Curtis Lepore
Lepore in 2016
BornJune 28, 1983 (1983-06-28) (age 40)[1]
Smithtown, New York, U.S.[2]
NationalityAmerican
EducationState University of New York at Oswego
Occupation(s)Vine star, musician
Years active2009–present
Known forVine skits

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]

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]

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

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Jessi Smiles’s Manager Helped Set Her Up With Another Internet Star New York Magazine. April 2014
  2. 1 2 3 "About – Curtis Lepore Official Site". Curtislepore.com. Archived from the original on March 6, 2015. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
  3. ↑ "GHOSTxSHIP vocalist leaves the band! [UPDATE]". Idioteq.com. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Vine users". Statista.com. Retrieved August 14, 2016.
  5. ↑ "[VIDEO] Curtis Lepore leaves GhostxShip, issues statement | STRAIGHTEDGEWORLDWIDE – Straight Edge Community Magazine". Straightedgeworldwide.com. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Vocalist Curtis Lepore Disbands With GHOSTxSHIP". Legendsarising.com. August 6, 2012. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
  7. 1 2 "Vine". Vine.co. Archived from the original on April 23, 2015. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. ↑ "Curtis Lepore". Vine.co. Archived from the original on March 31, 2015. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
  10. ↑ @curtislepore (January 18, 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.
  11. ↑ "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.
  12. 1 2 MULSHINE, MOLLY. "Vine Celeb Curtis Lepore Accused of Raping His Viner Girlfriend". Observer.
  13. 1 2 MULSHINE, MOLLY. "Vine Star Curtis Lepore Takes Plea Deal in Rape Case, Is a Major Dick About It". Observer.
  14. ↑ HARDING, DAVID (January 18, 2014). "Vine star Curtis Lepore charged with rape by ex Jessi Smiles (VIDEO)". NY Daily News.
  15. ↑ Dodero, Camille (April 19, 2014). "Jessi Smiles's Manager Helped Set Her Up With Another Internet Star". New York Magazine.
  16. ↑ 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.
  17. ↑ "Lepore Felony Dropped; Lepore Free to Talk". Wegmanlevin.com. January 1, 2015. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
  18. ↑ Twitter
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