Social media influencer Meredith Duxbury first went viral in 2021 after she shared a video applying 10 pumps of foundation with her hands. The internet had a strong reaction to Duxbury’s unusual make-up routine, with many calling it “ragebait” – when influencers create content to intentionally outrage viewers and increase engagement.

Whether Duxbury’s maximalist foundation routine was genuine or just a gimmick, it worked in the influencer’s favour. She now boasts over 17 million followers on TikTok at the time of writing and recently walked the Gucci cruise 2027 show at Times Square alongside Hollywood A-listers such as Paris Hilton, Emily Ratajkowski and Cindy Crawford.

The 27-year-old also garnered media attention earlier this month after being spotted arriving at a Met Gala after-party alongside Orlando Bloom.

So who is Meredith Duxbury and what’s her relationship to Bloom exactly? Read on to find out.

What did Meredith Duxbury study in college?

Duxbury initially pursued a career as a physician’s assistant and studied biology at Southern Connecticut State University, but eventually changed her discipline to business administration and marketing.

During her freshman year in college, Duxbury started a YouTube channel, which had around 500 followers. She ended up deleting it after she was told “it was embarrassing” by someone she knew.

“I know this now, and I know it’s easier said than done, but don’t listen to the negative comments – if you’re happy doing what you’re doing, then keep going because you never know where it can go. I’m so lucky that I got a second chance with TikTok, but what if I didn’t?” she said in an interview with beauty website Into the Gloss.

What was the story behind the viral 10-pump foundation?