YouTube is a place where anything can happen, and that includes some truly wild scandals. Over the years, the platform has seen its fair share of bizarre controversies that have shocked and outraged viewers worldwide. From Logan Paul’s infamous trip to Japan to PewDiePie’s clash with the Wall Street Journal, YouTube stars have consistently delivered drama. But some scandals stand out for their sheer randomness and unpredictability. Get ready to dive into the top 10 bizarre YouTube controversies that left everyone scratching their heads.
1. Lonelygirl15: The Original Fake
Back in June 2006, a seemingly ordinary 16-year-old girl named Bree Avery, known as Lonelygirl15, started posting videos on YouTube. She simply sat in front of her webcam, sharing her thoughts and experiences. Her authenticity and relatable personality quickly made her one of the first viral YouTube stars. People loved her genuine charm and the way she explored her world through her videos.
The shock came months later when it was revealed that Lonelygirl15 wasn’t real. Bree Avery was a fictional character played by 19-year-old actress Jessica Rose. Every video was meticulously scripted and directed by three California filmmakers to resemble an authentic video diary. The New York Times even launched a special investigation to uncover the truth. Despite the scandal, the web series continued, spawning several spin-offs until its end in 2008.
2. Kristian Harloff & The Collider Live Meltdown
Kristian Harloff, a prominent YouTube personality behind communities like Schmoes Know and Collider Live, is also known for his volatile temper. A devoted Star Wars fan, he hosted the weekly show “Jedi Council.” However, his career took a hit when he had a public meltdown on air.
The drama unfolded when Harloff wasn’t invited to an exclusive visit to the Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge theme park in 2019. Enraged that another reporter from Collider was chosen instead, Harloff declared live on air that he would boycott covering Galaxy’s Edge. He ranted about his dedication to the Star Wars fandom, leading to a heated confrontation with the show’s producer, Thadd Williams. The two verbally attacked each other, leaving everyone else in awkward silence.
The backlash was intense. Star Wars writers criticized Harloff for acting like a “spoiled child.” He was accused of sexism and became a symbol of everything wrong with Star Wars fandom. Harloff eventually apologized, admitting his behavior was immature and embarrassing.
3. Motoki vs Math Podcast: The Copycat
This controversy involves creators from different cultures: Motoki, an Asian-American creator, and Math Podcast, who is French. In 2016, fans noticed striking similarities between their videos. Math’s videos were almost identical to Motoki’s, translated into French and reshot the same way. He gave Motoki no credit and led his French audience to believe he was the original creator.
Motoki spoke up about the plagiarism in February 2016, confirming Math had never asked for permission. The media condemned Math, who had built a successful career by stealing Motoki’s work. Math’s career crashed, and despite apologies and attempts to rebrand, he never recovered from the scandal and disappeared from YouTube.
4. Olivia Jade: The College Admissions Scandal
Olivia Jade, daughter of “Full House” star Lori Loughlin and fashion designer Mossimo Gianulli, seemed like a typical teenage social media influencer. However, she became embroiled in a major scandal when her parents were charged with bribery fraud and sentenced to prison.
Olivia reportedly helped her parents forge an extracurricular file after they paid over half a million dollars in bribes to get her accepted into the University of Southern California. After the scandal broke, major brands like Amazon and Sephora dropped Olivia. She faced widespread criticism and took a year-long hiatus before a poorly received apology press tour in 2020.
5. Tanacon: The Ego Trip Gone Wrong
Tana Mongeau, known for her eccentric personality and “story time” videos, decided to create her own convention, Tanacon, after not being invited to Vidcon in 2018. However, she underestimated the challenge and was incredibly unprepared.
The event was a disaster. Thousands of people waited in brutal heat without food or water, and some had to be sent to the ER. Police intervened, and the 3-day event was canceled on its first day. It was later revealed that Tanacon was a scam, with every attendee having purchased VIP tickets despite the event being advertised as free. Lawsuits, bankruptcies, and documentaries followed the event, highlighting the chaos and mismanagement.
6. The Brooke Houts Incident: Animal Abuse Exposed
Brooke Houts, a YouTuber since 2014, gained popularity after adopting a puppy named Sphinx. However, in August 2019, she accidentally posted uncut footage showing her mistreating Sphinx.
The footage showed Brooke repeatedly punching and shoving Sphinx when he tried to play with her. She pinned him to the ground, yelled at him, spit on him, and slapped him. The public was outraged, calling for her arrest for animal cruelty. Police opened an investigation, and Brooke’s apology was unsuccessful. Her career vanished, and attempts to make a comeback have been brutally rejected.
7. JayStation: Faking a Death for Views
JayStation is considered one of the worst YouTubers. He was blacklisted and eventually deleted from YouTube for faking his girlfriend’s death for views in 2019.
He tried to convince his audience that his girlfriend, Alexia Marano, had died in a car crash. He even created a fake crash site. After being called out, he admitted he was lying. Alexia revealed that Jay had abused and manipulated her for views. Jay was arrested and charged for assault with a weapon. He continues to post on YouTube but is remembered as the YouTuber who faked his girlfriend’s death for fame.
8. Jenna Marbles: Cancel Culture Backlash
Jenna Mourey, known as Jenna Marbles, is one of the biggest YouTube stars, considered a pioneer and positive role model. However, in 2020, she became an example of cancel culture backfiring.
Some people criticized jokes she made almost a decade earlier, deeming them racist. Jenna released an emotional video apologizing for the jokes and announced she was quitting YouTube after 10 years. The internet was shocked. Even those who were canceling her seemed distraught. Jenna’s channel remains abandoned, and her departure highlighted the toxicity of cancel culture.
9. The Myka Stauffer Family Scandal: Re-homing an Adopted Child
Myka Stauffer, a mother of five with a successful YouTube channel, faced criticism when she re-homed her adopted son. Myka and her husband documented every step of the adoption process from China, gaining a larger audience. However, after two years, they announced they were re-homing their adopted son because they could no longer handle his autism.
Myka was accused of adopting the boy for views and abandoning him when he was no longer profitable. She lost brand deals, and the police opened an investigation. Myka admitted to underestimating her son’s condition and being unprepared to care for a child with special needs. Her YouTube channel has been abandoned since.
10. The Mysterious Case Of Marina Joyce
Marina Joyce’s story remains one of YouTube’s biggest unsolved mysteries. In 2016, her content began to change, alarming her fans. She lost weight rapidly, and her behavior became strange. In a disturbing video titled “Date Outfit Ideas,” Marina looked confused and had bruises on her arms, whispering “help me.”
The video went viral, and the #SaveMarinaJoyce campaign began. Theories circulated about kidnapping and hostage situations. Marina continued to post disturbing videos, ignoring the concern. Eight months later, she released a video explaining she had gone through a traumatic event and was on a recovery path. Two years later, she went missing again but was found safe after 10 days. To this day, no one knows what happened to Marina Joyce.
YouTube’s history is filled with dramatic and bizarre scandals that captivated audiences worldwide. From fake identities to serious ethical breaches, these controversies highlight the unpredictable nature of online fame. These moments serve as cautionary tales, reminding us of the responsibilities that come with a large platform.
What do you think about these scandals? Let us know in the comments below!
