I got banned from r/mildlyinteresting like 10 years ago because I posted a picture of an oil spill in a parking lot that looked like a reindeer. Didn't break the rules, no idea why I got banned, every time I've tried to appeal they sent me through like eight moderators and nothing ever got done, and same as you, they don't even reply anymore.

I would say so, yeah. When that "leave Britney alone" video came out, it was universally mocked. No one was like "man this person seems upset, maybe they're right", it was became an iconic cringe-meme blasted on every media source, be it comedy shows, shit like South Park, websites, diss channels.. all with the intent of laughing at the guy. It was like being canceled but not for doing anything wrong, just for being hilarious to make fun of.

Definitely not the good kind of viral

Very easy to say when it's not your face being blasted everywhere in exclusively negative contexts