Two ‘yuge YouTube stars James Charles and Tana Mongeau have issued apologies after being called out for attending crowded house parties during COVID-19, in particular influencer Larray’s massive birthday party at the Hype House last week.
Charles wrote a statement in his video, “A Day In The Life with James Charles,” saying he had cut out all the footage from the party to set a better example.
“Even though I have been wearing a mask in public and have tested negative multiple times, going to a party during a pandemic was a selfish and stupid decision,” he said. “People’s safety and keeping COVID-19 contained is FAR more important than celebrating a friend’s birthday and unsafe partying is not something I want to promote to my audience.”
He said he understands his influence and now recognises that having a platform of his size – 20 million subscribers, to be exact – comes with a lot of responsibility.
“I encourage you guys to be smarter than I was,” he said. “Wear your masks and continue to social distance. Love you.”
Credit: YouTube / James Charles
Charles attended the party with Tana Mongeau, Nikita Dragun, Charli and Dixie D’Amelio, Emma Chamberlain, among many others.
Mongeau also posted a short statement to her Instagram story. She said going to parties during COVID was “careless and irresponsible” and she assured fans she’s holding herself accountable.
“Actions like that don’t deserve a platform and I want to fully apologise and be better than this,” she said. “I need to be a better example and person.”
Credit: Instagram / Tana Mongeau
It comes after fellow YouTuber Tyler Oakley called them out on Twitter.
“If your favourite influencers are at huge house parties during a pandemic (& are dumb enough to post it on social media)… they are bad influences,” he began, telling folks to “unfollow them.”
if your favorite influencers are at huge house parties during a pandemic (& are dumb enough to post it on social media)… they are bad influences. unfollow them.
— tyler oakley 👹 (@tyleroakley) July 22, 2020
hi @jamescharles @NikitaDragun @tanamongeau @larrayxo @charlidamelio @dixiedamelio & any others who have been partying in large groups – please consider social distancing, mask wearing, & using your huge platforms to encourage responsibility during a worldwide pandemic. https://t.co/G3CeWfk3uZ
— tyler oakley 👹 (@tyleroakley) July 22, 2020
When a fan praised him for doing what’s right, he responded: “Exactly! I want them to stay healthy, I want their people to stay healthy, I want vulnerable people they may come into contact with to stay healthy… They just need a reminder that they have the added responsibility of being role models during a crucial moment in our country.”
exactly! i want them to stay healthy, i want their people to stay healthy, i want vulnerable people they may come into contact with to stay healthy… they just need a reminder that they have the added responsibility of being role models during a crucial moment in our country.
— tyler oakley 👹 (@tyleroakley) July 22, 2020
When another fan questioned if TikTok star Charli was actually involved as she’s getting nose surgery, he responded with footage from a gathering where she can be seen hugging James Charles with a bandage on her nose, indicating that she went ahead and attending a gathering post-surgery.
i could be wrong!! saw this list of people from this thread: https://t.co/XmxrU9fuNR – if i incorrectly included anyone, i am sorry!!
— tyler oakley 👹 (@tyleroakley) July 22, 2020
Do better, folks… especially folks with a huge, impressionable fan base.
