This situation unfolded after fellow YouTuber Tati Westbrook accused James Charles of influencing someone’s sexual orientation and endorsing a competitor’s product instead of hers.
Following the allegations, 19-year-old James Charles experienced a massive drop in subscribers and was hit with widespread backlash online.
On Thursday, Tati released another video, 18 minutes long, urging people to stop spreading hate. Both influencers built massive followings through their makeup tutorials and beauty product reviews.
James responded on Saturday with a 41-minute video, emotionally speaking without makeup. He described the past week online as the darkest period not only for the community but in his own life, sharing that his mental health had deteriorated to a frightening point.
He admitted to working with a brand that competes with Tati’s, explaining that it happened during a stressful moment when the rival brand offered better access, security, and perks at Coachella.
After learning about his partnership, Tati publicly announced that she was ending their friendship.
James said he reached out to her but got no response, prompting him to issue a public apology. In his new video, titled No More Lies, he firmly denied Tati’s claims that he manipulated a straight man into questioning his sexuality.
“I have never, would never, and will never use my influence, wealth, or status to pressure or gain sexual favors from anyone,” he stated.
The controversy partly revolves around his interactions with a waiter who, according to James, identified as bisexual, then gay, and later returned to calling himself bisexual.
In her Thursday video, Tati appeared emotional, saying she never intended for the backlash against James to become so intense, even though she had accused him of betrayal and inappropriate behavior toward straight men.
James ended his video on a hopeful note, sharing that he plans to spend time with his family to celebrate his birthday. He also mentioned he’ll be stepping away from YouTube for a while to focus on his mental well-being.