James Charles, one of YouTube’s most popular beauty vloggers, has sparked controversy again after apologizing in a video for a scandal involving minors and nude photos. In his video ‘An Open Conversation’, Charles says it’s “1,000 percent my responsibility”. But that’s not okay with many followers: “How can you make a video about responsibility while doing your makeup?”
–
The scandal erupted in February when a 16-year-old boy accused James Charles of pressuring him to send nude photos. Other guys would do the same over the next few weeks. Finally, James Charles had to admit something in a YouTube video and disappeared from the screen for a while. Charles was one of YouTube’s biggest beauty vloggers at the time, with more than 25 million followers. He had become so popular after being noticed in 2016 for his striking look in his school yearbook. Since then, he’s been making videos while doing his makeup.
He did the same for his ‘sorry video’, which in addition to the subject of the nude photos also deals with his vaccination – “I’ve never been so sick” – and his 22nd birthday. “I’m sorry I disappointed you,” he says, among other things, about the nude photos. Charles also says that there are a lot of false images circulating online of him: chat conversations that never happened, but are sent into the world forged.
However, the video is not well received. A lot of people don’t think the setting – doing your makeup – is appropriate for a video that talks about abuse and responsibility. “How do you manage to make such a video while doing your makeup?” it sounds. “Who wants make-up advice from a pedophile? It is also raining negative reactions on YouTube: “If you are still a fan of this person, you should take a good look in the mirror.”
–