Seventeen years have passed since the iconic 'David after Dentist' video first captivated the internet, amassing a staggering 143 million views on YouTube. The viral sensation, featuring a seven-year-old David DeVore from Florida in a loopy post-anaesthetic state, remains one of the platform's earliest homemade hits. Now aged 25, David has spoken exclusively about his journey from childhood fame to adulthood, revealing how the clip continues to shape his life.
From Viral Kid to Computer Science Graduate
David DeVore, who famously asked "is this real life" in the video, has transitioned from the dizzying world of internet stardom to a focused career in technology. In a recent interview, he shared that recognition has actually increased in recent years as he has done more interviews as an adult. "People have actually recognised me a bit more in recent years now that I have done interviews etc as an adult. It's been a fun change of pace!" he remarked.
Since we last spoke three years ago during his fourth year at the University of Florida, David has achieved significant milestones. He graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in computer science, started a remote job that allowed him to move to Atlanta, Georgia, with his girlfriend, and recently began a master's degree in computer science at Georgia Tech. "It's been a fun season of life, learning a lot and enjoying being on my own as I build my life. I have also gotten to travel a ton!" he added.
The Accidental Viral Phenomenon
The famous video, which shows David reacting to tooth extraction anaesthetic, only made it to YouTube by chance. His father initially filmed it because his wife was out of town, but after positive reactions from friends and relatives, he uploaded it seven months later. In the clip, David's humorous ramblings—"I feel funny… is this real life?" and "You have four eyes"—resonated globally, garnering three million views within just three days.
David describes the experience as the "biggest blessing," with life changing instantly. He and his family were even flown to Los Angeles for the red carpet premiere of 'Ralph Breaks the Internet' alongside other viral kids. Reflecting on the early days, he said, "There are nothing but positive experiences. We have gotten to do things, see things and go to places we never would have."
Navigating Fame and Future
David feels fortunate that the video went viral in 2009 when he was only seven, as opposed to in today's hyper-connected world. He had no comprehension of its scale at the time, which allowed him to "just go with the flow" and avoid letting it define his personality. "I acknowledged that it could have influenced my thinking had I been older and I am thankful it never became my personality," he explained.
Despite not actively telling peers about the video, they often discover it, leading to surreal moments. He recalled being spotted across Times Square during a Today show appearance in New York and, at age 13, being recognised by a chef through a kitchen window at a restaurant. "It was crazy stuff like that," he laughed.
Financial Benefits and Educational Impact
In 2021, the original unedited version of the clip was sold as an NFT for $11,600 (approximately £8,700), with the proceeds helping to fund David and his brother's education. While he doesn't like to dwell on it, David confessed to leveraging his fame in his university application essay. "I really milked the 'David After Dentist' thing in the essay and I got in so I don't know whether it did or didn't have an impact but I tried," he said.
He explained that the University of Florida required an essay about a unique life experience, and he used the viral video to discuss the valuable lessons and opportunities it provided. "You had to talk about something unique in your life that had an impact on you and taught you something that has been valuable as a potential student. So I used that to talk about some of the unique things I was able to experience and things like that," he added.
Today, David continues to embrace his past while building a future in computer science, proving that even the most unexpected viral fame can lead to positive and lasting outcomes.
