He first received media attention in August 2008 when U.S. vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin announced that her daughter Bristol was five months pregnant by Johnston and that the two were engaged.

After working in the Alaskan oil fields, Johnston pursued a career in the entertainment industry, aspiring to be a model and an actor.

[9] Johnston denied claims that he was being pressured into a shotgun wedding, stating, "We were planning on getting married a long time ago with or without the kid.

[20] While Sarah Palin was delivering her prime-time nomination acceptance speech, the cameras frequently cut away to Johnston and Bristol.

"[29] In August 2009, Johnston speculated that Sarah Palin's early resignation from office was due to long-standing marital difficulties, the pressures of the job, and lucrative book and other media offers.

[34] In July 2010, a week prior to the announcement that he and Bristol were engaged a second time, Johnston issued a statement, saying, "I publicly said things about the Palins that were not completely true.

"[36][37] In August 2010, Johnston announced his candidacy for the October 2011 election for mayor of Wasilla, Alaska,[38][39] saying he wanted his son, Tripp, to be proud of him.

[41][42] Bristol Palin responded saying that she was unaware of Johnston's political ambitions, adding "I'm glad that Levi has not given up on completing his education and is looking for steady employment.

"[43] Johnston's manager stated he hoped to copy the rise of Sarah Palin from mayor of Wasilla to governor of Alaska, "creating a rural, Alaskan version of the Bush political dynasty.

In October 2009, Johnston appeared in a television commercial for Roll International, makers of Wonderful Pistachios, as part of their "Get Crackin" advertising campaign.

[60] Johnston appeared as a celebrity coach to Logan Cummins in the pilot of a reality television show titled Mansformation released in May 2013.

[65] On September 28, 2010, Ben Folds and Nick Hornby released an album called Lonely Avenue, which featured a track entitled "Levi Johnston's Blues".