Former Try Guys member Ned Fulmer is finally stepping back into the spotlight, three years after the viral extramarital cheating scandal that got him kicked out of YouTube group The Try Guys.
Before September 2022, the Try Guys were known as a well-established viral content production company born from the millennial trenches of the Buzzfeed offices. Members Keith Habersberger, Zach Kornfeld, Eugene Lee Yang, and Fulmer — former co-workers turned best friends — churned out daily videos on everything from food challenges, labor simulations, and surgery consultations, all of which they shared with their 7 million YouTube subscribers. But when internet sleuths teased out that Fulmer was having an affair with a Try Guys employee, the drama exploded from a private matter into a public spectacle, ending with Fulmer leaving the group after a public apology. A series video announcement from the remaining members of the Try Guys was discussed so widely that it was made into an SNL parody. “It’s not a great feeling to go viral for someone else’s misdoings,” Kornfield told Rolling Stone in 2024. “While the media circus surprised us, I know we remain incredibly proud of how we navigated an unfortunate situation. We certainly as individuals, and as a team here paid the price for something we didn’t bring upon ourselves.”
For the past three years, Fulmer has been completely absent from the public eye, a stark change for the digital creator known for filming and posting almost every aspect of his life. Now, he’s back with a new podcast called Rock Bottom and finally addressing the scandal that almost ruined his marriage.
“It’s pretty well known that I was presenting myself as a wife guy who talked about his adorable relationship,” Fulmer told People. “It was something fans seemed to resonate with and I leaned into consciously. It certainly was a part of my life. I understand that that’s why it was such a big scandal — because it’s ironic and it feels like a rug pull to people.”
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According to Fulmer, the months following the cheating scandal made him completely averse to being online, especially social media. “I didn’t think it was particularly beneficial to my mental health,” he said. But he notes that the most devastating part of the experience was realizing how much pain he caused his wife Ariel. The two have remained married and Fulmer said in the interview that their marriage is stronger than it’s ever been. “We have a much clearer sense of boundaries — understanding and respecting each other’s boundaries — as well as integrity and being direct with each other, even when it might be unpleasant.”
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As for the new podcast, Rock Bottom is described as a show discussing people’s lowest moments — and how people overcame them. For the very first episode, Fulmer will talk with his wife about the cheating scandal, the relationship breakdowns that came before it, and the aftermath. After addressing his own rock bottom, Fulmer said he hopes to explore how failure changes people’s lives. “It’s made me a lot more interested in other people’s challenging times,” Fulmer said. “When someone does something that they’re really ashamed about or that is deeply traumatizing, life goes on. So what happens next?”
The first episode of Rock Bottom arrives on Sept. 17.