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Daaaaaaaaaamn, Daniel. The star of the viral tweet which shows the teenager strutting his outfits, typically paired with some white Vans, and narrated by a friend with a funny voice has become way too big for brands to deny. Starting with Vans, which has gifted the internet sensation a lifetime supply of its sneakers.
Vans announced the news during Daniel's segment on The Ellen Degeneres Show. Yes, The Ellen Degeneres Show, which is the platform for viral stars like Daniel and Alex From Target. And although Vans has refused to release specific sales info, according to GQ writer Jake Woolf, Damn Daniel has clearly done enough to earn a life's worth of the brand's sneakers. He's made the shoes so popular they're selling for $300k on eBay.
Daniel and Josh, the voice behind the video, told Ellen that the videos started out-of-nowhere after they posted the initial video to Snapchat. They got a good response and just decided to keep it going.
Now, Daniel is measuring his fame by going to the mall to see how many people want to take pictures with him. You can watch Daniel and Josh's segment on Ellen below.
Vans isn't the only brand swept up in Damn Daniel and his white kicks, though. Other corporations like Clorox (which didn't even use white Vans in its picture), Denny's, and Axe are alll trying to connect with the #youth through Damn Daniel-themed content.
Whatever happens to those white shoes @Daniel_laraa, just know that we’ve got your back. #DamnDaniel #BackAtItAgain pic.twitter.com/0pIiH2EHln
— Clorox (@Clorox) February 18, 2016
#FindYourMagic. Every. #DamnDaniel. Day. pic.twitter.com/VqMaPJ43ZK
— AXE (@AXE) February 19, 2016
*daniel pushes the eggs around on his plate, staring vacantly at them*
— Denny's (@DennysDiner) February 22, 2016
mom: daniel? what's wrong? you've barely touched your food, honey.
daniel: i don’t want to go to school today
— Denny's (@DennysDiner) February 22, 2016
mom: what’s the matter?
daniel: um...n-nothing
mom: and where are the new shoes i bought you??
daniel: mom, listen--
— Denny's (@DennysDiner) February 22, 2016
mom: no you listen, mister! you finish those eggs, put your new shoes on, and get to school before you’re late!
*daniel despondently complies*
— Denny's (@DennysDiner) February 22, 2016
daniel: mom please! why are you making me do this!!?
mom: you know why...
*she rips her mask off revealing her true identity: the friend from school*
— Denny's (@DennysDiner) February 22, 2016
daniel: no...it can’t be
mom: daaaaaaa---
daniel: noooooooo!!!!!