iWannaBeFamous!

Our Heritage: The Class of 1999–2001

The original famous people featured on iWannaBeFamous! from 1999 to 2001, and what they said about why they wanted to be famous.

iWannaBeFamous! went online in October 1999 with a simple idea: feature one ordinary person every day and make them famous. Within months the site was written up by newspapers and magazines around the world. These are the people who started it all, the original Class of 1999–2001. Every one of them finished the same sentence: “I wanna be famous because…”

Want to join them? Tell us why you wanna be famous.

The First Famous People (October 1999 – April 2000)

  • October 21, 1999 – BJ: “I like to do like roller blade, hang out with friends…”
  • October 22, 1999 – Emily Michelle: “I wanna be famous because I’m veryshagadelic!”
  • October 23, 1999 – Tim: “I wanna be famous because I love penguins and I especially love Opus!”
  • October 24, 1999 – GruenMan: “Remember, No matter where you go, there you are…”
  • October 25, 1999 – Rebecca: “I wanna be famous because it *is* possible to become a librarian and still be a Party Girl!!”
  • October 26, 1999 – Ed: “I wanna be famous so I can get away with anything!”
  • October 27, 1999 – Thomas: “I wanna be famous because I’ve been writing lyrics most of my adult life…”
  • October 28, 1999 – Hannah: “I wanna be famous because I’m a fabulous actress and today’s my birthday !”
  • October 29, 1999 – Pia: “I wanna be famous because I’m a great IT Recruiter!”
  • October 30-31, 1999 – Karen: “I wanna be famous because I’m a great model!”
  • November 1, 1999 – Trisha: “I wanna be famous because I’m a great model!”
  • November 2, 1999 – Angela: “I wanna be famous because I’m a great model!”
  • November 3, 1999 – Gina: “I wanna be famous because I’m a great model!”
  • November 4, 1999 – Kendra: “I wanna be famous because I’m a great model!”
  • November 5, 1999 – Michelle: “I wanna be famous because want to be the next supermodel!”
  • November 6, 1999 – Cami: “I wanna be famous because I’m a great model!”
  • November 7, 1999 – Maria: “I wanna be famous because the Angels of Mercy have done so much for the community!”
  • November 9, 1999 – Heather: “I wanna be famous because I wrote a great book about breaking into the modeling biz!”
  • November 10, 1999 – Sharon: “I wanna be famous because I can make people happy by sharing my beauty with the world!”
  • November 11, 1999 – Lani: “I wanna be famous because fame and fortune equals power !”
  • November 12, 1999 – Sharon: “I wanna be famous because I’m from Holland, and I think I should ‘shock’ the world by becoming famous!”
  • November 13-14, 1999 – Justin: “I wanna be famous because I want to make a name for myself.”
  • November 15, 1999 – Angela: “I wanna be famous because I’m gorgeous and talented!”
  • November 16, 1999 – Mary: “I wanna be famous because everyone wants to be famous! It’s exciting!”
  • November 17, 1999 – Tara: “I wanna be famous because I want to be *behind the scenes*.”
  • November 18, 1999 – Laura: “I wanna be famous because fame opens doors and people take time to listen to famous people therefore it would help me to speak on issues that I feel are important and get help for charitable causes.”
  • November 19, 1999 – Paddy: “I wanna be famous because I was born to entertain.”
  • November 20-21, 1999 – Susie: “I wanna be famous ‘cus I’m special!”
  • November 22, 1999 – Vanesa: “I wanna be famous so I can get enough exposure as a model to get enough jobs so I can be rich !”
  • November 23, 1999 – Jim: “I wanna be famous because if everyone knows me, the real me, then where ever I go, I’ll have friends!”
  • November 24-28, 1999 – Mick: “I wanna be famous because the people who are currently famous are doing a poor job!”
  • November 29, 1999 – Rebecca: “I wanna be famous because I have a lot to give to people, in many different ways!”
  • November 30, 1999 – Jo: “I wanna be famous because I want to move to a big house with Neil and our pet cat Pickle!”
  • December 1, 1999 – Terrell: “I wanna be famous because I believe that if you are a tremendous hard worker like myself and you put your all into everything the fame itself will follow, not necessarily meaning money but self-esteem and self-confidence!”
  • December 2, 1999 – Stuart: “I wanna be famous because it’s like a mission impossible…and I like a challenge!”
  • December 3, 1999 – Belinda: “I wanna be famous because I’m a beautiful model!”
  • December 4-5, 1999 – Shelly: “I wanna be famous because I love to model and want to show myself to the world!”
  • December 6, 1999 – Kelly: “I wanna be famous because I always wanna be famous!”
  • December 7, 1999 – Brad: “I wanna be famous because I have always had dreams of being a star!”
  • December 8, 1999 – Shania: “I wanna be famous because it’s difficult to be, but not impossible!”
  • December 9, 1999 – Helga: “I wanna be famous becaus e I just wanna be beautiful and famous. I wanna be a model like Naomi Campbell and all of these models. But its hard because I I live in a little town in Iceland !”
  • December 10, 1999 – Jimmy: “I wanna be famous because I think that would be cool! December 11-12, 1999 – Scott – “I wanna be famous because I’m single and all the chicks would want me!”
  • December 13, 1999 – Tarnia: “I wanna be famous because I’ve worked for it!”
  • December 14, 1999 – Alycia: “It’s not so much that I want to be famous, I just want to do what I love, which is modeling. I must say I’m not half bad at it either!”
  • December 15, 1999 – Nuri: “I wanna be famous because that would make me live SWELL and travel for free to a lot of places. Which would be really cool.”
  • December 16, 1999 – Jakki: “I wanna be famous because I want to have a normal career (unlike all those model-wannabes you put here) In fact, I’m going to be a veterinarian. A normal one. How else would I get famous doing that?”
  • December 17, 1999 – Laura: “I wanna be famous because the hottest Italian fashions looks very good on me!.”
  • December 18, 1999 – Nathan: “I wanna be famous because I don’t become a millionaire. I really just want to act in a TV show or a movie and I will try my hardest to pursue my dream.”
  • December 20, 1999 – Beccy: “I wanna be famous because then I can afford to go on a continuous World cruise on Oriana with my gorgeous boyfriend Chris!”
  • December 21, 1999 – De: “I wanna be famous because I think I deserve a day in the limelight!”
  • December 28, 1999 – Khurram: “I wanna be famous because I have the guts to be famous!”
  • January 3, 2000 – Charlie: “I wanna be famous because it would be neat!”
  • January 4, 2000 – Kelsey: “I wanna be famous because I want to share my musical talent with the world!”
  • January 5, 2000 – Johny: “I wanna be famous because … oh, I think I am now, because everybody sees me now!!”
  • January 6, 2000 – Mitchell: “I wanna be famous because I am a kid and it’s my job to get all the attention !”
  • January 7, 2000 – Charlotte: “I wanna be famous because my whole life I wanted to be a model and be famous but never really got a chance !”
  • January 10, 2000 – Dave: “I wanna be famous…so I can meet Jennifer Lopez. What a hottie! Just kidding. I really only would want to be famous if it would mean I can entertain people and help them laugh or smile. I’m happy when I can make someone else happy. Being famous would give me a larger audience.”
  • January 11, 2000 – Doug: “I wanna be famous because I can create a reaction. When I enter a room, people either really love me or really hate me!”
  • January 12, 2000 – Debra: “I wanna be famous because I’m so darn cute !”
  • January 13, 2000 – Toni: “I wanna be famous all my life I wanted to walk up the isle at the Oscars, finally reach the microphone and say “I’d like to thank the academy for this best actress award……..”!”
  • January 14-16, 2000 – Cynthia: “I wanna be famous half my life has probably gone by without my 15 minutes of fame so I want it now before it’s too late! (and give the National Enquirer someone interesting to gossip about for a change)!”
  • January 17, 2000 – Joel: “I wanna be famous because I’m tired of waiting in long lines at Target & Wal-Mart!”
  • January 18, 2000 – Gregg: “I wanna be famous because because I love women, money, and attention (not necessarily in that order)!”
  • January 19, 2000 – Mindy: “I wanna be famous because then all my friends will wanna ride my coattails to Hollywood and I would let them too!”
  • January 20, 2000 – Pablo: “I wanna be famous because I’ve wanted to be famous since I was 4 years old. I want to sing in a Rap group or go solo. I play the piano and saxophone. I want to feel what the real famous people feel when they have a lot of fans!”
  • January 21-23, 2000 – Shawn: “I wanna be famous because I want to make a difference in the world. I stand for integrity and honesty, and because of the bad publicity and papparazzis who are out there waiting to get some bad pub on famous people, I want to give them a challenge. I don’t think they would ever be able to get anything on me.!”
  • January 24, 2000 – Katie (and friend): “We wanna be famous because we have weird goop on our faces!”
  • January 25, 2000 – Lucie: “I wanna be famous because I sing like an angel!”
  • January 28, 2000 – Lonna: “I wanna be famous because I know that I am special and that I have God given talents that I would like to share with the world….. Plus, I hear the money’s not that bad either!”
  • January 31, 2000 – Sandy: “I wanna be famous because I think it would be fun! What’s the point of going to school and college, and then making money, and then retiring, if no one knows about it?? What’s the fun in working in an office your whole life? I want to make my mark on the world…and just about the only way is to be famous! I just need to figure out what I want to do while being famous… I’m trying to decide between something dealing with the circus or being the first person to live on mars…. hmmm…”
  • February 1, 2000 – Adam: “I wanna be famous because I’m a great model!”
  • February 2, 2000 – Teresa: “I wanna be famous because the notoriety that is often called fame brings with it many rewards. The one that is nearest to my heart is the ability to use that fame, that notoriety, to draw attention to the humanitarian causes that I hold so dear. If I can use the talents I was fortunate enough to be blessed with to do some good, then I will have paid back some of the debt I owe.”
  • February 3, 2000 – Barbara: “I wanna be famous because…I feel I have a lot to say to the world!….the internet is the most fascinating way to do it nowadays. I want to try many things in life and really share my views…I want to make a positive influence and break down the stereotypes that exist…I want fresh flowers every day of my life…I want homes in different places in the world…I want to see everything…I want to help those less fortunate…and I love being in front of the camera!”
  • February 4-6, 2000 – Frans: “I wanna be famous because I like and use internet for 5 years now and want to use it to get money in my life… yet I haven’t much!”
  • February 7, 2000 – Emma: “I wanna be famous because I’m gorgeous and I should be on Dental adverts with my amazing white teeth !”
  • February 9, 2000 – Sarah and Scott Moffatt: “I wanna be famous because I wanna sing!!!!! I love to sing. I’m in a group called BLUSH and if we get famous we can show the world what we can do and get our men THE Moffatts !!”
  • February 14, 2000 – Catalina: “I wanna be famous because I want to have fun doing what so many people (talented or not) are already doing. And because I want to be able to say ‘I TOLD YOU SO’ to all those people who never thought it was possible to make my dream come true!!!”
  • February 15, 2000 – Timmy: “I wanna be famous because this is the one and only opportunity in my entire life where I’ll have even the slightest chance of becoming famous.”
  • February 16, 2000 – Aash: “I wanna be famous because For Years I Have Been Told I Am Ugly And I Think Maybe Just Maybe I Am Not!”
  • February 17, 2000 – Olivier: “I wanna be famous because I like to help poor people in Africa and in the world.”
  • February 18, 2000 – Ingla: “I wanna be famous because I once got told that I couldn’t do anything and that I were to ugly. I never gave up and I never will either. I think that if I get famous some day it will motivate others… Never give up your dreams.”
  • February 22, 2000 – Bryn: “I wanna be famous because at my age (59) there is not much time left to become famous and all my life I have tried to be noticed.”
  • February 23, 2000 – Amanda: “I wanna be famous because I have always never had that much money and I absolutely adore the people that go on stage and sing their heart out on stage. My father is part of a local band and I have found it very interesting. I have very good grades and part of the Accelerated program and Encore (for the gifted and talented).”
  • February 24, 2000 – Dave: “I wanna be famous because so I can be recognized, criticized, analyzed, listened to, loved, hated, spied upon, and also respected.”
  • February 25, 2000 – Muriel: “I wanna be famous because I’m French and French people don’t get any respect.”
  • February 28, 2000 – Lee: “I wanna be famous because I love to act and it would be a dream come true. Also, if I made millions, it would help out my family’s financial needs and put my little brother through college, not to mention how fun donating money would be. I would then hopefully buy a way to gain weight!”
  • March 2, 2000 – Lee: “I wanna be famous because I believe in dreams and that they can come true, but sometimes we need to help it along just a bit. Life is what you make of it…so live it and live it well!”
  • March 3-5, 2000 – Gianna: “I wanna be famous because my dad & my mm say I’m so cute. I’m 2 1/2 years old and I was born in Brasil, but for 8 months I have lived in France with my parents. Maybe one day I’ll be famous, but for now I just want to say “Hello” to the world.”
  • March 6, 2000 – Lianne: “I wanna be famous because I want to tell people of the trouble in other countries, the poverty, the violence and the children on the streets, so we can try and do something about it.”
  • March 7, 2000 – John: “I wanna be famous because I deserve it.”
  • March 8-9, 2000 – Brandon: “I wanna be famous because I’m a computer geek, and we don’t get out much. Also, if I were famous, there would be a much greater chance of my music and writing actually being published.”
  • March 10-12, 2000 – Pierre: “I wanna be famous because I’m a young painter, an original artist and I want everybody discovers my vision of life through my creations this is why I expect to be featured on your website.”
  • March 13, 2000 – Yann: “I wanna be famous because I love to make photos and would like to be a star by playing in movies.”
  • March 14, 2000 – Marcel: “I wanna be famous because I want to be a cinema star and if I’m a little famous I’ll have more chance to be.”
  • March 16, 2000 – Leah: “I wanna be famous because…well…c’mon! Look at me! And that is only the beginning of my incredible talents. (And it helps to be beautiful!)”
  • March 17, 2000 – Philippe: “I wanna be famous because I want to have a better life and make things good around me .”
  • March 20, 2000 – Jacki: “I wanna be famous because I think deserve I have tried recently on numerous attempts to become noticed I am not arrogant I just feel if Britney Spears can do it so can I hehehe just kidding I love singing have been since I could talk..”
  • March 21-22, 2000 – Tammie: “I wanna be famous because I have the ability to act, and my family needs a lot of help with things right now. I would really like to show my talent to someone who appreciates it.”
  • March 23, 2000 – Bill: “I wanna be famous because I’m single.”
  • March 24, 2000 – Lei: “I wanna be famous because I just need my big break so that I can be on the big screen.”
  • March 27, 2000 – Daniel: “I wanna be famous because I’m goofy and I have a lamp on my head!”
  • March 28, 2000 – Rupesh: “I wanna be famous because I’m not famous and I am new to USA.”
  • March 29, 2000 – Ricardo: “I wanna be famous because I’d like to show the world how beautiful we Brazilians are.”
  • March 30, 2000 – Rogerio and Paula: “I wanna be famous because I think Brazilians are famous in many ways, so I can be too!!”
  • April 3, 2000 – Selena: “I wanna be famous because more than 400,000 people have already seen me in my webcam but no one has asked for my autograph when I’m walking in the streets!”
  • April 14, 2000 – Anselmo: “I wanna be famous for to starry a film of great success and to work with the startling great star of the movies Julia Roberts. It can be a film of any gender since it is with her. To work with Julia would be the only reason of doing me to want to be famous.”

Featured in 2000

Featured in 2001

Featured in 2003

Featured in 2004

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