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Controversy Articles

One Year Later, and Arielle Charnas Still Doesn’t Get It

Sophie Ross looks back on igniting the (first) Charnas backlash in her viral Twitter thread from early in the pandemic.

Meyers Leonard’s Wife Takes Heat on TikTok for His Slur

With Meyers Leonard MIA, fans are taking their frustrations to his wife’s social media.

By Kate Lindsay

Taylor Nolan No Longer Has a Leg to Stand On

Shocking tweets from the former ‘Bachelor’ contestant, diversity advocate, and therapist have resurfaced.

Danielle Bernstein Lands on TikTok With a Resounding Thud

There are hundreds of comments on the controversial designer’s new account, and they’re all scathing.

Reply All Abandons Test Kitchen Series After Host Controversy

“Reply All” was supposed to be the definitive account of the reckoning at “Bon Appetit.” Now it’s facing its own.

By Kate Lindsay

Creators Don’t Need to Keep Falling for Fake Feuds

Jojo Siwa and DaBaby aren’t actually feuding. So why are James Charles and Tana Mongeau acting like they are?

By Kate Lindsay

Alicia Kennedy on Fired Juggernaut Editor’s Accusations: ‘I Embody Complexity’

Beejoli Shah was fired from The Juggernaut after accusing Kennedy of misrepresenting her background.

By Kate Lindsay

Daniel Silva Addresses Corey La Barrie Car Accident in New Video

It includes a statement from the La Barrie family’s lawyer that asked for a lesser charge for Silva.

By Kate Lindsay

Black Users Pioneered Clubhouse’s Hottest Trend. White NYU Grads Are Cashing In

The breakout “Shoot Your Shot” room was backed by Slice and covered widely online.

By Kate Lindsay

TikTok Content Houses Are Suddenly Collapsing

Former members of Not A Content House and Clubhouse are exposing the same kind of “toxic” management that’s doomed other houses.

By Kate Lindsay

In Case It’s Not Clear: Plagiarizing Tweets Is the Lamest Thing Ever

“Summer House” star Hannah Berner appears to have a history of plagiarizing her tweets as a comedian.

Where Our Armie Hammer Obsession Went Wrong

Fixating on whatever shocking details might come next does a disservice to the initial accusations.

By Kate Lindsay

This Frontline Doctor Shared the Story of Her Miscarriage. Anti-Vaxxers Turned It Into Fake News

Dr. Michelle Rockwell, who combats misinformation for her 27,000 Instagram followers, was targeted by false social media posts.

By Kate Lindsay

Baby Brand Accused of Appropriation May Also Have a Trump Problem

After Solly Baby’s new carrier was criticized, a baby safety expert exposed troubling posts from one of the company’s instructors.

By Kate Lindsay

This Season of The Bachelor Just Feels … Yucky

This season introduced the first Black bachelor — and some of the show’s most awful contestants to date.

Don’t Waste Your Attention on Chrissy Teigen's Tweets

Direct your anger away from someone with good intentions executing them clumsily toward people with bad intentions executing them effectively.

By Kate Lindsay

Family Finance Vloggers Cullen & Katie Criticized for PPP Loan

Fans following their journey paying off a large debt say they feel betrayed.

By Kate Lindsay

Hannah Stocking Reportedly ‘Taking It Slow’ After Ondreaz Lopez Scandal

BFF Lele Pons shed some light on the situation to The Hollywood Fix.

By Kate Lindsay

Sephora Drops MAGA Makeup Influencer Amanda Ensing

Ensing is now encouraging her followers to boycott the brand.

By Kate Lindsay

Will Danielle Bernstein Ever Take Accountability for Her Mess?

A new article alleges that Bernstein steals designs from small businesses for her brand, WeWoreWhat.

Taking Cara Babies' Trump Donations and 'Awful' Advice: Parents and Experts Weigh In

Infant sleep guru Cara Dumaplin has built her career on female empowerment and body positivity -- but her political leanings tell a different story.

By Leah Carroll

Olivia Jade Is Back, and She Really Hopes You’re Not Mad

The princess of the college admissions scandal has finally returned to vlogging.

By Kate Lindsay

What’s Happening to the First Generation of YouTube Creators?

Shane Dawson, Ingrid Nilsen, Jenna Marbles and many others have burned out, moved on, or had controversy catch up with them. What’s an OG fan to do?

By Kate Lindsay

Jay Alvarrez Denies Leaking Coconut Oil Sex Tape Featuring Sveta Bilyalova

Bilyalova says she was blackmailed through an anonymous number.

By Kate Lindsay

Noah Beck Defends 'Necessary' TikTok Star Bahamas Getaway

Charli D’Amelio and Dixie D’Amelio are among creators who vacationed in the Bahamas despite LA's lockdown.

By Kate Lindsay

Tony Lopez, Hype House Founders Sued for Sexual Battery and Negligence

Two anonymous underage girls accuse the TikTok star of attempting to coerce them into unlawful sexual encounters.

By Kate Lindsay

Influencers Who Spoke Out Against the MAGA Mob Discuss the Others Who Stayed Silent

“Every time someone decides not to call out this type of behavior, they play a role in encouraging the type of behavior that happened in D.C. yesterday.”

By Kate Lindsay

The Bean That Broke Twitter’s Back

Twitter has incentivized a monotonous and damaging pattern.

By Kate Lindsay

An Instagram Account Shaming Pandemic Partiers Has Ignited a ‘Gay Civil War’

Zack Ford and The LA Basics weigh in on the controversy.

By Kate Lindsay

Dissecting Hilaria Baldwin’s Bizarre New York Times Interview

A deep dive into the final scandal of 2020.

The Media Is Not To Blame For Hilaria Baldwin's Spanish Debacle

Hilaria and Alec Baldwin’s ominous Instagram videos try to use the media as a scapegoat.

By Kate Lindsay

Where Has Myka Stauffer Been?

Plus: Influencer Laura Elizabeth botches a clothing drop and Nick Minaj fans swarm YouTuber Acacia Kersey.

Nat and Elasia on How TikTok Room Gained 1 Million Followers in Six Months

Six months after our first interview, the teen TikTok Room creators talk about their fans and enemies, and balancing the 24/7 tea cycle with school.

By Kate Lindsay

Why Are Black Women Influencers Attacked for Flaunting Luxury?

In debates about materialism, Black women bear the brunt of critics’ moral and ethical judgements. Here, influencers explain how they’re pushing back.

By Sesali Bowen

Petaluma Police Shut Down Katie Sorensen’s Viral Kidnapping Story

“The investigation has produced no evidence or witnesses corroborating the account.”

By Kate Lindsay

Dixie D’Amelio Is Still Proudly Rude, This Time to Her Boyfriend Noah Beck

Plus: Perez Hilton gets kicked off TikTok (finally!) and Arielle Charnas holds an all-white “Motherhood Panel” (again!!).

Lizzo Didn’t Deserve the Detox Backlash. Influencers Shouldn’t Be Policed, Either

Celebrities and influencers are no longer allowed to be vulnerable or susceptible to the same bullshit that everyone else is.

By Sesali Bowen

Why No One Seems to Believe This Mom’s Viral Story That a Couple Tried to Kidnap Her Kids

The rise of QAnon conspiracies is one reason. A press release from the local police is another.

By Kate Lindsay

The Chaotic Breakdown of ‘Frenemies,’ 2020's Messiest Podcast

After just over two months sparring with Ethan Klein, Trisha Paytas may be done for good with the dramatic podcast.

By Kate Lindsay

Something Navy Customers Aren’t Happy!

Plus: Olivia Jade’s meaningless apology and Addison Rae’s cursed new movie.

Olivia Jade Launches Her Apology Tour on Red Table Talk

Jada Pinkett-Smith, Willow Smith, and Adrienne Banfield-Norris interview Jade about her parents' imprisonment and the college admissions scandal.

By Kate Lindsay

Jeffree Star Allegedly Paid Hush Money to Accuser

Leaked documents appear to show Gage Arthur, who accused Star of sexual assault, accepting $45,000 in exchange for recanting his story.

By Kate Lindsay

Gabi DeMartino Posts Apology as Sister Distances Herself

The YouTuber initially brushed off claims that she posted child pornography.

By Kate Lindsay

Popular ‘COVID Influencers’ Have Started Flouting Their Own Advice

Laurel Bristow and Dr. Mike coached hundreds of thousands of people through the pandemic, who now feel “slapped in the face” by their recent risky behavior.

By Kate Lindsay

The Charli D’Amelio Drama Just Exploded

James Charles, Trisha Paytas, Jeffree Star, and other huge internet stars have gotten involved.

By Kate Lindsay

Cazzie David’s New Book Is Getting Dunked On

Plus: Charli D’Amelio loses 1 million followers, Lisa Rinna (maybe) spills tea on her daughters

Will the D’Amelio Family Reality Show Be … Good?

If their upcoming show is anything like their latest YouTube video, America may just tune out.

By Kate Lindsay

Jen Hatmaker Criticizes Cruel 'Interlopers' In Divorce Announcement

Self-help influencer Jen Hatmaker later confirmed that she signed some "final paperwork" for her divorce.

By Kate Lindsay

We've Entered a New, Messier Era of Storytime Videos

YouTuber HeyParis says popular creator Mar ripped off her story.

By Kate Lindsay

YouTuber Ken Walker Allegedly Caught on Camera Cheating on Fiancée

Ken Walker and De’arra Taylor have over six million subscribers to their couple YouTube channel.

By Kate Lindsay

Some Serious Tradwife Drama Is Happening on Instagram

You can sell all the ... all the Instagram-worthy baby blankets in the world … but at the end of the day, your soul is just as dark as your business practices.”

By Kate Lindsay

Caroline Calloway’s New Art, Something Navy x Hillary Duff, and More Influencer Controversies

Welcome to Straight Up With Sophie, a new weekly column in which Sophie Ross explains three controversies currently unfolding online.

No, Emma Chamberlain Is Not Republican. But the D’Amelio Dad Is!

Emma Chamberlain deleted her Twitter account after “made-up facts” about her went viral.

By Kate Lindsay

A Viral ‘Aunt’ Soothed People’s Anxiety on TikTok—Then She Endorsed Trump

"Honestly I’m extremely devastated by the entire thing," Fago tells us.

By Kate Lindsay

A History of Ariana Grande's Beef With TikTokkers

Despite Ariana Grande’s huge Gen Z fanbase, the singer has never quite warmed to TikTok.

By Kate Lindsay

Tayler Holder Accused Of Profiting Off YouTuber's Death

Tayler Holder’s merch uses the same slogan as that of late YouTuber Corey La Barrie.

By Kate Lindsay

The Repeller Shutdown Is Pretty Messy

After ten years, Leandra Cohen announced the end of what was once Man Repeller with just five sentences.

By Kate Lindsay

What’s the Deal With Diplo and the TikTokker Living In His House?

Popular creator Quenlin Blackwell revealed on TikTok that she’s living with the 41-year-old DJ.

By Kate Lindsay

HairByChrissy, Notorious Influencer Hairstylist, Is Getting Attacked On TikTok

Habit Salon’s Covid practices have been criticized since the summer.

By Kate Lindsay

Here’s What Arielle Charnas Did While Her Instagram Was Private

After a summer of controversies, Charnas has made her Instagram public again. Here’s what was happening behind the scenes.

By Kate Lindsay

Maybe Leave ‘That Balloon Girl’ Alone?

Kelsey Onstott, who goes by That Balloon Girl, accidentally created a viral challenge that has people tearing apart her business.

By Kate Lindsay

Why The Ace Family's YouTube Blunder Is So Hard To Watch

YouTuber Catherine Paiz mistakenly uploaded an unedited clip of an argument with her husband, Austin McBroom, prompting accusations of abuse.

By Kate Lindsay

Medical Influencers Up In Arms After ‘Insensitive’ Figs Ad

Doctors are calling an ad for the scrubs company sexist, and Figs Ambassadors are being asked to answer for it.

By Kate Lindsay

Revolve Quietly Hosts Influencer Getaway During Pandemic

Revolve, known for its swanky influencer trips, appears to have resumed the practice even with the Covid-19 pandemic still raging.

By Kate Lindsay

Multi-level Marketers Are Targeting Wannabe Influencers. Some Recruits Are Fighting Back

Meet the community of YouTubers and TikTokkers warning women about the MLMs looking to exploit their networks

By Jessica Klein

Is This Finally The End of Jeffree Star’s Celebrity?

The YouTuber has only gained popularity over the years, despite his many scandals, but a damning new report might just be his breaking point.

By Kate Lindsay

YouTuber Shares Footage Of ‘Stalker’ Confrontation at His Home

Steven Jay Williams, who goes by Boogie2988, allegedly fired a “warning shot” at his longtime harasser.

By Kate Lindsay

YouTuber Sophia Chang Fights Back After Racist Incident at Restaurant

A fellow patron allegedly told Chang and her sister to “go back to Wuhan.”

By Kate Lindsay

James Charles Is Latest Creator Accused Of Ripping Off Designs

Ethan and Hila Klein, the popular YouTubers behind Teddy Fresh, say Charles copied their sweatshirt design.

By Kate Lindsay

Army Suspends Officer After He Shares Offensive TikTok With 3M Followers

2nd Lt. Nathan Freihofer amassed 3 million followers on TikTok as @_itsnate, but an antisemetic joke prompted swift action from the Army

By Kate Lindsay

TikTok Has A Suicide Problem

In the past week, suicide rumors about popular creators and a disturbing video have plagued the app.

By Kate Lindsay

Two YouTuber Couples Just Took Their Drama To Instagram Live

Jatie Vlogs and Elijah Wireman hopped on Instagram Live for an extremely public argument.

By Kate Lindsay

Tekashi 6ix9ine's TikTok PR Tour Embarrassingly Backfired

Tekashi 6ix9ine's first stop after pleading guilty to firearms and racketeering charges was...TikTok.

By Kate Lindsay

After Triggering Viral Video, TikTok Creators Take Matters Into Their Own Hands

Prominent TikTok creators are helping their followers avoid and report a TikTok video of a man dying by suicide.

By Kate Lindsay

Arielle Charnas’s Cosmopolitan Mexico Cover Went Down As Badly As You’d Expect

Cosmopolitan may have forgotten the Arielle Charnas drama, but its readers haven’t.

By Kate Lindsay

Instagram May Have Just Fired a Warning Shot Against QAnon

@little.miss.patriot amassed 284,000 followers—and her fair share of enemies—before she says Instagram suspended her account

By Kate Lindsay

These Baylor University Twins Are Having a Grand Time With Covid-19

Brooklyn and Bailey are documenting their diagnosis through rose-colored filters

By Kate Lindsay

The Ultimate Timeline of Influencer Pandemic Parties and Punishments

Despite warnings, influencers have thrown over 14 parties in the last two months -- and faced the consequences

By Kate Lindsay

Just How Badly Are College Reopenings Going? Ask TikTok

TikTok is documenting all the ways colleges are failing students during the pandemic.

By Zoe Christen Jones

Hype House's Tony Lopez Accused of Requesting Nudes From Underage Girls

Tony Lopez, a TikTokker with over 21 million followers, has been accused of inappropriately contacting minors

By Kate Lindsay

Cardi B Is The Queen Of TikTok Drama Now, Too

The rapper called out creator Emmuhlu for making multiple videos dragging her on TikTok

By Kate Lindsay

We Can't Ignore Claudia Conway

Fifteen-year-old Claudia Conway used TikTok to broadcast her family's issues. Is it okay to watch?

By Kate Lindsay

Bryce Hall Is Making Lots of Content About Having His Power Shut Off

The city shut off Bryce Hall's power due to his many parties during the pandemic.

By Kate Lindsay

YouTuber Eden the Doll Attacked, Robbed on Livestream

A group of men attacked Eden the Doll and her friends on Instagram Live for, she says, being trans

By Kate Lindsay

Dixie D’Amelio’s Tearful Instagram Live Highlights Failings of Drama Accounts

Dixie D'Amelio went live on Instagram after being accused of faking seizures.

By Kate Lindsay

TikTokker Brittany Broski Accuses Former Manager of Withholding $20K

Brittany Broski has filed a complaint against former manager Ariadna Jacob.

By Kate Lindsay

Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale Already a Mess for Influencers and Shoppers

The retailer quickly sold out of its most popular items, leaving influencers and customers in the lurch

By Kate Lindsay

There’s a New QAnon Conspiracy Theory About Jake Paul

Jake Paul's FBI raid inspired the latest sex-trafficking story from the group

By Kate Lindsay

Jessica Mulroney Is Back on Instagram, and It’s Messy

Jessica Mulroney lost her TV show after a public dispute with Sasha Exeter.

By Kate Lindsay

Shane Dawson’s Family Is Doing His Apology Tour for Him

Shane Dawson is staying quiet, leaving his fiancé and soon-to-be sister-in-law to pick up the pieces.

By Kate Lindsay

Arielle Charnas Took a PPP Loan After Fleeing to the Hamptons

Yes, there's another reason to be mad about Arielle Charnas.

By Kate Lindsay

YouTuber Joey Graceffa Under Fire for Resurfaced Shane Dawson Video

Graceffa and Dawson appear to have deleted their videos together

By Kate Lindsay

Is This Influencer Monetizing Her Divorce?

Rachel Hollis announced a book about her divorce just one month after deciding on the breakup

By Kate Lindsay

Just Another Day for Female Gamers as Creator Hurls ‘Misogynistic’ Tweet

Keemstar appeared to rate creator Pokimane's appearance on a scale of 10

By Kate Lindsay

Tana Mongeau, James Charles and Others Apologize for Pandemic Parties

Influencers are facing backlash after flouting social distancing guidelines and posting about it on social media.

By Kate Lindsay

Meet the Mom Whose Dystopian Anti-Mask Story Went Viral

Her Facebook post earned over 6,000 shares -- and a mocking Twitter post that got 19,000 retweets

By Kate Lindsay

AOC Wants to Ban Military From Recruiting on Gaming Platforms

'The Nation' uncovered questionable behavior from the Army on Twitch

By Kate Lindsay

Snapchat Quietly Launches Investigation Into Accusations of Racism

Snapchat has reportedly hired a law firm to look into claims made in a June Mashable article.

By Kate Lindsay

Jeffree Star’s Apology Video Has Only Made Things Worse

Many have accused the creator of exploiting the Black Lives Matter movement to dodge accountability

By Kate Lindsay

How Arielle Charnas Botched the Something Navy Relaunch

The infamous influencer has somehow topped her COVID-19 controversy

Is Quibi Asking Influencers to Work for Free?

Franchesca Ramsey says she was asked for unpaid labor while a white influencer was offered a fee.

By Kate Lindsay

Musician Begs for Help With Song Used in ‘Gross’ TikToks

Once a song has entered TikTok, all bets are off, and artists are paying the price.

By Kate Lindsay

Surprise! Jake Paul Threw a Huge House Party in Lockdown

The Calabasas mayor is instituting a zero-tolerance policy in response

By Kate Lindsay

Some Disney Influencers Take Unfamiliar Stance: Don’t Go

The park's professional superfans are conflicted about promoting it during Florida's Coronavirus surge

By Kate Lindsay

How I Was Duped By a Fruit-Jam Influencer

That's what I get for wanting people to think I’m someone who likes trendy fruit spread

By Kate Lindsay

YouTube Drama Accounts Turn on Each Other Over Shane Dawson

If there's a code of ethics in the YouTube gossip community, it has been tested this week

By Kate Lindsay

TikTok Star Nessa Barrett Condemns 'Hate And Slut Shaming'

"The constant DMs...are getting to be too much for to me bear."

By Kate Lindsay

The Influencers Who Blew It Responding to Black Lives Matter

The past (and sometimes present) have caught up with Caroline Calloway, Jessica Mulroney, Jenna Kutcher, and more

Why the Instagram Body Is So Seductive — and So Dangerous

Non-Black influencers are altering their images to look more like Black women, gaining clout and money in the process

By Sesali Bowen

The Inside Story of the Revolt at Refinery29

How Black media professionals snapped after years of discrimination and microaggressions

By Sesali Bowen

Meet the Anonymous Crusaders Exposing Shady Influencers

Influencers Truth and Deux Moi are Instagram must-follows for social media gossip, controversy, and exposés

The Saga of Arielle Charnas, Patient Zero of Influencer-Coronavirus Controversy

A blow-by-blow account of the definitive social media scandal of 2020, from the Twitter user who made it go viral