If you were anywhere near the internet in 2010, you probably remember Antoine Dodson. His impassioned, meme-worthy plea urging people to "Hide yo kids, hide yo wife!" turned a routine local news report into one of the internet's most unforgettable viral videos and moments.

Practically overnight, Dodson became a household name, spawning remixes, merch and even a Billboard-charting song.

But viral fame has a short shelf life, and most meme stars fade into obscurity within weeks, let alone years. So what happens when the internet moves on?

From performing at the BET Awards and getting married to collaborating with a beer brand, Dodson has reinvented himself in some surprising ways over the past decade. So, where is he now? Let’s run and tell that.

Who Is Antoine Dodson and How Did He First Go Viral?

Antoine Dodson, the man behind the iconic "Hide Yo Kids, Hide Yo Wife" meme, became an overnight internet legend way back in July 2010.

The Huntsville, Alabama resident was thrust into the spotlight after a local NBC affiliate interviewed him about a terrifying incident when an intruder had broken into his family’s home in the Lincoln Park housing projects and attempted to assault his sister.

Dodson’s impassioned, flamboyant delivery, complete with a now-legendary PSA about the dangers of how they were "rapin’ err'body out here," was equal parts alarming and unintentionally hilarious.

In a 2022 interview with Know Your Meme, Dodson recalled the chaotic night, describing how he burst into his sister’s room to find the assailant looming over her.

"I remember seeing her knees and somebody on top," he said. His raw, unfiltered reaction struck a chord, and the clip quickly spread like wildfire across the internet.

How Did 'Bed Intruder' Go Viral?

The original news clip quickly gained traction online, but it was the musical remix by the Gregory Brothers, (better known as Schmoyoho) that truly launched Dodson into the stratosphere of internet fame.

Their autotuned "Bed Intruder Song," complete with auto-tuned harmonies, a chorus that slapped and Dodson himself delivering an unintentional yet oddly perfect lead vocal performance.

The video transformed Dodson's improvised monologue into a legitimate musical hit. The song blew up, climbing to #89 on the Billboard Hot 100 and raking in millions of views on YouTube.

Even the punk scene got in on the action. Paramore’s Hayley Williams, Jordan Pundik of New Found Glory and musician Ethan Luck put their own high-energy spin on the track back in late August 2010, accumulating over 2 million views since.

Dodson himself joined The Gregory Brothers onstage at the 2010 BET Hip Hop Awards, reveling in his newfound internet superstardom.

To top it all off, "Bed Intruder Song" became YouTube’s most-watched video of 2010 (excluding major-label music videos), solidifying Dodson as a top-tier meme legend.

How Did Antoine Dodson React to His Fame?

At first, Dodson was conflicted. In his KYM interview, he admitted to us that he initially hated the Bed Intruder Song, thinking it mocked his family's trauma. But when the Gregory Brothers offered to split the proceeds, he saw an opportunity. "I said, 'Oh, now you talkin' 'bout chi-ching!'" he joked.

The song’s success helped him raise money to move his family out of the projects and fund a diabetes charity, a disease both his mother and sister dealt with every day.

He also took his viral fame beyond the internet. He appeared on The Today Showand had a Tosh.0 "Web Redemption" segment and even launched a (short-lived) line of merchandise based on his infamous catchphrase.

By the end of 2010, the Bed Intruder video became YouTube’s most-viewed non-major-label upload of 2010 and won "Meme of the Year" at the Urlies.

Still, as he noted in his KYM interview, not everyone saw his rise to fame as a victory. Some critics felt his viral moment made light of a serious crime, something Dodson pushed back against, arguing that he was simply using humor and his personality to make the best out of a tough situation.

What Has Antoine Dodson Been Up to Since His Viral Fame?

Antoine Dodson’s post-meme journey has been, well, eventful. After publicly identifying as gay for years, he made headlines in 2013 when he announced he had joined the Black Hebrew Israelites and no longer identified as gay.

This change surprised many of his fans, as his flamboyant personality had been part of his appeal during his initial fame.

Following this spiritual awakening, Dodson married a woman and welcomed a son in 2014. His family life became his priority, though he has occasionally returned to the public eye for various projects and appearances.

Professionally, he's dabbled in everything from acting to entrepreneurial ventures. He worked as a substitute teacher for a time, proving that even meme royalty sometimes needs a steady paycheck.

But he hasn't strayed too far from his internet roots because, in 2022, he reentered the spotlight with the launch of his very own beer, "Run N' Tell That," a collaboration with Huntsville-based brewery Straight to Ale.

Dodson and The Gregory Brothers even teamed up one last time for the meme's 10-year anniversary, presenting a remaster of the "Bed Intruder" alongside a special message from Dodson encouraging people to "Unhide" their families and go out and vote.

Whether you love or hate the meme, Dodson remains one of the internet's most unforgettable characters, proving that meme fame, while fleeting for most, can be parlayed into a lifelong calling.

Where Can I Find Antoine Dodson Online Today?

Antoine Dodson keeps a pretty low profile online these days, but he occasionally shares life updates on his YouTube channel and his Twitter / X account under the handle @antoinedodson24.

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For the full history of Antoine Dodson, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry for more information. To see the rest of our "Where Are They Now" series, you can find them all here. Stay tuned for next week's editorial!

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