Violet Benson

Violet Benson, born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, moved to Los Angeles, California, at age 14 after her family won the green card lottery. She pursued higher education, earning two degrees in Business Law and Accounting from California State University, Northridge. While working as an accountant at a large public accounting firm, Benson created the anonymous Instagram account “Daddy Issues” on July 5, 2014, as an outlet for comedic expression.

Her Instagram account quickly gained traction, reaching over 5 million followers and becoming one of the fastest-growing and largest female funny accounts on the platform. Initially, Benson maintained her anonymity due to a lack of self-confidence, but she publicly revealed her identity on August 31, 2015, through an exclusive interview with MTV. This reveal followed her role as a guest blogger for MTV during the pre-show coverage of the 2015 Video Music Awards. Following her public appearance, Vanity Fair recognized her as “The Instagram Meme Queen.” Beyond social media, Benson has expanded her career into stand-up comedy and television hosting. She also hosts two popular podcasts: “Almost Adulting,” in partnership with Gumball, and “Hey Besties,” exclusively available on Spotify and Spotify Live.

Benson’s creative approach involves blogging, curating and developing original memes, and producing humorous videos that humorously address her personal experiences and the challenges of growing up in the 21st century. Her work reflects a broad engagement with contemporary issues through a comedic lens, solidifying her presence across various media platforms. Her career progression highlights a successful transition from accounting to a multifaceted role as a digital content creator, comedian, and podcast host.