Josh Basili was a 27 year old just like any other, until one day, his life turned completely upside-down— he became an internet meme.
For those of you not update to date, Basili was a participant in the show, “Love at First Kiss”, a show aimed to see if sparks fly between two strangers when they kiss the very first time they meet. Basili is the most recent and, indeed, the most viral contestant the show has ever seen. You see, Basili had his very first kiss on this show, and it did not go as planned— he kisses a girl’s ear, and stood motionless while being kissed by another.
If you were curious about the kiss…
A first kiss is a huge deal, and having the courage to have yours on national television in front of millions is no small feat. “I had confidence to get my first kiss on national TV because it was long overdue and I wanted to experience something new”, he revealed to Affinity, “To have a new adventure and share it with millions of viewers worldwide… I’m glad I got the opportunity to kiss on national TV”.
When he saw his experience go viral, he was glad it made people happy. “My initial reaction to seeing videos of myself and memes all over the internet was laughter. I think it’s hilarious that everyone wants to watch me kiss or miss the girl’s face completely. But, I enjoy it, and love all the support and fans.”
Surprisingly enough, he took this newfound fame graciously, and was not upset by people poking fun at him. He needed a way to get out of his comfort zone and this was the perfect way to do so.
For others who may find themselves in a situation in which they become a meme, Basili has some advice. “If you become a meme like me, take it as a compliment because people are talking [about you] and watching [videos of] you over and over again.”
Let’s hope that he has learned a thing or two about kissing through his experience participating on this show.
