The Star Wars Kid: From Viral Fame to Life Lessons
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Chapter 1: The Rise of the Star Wars Kid
In 2003, I found myself laughing at the infamous Star Wars Kid video, surrounded by dorm mates who were equally amused. Little did I know, this video would go on to rack up an astonishing 900 million views, even before the dawn of YouTube. At that moment, it was recognized as the most-watched internet video ever. The boy featured was Ghyslain Raza, a ninth grader who filmed his performance in a theater room without any intention of it reaching the public eye.
Ghyslain became the unfortunate pioneer of cyberbullying, well before the term was even coined. The video, which was edited to include light saber effects, earned him the nickname "The Star Wars Kid."
While the world laughed, Ghyslain's reality turned grim. At school, peers would mock him, standing on lunch tables with brooms and mimicking his moves, all while the laughter echoed around them. He lost friendships, faced harassment in hallways, and was subjected to cruel remarks online, including threats to his life. Ultimately, he had to change schools to escape the torment.
Section 1.1: The Unexpected Internet Fame
Despite his efforts to remain anonymous, details about Ghyslain leaked, leading to a flood of interview requests from major TV shows like Jay Leno and Oprah. However, he declined, fully aware that such exposure would only exacerbate the bullying.
Star Wars Kid: Legendary Viral Video Star Breaks His Silence
In this video, Ghyslain Raza reflects on his experiences and how they shaped his life.
The video first made its way online when Ghyslain returned a friend's camera, inadvertently leaving the recording on it. Months later, the footage was discovered and uploaded to Kazaa, a file-sharing platform. One month later, it caught the attention of Andy Baio, who posted it on his site, Waxy.org, with a sarcastic caption about the perils of filming one's amateur lightsaber skills.
Section 1.2: Consequences of Viral Fame
Baio quickly regretted sharing the video as the comments turned increasingly harsh. He disabled the comments section and posted a message encouraging viewers to reflect on their own junior high experiences, suggesting that they show empathy towards Ghyslain.
In a twist of fate, Andy later interviewed Ghyslain about his interests, learning he desired an iPod. This inspired Andy to raise funds, ultimately collecting $4,300, which he gifted to Ghyslain along with the iPod.
Chapter 2: The Aftermath and Reflection
The incident with Ghyslain was not an isolated case. It highlighted the dangers of cyberbullying that would tragically continue to affect others. For instance, Tyler Clementi took his life in 2010 after being secretly filmed by his roommate. While Ghyslain did not harm himself, he required psychiatric help to cope with severe depression stemming from his experience.
His parents pursued legal action against the individuals who uploaded the video, seeking $225,000 in damages. They eventually reached a settlement outside of court. Ghyslain later remarked that if he had been involved in a crime, the law would have protected his identity, but he was left exposed due to a video he never authorized for public release.
Where is He Now?
Today, Ghyslain has used the funds from his settlement to attend McGill University, one of Canada's top institutions, where he earned a doctorate in law.
He chose to share his story publicly in 2013, motivated by a string of high-profile suicides linked to cyberbullying. Reflecting on his past, he acknowledged the pain caused by online harassment and offered words of comfort to those suffering similar experiences: “You are not alone. You are surrounded by people who love you.”
If you search for any version of the Star Wars Kid video today, the comments reveal a striking shift in tone. While humor persists, many viewers now express support for Ghyslain, creating a rare instance of positivity in the often harsh online environment.
Star Wars Kid
This video explores the legacy of the Star Wars Kid and his impact on discussions surrounding cyberbullying.
Let Ghyslain’s journey serve as a reminder: the individuals behind online personas are not faceless entities, but people deserving of compassion and respect.