William White, a viral TikTok sensation, takes the spotlight in Paramount Plus’ latest documentary, “Thirst Trap: The Fame. The Fantasy. The Fallout.” This two-part series delves into the rapid rise and subsequent fall of the social media personality known for sharing ‘thirst traps.’
The documentary chronicles how a TikTok video of William lip-syncing to Barry Manilow’s “Mandy” propelled him to viral fame, capturing the hearts of a generation. It explores his journey from obscurity to stardom and the tumultuous aftermath when reality clashes with fantasy.
Now available on Paramount+, viewers are eager to uncover the secrets behind William’s rise to fame and his current status. Born in 2000, William shot to stardom after launching his TikTok account in January 2020, quickly attracting a devoted following of older women who were mesmerized by the 21-year-old.
His popularity soared among Gen X women due to his captivating thirst trap videos, featuring dance routines and lip-sync performances to classic 70s and 80s songs. It was his rendition of Barry Manilow’s hit ‘Mandy’ that ignited the fervor of his dedicated followers.
The documentary sheds light on the Grotto Girls, a group of middle-aged fans who showered William with admiration and financial support, with one fan reportedly gifting him around $200,000. These donations, often made during his TikTok Live sessions or sent to his PayPal account, allowed fans to feel personally acknowledged by the influencer.
However, the fanbase turned hostile when William engaged in a relationship with one of his admirers, leading to toxic behavior within the community, including leaked private images, as discussed in the documentary. Frustrated by the shift in his supporters’ attitudes, William’s interactions with fans became tense, tarnishing his image and causing some viewers to distance themselves from him.
In 2024, William embarked on a new chapter in Greece, where he underwent a baptism witnessed by devoted fans who traveled from various countries. The spiritual experience left him feeling transformed, though he remains uncertain whether it was a placebo effect or a genuine spiritual awakening.
As of 2025, the Canadian sensation, still active on TikTok as @whitey18, has shifted away from creating thirst trap content, briefly quitting social media in March before swiftly returning. Setting his sights on a career in Hollywood, William aspires to become an actor by the age of 30.
“Thirst Trap: The Fame. The Fantasy. The Fallout” is now available for streaming on Paramount+.