If you grew up in Australia in the late 2000s, you probably remember Corey Worthington — the teenager with the yellow sunglasses and the most infamous house party in Australian history. At the age of 16, Corey’s Narre Warren party spiralled out of control, propelling him to national prominence. What followed was a combination of media chaos, adolescent insurrection and surprisingly a cultural legacy that would last a long time.
This article examines who Corey Worthington is, how one night changed his life and what he’s up to now, all from an Australian perspective.
Early life and family background
Corey Worthington was born and reared in the outer suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria. He was just another kid living in Narre Warren until his name became renowned for being weird. He used social media sites like MySpace to communicate with friends and share news, much like many other Australian teens did in the mid-2000s.
Corey was in charge of the family home when his parents went on vacation in January 2008. What started as a casual get-together rapidly became one of the most famous home parties in Australian history.
The Narre Warren house party goes viral
On 12 January 2008, Corey decided to host a party while his parents were away. He used MySpace to invite a few acquaintances, but the invitation quickly spread. Within hours, hundreds of teenagers descended on the quiet residential community.
The situation swiftly escalated:
- Over 500 people turned up which overwhelmed the cops and neighbours.
- Many people complained about the loudness and the damage to their property.
- Police had to call for backup to regain control.
What happened next became legendary. When A Current Affair confronted Corey and asked him to apologise, he famously said, “I’ll keep my glasses on — I like them.” This became an iconic moment in pop culture. His cheeky smile, yellow sunglasses and refusal to back down made him an overnight celebrity and for others, he represents young people standing up for what they believe in.
How Australia reacted
Reactions across Australia were mixed. Some people believed he was a troublemaker who didn’t care about anybody else, while others saw him as a youngster who got caught up in the media spotlight. Parents warned their children about him but young Australians turned him into a meme and folk hero.
The nickname “party boy” stuck and within a few weeks, Corey was appearing on talk shows, signing sponsorship deals and even being offered the opportunity to manage events. It was among the first news stories to go viral in Australia’s social media era.
Aftermath and Media Journey
Once the excitement died down, Corey had to face real consequences. When his parents returned, they discovered that their house had been demolished, their neighbours were furious and the police were seeking compensation for the massive call-out.
Despite the chaos, Corey exploited his notoriety to land short-term employment in entertainment:
- Big Brother Australia (2008): He was a guest housemate, which helped him gain fame.
- Australian Ninja Warrior (2018): He returned to television years later but was disqualified early after touching the water during an obstacle.
- Public appearances: Corey attended events and parties as a paid guest, turning infamy into opportunity.
Many others did not expect him to later turn this experience into a company.
From viral teen to business owner
Corey Worthington had matured significantly by the time he was in his late twenties. He became the owner and managing director of Not Sorry Entertainment a firm that specialises in events and marketing. His work demonstrates that he learned how to harness the same energy that used to cause issues to develop a legitimate profession.
On social media, he portrays a much more real-life personality. Tattoos, gym photos and a focus on family life have taken the place of outrageous sunglasses and young antics.
Personal life and marriage
Corey has also established a private life for himself. He reportedly married Mel Borg in Bali in 2015. The wedding demonstrated how far he had come from the irresponsible youngster whom Australians used to mock.
Corey is currently in his early thirties and still resides in Victoria. He occasionally interacts with followers online. His transition from viral outrage to a stable adult existence has been a modest but substantial shift.
How much is Corey Worthington worth?
Some reports said Corey made more than A$200,000 from paid appearances and interviews shortly after the party, although his agency denied this. People assumed he would just have “15 minutes of fame” but it is clear that he has developed a career that extends beyond that.
Corey has managed to stay financially stable while being connected to Australia’s media culture through his entertainment company, commercial collaborations and appearances.
Corey’s Cultural Legacy
It might seem amusing today, but Corey Worthington’s 2008 party left a real mark on Australian media history:
- It was one of the first viral stories to circulate on social media.
- It demonstrated how distinct youth culture is from traditional media across generations.
- It evolved into a warning to children and parents about sharing stuff online.
- For better or worse, Corey came to represent Australia’s carefree youth in the suburbs.
People even linked the experience to the 2012 Hollywood film Project X, but the makers never confirmed a direct tie.
What’s Corey Worthington up to these days?
Corey Worthington is in his early 30s in 2025 and living a much quieter life than the one that made him famous. He still posts on Instagram and attends events under the moniker Not Sorry Entertainment.
He has a reputation as a down-to-earth guy who turned a major mistake into an opportunity something many Australians can appreciate.
Conclusion
The story of Corey Worthington is one of the most remembered moments in Australian pop culture. His biography exemplifies how unexpected contemporary media can be, from a suburban kid hosting a house party to becoming a viral celebrity icon.
More than 15 years later, Australians remember the sunglasses, the attitude and the chaos. They also appreciate how much he has developed since then. Corey’s experience demonstrates that even the most difficult beginnings may lead to growth repentance and a little amount of well-deserved recognition in Australia.
