It’s hard to forget how a small-town news segment once made a 24-year-old local celebrity overnight.
Dutch Smith, now 33, became an internet sensation back in 2016 after passionately lamenting the closure of a Dunkin’ Donuts in Shamokin, Pennsylvania.
What started as a casual news interview quickly spiraled into a viral moment that Smith says still makes him cringe.
The Interview That Broke the Internet
Smith’s heartfelt yet awkward explanation of why he’d miss the “cheap” and “classy” Dunkin’ captured millions of viewers.
The video racked up nearly two million views, making him a meme and a minor celebrity almost overnight.
“I go there every day, I get a chicken bacon croissant, or I get some coffee—Powerade if I’m dehydrated,” he told reporters at the time.
“It’s a cheap, classy place to meet up with your friends. It’s the only place this town has.”
But what many saw as charming or funny, Smith now views through a different lens.
Speaking to The Philadelphia Inquirer, he admitted, “I don’t want to be remembered as a joke.”
Looking back, he wishes his viral fame had come later in life, during his music career, when the attention could have actually helped him professionally.
Meme Culture and Celebrity Jokes
Over the years, celebrities haven’t missed the opportunity to poke fun at Smith’s memorable interview.
Comedian and podcaster Theo Von has shared the video repeatedly, and last month, he even riffed on it alongside Jim Norton.
Actor Ben Affleck joined in earlier this year, joking about Smith’s pronunciation of “donuts” and playfully referencing his comment about meeting attorneys at Dunkin’.
Although millions laughed, Smith says the humor masked a much deeper struggle.
At the time, he was dealing with substance abuse, mental health challenges, and legal troubles.
Not long after his viral fame, he was arrested for alleged assault, though charges were ultimately dropped.
A Turn Toward Music and Purpose
Today, Smith is far from the viral sensation who cried over coffee and croissants.
He’s a father, works as a forklift operator, and pours his heart into creating rap, hip hop, and R&B music.
“I hope some of you relate to the things I talk about and can respect my lyricism,” he notes on his YouTube profile.
A turning point came during a jail stint, where he experienced a religious encounter that reshaped his outlook.
Now, his music is intended to reach people struggling with addiction, mental health issues, or even suicidal thoughts.
“I’m speaking to people searching for God,” he explained.
Leaving the Meme Behind
Dutch Smith is clear about how he wants to be remembered.
The viral Dunkin’ Donuts moment may have made the internet laugh, but it doesn’t define him.
“I know my music is going to make a change. It changed me at least,” he said.
For Smith, the focus now is on purpose, family, and creating art that inspires others—proving that even the most embarrassing viral moments can lead to meaningful transformation.