2020's Hot New Gift: A Personalized Video From Your Favorite Celebrity on Cameo

Imagine waking up on your birthday to the usual barrage of well-wishes from family members and old classmates on Facebook. Your friend has posted a mysterious video, and when you click play, David Hasselhoff, 68, (or Fran Drescher, 62, or Billy Dee Williams, 83) is there, singing happy birthday to you, with a personalized message thanking you for being such a huge fan. You might wonder how your friend pulled off such a surprise (does she work with The Hoff's cousin or something!?), but thanks to a new app and website called Cameo, anyone can book one of these customized greetings. And don't be scared off just because the platform seems high tech: Cameo is a surprisingly easy and often affordable way to put a smile on someone's face. Here, we break down the ins and outs of this digital-age version of a fan meet-and-greet — and if we leave anything unclear, you could always hire Gilbert Gottfried (in video above), 59, to yell at us.

How does Cameo work?

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The premise is simple: Visit cameo.com on your computer or download the app on your tablet or phone, create an account, and then search through the list of more than 40,000 VIPs. Once you've found someone you like, click the “Request” button and you'll be asked to fill in some information, including the occasion (pep talk, birthday, wedding, roast, etc.) and whether the video is for you or someone else. Here's where you can get creative. Ask the singer of your wedding song to croon a few bars for an anniversary message, request a joke or impersonation from your favorite comedian, or hire the host of The Bachelor (Chris Harrison, $399) to help you pop the question. Newer services even allow you to chat or book a Zoom call with the star for an additional fee.

How much does Cameo cost?

The celebrities set their own rates, but the average customized video goes for about $60. Prices, as you might imagine, vary dramatically depending on fame level. You might find a lesser-known NFL player or stand-up comedian for under $10, while Caitlyn Jenner, 70, for instance, goes for $2,500. Love Shark Tank? Then you might not be surprised to hear that Barbara Corcoran, 71, and Kevin O'Leary, 66, drive a hard bargain at $950 and $1,200, respectively.

What kinds of celebrities can you find on Cameo?

Participants run the gamut from A-list to Z-list: actors (from Oscar winners to soap stars to Broadway performers), singers, hall-of-fame athletes, comedians, politicians, newscasters, radio hosts, magicians, Real Housewives, and contestants from reality shows such as Survivor and Top Chef. Some zoos have even started signing up their most popular animal residents, meaning you can get a message from the likes of the Cincinnati Zoo's Fiona the Hippo.

So it's not just stars my grandkids’ ages?