Posted by: Rob, Montgomery, AL | Sep 8, 2006 5:36:30 PM



I thought it was Paris Hilton.....

Posted by: Dan | Sep 8, 2006 5:24:44 PM



I do notice that some of these youtube videos are fairly well edited.. possibly professionally edited with respect to the timing and choice of music, themes, plots and camera angles. Either these people are very talented or something else is going on. I think this proves the latter in this case anyway.

Posted by: Jesse - Santa Cruz, CA | Sep 8, 2006 5:17:19 PM



Eh? Slow news day???

Posted by: DazedConfusedman46 | Sep 8, 2006 5:15:26 PM



Thank you for this most compelling story.

Posted by: Dan - Baltimore | Sep 8, 2006 5:07:55 PM



I'll file this under "Why should I care?"

Posted by: Bob, Roanoke, VA | Sep 8, 2006 4:22:45 PM



I am shocked that someone on the Internet would not be who they claimed to be.

Posted by: Philip | Sep 8, 2006 4:14:46 PM
[Edited 9/8/06 16:04pm]
[Edited 9/8/06 16:04pm]

Never seen her videos, but she's not the only faker on YouTube, Have you seen Little Loca's videos?

myspace? Isn't Bree a youtube phenomenon?

Fury said:

now that's priceless!

We must be mental twins. I just posted a thread on LonelyGirl15 without knowing this one existed

switch off your internets and go out side