For anyone who wants to get rich quick, family misfortune is usually not the way. But for Antoine Dodson, tragedy has yielded success and a notoriety that many would-be celebrities would kill for. Many may recall the young man who angrily told the "bed intruder" that tried to rape his sister: "We're looking for you. We gonna find you... So you can run and tell that, homeboy!" Will those heart-felt words of protection, Antoine Dodson became an Internet sensation overnight. In one day, the online video of the news report featuring Antoine Dodson had over one million views.
Then the Gregory Brothers made Antoine Dodson's rant into a top-selling iTunes hit song, 'Bed Intruder Song.' Now the song is on the Billboard Top 100 as well. The Associate Press reports: "In the first 2 1/2 weeks of sales, the song had 60,000 downloads and at least 25 million views on YouTube" (via The Huffington Post). At $1.29 a pop for the 'Bed Intruder Song' on iTunes, that ain't bad. And don't forget that cash cow, ringtones!
Dodson's sudden fame came with all the trappings of celebrity life almost immediately. He now has a manager, a talent scout, photographer and lawyer, all of whom manage Antoine's burgeoning career. Antoine Dodson has tapped into the power of social networking by utilizing Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to promote his huge following. Antoine even sells official merchandise from a site where people can donate to help his family via PayPal. Antoine is everywhere making personal appearances, and more than likely getting paid for that too.
Through his YouTube channel, Antoine is probably receiving a portion of the ad revenue generated. From the iTunes version of 'Bed Intruder Song,' Antoine receives 50% of the profits while the Gregory Brothers (the producers of the song) retain the other half. In addition to donations and sales of official Dodson merchandise, one can estimate that Antoine is much better off financially than he was two months ago. Antoine won't say how much he has made, but he is definitely making money. Dodson told ABC News: "It was enough to move my family from the projects." From the projects to a home? That's a lot of cash.
While others have found humor his family's situation, Antoine Dodson is still aware that the intruder has not been found and he is still working with authorities on the case. He is cognizant that things could have been worse for his sister if he had not intervened on that fateful day. But Dodson also realizes that humor of the 'Bed Intruder Song' has created a different reality for his family -- and for himself. A member of his management team, Richard Figueroa, says of Dodson's future career:
"I said, 'This guy is going to be a sensation... He's a hero. What an amazing person. I've never seen nothing like this before. ... I was like, 'Wow, he's going to need a good manager, representation, with all of this fame."
Along with scout and photographer Beth Boldt, Figueroa now manages Dodson's career and image, while a lawyer makes sure that all the deals that come Dodson's way are legitimate.
"He says he wants to write songs," Figueroa said. "Also, he loves fashion, he loves clothes, he likes designers."
Given the connections he and Boldt have developed in the fashion world, he said, "We're going to try to get him some exposure in that side of the industry first." (ABC News)
Fantasia Barrino Affiliation: 'Fantasia For Real' on VH1 Side note: The 'American Idol' champion (2005) is a best-selling author ('Life is Not a Fairytale') and garnered critical acclaim as Miss Celie in the Broadway musical 'The Color Purple.'
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Fantasia Barrino Affiliation: 'Fantasia For Real' on VH1 Side note: The 'American Idol' champion (2005) is a best-selling author ('Life is Not a Fairytale') and garnered critical acclaim as Miss Celie in the Broadway musical 'The Color Purple.'
Al B. Sure Affiliation: 'Donald J. Trump Presents: The Ultimate Merger' Side note: While vying for Omarosa's love during the show's first season, the former 'Apprentice' star described the R&B crooner as; "the ultimate romantic and perfect gentleman. He sets the tone for all of the bachelors on how to properly court a woman."
Sharisse "Shar" Jackson Affiliation: 'Celebrity Fit Club: Boot Camp' on VH1 Side note: Though some may remember her as the sidekick Niecy Jackson on the groundbreaking UPN sitcom 'Moesha,' Jackson gained international tabloid attention as the mother of two children with Kevin Federline (who was married to pop superstar Britney Spears for three years). All together, she has four children.
Nene Leakes Affiliation: 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' on Bravo Side note: The brazen Queens, NY native is a domestic abuse survivor and a former stripper - all revelations she detailed in her 2009 memoir 'Never Make the Same Mistake Twice.'
Terrell Owens Affiliation: 'The T.O. Show' on VH1 Side note: Alabama's very own football star simply known as "T.O." -- literally let it all hang out for the photo shoot promoting his new reality series, in July 2009. The show revolves around his life off the field as he searches for love, repair family relationships and make the move from Dallas to Buffalo.
Ray Cunningham Affiliation: 'College Hill: Virginia State University' on BET Side note: One of the more memorable characters from the Black Entertainment Television network reality ranks, Cunningham has become an openly gay LGBT advocate, budding actor and busy blogger, who was featured in Adam Bouska's groundbreaking NoH8 Campaign, which assembled California notables responding to the state's Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage. Cunningham was also cast in acclaimed filmmaker Maurice Jamal's new forthcoming TV project 'Friends and Lovers.'
Miss New York Affiliation:'Flavor of Love' and 'I Love New York' on VH1 Side note: The upstate New York drama queen competed for hip-hop hype-man Flavor Flav's love twice and was rejected both times.
MC Hammer Affiliation: 'Hammertime' on A&E Side note: Stanley Kirk Burrell seems to have done it all: Joined the navy; won Grammy Awards; danced for KFC popcorn chicken; fathered six children; wiggled his manhood in a Speedo bikini on a music video; went bankrupt; became a preacher; and now doing reality TV. 'Hammertime' is a look inside the family life of the man formerly known as one of the riches entertainers of his era.
Keyshia Cole Affiliation: 'The Way It Is' on BET Side note: In an interview, thuggish ruggish rap icon Young Jeezy claimed that the hip-hop soul songstress asked him to marry her but he turned her down.
Mo'Nique Affiliation: 'Charm School' on VH1 Side note: While promoting the movie 'Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins,' Mo'Nique told Oprah Winfrey that co-star Martin Lawrence once gave her invaluable advice about show business.
That is a lot of potential to work with, and if he makes the right moves, Dodson can make a ton of money and have a very promising career. Antoine, make the most out of your 15 minutes of fame. Use this time to build strong, meaningful relationships with people so that you can realize your goals and dreams. Celebrity doesn't last long these days. The next viral sensation could come along at any time. So make that cash while you can, and congratulations on getting your family out of the hood.
