DENTON, Texas -- A young woman from Texas finds success on the internet spoofing popular videos. But she's not letting all the internet-fame go to her head. She's also using her new found stardom to help those less fortunate.
Never underestimate the power of a webcam and the public's pursuit of entertainment.
"It blew up overnight really. Yeah."
Laina asked us not to share her last name.
Besides the young woman from Keller, Texas is better known anyways as the "Overly Attached Girlfriend."
A crazy-eyed, creepy face spoof she made of a Justin Bieber song that went viral on YouTube.
"The day after I posted it, it hit a million views," she says. "Justin Bieber's manager sent a tweet out with a link to the video."
13-million people have seen it since June.
A second parody Laina made of a Carly Rae Jepsen song has gotten 17-million views.
"I make money off of the advertisements on my videos," Laina explains.
Reporter: "That's enough to quit your job at a packing and mailing place?"
"Yeah."
Reporter: "Did you ever expect that to happen?"
"No! Of course not! But I'm glad it did."
In five months, 228,000 people have liked her Facebook page.
And 135,000 fans follow her on Twitter.
But the 21-year-old is also using her platform to help others.
"I had no idea the scope of social media, what it can do, and the reach it's got."
For five weeks, Laina asked her fans to donate if she performed dares.
Tuesday night in Denton, Texas, she gave a big check to a small charity that helps children with autism.
"To think that the crazy, weird videos I've done is resulting in something like this, it makes it so worth it and makes me feel like I'm using it for the right thing."
22,000 generated from nothing more than a cheap webcam, raw talent and a desire to share her success.
(Jason Whitely for CNN)
Never underestimate the power of a webcam and the public's pursuit of entertainment.
"It blew up overnight really. Yeah."
Laina asked us not to share her last name.
Besides the young woman from Keller, Texas is better known anyways as the "Overly Attached Girlfriend."
A crazy-eyed, creepy face spoof she made of a Justin Bieber song that went viral on YouTube.
"The day after I posted it, it hit a million views," she says. "Justin Bieber's manager sent a tweet out with a link to the video."
13-million people have seen it since June.
A second parody Laina made of a Carly Rae Jepsen song has gotten 17-million views.
"I make money off of the advertisements on my videos," Laina explains.
Reporter: "That's enough to quit your job at a packing and mailing place?"
"Yeah."
Reporter: "Did you ever expect that to happen?"
"No! Of course not! But I'm glad it did."
In five months, 228,000 people have liked her Facebook page.
And 135,000 fans follow her on Twitter.
But the 21-year-old is also using her platform to help others.
"I had no idea the scope of social media, what it can do, and the reach it's got."
For five weeks, Laina asked her fans to donate if she performed dares.
Tuesday night in Denton, Texas, she gave a big check to a small charity that helps children with autism.
"To think that the crazy, weird videos I've done is resulting in something like this, it makes it so worth it and makes me feel like I'm using it for the right thing."
22,000 generated from nothing more than a cheap webcam, raw talent and a desire to share her success.
(Jason Whitely for CNN)
