Star of viral interview about arson attack on beloved Dunkin' Donuts says clip is still ruining his life nine years on
A local news legend who expressed his outrage over a small town Dunkin' Donuts closing nine years ago has said that he still cringes at his legacy.
Dutch Smith, 33, went viral in 2016 during an interview about an arsonist that destroyed a Dunkin’ in Shamokin, Pennsylvania.
The video of Smith explaining why he'll miss the town's 'cheap' and 'classy' establishment practically broke the internet - receiving almost two million views.
But he has now revealed to The Philadelphia Inquirer that he 'doesn't want to be remembered as a joke.'
Smith, who is now a budding musician, said he wished he'd gone viral in his later life so that his career could take off with all the publicity - rather than when he gave in the bumbling interview.
He said: 'I wish I had gone viral when I was making this kind of music.'
And as a result of the troubles he was going through at the time, Smith admitted the hilarious interview which put him on the meme map is difficult to watch.
Millions laughed at his interview answers, along with two other locals who were very passionate about the Dunkin' closing.
Dutch Smith, 33, went viral in 2016 during a news segment about an arson that destroyed a Dunkin’ Donuts in Shamokin
An arsonist destroyed the beloved Dunkin’ Donuts in Shamokin, Pennsylvania nine years ago
He expressed his outrage nine years ago but today he cringes because of the legacy he left behind. He is pictured in a recent photo
'I go there every day, I get a chicken bacon croissant, or I get some coffee- Powerade if I'm dehydrated,' Smith told the reporter at the time. 'I sit there all the time.'
'If I have any, like, legal work I need to do, I go there,' he added. 'I meet with my attorneys there.'
'It's a cheap, classy place to meet up with your friends. It's the only place this town has,' Smith said.
Since then, celebrities have poked fun at the small town's news segment.
Podcaster and comedian Theo Von has shared the video on his platform numerous times.
Last month Von quipped at Smith's interview on his podcast with fellow comedian Jim Norton.
He even reacted to it in May with actor Ben Affleck, making fun of the interviewee's pronunciation of 'donuts.'
Affleck added 'the legal clinic got shut down too', a poke at Smith's comment about meeting his attorney there.
The pair also joked that the 33-year-old would 'deal' drugs out of the coffee shop.
Smith has since revealed that was struggling with substance abuse issues and was going through 'the worst time of his life' in 2016, when he gave his Dunkin' verdict.
Today, Smith is a father and works as a forklift operator. He creates rap, hip hop, and R&B music to 'express himself'
Because of this, he has been hesitant about going on Von's show. The 33-year-old dealt with addiction, mental health issues, and legal trouble.
He was arrested for alleged assault shortly after the viral video, but the charges were dropped.
Today, Smith is a father and works as a forklift operator. He creates rap, hip hop, and R&B music to 'express himself.'
'I hope some of you relate to the things that I talk about and can respect my lyricism,' his YouTube profile reads.
Smith said he had a religious encounter while he was in jail. This pushed him to make music for people who are searching for God.
'I’m speaking to people struggling with drugs or thoughts of suicide,' he told the Inquirer.
Smith wants to be remembered for making a difference and helping those in need. His old hard rap music was not sending that message.
'I know my music is going to make a change. It changed me at least,' he added.
