My thoughts on recent events in the beauty influencer community.... (long post)

This topic is one I've wanted to discuss for a while, but didn't because I wanted to make sure I got everything out. I don't particularly enjoy rehashing things which make my stomach turn so please bear with me since I have a lot to say. Some of it makes me really sad.

For those who aren't aware, there is some real turmoil among beauty influencers and an adjacent "best friend". The most prominent is presently Shane Dawson, whose world is basically going down in flames. I don't feel the need to discuss every detail, but feel free to Google it. You will find a plethora of articles and drama channel YouTube videos.

There are many facets to this turmoil and my goal is to address all of them and provide my position. As with my makeup reviews, my opinions are my own and are not with the intent of swaying or dis swaying anyone. You have the right to make your own decisions about those I'm about to discuss. I will not think less of you if your opinions are different. That being said, I will address the situation.

Tati Westbrook

For those of you who are involved in beauty, you will most likely be aware of the scandal which occurred a little more than a year ago involving Tati Westbrook and James Charles, of which a few other influencers inserted themselves. Mainly Jeffree Star. There were a series of YouTube videos posted, replying to assorted claims. Some included "receipts". This drama ended friendships and damaged reputations. Lawyers got involved and it was a really dark time within the beauty world. Tati Westbrook threw the first punch with a video titled "Bye Sister", a jab at James Charles. In this video she made some serious allegations referencing risky sexual behavior on his part. Some later claimed her allegations were nothing more than homophobic stereotypes. While some of her claims are stereotypes, she seemed to truly believe he was engaging in these acts and he needed a "wake up call". In doing so, James lost more subscribers in 24 hours than had ever occurred previously. To the best of my memory, he broke a record for the most unfollows.

This initial video damaged James Charles and he didn't post for awhile. When he did return, after all drama videos were finished, he posted saying he was taking time away from YT in order to spend time with those who mattered (his family). Tati Westbrook and Jeffree Star went back to their normal lives, but no longer friends.

There was always a rumor that the drama was orchestrated by Jeffree Star because of perceived jealousy of James' fame. He had exceedingly more followers and his fan base was constantly growing. While there was no proof of his direct involvement, drama channels still held to that belief. A few days ago, Tati Westbrook unleashed a landmine. A video titled "Breaking My Silence" which revisited "Dramageddon 2.0". In this video she, again, apologizes to James Charles and discusses things which occurred in the background. She talks about her and James comparing texts and voice memos. They realized something didn't add up. While James hasn't spoken out about her claims, the previous rumors were confirmed. Tati states she was manipulated by Jeffree Star and Shane Dawson into attacking James Charles publicly. She said she was provided with so much information she felt sick. She said she was led to believe he was in danger of being charged criminally. In this frame of mind, she believes her judgement was obscured so, when James did the promo for Sugar Bear Hair, she felt angry and betrayed. Tati described the tactics used by Star and Dawson as gaslighting, a tactic commonly used in abusive relationships. This is where her video receives the most criticism. Those who have never experienced this believe she's lying and not taking accountability in her role. First, if you have not had this happen to you, I envy you. Gaslighting is one of the most cruel things someone can do to you. I lived through this hell and understand that you will have residual effects for the rest of your life. I cried with her. Second, if your first reaction is to say she's lying, you might want to take a step back. Try your hardest to put yourself in her position. Jeffree Star has proven himself to be a shady, untrustworthy person over and over again. We've witnessed what happens when he's unhappy with someone. Like a teenage girl, he destroys. The "if I can't have you, no one else can" adage that is used over and over with broken relationships. (I'll get into that more in a bit.)

Now, I'm not taking her side. Truth has many sides and is usually a collective "truth" from all involved. Her hands aren't clean but she seems to be trying to make it better.

Jeffree Star

I remember "shock value" Jeffree during his MySpace days. His content was far too extreme for me, so I was never a follower. It wasn't until I bought his Beauty Killer palette when I became a fan. His company makes beautiful products. Sadly he's an ugly, spiteful, devious person.

He's destructive and doesn't show any remorse for doing what he does. When his friendships are over, he's the type of person who doesn't burn bridges and leave it there. He wants total annihilation. Just look at his involvement in Dramageddon 1.0 and what happened to Laura Lee, Manny MUA, Gabriel Zamora, and Nikita Dragun. Laura, Manny, and Nikita are hanging on because of collabs and/or their own brands. Gabriel is usually seen only when there's drama.

It's been rumored for years that Jeffree blackmails people. That he has "dirt" on many, which is why his empire has grown like it has. But what if he manipulated others? Twists their words. Throws them out of context. Only to have something to hold over their heads? Just something to think about.

I recently watched a video and cannot unsee it. The video is vile and disgusting. I gagged, but watched the whole thing. It was, in that 3 minutes, I decided I couldn't support him anymore. I cannot, in good conscience, support a monster. I don't care how old the video is. He did what he did and that's how he responded to it too. No apology. Nothing. I can't help feeling that he raped that man. He claimed it was consensual, but the man was blacked out drunk. Legally he didn't have the capacity to make decisions and Jeffree treated him like a dog.

I don't know what his involvement is in Dramageddon 2.0. What I do know is he was fanning the flames after Tati's video was posted. His deleted tweets were saved by millions. What is said on the internet can never be forgotten. The content he posted on Twitter and Instagram make me believe he was in the background, feeding hate to Tati.

In "Breaking My Silence", Tati talks about timing. When "Bye Sister" was posted, he was already filming his docuseries with Shane. "The Beautiful World of Jeffree Star" began filming in February/March and the drama started in May. Her feeling is Jeffree needed James to be irrelevant so the Conspiracy collection would be the only thing anyone would care about. Those in this community know drama sells and no one does drama better than Jeffree. Her claim is completely plausible.

At the end of it all, we will probably never know the whole truth. All we know is how their "truths" make us feel. The history of Jeffree Star, leading up to today makes me believe those who tagged him as a monster.

Shane Dawson

A little honesty..... Before his docuseries with Jeffree, Shane Dawson? Don't know him. I heard his name here and there, but he was in a YT genre I didn't watch. No conspiracies and weird food videos for me. Even after the series I wasn't a fan. I subscribed only BECAUSE of the series. I wanted those notifications. That series was a good way to draw people in. Make them feel like they HAD to have these products in their life. Talk about good advertising. A 6 part docuseries/infomercial. Like so many others, I had to have it. I bought the collection and sold off pieces that weren't me.

What I know about Shane is what's come out recently and what my daughter told me. It was disturbing to know she watched him when she was 10. To know his content was glamorizing pedophilia and that she watched it. She said at the time she thought it was funny. She didn't understand what she was watching and how serious pedophilia is. She's 20 now and that content is disturbing to her.

Shane made his bed. Unfortunately his "best friend" is allowing him to drowned on his own. Something Jeffree once tweeted didn't age well....

From Jeffree's own mouth. I'm just going to leave it at that. Like I said, I don't know Shane's history enough to comment. What I do know is his recent behavior is a bad look. He needs to be quiet.

What Shane said and did in the past is inexcusable. Pedophilia isn't funny. I was sexually assaulted when I was 15. It wasn't funny then. It will NEVER be funny.

My Final Thoughts

I cannot, in good conscience, support any of those involved. I don't know if Tati is telling the truth. If it later comes out that she is then I will consider supporting her. This makes me sad. I was taking her hair, skin, nail vitamins and my nails were looking amazing. It's the first time that I had nice nails. However, I cannot financially stand behind her behavior at this time.

What I have from Jeffree Star Cosmetics (including the Conspiracy collection) and Tati Beauty I will use as I have a lot of money invested in it. However, I will not promote them. I will not tag them in my posts and the references will be more like a side note. I want to promote brands who have a positive impact. Unfortunately as long as Morphe supports Jeffree, this will probably include them as well.

For those with morbid curiosity as to what I watched, I will tag the video below. Start watching at 20 minutes in. Her views are her own, but the clip is disturbing.

Jeffree Star, vile and disgusting