Ever wondered how your cousin managed to get a video of Kevin O'Leary calling them a "cockroach" for their birthday? Or how that one friend snagged a pep talk from a Real Housewives star? It’s not because they have secret industry connections. It’s thanks to the Cameo app, the dominant platform where celebrities send videos to fans for a fee.
Honestly, the whole thing sounds like a fever dream when you first hear about it. You pay money, you type a script, and a few days later, a famous person you've watched on TV for years is staring into their smartphone camera saying your name. It’s weird. It’s personal. And it’s a massive business.
What is the app where celebrities send videos?
While there are a few players in this space, Cameo is the undisputed heavyweight. It's basically a marketplace. On one side, you have fans; on the other, you have athletes, actors, reality TV stars, and even "internet famous" animals.
Since its launch in 2017, the platform has facilitated millions of these digital interactions. While other apps like Swysh (which focuses on sports stars) or Memmo have carved out niches, "Cameo" has become the verb for the entire industry. You don't say you got a "celebrity video message." You say you got a Cameo.
How the process actually works
The workflow is surprisingly simple, though there are a few quirks you should know.
- Find your person: You search the directory. You'll find everyone from legendary NFL quarterback Brett Favre to the guy who played a minor character in The Office.
- The Request: You fill out a form. You have to specify if it's for you or a friend. You list the occasion—birthday, roast, pep talk, or just "because."
- The Details: This is crucial. You provide the name and any specific details you want mentioned. "Mention his dog, Barnaby," or "Tell her to stop wearing those ugly neon Crocs."
- The Wait: Once you hit "book," the celebrity has up to 7 days to complete the video. If they don't do it, the request expires and you get your money back.
- The Delivery: You get a link via email or text. You can download the video, share it on social media, or keep it forever in the app.
The Wild World of Pricing
Pricing on these apps is the Wild West. There is no standard rate. Each celebrity sets their own price, and it can change based on how busy they are or if they just feel like making more money that day.
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You might find a niche TikToker charging $15, while a heavy hitter like Kevin O'Leary (Mr. Wonderful) has been known to list starting prices around $6,500 for certain types of content. Some stars, like boxing legend Floyd Mayweather, have historically charged five figures for commercial bookings.
It's a supply and demand game. If a star gets too many requests, they usually jack up the price to slow things down. Or they just go "offline" for a bit.
Budget Tiers
- Under $50: This is usually reserved for reality TV contestants from older seasons, voice actors, and niche influencers.
- $50 - $150: Here you find recognizable character actors from major sitcoms, retired athletes, and popular YouTubers.
- $200 - $500+: This is the "A-list" of the platform. Think current sports stars, lead actors from cult-classic movies, and major reality TV icons.
Why Do People Use It?
The appeal is the "starstruck" factor. It’s one thing to get a generic card; it’s another to have Ice-T congratulate you on graduating law school.
There's also the "roast" factor. People love paying celebrities to playfully insult their friends. It’s a specific type of digital currency. It shows you know what your friend likes, and you went through the effort (and spent the cash) to make it happen.
Beyond birthdays, businesses have started using these apps for internal motivation. Imagine a sales team getting a hype video from a legendary coach or a "motivational" speech from a famous comedian. It’s more engaging than a corporate PowerPoint, that’s for sure.
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The Reality of Quality Control
Here is the thing nobody tells you: the quality varies wildly. These videos are recorded on the celebrities' personal phones. Sometimes they are in a well-lit studio. Other times, they are walking their dog, looking slightly disheveled, and clearly reading your script for the first time.
Dr. Georgie Carroll, a researcher who has studied fan-celebrity interactions, notes that fans are essentially paying for "attention." If the celebrity seems distracted or gets the name wrong, the magic is gone. However, the best performers on the app—like Brian Baumgartner from The Office—have made millions because they actually put effort into the performance. They stay in character. They make it feel real.
What happens if it's bad?
If a celebrity completely messes up your instructions, you can try to contest it through the app's support team. But if they followed the gist and you just didn't like their "vibe," you're usually out of luck. It's a risk you take.
Beyond the Simple Shoutout: New Features in 2026
The industry hasn't stayed static. The "app where celebrities send videos" has evolved into a full-blown communication suite.
- Direct Messaging: Some stars allow you to pay a smaller fee (often $2.99 to $20) just to send them a text message. There’s no guarantee of a reply, but it’s a way to "slide into the DMs" legitimately.
- Live Calls: Instead of a recorded video, some platforms now offer 2-5 minute live video calls. It’s like a digital meet-and-get, though it’s significantly more expensive and, let's be honest, can be a little awkward if you run out of things to say.
- Business Licenses: If you want to use a celebrity video for an ad, you can't just buy a $50 personal shoutout. You have to buy a "Business Cameo," which comes with a much higher price tag and a license to use the video for marketing.
Is It Worth the Money?
Honestly? It depends on the fan.
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If you're buying a gift for someone who is a die-hard fan of a specific niche show, it's often the best gift they’ll ever get. The "shock" value of seeing a famous face talk directly to them is high.
But if you're just looking for a generic "Happy Birthday," you might feel the sting of spending $100 on a 30-second clip.
Pro Tip: Read the reviews on the celebrity’s profile before booking. The app usually shows their average "response time" and ratings from previous buyers. If people are complaining that the videos are too short or the audio is bad, believe them.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're ready to book, follow these steps to ensure you don't waste your money:
- Check the "Recent Videos" section: Most profiles allow you to see the last few videos the star sent. If they look bored in all of them, pick someone else.
- Be specific but brief: Don't write a novel. Give them three bullet points of "must-mention" facts.
- Check the turnaround time: If the birthday is tomorrow, only book celebrities with the "24-hour delivery" badge.
- Download it immediately: Don't just leave it in the app. Download the file to your phone or computer so you have it forever, just in case the app (or the star's profile) ever goes away.
The "app where celebrities send videos" has fundamentally changed how we think about "access." It turned fame into a service-level agreement. Whether that’s a good thing for culture is debatable, but for a grandson who wants to see his grandpa get roasted by a legendary wrestler, it's pretty great.