What Happened to Belle Delphine, born Mary-Belle Kirschner, is a name that’s hard to forget if you’ve spent any time online. From her quirky cosplay photos to her infamous “GamerGirl Bath Water” stunt, she’s been a polarizing figure in internet culture. But what happened to Belle Delphine? Where did she go after her meteoric rise to fame, and what is she doing now? In this article, we’ll dive into her journey, exploring her early life, viral moments, controversies, and her current status as of 2025. Whether you’re a fan, a critic, or just curious, this is the full story of Belle Delphine, written in a way that’s easy for anyone to understand.
Who Is Belle Delphine?
What Happened to Belle Delphine was born on October 23, 1999, in Cape Town, South Africa. Her real name is Mary-Belle Kirschner, and she spent her early childhood in South Africa before moving to England with her mother after her parents’ divorce. Growing up in Lymington, Hampshire, Belle faced challenges early on. She dropped out of Priestlands School at 14 due to bullying, which she later said pushed her toward the internet, where she found a sense of belonging.
Before fame, Belle worked odd jobs like waitressing and babysitting to make ends meet. But her life changed when she discovered social media. In 2015, she started posting on Instagram, sharing cosplay photos inspired by anime and video game characters like Harley Quinn and D.Va. Her unique look—pink wigs, cat ears, and thigh-high stockings—paired with a playful, quirky persona quickly caught attention. By 2018, she had built a significant following, blending cute aesthetics with provocative content that made her stand out.
The Rise to Internet Stardom
Belle’s rise to fame was no accident. She had a knack for understanding internet culture and tapping into what made people click. Her content wasn’t just about looking cute; it was bold, ironic, and sometimes shocking. She leaned into the “e-girl” aesthetic—a mix of anime-inspired looks, gaming references, and a flirty vibe that resonated with a specific online audience.
In 2018, her follower count exploded, jumping from 850,000 to 4.2 million on Instagram in just a few months. She also joined TikTok, where her quirky videos landed her on the platform’s “For You” page, boosting her visibility. Belle’s content was a mix of cosplay, modeling, and what some called “performance art.” She wasn’t afraid to push boundaries, often posting suggestive photos or videos with exaggerated facial expressions known as “ahegao,” a term from Japanese anime culture.
Her ability to blend humor, irony, and provocation made her a viral sensation. Fans loved her for her creativity, while critics saw her as exploiting stereotypes about women in gaming. Either way, Belle was impossible to ignore. She wasn’t just creating content—she was sparking conversations.
The Gamer Girl Bath Water Phenomenon
In July 2019, What Happened to Belle Delphine pulled off one of the most talked-about stunts in internet history: selling her “GamerGirl Bath Water” for $30 a jar. The product, marketed to “thirsty gamer boys,” was exactly what it sounded like—jars of water she claimed to have bathed in. The internet went wild. Some found it hilarious, others called it gross, but the stunt worked. The bath water sold out in just three days, reportedly earning her around $90,000, though she later revealed she faced issues with PayPal.
The bath water saga wasn’t just a money-making scheme; it was a masterclass in viral marketing. Belle knew how to get people talking, and the stunt landed her in headlines across major outlets like The Guardian and Business Insider. However, it also brought scrutiny. PayPal froze her account, citing a violation of their policies on selling physical goods like bath water outside the U.S. (Belle is based in the UK). She claimed she was fined £2,000 per jar sold, and it wasn’t until 2024, after she posted about the issue on X, that PayPal released her funds.
The bath water stunt cemented Belle’s reputation as a provocateur. She also sold other quirky products like “What Happened to Belle Delphine” and “Gamer Girl Chewed Gum,” further leaning into her trolling persona. While some saw her as a genius for capitalizing on her fanbase, others criticized her for exploiting impressionable fans. Either way, the stunt made her a household name in internet culture.
Controversies and Social Media Bans
What Happened to Belle Delphine has been a rollercoaster of controversies. Her suggestive content often walked a fine line, and in July 2019, Instagram banned her account for violating community guidelines. The ban came shortly after the bath water stunt, leading many to speculate it was related. Instagram cited “nudity or sexual content” in her posts, which included partial nudity and bizarre antics like playing with a dead octopus.