Similar to a has-been, but without the interval of being genuinely famous between originally being a nobody and then becoming a nobody again (afterwards).

The term is also sometimes applied to pseudo-celebrities that are used to pad out the roster of guests at TV programs and other events that wanted real celebrities, but couldn't get them.

Sometimes, the never-will-be is deluded enough to think that they truly were famous at some point, and is irritated that they aren't generally treated like the celebrities they feel they should have been.

Synonym: never-was.