This article needs to be updated. (March 2021) |
Curtis Lepore (born June 28, 1983) is an American actor, musician and internet celebrity known for his Vine videos.[1][3] As of August 2016, he was ranked as the seventh most popular user on Vine.[4]
Curtis Lepore | |
|---|---|
 Lepore in 2016 | |
| Born | June 28, 1983 (age 41)[1] Smithtown, New York, U.S.[2] |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | State University of New York at Oswego |
| Occupation(s) | Vine star, musician |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Known for | Vine skits |
Career
From 2009–2012, Curtis Lepore was the frontman of straight edge hardcore band, GhostXShip, a band he helped found in his hometown of Syracuse, New York. In 2012, Lepore issued a statement announcing his departure from the band.[5] After leaving the band, Lepore also provided featured vocals on the song "Black Death" for beatdown hardcore band No Zodiac.[6] Lepore and No Zodiac maintained close ties for many years. Lepore also embarked on a European tour with No Zodiac in 2013 where he provided lead vocals substituting for the band's then-vocalist Gerardo Pavon, who was unable to travel outside the country because of visa issues.
Many of Lepore's [Vine] videos involve collaborations with other Vine stars such as Lele Pons, Christian DelGrosso and KingBach.[7] Lepore was one of the first clients of Vine talent agency, Grape Story.[8]
Until a controversy in 2013, Lepore was part of one of the first online celebrity couples with his relationship to video blogger Jessi Vazquez.[1] They were supposedly introduced by Vazquez's manager and engaged in a handful of public stunts and appearances as part of their relationship, including a public meeting in Washington Square Park which featured a live band and a special hashtag to commemorate the event.[1] At the time, Lepore had over 1 million Vine followers.[1] As of February 2014, Lepore has 7.5 million followers on Vine.[9]
Personal life
Lepore was raised in Smithtown, New York. He attended SUNY Oswego before moving to Los Angeles.[2] He is vegan and straight edge.[10] He had a Boston Terrier named Buster Beans whom he adopted in 2010 from an elderly couple who could no longer care for him.[11] As of March 2015, Buster had over a million of his own followers on Vine.[7] Buster died later in 2016. Lepore is actively involved in a variety of national and local charitable organizations, such as Stuff-A-Truck, a project which focuses on donating toys to underprivileged children.[2]
Legal issues
In October 2013, Lepore was alleged to have raped his then-girlfriend, Jessi "Smiles" Vazquez.[12] The incident occurred when Vazquez was in Los Angeles recovering from a concussion. Vazquez stated that Lepore came over to help while she was recovering, and once asleep, Lepore raped her.[12][13] Charges were filed in January 2014; Lepore, who pleaded not guilty to the charge, was released on $100,000 bail.[14][15] In February 2014, Lepore took a plea deal in the case; the rape charges were dropped and he pleaded guilty to felony assault.[13][16] In February 2015, Lepore's felony assault charges were reduced to a misdemeanor.[17] In December 2019, Lepore released a statement talking about this case.[18]
Filmography
Music videos
| Year | Artist | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Bart Baker | "Wiggle Parody" | Anthony Wiggle |
References
- ^ a b c d e Jessi Smiles’s Manager Helped Set Her Up With Another Internet Star New York Magazine. April 2014
- ^ a b c "About – Curtis Lepore Official Site". Curtislepore.com. Archived from the original on March 6, 2015. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
- ^ "GHOSTxSHIP vocalist leaves the band! [UPDATE]". Idioteq.com. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
- ^ "Vine users". Statista.com. Retrieved August 14, 2016.
- ^ "[VIDEO] Curtis Lepore leaves GhostxShip, issues statement | STRAIGHTEDGEWORLDWIDE – Straight Edge Community Magazine". Straightedgeworldwide.com. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
- ^ "Vocalist Curtis Lepore Disbands With GHOSTxSHIP". Legendsarising.com. August 6, 2012. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
- ^ a b "Vine". Vine.co. Archived from the original on April 23, 2015. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
- ^ Kessler, Sarah (June 27, 2013). "Meet The First People Who Can Say They Have A Vine Agent | Fast Company | Business + Innovation". Fastcompany.com. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
- ^ "Curtis Lepore". Vine.co. Archived from the original on March 31, 2015. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
- ^ @curtislepore (January 17, 2014). "Even tho I don't broadcast it anymore, yes I am still vegan and straight edge. I have always stood by my morals and convictions. Always" (Tweet). Retrieved May 9, 2016 – via Twitter.
- ^ "12 Reasons Why Buster Beans is the King of the Internet". Barkpost.com. July 10, 2013. Archived from the original on February 27, 2015. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
- ^ a b MULSHINE, MOLLY. "Vine Celeb Curtis Lepore Accused of Raping His Viner Girlfriend". Observer.
- ^ a b MULSHINE, MOLLY. "Vine Star Curtis Lepore Takes Plea Deal in Rape Case, Is a Major Dick About It". Observer.
- ^ HARDING, DAVID (January 18, 2014). "Vine star Curtis Lepore charged with rape by ex Jessi Smiles (VIDEO)". NY Daily News.
- ^ Dodero, Camille (April 19, 2014). "Jessi Smiles's Manager Helped Set Her Up With Another Internet Star". New York Magazine.
- ^ Longeretta, Emily. "Curtis Lepore: Rape Charges Dropped As He Pleads Guilty To Felony Assault". Hollywood Life. Archived from the original on June 23, 2014. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
- ^ "Lepore Felony Dropped; Lepore Free to Talk". Wegmanlevin.com. January 1, 2015. Retrieved April 18, 2015.