A gripping two-part documentary series that delves into the viral fame and concerning fan culture surrounding TikTok personality William White has secured its UK streaming home. Thirst Trap: The Fame. The Fantasy. The Fallout, which originally debuted in September 2025, will become available to British audiences next month.
From Viral Sensation to Documentary Subject
The docuseries chronicles the remarkable journey of William White, who skyrocketed to internet stardom at just 21 years old after posting what social media users commonly refer to as 'thirst traps'. His path to viral fame began unexpectedly when he lip-synced to Barry Manilow's 1970s classic Mandy, capturing the attention of millions across TikTok and other platforms.
What began as typical social media engagement soon evolved into something far more intense. The Gen Z influencer attracted a particularly devoted following of older women who became utterly besotted with him, forming a collective known as the Grotto Girls. This group proceeded to lavish White with both adoration and substantial financial support, transferring him thousands of pounds in their quest for his attention.
The Darker Side of Internet Fame
As detailed in the documentary, what initially appeared as harmless online fandom gradually transformed into unhealthy rivalry, jealousy, and even instances of blackmail among followers determined to monitor White's every digital move. The official synopsis describes how "the line between real connection and online fantasy was blurred" as White accumulated millions of followers.
Now in his mid-twenties, White participates in the documentary alongside members of his most devoted fanbase, offering viewers an unprecedented inside look at his rapid ascent to celebrity status. He shares personal anecdotes and revelations previously unknown to even his most ardent followers, providing context to his extraordinary online journey.
UK Streaming Details and Critical Reception
Thirst Trap: The Fame. The Fantasy. The Fallout will launch exclusively on Paramount+ in the United Kingdom from Thursday, 12 February. Both instalments of the documentary will become available simultaneously for streaming on that date.
Following its initial release, the series has generated divided opinions among viewers and critics alike. Many audiences have found the portrayal of obsessive fandom somewhat disturbing, with one viewer commenting on social media platform X about the unprecedented sight of "older women in their mid thirties, late forties making fangirl accounts for a guy" and describing the phenomenon as "very concerning."
Critical Perspectives on the Documentary
Some reviewers have criticised the series for what they perceive as missed opportunities in examining the deeper psychological and societal factors behind such intense parasocial relationships. Decider's review noted that the documentary "feels like this docuseries missed an opportunity to examine just why White's most ardent fans would pay him all that money or pursue him like they're teenagers swooning over a K-pop star."
Similarly, Common Sense Media awarded the series just two stars in their assessment, declaring: "The series is interesting in that you can hardly believe adult human beings live like this, but when it comes to understanding anyone's motivations or how their behaviour might reflect larger societal issues, it falls frustratingly flat."
Despite these criticisms, the documentary represents a significant exploration of contemporary internet culture, obsession, and identity in the digital age. Through exclusive interviews with both White himself and members of his super-fan community, Thirst Trap offers a compelling, if sometimes unsettling, window into the complex dynamics of modern celebrity and fandom.
