Singer's YouTube Tale Hits False Note

It's supposed to be one of those YouTube success stories: Marié Digby becomes an overnight sensation by racking up hits and scores a record deal as a result. But in reality the deal preceded the videos. Her rise to fame has highlighted both the desperation of corporations to latch onto the grassroots buzz and the willingness of the media to play along with the ruse, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Digby's YouTube music videos attracted millions of views, earning her airtime on radio stations and "Last Call" with Carson Daly to discuss her unlikely success story. But the whole thing was a marketing ploy. Digby, 24, had already signed with Hollywood Records in 2005 and was building buzz before her album's release. (More YouTube stories.)