Born on October 23, 1999, Mary-Belle Kirschner, better known as Belle Delphine, grew up in South Africa before moving to the UK at the age of 9.
Belle’s entry into the digital world began with her posting fashion and makeup photos on Facebook, a foreshadowing of the internet persona she would later adopt.
If you like these rise and fall articles why not check out Eugenia Cooney, Miranda Sings, Onision, Smosh, and more.
The Rise
Belle Delphine’s ascent can be credited to her savvy understanding of internet culture and her unique brand of online content creation. By 2018, Belle had amassed a significant following on Instagram, primarily for her “ahegao” expressions, a facial expression popular in Japanese anime.
Here’s a snapshot of her growth on Instagram:
| Year | Instagram Followers (millions) |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 0.2 |
| 2017 | 0.5 |
| 2018 | 1.2 |
Belle’s content often straddled the line between cheeky and controversial.
One of her most notable moments was when she tricked her followers into thinking she would create content on an adult site if her post received one million likes (which it did), only to upload innocent, non-explicit videos.
It was such antics that drew attention and criticism in equal measures.
The Peak of Controversy
In July 2019, Belle Delphine courted significant controversy by introducing “GamerGirl Bath Water,” a product she claimed was her used bath water. Each jar was priced at $30, a high price that nonetheless didn’t dissuade her ardent fans. The product description cheekily read, “Bottled while I’m playing in the bath. This really is bath water.”
The move was met with amusement, disdain, and incredulity from different quarters. Yet, it was a demonstration of the strength and loyalty of her fanbase that the bath water sold out in just three days after the announcement.
While Belle Delphine did not officially disclose the total number of jars sold or the revenues made from this venture, we can make a rough estimation.
If we assume she had a limited stock of 500 jars, she would have made approximately $15,000 in just a few days from this stunt alone.
| Product | Price | Estimated Quantity Sold | Estimated Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| GamerGirl Bath Water | $30 | 500 (estimation) | $15,000 |
The incident attracted widespread media attention, even reaching mainstream news outlets. Many commentators criticized her for exploiting impressionable fans and encouraging unhealthy idolization behaviors.
The event also attracted the attention of social platforms that host her content, leading to increased scrutiny and moderation of her activities.
This event, while profitable and successful in garnering attention, also started a chain of events that led to Belle’s eventual removal from Instagram later in 2019.
Instagram’s community guidelines prohibit “content that… exploits people,” which Belle’s bathwater stunt was arguably close to breaching.
In simpler terms, Belle did something very unusual and somewhat silly. She sold her bath water and people actually bought it. However, while she made a lot of money from it, it also made some people very upset. These people reported her, and eventually, her Instagram account, which she used to talk to her fans, was closed.
This incident serves as an important lesson in understanding the balance between creating engaging content and respecting community guidelines on various platforms.
| Year | Notable Controversy |
|---|---|
| 2019 | Selling “GamerGirl Bath Water” |
The Downfall
In late 2019, Belle’s Instagram account, which had amassed over 4 million followers, was reported for nudity or pornography and was taken down. This event marked the beginning of a decline in her public presence, as her primary platform for interaction and monetization had been removed.
| Year | Instagram Account Status |
|---|---|
| 2019 | Deleted |
The Comeback and Ongoing Controversy
After Belle’s Instagram account was deleted in 2019, she largely stayed out of the public eye for the better part of 2020, marking a quiet period in her career.
However, in June of that year, she surprised her followers by announcing on Twitter that she was joining OnlyFans, an online platform known for its adult content.
OnlyFans, a subscription-based service, allowed creators to earn money directly from their fans on a monthly basis. Creators often offered a range of content, from personal updates to more explicit adult content.
Belle’s decision to join OnlyFans marked a significant pivot from her earlier content, which, while often risqué and suggestive, had primarily been shared on more mainstream platforms like Instagram and YouTube.
The response to Belle’s OnlyFans announcement was mixed. Some fans welcomed her return to the digital world, subscribing to her OnlyFans content and supporting her new direction. However, others were critical of the move, expressing discomfort with the more explicit content and the subscription fee associated with viewing it.
Belle’s decision was profitable. She quickly became one of the top creators on OnlyFans, earning thousands of dollars per month, though specific earnings are not publicly available.
Then, in December 2020, Belle faced another setback. YouTube terminated her channel, which had over 1.79 million subscribers, for violating its sexual content policies. Belle’s YouTube content had primarily been non-explicit, often featuring her engaging in various activities and stunts. But her recent shift to more explicit content on OnlyFans seemed to have crossed the line for YouTube’s policy enforcement.
However, the termination was not permanent. Following a widespread outcry from her fans, including a petition that garnered thousands of signatures, YouTube reinstated her channel. The incident, however, highlighted the fine line content creators like Belle tread in balancing edgy, attention-grabbing content with adherence to platform policies.
So, in simpler terms, Belle returned to the internet after a long break and started making more adult content on a new site, OnlyFans. While some people were happy about her return, others were not so comfortable with her new content.
Then, her YouTube channel was closed because YouTube thought she broke some rules. But after her fans complained a lot, YouTube opened her channel again. Belle’s story during this period shows that what someone posts online can get them in trouble, but it can also make them lots of money if done correctly.
The Lesson
The story of Belle Delphine is a whirlwind of controversy, internet culture, and digital entrepreneurship. She is a testament to the power and volatility of internet fame, illustrating both its potential for success and the risks of controversy.
To put it in simple terms, imagine you become really famous at school for doing funny, silly, and sometimes controversial things. Some kids find it entertaining, but the teachers (like Instagram and YouTube) don’t approve and punish you for it. But you’re smart, you find other ways to entertain and continue to be famous, even though you sometimes get in trouble. That’s kind of what happened to Belle Delphine.
In the end, Belle’s story shows us that navigating the digital world requires not just creativity, but also a strong understanding of platform rules, audience desires, and the potential implications of controversial actions.
If you like these rise and fall articles why not check out Eugenia Cooney, Miranda Sings, Onision, Smosh, and more.