Sad Oompa Loompa: “Going viral dehumanised and almost killed me”

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July 23, 2025 • 29 mins

Kirsty Paterson was mocked and trolled globally when a picture of her dressed as an Oompa Loompa went viral online. Within days, the 31-year-old actor and yoga instructor from Glasgow was forced to switch off her phone and flee to stay with a friend in Edinburgh after she received hundreds of phone calls and messages about the picture. Even when seeking escapism by turning on the TV, Kirsty found her image was the butt of jokes and laughter from chat shows discussing the image, which had become an internet meme. She tells her side of the story to the Go Doxx Yourself podcast, describing the misery of the online abuse, how other people were making money through merchandise and advertising without her consent, and how she has rebuilt her life since the viral moment. Go Doxx Yourself is a Reach production, presented by Dr Rebecca Whittington and produced by Daniel J. McLaughlin. Photo: Kirsty Paterson in the recreation of the infamous ‘Oompa Loompa scene’. (Copyright: Kirsty Paterson) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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.css-14f5ked{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:2;overflow:hidden;}Sad Oompa Loompa: “Going viral dehumanised and almost killed me”