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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.
By Sophie Ross
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.
By Sophie Ross
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.
By Sophie Ross
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.
By Sophie Ross
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.
By Sophie Ross
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.
By Sophie Ross
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.
By Sophie Ross
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.
By Sophie Ross
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!!).
By Sophie Ross
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.
By Sophie Ross
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
By Sophie Ross
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.
By Sophie Ross
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
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
By Sophie Ross
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
By Sophie Ross
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
By Sophie Ross
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
By Sophie Ross