10 YouTube Villains: Where Are They Now?
#10: Lovely Peaches
This social media menace gained initial attention with a controversial song called "Burnin' N’ Itchin'." However, Lovely Peaches soon became infamous for her disturbing behavior across various platforms. From lewd live streams to the mistreatment of her pet to hoaxes involving her own daughter, this influencer’s actions shocked and horrified many. There's still debate about the authenticity of her online persona, but regardless, Lovely Peaches embodies the dark side of edgelordism. More recently, she has fixated on Jisoo, a member of the K-Pop group BLACKPINK, adopting the title of an "akgae" fan who loves one member while hating the others. Let's hope this celebrity obsession stays at a respectful distance.
#9: Lele Pons
As the first creator to reach a billion loops on Vine, Lele Pons quickly became one of YouTube's biggest stars with an extensive fan base. While her comedy skits may be considered childish, they've kept her followers loyal for years. However, she hasn't been immune to controversy. In 2017, Pons faced backlash for falsely claiming to donate hair to a charity supporting cancer patients. Additionally, accusations of being a bad friend tarnished her reputation. Nevertheless, Pons continued her meteoric rise, juggling a growing music career and prominent hosting gigs. In 2022, she was recognized by Congress as an influencer pioneer. Surprisingly, in 2023, Pons was unmasked as the Jackalope on America’s favorite fever dream "The Masked Singer."
#8: Keemstar
In 2014, Keemstar made a lasting impression on YouTube by creating DramaAlert. Focusing on controversial media reporting, he shared his views on various subjects. It wasn’t long until his mishandling of sensitive issues would land him in hot water. In 2019, after an interview on DramaAlert, YouTuber Etika would post a video mentioning several people, Keemstar among them, before taking his own life. Keemstar faced severe backlash, including Ethan Klein's "Content Nuke" video, which resulted in the termination of a brand deal with G Fuel. In 2021, he announced retirement from YouTube, citing the challenges of "cancel culture" and evolving community rules. Like a drama-fueled phoenix rising from the ashes, Keemstar reversed his decision and resumed uploading content on DramaAlert in early 2022.
#7: David Dobrik
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Known for his irresistible "boy next door" persona and entertaining antics with the Vlog Squad, this digital jester seemed to gain national internet fame overnight. While prank videos and shenanigans racked up massive views, one ill-managed stunt would tarnish his image for good. Amid a poorly handled sexual assault allegation, as well as already-circulating rumors of toxicity and controllingness, Dobrik would face even more controversy when Vlog Squad member Jeff Wittek divulged consequences of Dobrik’s negligence. In 2021, Wittek revealed that he was swung from an excavator maneuvered by Dobrik, and ended up with injuries requiring major surgery. A ten-million dollar lawsuit was filed, and Dobrik took a hiatus from YouTube to inexplicably venture into the pizza business. Still, his legal troubles seem to pose a problem that even pizza can’t fix.
#6: Jaystation
This Canadian vlogger delved into the creepiest form of YouTube content, specializing in the 3am trend where participants engage in eerie activities during the dead of night. In 2020, Jaystation posted a video claiming his girlfriend had passed away in a car accident and that he was attempting to contact her spirit through a Ouija board. Shockingly, it was revealed that his girlfriend was alive all along. Jaystation planned to resurrect her in a future video after capitalizing on the expected surge in popularity from the stunt. Adding to the controversy, he was later charged with assaulting her that same year. Despite multiple YouTube bans, Jaystation remains determined to keep his content on the platform.
#5: PewDiePie
As someone who once held the title of the most subscribed-to channel, PewDiePie undeniably remains one of the most popular and influential figures on the platform. The Swedish content creator gained fame through his "let's play" videos, where he plays and reacts to video games. However, PewDiePie has faced multiple controversies over the years, often involving racial and antisemitic slurs. He met swift repercussions, including Campo Studios threatening DMCA reports to remove his videos playing their game. Additionally, Disney severed ties after footage surfaced of his use of antisemitic slurs. Nevertheless, his popularity continues to soar, even following a ban on the streaming platform, Twitch. Most recently, PewDiePie and his wife Marzia have announced a baby on the way.
#4: Onision
Initially gaining attention with his viral video titled "The Banana Song," this YouTuber stood out through uncomfortably close interactions with his fans. Encouraging them to message him and send photos for personal rating, he made inappropriate comments which was especially concerning when they regarded minors. In 2019, Onision faced a Patreon ban for bullying and doxxing another content creator. However, his brand suffered a more sinister blow in early 2023. Onision and his partner were accused of grooming, among other things, in court filings. YouTube was also implicated, named as a defendant for continuing to monetize his channel despite numerous reports from journalists documenting his predatory behavior.
#3: Jeffree Star
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Formerly hailed as "the next Lady Gaga" by Akon, this singer-songwriter transitioned to YouTube and found success in the booming world of makeup artistry. Jeffree Star Cosmetics, his brand, became one of the most prosperous ventures created by an internet celebrity. However, Star's history of racist outbursts continues to resurface, prompting repetitive apology videos. Public feuds with celebrities like Kat Von D, the Kardashians, and Hailey Bieber have also kept his name circulating online. In 2023, Star faced backlash for disrespectful comments about gender identities and the importance of respecting people’s pronouns, causing controversy within trans and non-binary communities. He also stirred speculation within the NFL world with cryptic pictures of his supposed new boyfriend. It was later revealed to be a promotional ruse.
#2: Shane Dawson
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Renowned for his conspiracy theory content, Shane Dawson experienced one of the most explosive downfalls in recent YouTube history. In 2019, a wave of controversies severely damaged his brand. Resurfaced clips of highly inappropriate jokes went viral, shattering Dawson’s image as a quirky and relatable content creator. Despite attempting to dismiss the jokes as shock comedy, his channel was demonetized by YouTube in 2020. That same year, he faced criticism from Jaden Smith regarding a shocking video involving an eleven-year-old Willow Smith. When the entire Smith family condemns you, you know it's bad. Currently, Dawson is making efforts to make a comeback on YouTube, with a recent project documenting the post-cancelled lives of himself and fellow controversy connoisseur Jeffree Star.
#1: Logan Paul
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Logan Paul’s rise to fame was among some of the fastest in the social media world to date. YouTube controversies as big as this one seemed practically non-existent before this. In 2017, Paul uploaded a vlog on his YouTube channel from a forest in Japan that showcased a dead body. The video obviously sparked massive outrage and disgust in response to Paul’s insensitivity and lack of self-awareness. In an effort to make amends, Paul donated a million dollars to charity. Throughout his career, he has been tainted by instances of homophobia, animal cruelty, and a failed NFT-based children's game. Surprisingly, he has ventured into professional boxing and has gained some legitimacy in the sport. Most recently, Paul claims to possess footage of a UFO. We can check that off of our 2023 bingo card.
