It is one of the weirdest footnotes in internet history. If you were online around 2017, you probably remember the absolute chaos of the "Gucci Gang" era. Lil Pump was everywhere, screaming "Esskeetit" and wreaking havoc on social media. But for some reason, his primary target wasn't a rival rapper or a designer brand. It was Miranda Cosgrove.
Yes, the iCarly actress.
Looking back from 2026, the whole saga feels like a fever dream, but it was very real. It wasn't just a passing comment; it was a relentless, month-long campaign by Pump to get the attention of the Nickelodeon star. Most people assume it was just a meme that spiraled out of control, while others still wonder if they actually met. Honestly, the truth is a mix of bizarre persistence and a very awkward silence from the other side.
The Obsession That Started a Thousand Memes
It basically started with Lil Pump posting about her on Instagram and Twitter. He didn't just say he liked the show; he went full "internet troll" mode. He started posting photoshopped images of himself and Miranda Cosgrove together. He even bought a cake with her face on it, claiming they were celebrating an anniversary or that she was his "wife."
Pump's fanbase, which was massive and incredibly loud at the time, followed suit. They began swarming Miranda’s Instagram comments. Every time she posted a photo—whether it was a professional headshot or a picture of her cat—the comments were flooded with "ESSKEETIT" and "ICARLY."
It was a classic case of 2010s clout-chasing, but it created a genuine mystery. People were dying to know: Did she even know who he was? Was she secretly into it?
Josh Peck and the 2024 Revelation
For years, Miranda stayed mostly quiet. She’s always been known for being incredibly poised and private, which made the contrast with Pump’s "SoundCloud rapper" energy even funnier. However, we finally got some real insight into her perspective relatively recently.
On a podcast episode that went viral again in late 2024, her former Drake & Josh co-star Josh Peck actually brought it up. He remembered seeing the rapper—whom he didn't even name at first, just calling him "some rapper dude"—constantly making passes at her online.
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Josh joked about whether he needed to "fight" this guy to protect his TV little sister. Miranda’s reaction was telling. She laughed and immediately identified him: "Lil Pump?" It confirmed what many suspected. She wasn't oblivious. She saw the memes. She saw the posts. She just chose not to engage with the circus.
Did They Ever Actually Meet?
Despite the countless photoshopped "receipts" circulating on Reddit and YouTube, there is no verified proof that Lil Pump and Miranda Cosgrove ever hung out in real life.
There was a specific rumor in late 2017 that they were seen together at an event, but it turned out to be a fan-made compilation of Instagram stories edited to look like they were in the same room. Pump was a master of using social media to create a narrative out of thin air. By tagging her and acting like they were a "thing," he tricked a significant portion of the internet into believing there was some secret romance.
In reality, Miranda’s dating history has been much more low-key. She’s been linked to people like James Maslow and Nat Wolff in the past, but Lil Pump? That was strictly a one-sided internet phenomenon.
Why This Connection Still Matters Today
It sounds silly, but this "relationship" was a precursor to how celebrity interactions work now. It was one of the first times a rapper used "stan culture" tactics to try and force a connection with a mainstream actress. It blurred the lines between irony, harassment, and genuine fandom.
- The Power of Irony: Most people knew Pump was joking, but the persistence made it feel real.
- The Silent Response: Miranda’s refusal to tweet back or "clap back" actually killed the trend eventually.
- The Digital Paper Trail: Even in 2026, you can’t look up either of their names without the other appearing in the search suggestions.
Moving Past the "iCarly" Era
Today, Lil Pump's career looks very different than it did during the "Gucci Gang" heights, and Miranda Cosgrove has successfully transitioned into a more mature career with the iCarly revival and her film work. The "romance" remains a relic of a very specific, chaotic time in digital culture.
If you’re looking for the "lost footage" of them together, don't bother. It doesn't exist. The lesson here is that in the age of social media, you can "date" a celebrity for months without them ever saying a single word to you.
For those following Miranda's current projects, her focus has stayed firmly on her work and her advocacy for animal rescue. Pump continues to pop up in the news for various antics, but he seems to have moved on from his obsession with the Shay family.
To stay updated on actual celebrity news without the meme-induced headaches, it's best to follow verified interviews rather than Instagram comment sections. You can check out Miranda's recent appearances on the Good Guys podcast for more authentic stories about her life behind the scenes.