A single podcast appearance can completely change someone’s life. This proved true for Ali C. Lopez, known as “Gorlock The Destroyer,” who appeared on the Whatever podcast in 2023. Her memorable self-rating as a “fat f**king ten” during the show resonated with viewers, and the episode quickly racked up over a million views that launched her social media career.

The nickname people once used to mock her became the foundation of an amazing trip toward self-acceptance. Lopez has since built a dedicated following of 500,000 on TikTok and 150,000 on Instagram. She now uses her platform to champion LGBTQ+ initiatives. This piece tells the story of one of social media’s most captivating personalities and shows how she transformed viral fame into meaningful influence.

From Ali C. Lopez to Gorlock: The Journey Begins

Ali C. Lopez built her social media presence under the handle @al.weeezy before she became an internet sensation. Born in the United States on May 5, 2000, she started her TikTok trip in early 2020. Her content as a transgender woman and plus-size model appealed to audiences through lip-sync videos, POV clips, and mini vlogs about her daily life.

Lopez grew her TikTok following to 200,000 followers by early 2023. Her life changed dramatically after she appeared as a guest on the Whatever Podcast’s 69th episode on April 25, 2023. She made a lasting impression when she described herself as a “certified baddie” and responded to a question about her attractiveness with “a fat f—ing ten”.

The YouTube version of the podcast episode reached over 14 million views. The real viral moment came right after the podcast aired.

A Twitter user @RichardRatBoy1 shared an image of the podcast guests on April 26, 2023, with funny fake names. The other guests received simple names like “Ashley” and “Rachel,” while Lopez got the title “Gorlock the Destroyer”. This tweet became massive quickly and collected over 11,000 retweets and 150,000 likes within a week.

“Gorlock the Destroyer” became a viral sensation on Twitter and TikTok, spawning countless memes and edits. One viral edit replaced Lopez’s voice with Star Wars character Jabba the Hutt’s voice.

Lopez had mixed feelings at the time about her sudden fame. She later shared in an interview, “There was even a time I was like, ‘should I just even embrace [‘Gorlock the Destroyer’] at this point?’ I don’t even care”. The nickname, meant to mock her, ironically transformed her from a small-time influencer into an internet celebrity overnight.

The Meme That Took Over the Internet

A tweet from @RichardRatBoy1 sparked an explosion of “Gorlock the Destroyer” memes across social media platforms. Ali C. Lopez became known by this nickname, and the original post blew up with 14.5 million views and 149,000 likes. People shared the tweet more than 11,000 times in just a week.

Meme creators took it beyond simple text posts quickly. @TheOnlyDSC jumped in that same day with an edited clip. They swapped Lopez’s voice with Jabba the Hutt from Star Wars. This mean-spirited but creative edit racked up 11,000 retweets and 76,000 likes fast, with views crossing 4.1 million in under a week.

TikTok caught the “Gorlock” fever next. @zenooc_oshits posted Lopez’s “baddie” moment from the podcast. Another creator @lonlykings made an edit that pulled in 220,000 likes in five days.

Lopez found it bizarre to become an internet meme. “You’re just like ‘there’s no way that’s me.’ It’s a crazy feeling,” she said and called it “a little bit of an out-of-body experience”. Her feelings about the nickname were mixed up. “There’s good, bad, exciting, nervous. It’s just all over the place,” she admitted.

Lopez managed to keep remarkable resilience even though many memes had cruel undertones about her plus-size trans woman appearance. “There are days where it still bothers me that I get called that,” she shared. She thought over adopting the nickname at one point, saying, “Should I just embrace [the nickname] at this point? I don’t even care”.

Some people stood up against the mockery. In a sea of critics, X user @AyCartiii spoke out angrily: “Calling someone Gorlock the Destroyer is INSANE!!!”. The meme turned Lopez from a regular content creator into an internet personality, whatever reactions people had.

Turning Virality Into Visibility

Ali C. Lopez turned her internet mockery into meaningful opportunities. She built strategic collaborations with brands and content creators. Her work with Kick platform ambassador Adin Ross in May 2023 helped her reach beyond her original meme audience.

She changed her digital presence by offering personal video messages on Cameo. This created a new way to earn money and connect with her fans. Her growing platform became a way to promote LGBTQ+ community causes, as she raised awareness and funds for various initiatives.

Lopez spoke about her viral nickname in a TikTok video in November 2023. “I think what just annoys me is people calling you that fucking Gorlock bull****”. Her honest reactions appealed to audiences who liked her real approach to internet fame.

“You’re just like ‘there’s no way that’s me.’ It’s a crazy feeling,” Lopez said about going viral. “There’s good, bad, exciting, nervous. It’s just all over the place”. Yes, it is clear she has “mixed feelings” about being called Gorlock the destroyer.

During this experience, Lopez managed to keep honest views about body image and gender identity. “I don’t wear this to get attention. I do this because this is what makes me feel beautiful,” she stated confidently.

Her following grows steadily despite some criticism. She promotes respectful conversations about gender identity. “My elders didn’t grow up in this generation where everything was so openly accepted… I can’t blame them for having the mindset they do”.

What started as an internet joke became a platform for real expression and support. Lopez showed how unexpected viral fame can turn into meaningful visibility for herself and the communities she represents.

Conclusion

Ali C. Lopez turned her viral podcast guest appearance into a social media empire, proving that setbacks can become amazing chances. The “Gorlock” meme targeted her at first, but she showed incredible strength and turned a potentially crushing experience into a platform that creates positive change.

Lopez’s story teaches powerful lessons about being real and accepting yourself. She refused to let internet trolls control her story. Instead, she built a thriving community of over 650,000 followers on different platforms and became a champion for LGBTQ+ rights and body positivity.

Over the last several years since her podcast appearance, Lopez has proven herself “a certified baddie” – exactly what she claimed. She knew how to handle viral fame while staying authentic, making her story worth following. Her experience reminds us that unexpected twists in life often lead us to the most meaningful places.

FAQs

Q1. Who is Gorlock The Destroyer and how did they become famous? Gorlock The Destroyer is the nickname given to Ali C. Lopez, a TikTok personality who gained fame after appearing on the Whatever Podcast in 2023. Her confident self-description as a “fat f**king ten” during the show went viral, leading to widespread internet attention and memes.

Q2. How did Ali C. Lopez react to her viral nickname? Initially, Lopez had mixed feelings about the nickname. While it was originally intended as mockery, she considered embracing it at one point. She has since addressed it directly in her content, showing resilience and using the attention to grow her platform.

Q3. What impact has Ali C. Lopez’s viral fame had on her career? Lopez’s viral fame has significantly boosted her social media following, with over 500,000 followers on TikTok and 150,000 on Instagram. She has leveraged this popularity to collaborate with major influencers, support LGBTQ+ causes, and promote body positivity.

Q4. How does Ali C. Lopez use her platform to advocate for important causes? Lopez uses her growing platform to raise awareness and funds for LGBTQ+ community initiatives. She also promotes body positivity and encourages open dialog about gender identity, using her personal experiences to connect with and educate her audience.

Q5. What lessons can be learned from Ali C. Lopez’s journey to internet fame? Lopez’s story demonstrates the power of resilience and authenticity in the face of unexpected viral fame. She shows how one can turn potentially negative attention into a positive platform for self-expression and advocacy, highlighting the importance of staying true to oneself despite public scrutiny.