A Canadian landscape gardener who achieved viral fame on TikTok through his provocative lip-sync performances set to classic 1970s hits has become the central figure in a revealing new documentary. The film investigates the darker aspects of his devoted 'cougar' fanbase, comprised primarily of older women who lavished substantial financial gifts upon him in exchange for personal recognition during his live streams.
The Rise of William White: From Gardener to TikTok Sensation
In 2021, William White, possessing striking blue eyes, a dimpled smile, and a trademark wink, embarked on his TikTok journey with ambitions to surpass his friends' followings. He quickly identified an untapped demographic: women in their 50s and 60s seeking to recapture youthful excitement. By filming himself mouthing lyrics to songs from their teenage years while working as a gardener, he cultivated an intensely loyal audience.
Monetizing the Connection
White soon recognized the lucrative potential of his appeal. "I am a TikToker, just a full-time beauty, hot guy, that people love," he explained. "I like money, fame, success. I'm one of the few that has older fans. The older fans spend, they have money." After fans suggested adding a PayPal link to his profile, he awoke one morning to discover $60,000 had been deposited overnight. This windfall prompted him to quit his gardening job and pursue content creation full-time, though he acknowledged the pressure: "It became a job, and it's almost impossible to say no to that."
The Grotto Girls: A Community of Devotees
His online persona captivated Kate Palmer, a London hospitality worker who found herself irresistibly drawn to the 26-year-old despite being twice his age. Like numerous other fans, she became "addicted" to sending money to receive shout-outs during his live videos. "There's just something about Will, he's got the X Factor," Kate admitted, revealing she had saved approximately 20,000 videos of his content.
These supporters organized themselves as "The Grotto Girls," a private social media group exceeding 1,200 members dedicated to financially supporting White. Members gifted him expensive items like designer trainers and clothing, with one woman reportedly spending $200,000 over four years. Kate recalled accidentally sending $1,000 instead of $100 due to a keyboard malfunction, illustrating the compulsive nature of the exchanges.
When Online Admiration Turns Physical
The dynamic shifted dramatically when White crossed a boundary by sleeping with a fan known as "Disney Mama" following a charity event in Florida. This liaison ignited fierce jealousy and infighting within The Grotto Girls. "With 'Disney Mama', I remember being at the hotel and she did come over," White recounted. "We were flirting and trying to hang out. Sleeping with fans, it's not like I'm a teacher, I'm literally just famous, and they're loving me."
The Fallout: Harassment and Consequences
Kate, although not present at the event, became a target of misdirected envy. Rival fans created fake social media accounts using her name and initials, superimposing her face onto explicit images. "It was constant and could have actually taken a life," she stated, highlighting the severe psychological impact. Simultaneously, White discovered he had been catfished, with intimate photos he believed were shared with a peer ending up in a file dubbed "the cookbook" and sold among fans, later leaking online and costing him modeling opportunities.
A Path to Redemption
In response to these scandals, White ceased posting his signature "thirst trap" videos and underwent a baptism, a ceremony attended by Kate and other supporters. "I met everybody, Will's family, Will's mum," Kate described. "It was a very special day." While The Grotto Girls remain active and White continues posting, he has abstained from further intimate engagements with fans. Kate maintains her steadfast support, declaring, "I'll do anything for him. He's incredibly special to me, and I would describe him as a mate, really, a friend more than anything."
Documentary Release: Thirst Trap
The two-part Paramount+ series, titled Thirst Trap: The Fame. The Fantasy. The Fallout, premieres tonight, chronicling White's ascent, the controversies surrounding his fan interactions, and the profound repercussions for those involved. The documentary promises an unflinching look at the collision of obsession, jealousy, and the blurred lines between online personas and real-life relationships in the digital age.
