Few internet personalities have seen a rise and fall as dramatic as Ned Fulmer, the former member of the wildly popular YouTube group, The Try Guys. Once known as the group’s self-proclaimed “wife guy,” Ned built an image around his marriage and family life, only for that image to collapse in 2022 after a workplace affair came to light. The scandal not only led to his exit from the Try Guys but also shattered the carefully crafted persona that millions of fans had come to know.
Three years later, Ned is cautiously reentering the public eye with his new podcast, Rock Bottom with Ned Fulmer. The show’s debut episode featured his estranged wife, Ariel Fulmer, in a rare, unfiltered conversation about their relationship, co-parenting, and the painful reality of betrayal. Together, their story paints a picture of ambition, downfall, and the struggle to rebuild life after scandal.
The Rise of the “Wife Guy”
Ned Fulmer first became known to audiences through BuzzFeed, where he and three colleagues — Zach Kornfeld, Eugene Lee Yang, and Keith Habersberger — launched The Try Guys in 2014. The group quickly stood out with their quirky, comedic approach to “trying” new experiences. From labor pain simulations to wild food challenges, the Try Guys were fearless, entertaining, and refreshingly human.
Among them, Ned carved out a distinct identity. While Eugene was the stylish creative, Keith the food enthusiast, and Zach the self-deprecating joker, Ned was “the wife guy.” He frequently spoke about his wife Ariel, celebrated their marriage, and highlighted his role as a husband and father. His persona resonated deeply with fans — in a space where online personalities often leaned into single, party-centric lifestyles, Ned seemed grounded, family-oriented, and relatable.
This image wasn’t just incidental; Ned leaned into it consciously. He built content around his relationship, appeared in videos alongside Ariel, and often joked about his devotion to his family. It became his brand, one that seemed authentic and lovable — until it wasn’t.
The Scandal That Changed Everything
In September 2022, the internet exploded when photos surfaced of Ned kissing Alexandria Herring, a producer for The Try Guys, at a New York City bar. The evidence spread quickly on Reddit and Twitter, fueling rumors that shook the fandom.
Within days, the remaining Try Guys — Eugene, Zach, and Keith — released a somber video announcing Ned’s departure from the group. They revealed they had conducted an internal review and confirmed that Ned had engaged in what he himself later called a “consensual workplace relationship.”
The irony was impossible to ignore: the man who had built his online identity as a loyal “wife guy” had been caught cheating on his wife with a colleague. The scandal wasn’t just personal; it cut to the core of the Try Guys’ brand, which relied heavily on trust, authenticity, and relatability. Fans felt betrayed, not only for Ariel but for themselves.
Ariel Speaks Out
For months, Ariel Fulmer largely kept quiet, choosing privacy as the internet dissected her marriage. She and Ned share two young sons, Wesley and Finn, and her priority appeared to be protecting her family from the chaos.
That changed in September 2025, when Ariel joined Ned for the first episode of his new podcast. Her words were raw, unfiltered, and brutally honest:
It was a striking moment, not just because she said it in front of Ned, but because it shattered any illusions that time had smoothed over the pain. Ariel made it clear she wasn’t forgiving or forgetting, though she acknowledged that she and Ned remain friendly for the sake of their children.
Separation After 15 Years
Although the couple initially attempted to work through their issues in therapy, reports confirmed in 2025 that Ned and Ariel had officially separated after 15 years of marriage.
Ned admitted that they had “moments when we kind of tried” to stay together, but the betrayal had left scars that couldn’t be erased. Ariel echoed this sentiment, stressing that their new relationship is not romantic but centered on co-parenting.
Despite their separation, the two have remained amicable, even traveling together with their children over the summer. They continue to present a united front as parents, though Ariel’s statements suggest there is no path back to reconciliation as a couple.
Rebuilding Through “Rock Bottom”
Ned’s new podcast, Rock Bottom, represents his attempt at a comeback. Instead of returning to comedy sketches or lifestyle content, he’s chosen a more introspective path: conversations about life’s lowest moments and how people recover from them.
The choice is deliberate. Having faced one of the internet’s harshest “cancellations,” Ned positions himself not as a victim but as someone grappling with his mistakes. In interviews, he admitted he avoided social media for years to protect his mental health and spent much of that time in therapy, reflecting on why he cheated and how he hurt his family.
By creating Rock Bottom, Ned hopes to redefine his public image — not as a perfect husband or “wife guy,” but as someone flawed, humbled, and searching for meaning after scandal.
The Try Guys Without Ned
Meanwhile, the Try Guys have continued to thrive without their former members. Eugene, Zach, and Keith have leaned into their trio dynamic, releasing videos, producing live shows, and expanding their production company. The scandal, while devastating at the time, ultimately strengthened their reputation as creators who value transparency and accountability.
Ned’s absence has also forced fans to reevaluate parasocial relationships. The incident highlighted how easy it is to project ideals onto internet personalities, forgetting that the curated image rarely reflects reality.
A Lesson in Persona vs. Reality
One of the most striking aspects of the scandal was its irony. Ned himself acknowledged this in interviews:
In many ways, Ned’s story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of leaning too heavily into a persona, especially one built on perfection. When reality inevitably clashed with that image, the fallout was explosive.
Where Things Stand Now
As of late 2025, Ned and Ariel are separated but amicable. They are devoted co-parents to their two sons and continue to share family time together despite their personal split. Ariel has made it clear that forgiveness is not on the table, while Ned has acknowledged the pain he caused and the work he’s done to grow from it.
Whether Rock Bottom succeeds in rehabilitating his image remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that Ned Fulmer’s story continues to serve as a high-profile case study in internet celebrity — how quickly fame can rise, how easily it can collapse, and how hard it is to rebuild once trust is broken.
Final Thoughts
Ned Fulmer’s journey from beloved “wife guy” to scandalized ex-Try Guy and now podcast host is a stark reminder of the fragile line between public persona and private reality. For Ariel, the betrayal was unforgivable, but she remains committed to raising her children in a stable, supportive environment. For Ned, the road ahead is uncertain, but he appears determined to transform his lowest point into a platform for growth.
Their story resonates because it’s not just about internet drama — it’s about marriage, trust, betrayal, and the messy process of moving forward. In that sense, Ned Fulmer has become, ironically, more relatable than ever — not as a picture-perfect husband, but as a flawed human being navigating the aftermath of his own mistakes.
FAQs:
- Who is Ned Fulmer?
Ned Fulmer is a former member of the YouTube group The Try Guys, which began as a BuzzFeed series in 2014. He became known as the “wife guy” for frequently highlighting his marriage and family life. In 2022, he left the group after admitting to a workplace affair.
- Why did Ned Fulmer leave The Try Guys?
Ned Fulmer left The Try Guys in September 2022 after being caught in a “consensual workplace relationship” with producer Alexandria Herring. The scandal conflicted with his public image and violated workplace trust, leading to his immediate removal from the group.
- Are Ned and Ariel Fulmer still together?
No. As of 2025, Ned and Ariel Fulmer have officially separated after 15 years of marriage. While they are no longer a couple, they remain on good terms as co-parents to their two children.
- Did Ariel Fulmer forgive Ned?
Ariel has been very clear that she has not forgiven Ned for his infidelity. On Ned’s podcast Rock Bottom, she openly said, “Absolutely not. How can you forgive somebody for lying to you, for cheating on you? No.”
- What is Ned Fulmer doing now?
Ned recently launched a podcast called Rock Bottom with Ned Fulmer. The show focuses on conversations about personal failures, low points, and the process of recovery. His debut episode featured Ariel Fulmer.
- How many children do Ned and Ariel Fulmer have?
They share two sons: Wesley, born in 2018, and Finn, born in 2020. Both parents remain dedicated to raising them together despite their separation.
- What happened to The Try Guys after Ned left?
The Try Guys continued as a trio with Zach Kornfeld, Eugene Lee Yang, and Keith Habersberger. They have since expanded their brand with new content, live shows, and projects, maintaining a strong fan base.
- Why was the Ned Fulmer scandal so shocking?
The scandal struck a chord because Ned’s entire persona was built around being a devoted husband and father. Fans who admired his “wife guy” image felt deceived when his infidelity came to light.
- Will Ned Fulmer return to YouTube?
There are no signs that Ned will return to The Try Guys or mainstream YouTube content. Instead, he seems focused on podcasting and rebuilding his life outside the group.
- What lessons can be learned from Ned Fulmer’s story?
Ned’s downfall highlights the risks of leaning too heavily on a curated online persona. It’s a reminder that internet fame can collapse overnight when personal actions don’t align with public image, and that rebuilding trust is a long and difficult process.
Stay tuned—Chas6d is just getting started.
