<ul class="summary-list"><li>Several <keyword id="1112328" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Influencers">influencers</keyword> have faced criticism for past online and offline relationships with <keyword id="1392" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="fans">fans</keyword>.</li><li><keyword id="3757085" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="james-charles">James Charles</keyword> was recently accused of sending explicit photos to a minor.</li><li>Romantic relationships between celebrities and their fans always have a stark power dynamic.</li></ul>YouTube star James Charles has faced allegations of inappropriate behavior with fans since late February after he was accused of "grooming" a 16-year-old boy.Charles denied wrongdoing by saying <a href="https://www.insider.com/james-charles-grooming-accusations-denies-predator-tiktok-2021-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the fan lied about his age</a> and sent Charles suggestive images first, to which he "flirted back." Since then, <a href="https://www.papermag.com/james-charles-more-accusations-2650849183.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">other accusers have come forward with allegations</a> that Charles hasn't addressed.The claims highlight a new phenomenon involving Hollywood's new class of 20-something powerbrokers. Through social media, influencers have unfettered access to a pool of eager fans, and in some cases, this has resulted in sexual relationships, virtually or physically.Regardless of age, experts say the power dynamic between an influencer and fan in this situation presents uncomfortable questions of consent and vulnerability.<h2>Experts say the power dynamic in an influencer-fan relationship can be similar to a boss-subordinate one</h2>The power an influencer can hold over their fans is similar to a boss-employee relationship, experts told Insider.Psychologist and sexual violence prevention expert Dr. Elizabeth L. Jeglic, who is a professor of psychology at John Jay College in New York, told Insider there needs to be a consideration of the responsibility celebrities have, and whether the misuse of it can inadvertently lead to predatory behavior."I don't necessarily think these people go into it wanting it to be grooming or sexually coercive," she said. "But I think because of the innate power differential, that's ultimately what transpires."She said in a boss-employee relationship, age is irrelevant, which is also the case in celebrity-fan dynamics. "You can be the same age as your boss or even older than your boss, but they have the power over you," she said. "So it's just not appropriate to have those kinds of relationships."While the influencer may see nothing wrong with the seemingly consensual behavior, the fan may be acting out of being star-struck and craving their attention. If the influencer holds a status that a romantic partner perceives as better-than and unattainable, then they may be better off assuming any sexual contact between them would be inappropriate.Jeglic said this is a whole new dynamic that's been born out of the internet age, and experts are still trying to figure out the best way to tackle the issues it raises. The influencer or celebrity may be blind to the dynamic because they have not learned what boundaries they should or should not cross, often because they are young themselves. "Becoming a celebrity can happen overnight in the YouTube world or in the TikTok world," said Jeglic. "Nobody is giving these people lessons in this, they don't go to HR training. There is no HR."<h2>Influencers and their fans build one-sided parasocial relationships</h2>YouTubers and TikTok stars are much more accessible than traditional celebrities ever were. Anyone can contact them by direct messages on social media, whereas before the internet, interactions with famous people were limited to in-person meet-and-greets or sending fan mail.Child and adolescent psychologist Dr. Katherine Williams, the founding director of the Anxiety &amp; OCD Clinic at Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego, told Insider that direct messaging is "as easy as going to the refrigerator to get food now.""If you're feeling lonely, it's so easy to then fall prey to messaging back and forth with TikTok stars," she said. "So I do think that it's problematic because they're often not real-life-based relationships."<div type="image" title="tony lopez" height="1606" width="2143" msid="81593646" hostid="261"></div>The bond that's built between an internet star and their audience is often referred to as a parasocial relationship - the faux intimacy of the influencer revealing their lives through a screen gives the impression of trust between the subject and viewer. This can be problematic, Jeglic said, because of the weighted power dynamic already present in the fan-influencer relationship.Jeglic said fans may assume these influencers will never hurt or betray them because they feel like they know the person on the screen, and thus they may be more susceptible to abuse."They get this automatic trust because they're on YouTube or because they're on TikTok and they have this following, whether they deserve it or not," she said. "You feel like this person wouldn't hurt me because I know them. I see them every day."<h2>Influencers caught talking inappropriately with underage fans can face serious legal trouble</h2>Influencers forming relationships with fans becomes an even more complicated (and illegal) dynamic if the fan is underage. The responsibility for these relationships always lies with the adult - ignorance of someone's age isn't a defense in California. Influencers who have been exchanging sexual content with minors can face serious legal trouble.For example, <keyword id="9795085" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="tony-lopez">Tony Lopez</keyword>, along with the founders of his former TikToker collective The Hype House, is currently being sued for sexual battery and emotional distress, according to <a href="https://www.tmz.com/2021/01/07/tiktok-hype-house-member-tony-lopez-sued-sexual-battery-minor/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">legal documents obtained by TMZ</a>.James Charles, meanwhile, said in his Notes app apology that he did send and receive sexually explicit content from an underaged fan, explaining that <a href="https://www.insider.com/james-charles-grooming-accusations-denies-predator-tiktok-2021-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the fan told Charles that he was 18 years old</a> - not 16. Charles said he plans to ask for identification or a passport in the future to verify a fan's age and identity.Becoming a social media star comes with a responsibility that many young people may not yet fully understand. But experts say that doesn't mean they can act without consequences.Social media stars are the biggest celebrities of the younger generation. Jeglic said this is something influencers need to consider, or one bad decision could haunt them for the rest of their lives."People are looking up to them," she said. "So if they are engaging in this type of behavior, what kind of a role model are they being?"

Relationships between influencers and their fans are inherently problematic, experts say

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Bliss Spa said it will no longer sponsor posts from <keyword id="6762469" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="TikTok">TikTok</keyword> star <keyword id="9795085" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="tony-lopez">Tony Lopez</keyword> in light of recent allegations of <keyword id="16048" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="sexual-harassment">sexual harassment</keyword> of a minor. </li><li>Lopez has not publicly responded to the claims, which include allegedly soliciting nude photos from a minor, and did not immediately return Insider's request for comment. </li><li>Lopez is a member of the TikTok creator collective the <keyword id="8532020" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Hype-House">Hype House</keyword> and has more than 20 million TikTok followers. </li></ul>A spa and cosmetics company is cutting ties with <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@tonylopez?lang=en">TikTok creator Tony Lopez</a> in light of sexual harassment allegations. Bliss Spa said in several comments on TikTok that the brand would no longer sponsor or collaborate with Lopez, a creator who has 22.2 million followers on the short-form video app. When several users commented on a Bliss video questioning the company's ties with Lopez, the brand's account replied: "We take these accusations seriously and will not work w/ Tony Lopez going forward. We're committed to working w/ partners who uphold our brand values."Bliss did not immediately return Insider's request for comment. <div type="image" title="tony lopez allegations bliss" height="585" width="332" msid="77660136" hostid="261"></div>Lopez is known for his dance videos as half of the Lopez Brothers, with his twin brother, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@ondreazlopez?lang=en">Ondreaz</a>. Both brothers are members of the <a href="https://www.insider.com/hype-house-tv-show-video-tiktok-reality-the-hype-life-2020-8">Hype House</a>, the TikTok collective that also features Addison Rae, Avani Gregg, Chase Hudson, Thomas Petrou, and several others. Lopez, who turned 21 on Wednesday, has been accused of messaging underaged girls on social media in tweets and <a href="https://twitter.com/defnoodles/status/1292266026814459904">TikTok videos</a> that have gone viral. One <a href="https://twitter.com/kopcillaa/status/1292206219407396869">tweet</a> from August 8 purports to show screenshots of messages between Lopez and a 15-year-old girl, and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CCr9-21BExR/?utm_source=ig_embed">Instagram posts from the TikTok drama-tracking account TikTokRoom</a> showed screenshots of Lopez allegedly soliciting nude photos from the girl. A representative for Lopez did not immediately return Insider's request for comment and the TikTok star has not yet commented publicly on the allegations. Lopez has previously come under fire for tweets that were deemed sexist and homophobic. One tweet from July 2019 said, "Goodnight to the girls that suck d--- only." He also used the word "gay" as a slur in a December 2016 tweet. Lopez <a href="https://twitter.com/lopez__tony/status/1281668054485622784">apologized</a> for the comments in a July 10 tweet, after a thread showed examples of his past language. "Just wanted to apologize for any old childish tweets that I made 5–6 years ago if I offended anyone I apologize deeply, it offends me reading those now as well," he said. <ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/tony-lopez-straight-tiktok-tweets-women-sexist-gay-homophobic-2020-7">TikTok star Tony Lopez is being called out for his past sexist, racist, and homophobic tweets</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/hype-house-members-charli-d-amelio-lilhuddy-tiktok-los-angeles-2020-1">TikTok's Hype House is home to some of the app's biggest stars, including Charli D'Amelio. Who are the other 20 members?</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/sway-hype-house-clubhouse-tiktok-collab-houses-2020-6">Drama, arrests, and break-ins are growing pains for some of the biggest TikTok collab houses</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/hype-house-tv-show-video-tiktok-reality-the-hype-life-2020-8">The Hype House TikTok collective is getting their own reality TV show called 'The Hype Life'</a></li></ul>

A skincare brand said it will stop working with TikTok star Tony Lopez due to allegations of sexual harassment

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="6762469" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="TikTok">TikTok</keyword> user Tony Lopez is receiving backlash on Twitter after he tweeted about "straight TikTok."</li><li>People began to resurface some of Lopez's old tweets that contain sexist, racist, and homophobic statements.</li><li>Some of the tweets are as recent as 2019. Many have since been deleted.</li><li>Lopez, who has nearly 20 million followers on the app, apologized for "any old childish tweets."</li></ul>Popular TikTok star Tony Lopez, 20, is being called out for past offensive tweets that contain sexist, racist, and homophobic statements.It appears the controversy started when Lopez — who has <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@tonylopez">over 19 million followers on TikTok</a> and frequently performs alongside his brother, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@ondreazlopez?source=h5_t">Ondreaz Lopez</a> — tweeted on July 9 asking why people didn't like "straight" TikTok."So for 'straight tik tok' is it that you guys are annoyed by the dances?" he tweeted. "Or because they have a high following and support system? Is it an envy thing? I don't understand why people would hate individuals for having fun and dancing."The tweet has since been deleted. A screenshot of the tweet appears below.<div type="image" title="tony lopez twitter" height="119" width="588" msid="76902815" hostid="261"></div>TikTok is now characterized by some of its users as being split into two different sides: "straight TikTok" and "alt TikTok" (or "<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/10/style/elite-tiktok.html">elite TikTok</a>"). While "straight TikTok" is full of influencers and dancers, "alt TikTok" is the side of the app that embraces queer <keyword id="24504" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="culture">culture</keyword> and content outside of the mainstream.Some people took issue with Lopez insinuating "alt TikTok" did not have the same level of following and support as "straight TikTok."<h2>Lopez's comment about 'straight TikTok' caused people to look into his past behavior online and find problematic tweets</h2>Less than two hours after Lopez tweeted about "straight TikTok," Twitter user @evrytingiwanted <a href="https://twitter.com/evrytingiwanted/status/1281468479384805377?s=20">began a thread</a> "exposing tony lopez," which contained links to Lopez's past offensive tweets. Scrutiny surrounding Lopez intensified when internet personality and musician Elijah Daniel began to post about Lopez on Twitter, <a href="https://twitter.com/elijahdaniel/status/1281578945926721536?s=20">retweeting Lopez's tweet about "straight TikTok"</a> and saying, "just shut up and stay on your side before you get ya cheek filler damaged."People began circulating screenshots of Lopez's older tweets that contained sexist, racist, and homophobic statements or questions, some of which were tweeted as recently as 2019.One of Lopez's past tweets contained a statement about Asian people "[trying] to act Mexican or black." Another posed the offensive question, "Are Latina women worth it? Asking for a friend." Others called him out for tweets in which he referenced Black and Asian women, <a href="https://twitter.com/firetoyourIawn/status/1281692698269843456?s=20">saying that the tweets were fetishizing</a>.<div type="image" title="tony lopez tweets" height="464" width="1202" msid="76902817" hostid="261"></div><div type="image" title="tony lopez latina women tweet" height="154" width="1084" msid="76902818" hostid="261"></div><div type="image" title="tony lopez tweets" height="401" width="654" msid="76902819" hostid="261"></div>In another since-deleted tweet from October 2016, Lopez used the word "gay" in a derogatory way, saying, "You gay for this."<div type="image" title="tony lopez gay tweet" height="340" width="1076" msid="76902820" hostid="261"></div>Lopez also <a href="https://twitter.com/rasberrhys/status/1281691572233539584?s=20">came under fire</a> for another since-deleted tweet in which he wrote, "Goodnight to the girls who suck d--- only." <div type="image" title="tony lopez tweets" height="328" width="1200" msid="76902822" hostid="261"></div><h2>Lopez has since apologized on Twitter</h2>Lopez issued an apology on Twitter on Friday for his old tweets."Just wanted to apologize for any old childish tweets that I made 5-6 years ago if I offended anyone I apologize deeply," he wrote, "it offends me reading those now as well. I know people are gonna keep talking about it."<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Tony Lopez (@lopez__tony) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1281668054485622784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 10, 2020</a></blockquote>Many were <a href="https://twitter.com/simpforeth/status/1281688922402193411?s=20">dissatisfied with Lopez's apology</a>, pointing out that <a href="https://twitter.com/thatdumbwh0re/status/1281701923368964097?s=20">some of the offensive tweets were from only a year ago</a>.Lopez did not respond to Insider's request for comment.<ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/hype-house-members-charli-d-amelio-lilhuddy-tiktok-los-angeles-2020-1">TikTok's Hype House is home to some fo the app's biggest stars, including Charli D'Amelio. Who are the other 20 membesr?</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/sway-hype-house-clubhouse-tiktok-collab-houses-2020-6">Drama, arrests, and break-ins are growing pains for some of the biggest TikTok collab houses</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/elijah-daniel-lil-phag-profile-final-tour-adam-steve-stannable-2020-2">How an internet comedian pivoted to a career in music with in-your-face gay rap that has teens traveling for hours to see his shows</a></li></ul>

TikTok star Tony Lopez is being called out for his past sexist, racist, and homophobic tweets

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="860150" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="YouTubers">YouTubers</keyword> <keyword id="8299810" type="AGENCY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Trisha-paytas">Trisha Paytas</keyword> and <keyword id="8016339" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="nikita-dragun">Nikita Dragun</keyword> got into a furious feud on Wednesday night.</li><li>They fought for over two hours, bringing up each other's past of problematic behavior. </li><li>Many commentators found the whole spectacle performative and disappointing.</li></ul>"This you?" has become a staple of internet feuds, functioning as shorthand to call out someone's hypocrisy by pointing them towards prior comments or actions which contradict their current stance.Some of the biggest <keyword id="1112328" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Influencers">influencers</keyword> have been online for more than a decade, so there are countless tweets and posts to rifle through in the search of problematic behavior.Late on Wednesday night, followers of YouTube and OnlyFans star Trisha Paytas and <keyword id="6354629" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="beauty">beauty</keyword> guru Nikita Dragun saw this unfolding in real time, as the two YouTubers - both of whom have millions of subscribers - weaponized each other's past racial insensitivities to score points in an ongoing clash.<h2>The feud began with a sarcastic joke about a Snapchat show</h2>It all started when Paytas, who has been in <a href="https://www.insider.com/life-and-controversies-of-youtuber-trisha-paytas-2019-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">many public feuds thanks to her self-confessed trolling and outspoken nature</a>, tweeted in reference to Dragun's Instagram story, which said, "cancel me as many times as u want... my show is still running."Dragun has made a career out of being controversial - <a href="https://www.insider.com/nikita-dragun-party-mask-tana-patrick-maskless-birthday-party-2021-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">she has thrown and attended several parties</a> during the coronavirus pandemic, and has also been <a href="https://www.insider.com/nikita-dragun-race-blackfishing-influencer-asks-what-she-should-be-2020-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">periodically accused of "blackfishing"</a> - a problematic practice which involves altering one's appearance, often by wearing darker makeup than the natural complexion, to give the allusion of being Black or biracial.In response to Dragun's comments, Paytas mocked Dragun's show for only airing on Snapchat.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">-Trisha Paytas (@trishapaytas) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1375946000204894209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2021</a></blockquote>Dragun responded, saying she had "30 million viewers" and a billboard on Sunset Boulevard, then criticized Paytas for trying to erase the success of a trans woman (Dragun herself is trans)."Trisha haven't u done enough to the Trans community?" <a href="https://twitter.com/NikitaDragun/status/1377347526307717121" target="_blank" rel="noopener">she said</a>, referencing a video posted by Paytas in 2019 <a href="https://www.insider.com/youtuber-trisha-paytas-criticized-for-transgender-statements-2019-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">where she said she was a transgender man</a>. "There's no need to downplay mine or any Trans woman's accomplishments. Happy #TransDayOfVisibility @trishapaytas."Paytas then brought up Dragun's <a href="https://www.insider.com/celebrity-influencer-party-partying-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic-2021-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pandemic partying</a>, and her association with <a href="https://www.insider.com/james-charles-grooming-accusations-denies-predator-tiktok-2021-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">James Charles</a> and <a href="https://www.insider.com/tony-lopez-lawsuit-sued-denies-alleged-sexual-battery-emotional-distress-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Lopez brothers</a>, who are all currently embroiled in allegations of <a href="https://www.insider.com/james-charles-relationship-fan-between-influencers-stark-power-dynamic-2021-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">interacting inappropriately with underage fans</a>. Paytas said Dragun was "defending pedophiles" and "spreading COVID.""How bout wear a mask ?" <a href="https://twitter.com/trishapaytas/status/1377367117234720770" target="_blank" rel="noopener">she tweeted</a>. "U r a trash human during this whole pandemic - Ur makeup ain't that cute."<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">-Trisha Paytas (@trishapaytas) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1377368036278067200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 31, 2021</a></blockquote>Several commentators responded to Dragun's tweet, supporting Paytas' statement that the feud had nothing to do with Dragun being a trans woman."When will Nikita get it in her head that people are attacking her because of her sh---- actions and not because she's trans," <a href="https://twitter.com/rayleenanahi/status/1377362777644261376?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">one person tweeted</a>, receiving 16,000 likes."You have yet to apologise to the Black community for blackfishing as us, you've yet to apologise for being totally irresponsible during this pandemic, don't throw stones Miss," <a href="https://twitter.com/Adrian_beautee/status/1377361512298254338?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">added beauty influencer Adrian Beautee</a>.Drama YouTuber Dustin Daily also retweeted Dragun, telling her she was "just as problematic" as Paytas."Let's not act like you don't change your skin tone every other week," he said.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">-Dustin Dailey (@ThreeDailey) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1377348242749333505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 31, 2021</a></blockquote>The battle continued for hours - with Paytas taking issue with Dragun hanging around with 18-year-olds. Dragun then retweeted several serious allegations about Paytas, including claims she <a href="https://twitter.com/NikitaDragun/status/1377431360009203717?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sexualized young stars such as Trevi Moran</a> when they were underage, and <a href="https://twitter.com/NikitaDragun/status/1377421984238211073" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dated a "pedophile",</a> referring to her brief relationship with actor Evan Fransisco Gomez who was <a href="https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/08/man-pleads-to-photographing-boy-3-in-dodger-stadium-restroom.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">charged with photographing a three-year-old boy</a> in a men's locker room in 2012. He plead no contest and took a plea deal of three years' probation and community service.Dragun also accused Paytas of abusing <a href="https://www.insider.com/trisha-paytas-moses-hacmon-engagement-relationship-marriage-boyfriend-instagram-breakup-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">her fiancée Moses Hacmon.</a> This allegation relates to comments made by Paytas on an <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnLGwc4wivw&amp;ab_channel=H3Podcastcast">early episode of the "Frenemies" podcast</a> in which she admitted she physically assaulted Hacmon during an argument on one occasion, but acknowledged it was wrong and said it was a "weak moment" in their relationship. Paytas <a href="https://twitter.com/trishapaytas/status/1377425312095510528" target="_blank" rel="noopener">retweeted this claim and corresponding photo allegedly of Hacmon's bruised arm</a>, saying she had spoken about the incident and moved on."I own up to my faults," she said.<h2>Klein then inserted himself into the fight to stand up for his sister-in-law-to-be</h2><a href="https://www.insider.com/trisha-paytas-h3h3-ethan-klein-drama-timeline-what-happened-2020-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Klein</a>, a fellow YouTuber who runs the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLtREJY21xRfCuEKvdki1Kw">H3 Podcast</a>, then got involved. He replied to the tweet which alleged that Paytas had "domestically abused" Hacmon - who is his brother-in-law - in support of Paytas."Talk to your friend James Charles about jail, Moses and Trisha are happy and worked through it," <a href="https://twitter.com/h3h3productions/status/1377428035427692544?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">he said</a>. "It's weird that you're more worked up about a happy consensual couple than a literal predator in your immediate friend circle." Charles has <a href="https://www.insider.com/james-charles-grooming-accusations-denies-predator-tiktok-2021-2">previously denied</a> allegations of predatory behavior, and has responded to recent claims that he has interacted inappropriately with underage fans in a video <a href="https://www.insider.com/james-charles-youtube-scandal-what-did-fired-sexting-allegations-video-2021-4">in which he acknowledged</a> that he was "reckless" and that the conversations depicted "should never have happened".Klein then accused Dragun of deflecting "from the fact that you are actively working with, supporting and associating with known predators." This is a reference to her collaborations with Charles, as well as with TikTokers <a href="https://www.insider.com/tony-lopez-lawsuit-sued-denies-alleged-sexual-battery-emotional-distress-2021-1">Tony</a> and <a href="https://www.eonline.com/uk/news/1163901/tiktok-star-ondreaz-lopez-speaks-out-after-being-accused-of-sexual-assault" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ondreaz Lopez.</a> Tony Lopez is <a href="https://www.insider.com/tony-lopez-lawsuit-sued-denies-alleged-sexual-battery-emotional-distress-2021-1">being sued for alleged sexual battery and emotional distress</a>, allegations which he denied in a statement to TMZ, saying they were "not at all true." His brother Ondreaz Lopez faced a separate accusation in which a Twitter user claimed he assaulted her in 2018 when she was 17 years old. Ondreaz denied the claim in a <a href="https://twitter.com/ondreazlopez/status/1275137749368991745?s=20">Twitter statement</a> posted on 22 June, 2020.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">-Ethan Klein (@h3h3productions) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1377445870619090944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2021</a></blockquote>Paytas said she had blocked Dragun after her claims, because they "triggered" her. She said Dragun had brought up "stuff I did at my lowest" and has "zero remorse" for digging through her history to hurt her."I've tried to learn from my past. I've finally gotten my mental illness under control a little," <a href="https://twitter.com/trishapaytas/status/1377430802028367872" target="_blank" rel="noopener">she tweeted</a>. "I just, this all takes me a huge step back. I will always apologize and try to educate myself, try to grow. That's all I can do. I really was just hoping she could do the same."<h2>Many commentators found the whole spectacle performative and disappointing</h2>While some onlookers reveled in Paytas' takedown of Dragun and her behavior during the pandemic, others felt all the Twitter spat achieved was bring more attention to the actions of two influential figures.Beauty YouTuber Jackie Aina <a href="https://twitter.com/jackieaina/status/1377460832838160386" target="_blank" rel="noopener">criticized Dragun for</a> tweeting a video of Klein using a racial slur for this reason."Stop throwing Black people in there for your 'this u' moments," she said.<a href="https://twitter.com/cheritaisrandom/status/1377486151435440129" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Commentary YouTuber Cherita Gaskin added</a> that influencers "love to weaponize racism when it fits their narrative."<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">-Naira Banks (@jackieaina) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1377460832838160386?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2021</a></blockquote>YouTuber Kahlen Barry also spoke out in a series of tweets, and accused both Dragun and Paytas of being "ignorant" and "performative.""I was just having a whole conversation with my friends today about some of the things that frustrate me about the influencer space &amp; this is exactly that," <a href="https://twitter.com/KahlenBarry/status/1377450632114798596?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">he tweeted</a>. "There is no sides of this 'twitter beef.' Both have incredibly ignorant pasts and presents that people love to overlook."He added that cheering either side on was disappointing, and the whole spectacle had become a battle of "who's more racist" without actually achieving anything.This is not the first time an influencer has faced such criticism. Last November TikToker Dixie D'Amelio received similar backlash for posting a video <a href="https://www.insider.com/dixie-damelio-renegade-dance-trisha-paytas-backlash-tiktok-2020-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dancing to Paytas using the N-word</a> during a spat between the two influencers.<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@gordacorajuda/video/6897778836872678661?sender_device=pc&amp;sender_web_id=6891688038939182597&amp;is_from_webapp=v3&amp;is_copy_url=0s_copy_url=0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikToker Gorda Corajuda said</a> at the time that D'Amelio "weaponized somebody else's racism and anti-Blackness to make herself look better."While the debate between Paytas and Dragun was entertaining for many viewers and commentary channels were excited to cover the drama, the feud also highlighted that Black content creators are tired of their pain being used to further boost the turbulent narratives that prolong problematic influencers' careers.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">-Kahlen Barry (@KahlenBarry) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1377475139894444035?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2021</a></blockquote>

Trisha Paytas mocked Nikita Dragun's reality show and reignited a vicious feud between the 2 controversial YouTube stars

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Members of the <keyword id="8532020" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Hype-House">Hype House</keyword> have been criticized for collaborating with rapper <keyword id="9000071" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="tekashi-6ix9ine">Tekashi 6ix9ine</keyword>.</li><li>Tekashi 6ix9ine, 24, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez, pleaded guilty to a 2015 sex crime charge and made a plea deal on firearms and racketeering charges in 2019. </li><li>Members <keyword id="9398298" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="thomas-petrou">Thomas Petrou</keyword>, <keyword id="9911584" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="olivia-ponton">Olivia Ponton</keyword>, and Tayler Holder all posted <keyword id="6762469" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="TikTok">TikTok</keyword> videos with the rapper.</li><li>At least two of the videos have been deleted or made private in the wake of the controversy. </li></ul>Hype House fans are criticizing some of its young TikTok stars for collaborating with the controversial rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine.Daniel Hernandez, the 24-year-old rapper better known by his stage name, appeared in videos with several members of the TikTok creator collective. Many comments on those videos called out the influencers for befriending Hernandez, who is currently halfway through a four-year probation sentence stemming from a <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/tekashi-6ix9ine-probation-747879/">2015 child sexual performance</a> conviction. The collaborations come as Hernandez, called the "villain" of rap by <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/02/arts/music/6ix9ine-interview.html">The New York Times</a>, tries to rehabilitate his image and <a href="https://www.complex.com/music/2020/09/6ix9ine-tattletales-album-review">promote his new album</a> after serving time in federal prison and on house arrest after <a href="https://www.insider.com/tekashi-6ix9ine-sentenced-nine-trey-blood-gang-2019-12">making a plea deal on firearms and racketeering charges in 2019</a>. Reflecting on his career in a recent interview with The Times, Hernandez said that he wants to continue making music. "I fell in love with the life. I fell in love with the fact that I inspire people. When kids see me, they go crazy," he said. The rapper's new album, "TattleTales," was released on Friday. Hernandez surprised members of the <a href="https://www.insider.com/tiktok-hype-house-facing-power-struggle-legal-dispute-2020-3">Hype House</a> with help from the collective's founder, Thomas Petrou, 22, according to a vlog Petrou posted on Tuesday.<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wD7m9JXiIgg" frameborder="0"></iframe>Top comments on the video included one calling Hernandez an "abusive predator" and another asking if Petrou and the rest of the Hype House were just ignoring "all the horrible things" Hernandez had done. Hype House members Olivia Ponton, 18, and Tayler Holder, 23, later posted TikTok videos of each dancing with Hernandez. Insider has reached out to representatives for Petrou, Ponton, and Holder for comment. <blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@itstaylerholder/video/6870177504984911110" data-video-id="6870177504984911110" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;"> <section> <a target="_blank" title="@itstaylerholder" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@itstaylerholder">@itstaylerholder</a> Stay mad @6ix9ine <a target="_blank" title="♬ GOOBA - 6ix9ine" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/GOOBA-6824617556595297029">♬ GOOBA - 6ix9ine</a> </section> </blockquote> In Ponton's video, Hernandez dances with the 18-year-old woman and points at her behind. TikToker Sabrina Quesada commented, facetiously writing, "YES!! set that example for your young fans!! so smart." Ponton made her video private on Wednesday afternoon. Hype House member Ondreaz Lopez, 23, was also featured in a video on Hernandez's page. On Tuesday, commenting on a post from the TikTok drama <keyword id="819905" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Instagram">Instagram</keyword> page, @TikTokRoom, Lopez said the rapper's publicity team had wanted them to film the video. "We ain't even finish the full dance it was so awkward," Lopez said.As of Wednesday, Hernandez had deleted the video. <div type="image" title="Screen Shot 2020 09 09 at 1.24.31 PM" height="153" width="264" msid="78028957" hostid="261"></div>The Hype House has underage members, including 17-year-old Avani Gregg. While not presently associated with the Hype House, Charli D'Amelio, 16, is close friends with the group and was featured in a video on Petrou's channel on August 27. Hernandez <a href="https://jezebel.com/details-in-child-sex-complaint-against-rapper-6ix9ine-c-1821245294">pleaded guilty</a> to the 2015 sex crime charge, admitting to using a 13-year-old girl in a sexual performance. <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/tekashi69s-ex-girlfriend-sara-molina-i-gave-him-my-heart-he-gave-me-beatings">The Daily Beast reported last year</a> that Hernandez's ex-girlfriend said he sexually assaulted and abused her, claims that <a href="https://www.vulture.com/2019/09/tekashi-69-update-rapper-admits-to-years-of-domestic-abuse.html">Hernandez admitted to in a 2019 court agreement</a>.<ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/tekashi-6ix9ine-moved-location-after-his-address-leaked-2020-5">Tekashi 6ix9ine was reportedly moved to another location for house arrest after a neighbor leaked his address</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/tekashi-6ix9ine-gooba-music-video-livestream-snitching-prison-release-2020-5">Tekashi 6ix9ine says he has no regrets about snitching on his former gang: 'I'm supposed to be loyal?'</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/tekashi-6ix9ine-backyard-music-videos-approved-coronavirus-home-confinement-judge-2020-4">Tekashi 6ix9ine can spend up to 2 hours a week making backyard music videos while in home confinement, a judge ruled</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/tekashi-6ix9ine-home-confinement-request-approved-coronavirus-outbreak-2020-4">Tekashi 6ix9ine has been released from prison to serve the rest of his sentence at home because of the coronavirus</a></li></ul>

Hype House members are facing backlash for collaborating with controversial rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine on TikTok

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="8532020" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Hype-House">Hype House</keyword>, a <keyword id="6762469" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="TikTok">TikTok</keyword> collective of some of the app's biggest stars, is getting a TV series, <a href="https://deadline.com/2020/08/wheelhouse-hype-house-docuseries-tiktok-1203002045/">Deadline reported</a>.</li><li>"The Hype Life" is billed as a docuseries and will give viewers a peek inside the Hollywood Hills mansion that's home to Thomas Petrou, Chase Hudson, and many of the group's roughly 20 members. </li><li>The news comes amid controversy over Hype House members flouting social-distancing measures as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge nationwide.</li></ul>Members of TikTok creator collective the Hype House are getting their own reality TV show, <a href="https://deadline.com/2020/08/wheelhouse-hype-house-docuseries-tiktok-1203002045/">Deadline reported</a>. "The Hype Life," billed as a docuseries, will offer an exclusive look into the lives of Hype House members including Thomas Petrou, Chase Hudson, Avani Gregg, Ondreaz Lopez, Tony Lopez, Madi Monroe, and the group's other many members, according to Deadline. Wheelhouse <keyword id="4578" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="entertainment">Entertainment</keyword> is developing and producing the series, which will depict day-to-day life in the Hype House's 14,000-square-foot mansion in Los Angeles' Hollywood Hills as the top TikTok creators collaborate on content. The collective usually includes around <a href="https://www.insider.com/hype-house-members-charli-d-amelio-lilhuddy-tiktok-los-angeles-2020-1">20 members</a>, most of whom have lived in the group's mansion, but Deadline said that Nikita Dragun, an influencer who does not live in the house, will also appear on the series. It's unclear exactly how many people are considered members of the Hype House, and how many of those members live in the group's Los Angeles mansion. "Hype House is a creative rocket ship, piloted by extremely hard-working, business-savvy young adults who have already built incredible audiences that both platforms and brands can tap into," Eric Watternberg, the Wheelhouse Group chief creative officer and president of Wheelhouse Entertainment, told Deadline. Charli D'Amelio, the app's most-followed user, and her sister, Dixie, have been associated with the Hype House in the past but are <a href="https://www.insider.com/charlie-dixie-damelio-hype-house-left-business-thomas-petrou-lilhuddy-2020-5#:~:text=Charli%20and%20Dixie%20D'Amelio%20are%20officially%20separate%20from%20the,Hype%20House%20channels%20any%20longer.">no longer affiliated</a>. The D'Amelio family has <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/3162778/charli-dixie-damelio-reality-show/">hinted at a possible reality series</a>, as the two sisters continue to sign brand deals with companies like Hollister and Morphe. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/09/style/tik-tok-drama-taylor-lorenz.html">Taylor Lorenz of The New York Times first reported in July</a> that Wheelhouse was working on a reality show pitch with the Hype House stars. The management teams for the Clubhouse, <keyword id="9294970" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="sway-house">Sway House</keyword>, and Kids Next Door houses, all collectives for TikTok creators and influencers, have each explored bringing their talents to TV, Lorenz reported. Representatives for the Hype House and Wheelhouse Entertainment did not immediately return Insider's requests for comment. <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px); data.width~540;"><div style="padding:8px;"><div style="background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:62.4537037037% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"><div style="background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CCwdgdyDni7" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Hype House ft Noah &amp; Nikita</a> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Hype House (@thehypehousela) on Jul 17, 2020 at 1:49pm PDT<time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2020-07-17T20:49:39+00:00">Jul 17, 2020 at 1:49pm PDT</time></div></blockquote><h2>Hype House has been embroiled in several controversies this year </h2>The Hype House collective has faced several controversies in 2020. In March, Daisy Keech, one of the original members of the Hype House, <a href="https://www.insider.com/daisy-keech-why-she-left-the-hype-house-2020-3">announced that she was leaving the group</a>, claiming that she had business and financial disagreements with Petrou. In a YouTube video, Keech said that she and Petrou had co-founded the collective, but that Petrou and Hudson had told members of the press, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/03/style/hype-house-los-angeles-tik-tok.html">including The New York Times</a>, that they were the co-founders. "Being 20 years old and not having like a manager there with me kind of like Chase [Hudson] had, like I had no idea to speak up and to say that I was a co-founder," Keech said of her experience when Lorenz interviewed members of the Hype House for an article in The Times. Keech left the house and started <a href="https://www.insider.com/sway-hype-house-clubhouse-tiktok-collab-houses-2020-6">Clubhouse</a>, though she announced in a new video on Tuesday that she's leaving to have more time to develop her own personal brand. In July, social-media drama erupted between the Hype House and the Sway House, as Hudson feuded with Josh Richards of Sway, and <a href="https://www.insider.com/tiktokalypse-tiktok-drama-chase-hudson-lilhuddy-charli-damelio-2020-7">members of the two houses confronted each other</a> both online and offline. In May, a representative for the D'Amelio sisters told Insider that they had <a href="https://www.insider.com/charlie-dixie-damelio-hype-house-left-business-thomas-petrou-lilhuddy-2020-5">offically split from the house</a>. The news came after <a href="https://www.insider.com/when-did-charli-damelio-chase-hudson-breakup-cheat-lilhuddy-2020-4">Charli D'Amelio's breakup with Hudson</a> and a series of scandals. In addition to the interpersonal drama, members of the Hype House and other collectives, <a href="https://www.insider.com/jake-paul-party-video-calabasas-mayor-covid-19-bryce-hall-2020-7">including the Sway House,</a> recently came under fire for hosting parties during the COVID-19 pandemic, as many influencers in Los Angeles have flouted social-distancing guidelines. In July, <a href="https://www.insider.com/party-hype-house-larray-birthday-la-james-charles-tana-influencer-2020-7">the mansion hosted a birthday party for Hype House member Larri Merritt</a>, and Instagram posts showed that many of the guests were maskless. <ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/daisy-keech-why-she-left-the-hype-house-2020-3">'The truth about the Hype House': A former member of the blockbuster TikTok crew is speaking out about problems she saw while living there</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/party-hype-house-larray-birthday-la-james-charles-tana-influencer-2020-7">Dozens of top influencers gathered for a massive Hype House birthday party despite record COVID-19 numbers in California</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/hype-house-members-drama-split-daisy-2020-3">TikTok's most notable squad, The Hype House, is facing a major split as numerous members float a competing group</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/tiktok-hype-house-teens-today-show-tour-2020-2">'I'll wake up to people filming TikToks on my balcony': Hype House stars describe what it's like to live in a creator home</a></li></ul>

The Hype House TikTok collective is getting their own reality TV show called 'The Hype Life'

<ul class="summary-list"><li>President <keyword id="6354484" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Donald-Trump">Donald Trump</keyword> on Friday told reporters he would take action to ban popular app <keyword id="6762469" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="TikTok">TikTok</keyword> as early as Saturday.</li><li>Trump over the past month has joined other US officials in expressing security concerns over the app's Chinese ownership and suggested the service is sharing user data with the Chinese government, though the app's owner has denied doing so. </li><li>While some TikTok creators encouraged their fans to follow them on their other social media accounts, others made memes or plans to set up a virtual private network so they could still use the app after a ban.</li><li>A TikTok spokesperson thanked users for their support in a video statement Saturday, and said the app is "here for the long run." </li></ul>President Donald Trump on Friday <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-told-reporters-air-force-one-ban-tiktok-2020-7">told reporters that he would ban popular video streaming platform TikTok as early as Saturday,</a> and the social-media platform's expansive community reacted in the way they know best: by posting memes.US officials have long expressed security concerns over TikTok since it was purchased by the Chinese company ByteDance in 2017. In December 2019, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-military-still-posting-tiktok-despite-partial-ban-troops-2020-1">the US military announced that service members would no longer be permitted to use the app on their government-issued devices</a>.In February, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer likewise expressed concerns over TikTok's connections to China in <a href="https://www.insider.com/chuck-schumer-told-tsa-stop-using-tiktok-agency-pushed-back-2020-2">urging the Transportation Security Administration to cease its use of the platform</a> as part of its social media campaigns.TikTok has said <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/07/07/tiktok-ban-china-usa-pompeo/">it does not share the data of its American users with Chinese officials.</a>The platform, known as Musical.ly before it was purchased by ByteDance, didn't seem to land in the president's crosshairs until July — just a few weeks after his June rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-teens-and-k-pop-fans-tanked-trumps-tulsa-rally-2020-6">Following the rally, users on the platform took credit for a social media campaign that may have impacted the event's attendance. </a>It's not exactly clear how the president could ban TikTok — the app available to download for free on the iOS App Store and the Google Play store. As <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2020/7/9/21315983/trump-pompeo-ban-tiktok-bytedance-chinese-social-media-national-security-censorship-methods">The Verge</a> noted, enacting a ban is not as simple as Trump and his allies have suggested, though there are ways he and his administration could make it more difficult for the company to operate. Sources told Reuters on Saturday that ByteDance has agreed to divest its US operations to avoid a ban on TikTok. ByteDance had previously sought to maintain a stake in the US business of TikTok, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/exclusive-bytedance-offers-to-forgo-stake-in-tiktok-to-clinch-us-deal-sources-2020-8">though the company has agreed to exit completely as part of a sale to Microsoft, according to the report.</a>In a video posted Monday, the US TikTok general manager thanked users for the outpouring of support in response to Trump's proposed ban and said the app was "here for the long run." <h2>Many personalities responded in typical TikTok fashion with humor and memes </h2>Some TikTok creators posted videos joking they'd show up to the White House if Trump followed through with his TikTok ban. In typical TikTok form, the posts about the app's possible demise relied on popular trends and sounds from the app's user-generated library.In one video, a TikTok user envisioned they'd show up to the White House to confront Trump wielding a saucepan. The video uses a popular sound that originated from an episode of Lifetime's popular series "Dance Moms." <blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@carleuiza/video/6855893515818257670" data-video-id="6855893515818257670" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;"> <section> <a target="_blank" title="@carleuiza" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@carleuiza">@carleuiza</a> <a title="greenscreen" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/greenscreen">##greenscreen</a> <a title="foryou" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/foryou">##foryou</a> <a title="foryoupage" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/foryoupage">##foryoupage</a> <a title="fy" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fy">##fy</a> <a title="fyp" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fyp">##fyp</a> <a title="tiktokban" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tiktokban">##tiktokban</a> <a title="tiktokbanned" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tiktokbanned">##tiktokbanned</a> <a title="tiktok" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tiktok">##tiktok</a> <a target="_blank" title="♬ original sound - danchesnut" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-6731870220757109509">♬ original sound - danchesnut</a> </section> </blockquote> Claudia Conway, the daughter of White House adviser Kellyanne Conway, who <a href="https://www.insider.com/claudia-conway-posting-anti-trump-tiktoks-2020-6">became a TikTok sensation when she began posting pro-Black Lives Matter and anti-Trump TikTok videos</a>, joined in the meme-making. Conway made several videos that poked fun at Trump and his potential TikTok ban. <blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@claudiamconway/video/6855912207184579845" data-video-id="6855912207184579845" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;"> <section> <a target="_blank" title="@claudiamconway" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@claudiamconway">@claudiamconway</a> <a target="_blank" title="♬ Pain - nessaabarrett" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/Pain-6855007361095011078">♬ Pain - nessaabarrett</a> </section> </blockquote> Tatyanna Mitchell, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/02/style/tati-devin-tiktok.html">known for her on-screen romance with another popular TikTok star</a> and for creating some of the platform's most popular videos and sounds, also joked in a video that she'd show up to the White House to confront the president if Trump followed through in shutting TikTok down.<blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@thereal_tati/video/6855874409496972549" data-video-id="6855874409496972549" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;"> <section> <a target="_blank" title="@thereal_tati" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@thereal_tati">@thereal_tati</a> <a title="greenscreen" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/greenscreen">##greenscreen</a> <a target="_blank" title="♬ dont use if straight tiktok - militarnime" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/dont-use-if-straight-tiktok-6846207589475191558">♬ dont use if straight tiktok - militarnime</a> </section> </blockquote> While Dixie D'Amelio, one of the platform's biggest stars, didn't outright mention the ban in a Friday night TikTok, she looked expressionless while the lyrics to her melancholy single "Be Happy" played in the background. In the comments, her fans speculated she was reacting to the forthcoming ban.<blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@dixiedamelio/video/6855857842872765701" data-video-id="6855857842872765701" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;"> <section> <a target="_blank" title="@dixiedamelio" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@dixiedamelio">@dixiedamelio</a> yeah <a target="_blank" title="♬ Be Happy - Dixie D’Amelio" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/Be-Happy-6840013492871759873">♬ Be Happy - Dixie D’Amelio</a> </section> </blockquote> <h2>Others suggested that users could skirt the potential ban </h2>Other creators posted about changing their phone's location in the Settings app or using <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-vpn">Virtual Private Network</a> (VPN) to maintain TikTok access should it be banned. A VPN allows users to connect to the internet through a secure server that makes their online activity hard to trace.<blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@jas0sn/video/6855858061915983109" data-video-id="6855858061915983109" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;"> <section> <a target="_blank" title="@jas0sn" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jas0sn">@jas0sn</a> im not even worried, if it does happen catch me on UK tiktok ❤️ maccies <a title="uk" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/uk">##uk</a> <a title="ban" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/ban">##ban</a> <a target="_blank" title="♬ original sound - rownelson" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-6792333901604965126">♬ original sound - rownelson</a> </section> </blockquote> It can also allow users to use websites and apps prohibited in a particular location by making it appear they're accessing the internet from another country or location, which users think would help with circumventing a ban. But as <a href="https://fortune.com/2020/07/13/tiktok-ban-workaround/">Fortune</a> reported, as part of a TikTok ban in Hong Kong, users hoping to circumvent the ban have had to use a VPN, remove their phone's SIM card, and connect to a Wi-Fi network to regain TikTok access.<blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@carrieberkk/video/6847620721800432902" data-video-id="6847620721800432902" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;"> <section> <a target="_blank" title="@carrieberkk" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@carrieberkk">@carrieberkk</a> there’s hope after all!!! ⚠️ <a title="tiktokban" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tiktokban">##tiktokban</a> <a title="gimmelove" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/gimmelove">##GimmeLove</a> <a title="readinglist" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/readinglist">##ReadingList</a> <a target="_blank" title="♬ original sound - carrieberkk" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-6847620690439457542">♬ original sound - carrieberkk</a> </section> </blockquote> <h2>While some planned to circumvent the ban, others urged their following to join them other platforms</h2>As The New York Times' tech reporter Taylor Lorenz first noted, popular creators also flocked to use TikTok's live streaming feature to encourage their fans to follow them to other social media platforms, like Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Taylor Lorenz (@TaylorLorenz) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1289398350698016770?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2020</a></blockquote>Levi Gagnon, known to his over 21,000 TikTok followers as "LeviTheRepublican," directed his fans toward his Instagram account."This is really it... the end of tiktok," he wrote, thanking fans for their support and urging them to follow him on Instagram. <blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@levitherepublican/video/6855852424733691142" data-video-id="6855852424733691142" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;"> <section> <a target="_blank" title="@levitherepublican" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@levitherepublican">@levitherepublican</a> See ya guys <a title="trump2020" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/trump2020">##trump2020</a> <a title="byetiktok" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/byetiktok">##byetiktok</a> <a title="tiktokban" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tiktokban">##tiktokban</a> <a title="trump" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/trump">##trump</a> <a title="republican" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/republican">##republican</a> <a title="instagram" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/instagram">##instagram</a> <a title="conservative" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/conservative">##conservative</a> <a title="umbrellachallenge" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/umbrellachallenge">##UmbrellaChallenge</a> <a title="fyp" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fyp">##fyp</a> <a title="fy" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fy">##fy</a> <a title="foryou" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/foryou">##foryou</a> <a title="foryoupage" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/foryoupage">##foryoupage</a> <a title="maga" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/maga">##maga</a> <a title="bye" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/bye">##bye</a> <a target="_blank" title="♬ Be Happy - Dixie D’Amelio" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/Be-Happy-6840013492871759873">♬ Be Happy - Dixie D’Amelio</a> </section> </blockquote> "Peace out yall TRUMP 2020," he wrote. In asking their followers to move to other platforms, some TikTok creators lamented the potential loss of community that TikTok has afforded them."TikTok is the only place I've ever been out and proud!!" one user wrote in the on-screen captions to a video Friday.<blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@summerkmorgan/video/6855867900431977734" data-video-id="6855867900431977734" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;"> <section> <a target="_blank" title="@summerkmorgan" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@summerkmorgan">@summerkmorgan</a> DONT WANT TO LOSE MY TIKTOK FAM <a title="lgbt" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/lgbt">##lgbt</a> <a title="lgbtq" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/lgbtq">##lgbtq</a> <a title="femme" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/femme">##femme</a> <a title="femmetakeover" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/femmetakeover">##femmetakeover</a> <a title="bisexual" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/bisexual">##bisexual</a> <a title="bisexualcheck" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/bisexualcheck">##bisexualcheck</a> <a title="femmelesbian" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/femmelesbian">##femmelesbian</a> <a title="lesbiancouple" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/lesbiancouple">##lesbiancouple</a> <a title="lesbiantiktok" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/lesbiantiktok">##lesbiantiktok</a> <a target="_blank" title="♬ I like girls wlw - sacredcircles" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/I-like-girls-wlw-6839373978956532486">♬ I like girls wlw - sacredcircles</a> </section> </blockquote> Ondreaz Lopez, a TikTok creator with 18 million followers and a founding member of the LA-based Hype House told his followers that TikTok changed his life."If this app's gone, it was fun as you can see here," Lopez wrote below a montage of some of his previous videos."The party isn't over though," he added, encouraging his followers to view his other social media accounts.<blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@ondreazlopez/video/6855885965161008390" data-video-id="6855885965161008390" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;"> <section> <a target="_blank" title="@ondreazlopez" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@ondreazlopez">@ondreazlopez</a> If this apps gone, it was fun as you can see here. This app changed my life... the party isn’t over though, FOLLOW EVERYTHING @ondreazlopez <a target="_blank" title="♬ original sound - ondreazlopez" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-6855883189349583622">♬ original sound - ondreazlopez</a> </section> </blockquote> Read more: <h2><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/exclusive-bytedance-offers-to-forgo-stake-in-tiktok-to-clinch-us-deal-sources-2020-8">ByteDance offers to 'divest' its stake in TikTok's US operations to avoid Trump ban</a></h2><h2><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-told-reporters-air-force-one-ban-tiktok-2020-7">Trump told reporters on Air Force One he is banning TikTok from the US</a></h2><h2><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-tiktok-donald-trump-bytedance-2020-7">Microsoft is reportedly in talks to buy TikTok's US operations</a></h2><h2><a href="https://www.insider.com/addison-rae-easterling-interview-podcast-mama-knows-best-kardashians-2020-7">TikTok royalty Addison Rae Easterling talks about the Kardashians, pre-celebrity life, and her new podcast</a></h2>

TikTok teens are making memes saying they'll show up at the White House to confront Trump over app ban

<img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5e454ae54b661b0dea2fbe83-1800/untitled-101.jpg" alt="Cash App TikTok campaign" /><ul class="summary-list"><li>Cash App, the mobile payment platform run by financial services company Square, has gone viral on TikTok. </li><li>The company paid creators thousands of dollars each to promote its mobile payment app on TikTok using the hashtag #cashappthatmoney.</li><li>Cash App's TikTok marketing push, which launched in December, drove over 136 million video views and generated 9,600 paid and organic videos to-date.</li><li>Business Insider spoke to multiple creators and an influencer marketing agent who worked on the campaign to learn how it came together.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/prime">Click here for more BI Prime stories</a>.</li></ul>Cash App, a mobile payment platform run by the financial services company Square, has gone viral on TikTok. The company launched an influencer marketing campaign on TikTok in December, paying dozens of high profile creators - including residents of the TikTok "collab houses" <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tik-tok-stars-live-rent-free-in-mansion-sway-house-2020-1">Sway LA</a> and the <a href="https://www.insider.com/hype-house-members-charli-d-amelio-lilhuddy-tiktok-los-angeles-2020-1">Hype House</a> - to make videos promoting its mobile payment app. It's <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-ads-more-efficient-than-instagram-fintech-startup-tally-2020-2">one of several fintech companies</a> that have been advertising on TikTok in the past year.To help its campaign spread on the app, the company worked with the musical artist and influencer, Shiggy, who has a background making viral content on social media.Shiggy first rose to fame when he posted an <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BkoUbKJhFFz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram video</a> of himself dancing to Drake's new single, "In My Feelings," in 2018. The video generated 7.4 million views and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/authorities-say-stop-exiting-moving-cars-for-inmyfeelings-challenge-2018-7">sparked an international dance challenge</a> that helped bump the song to the No. 1 spot on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart.Cash App used Shiggy's music and dance clout to promote a brand-friendly original song, "Cash App," for its campaign. The company's TikTok marketing push drove 136.5 million video views with the hashtag #cashappthatmoney, and generated 9,600 paid and organic videos with Shiggy's "Cash App" playing in the background.While other companies like Samsung and the cosmetics brand e.l.f. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/emarketer-marketing-on-tiktok-report-2019-11" rel="noopener">have created custom songs for TikTok ad campaigns</a>, Square said it didn't write "Cash App." Shiggy first posted the track on SoundCloud in 2018 without any involvement from Square. He re-released the track on popular streaming platforms like Apple Music and Amazon Music on November 27, 2019, roughly two weeks before the #CashAppThatMoney campaign kicked off on TikTok. While Shiggy wasn't commissioned by Square to make "Cash App," his decision to create a song about the brand poses an interesting question about the degree to which influencers can use original music to score sponsorship deals with companies in the TikTok age.Shiggy is one of several artists to release a song centered around the mobile payment app in the past two years: Artists Dreezy and Teejayx6 both produced "Cash App" tracks last year, according to a <a href="https://genius.com/a/shiggy-tries-his-hand-at-rapping-with-cash-app?utm_source=twitter" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sponsored story</a> that Cash App promoted on the lyrics site, Genius.com. "Cash App" has millions of plays on TikTok, but remains relatively obscure on other platforms: It has just over 17,000 Spotify listens, around 13,000 YouTube plays, and roughly 36,000 streams on SoundCloud to-date.Seeing multiple artists write songs about the Cash App may have inspired Square to create a music-centered ad campaign. The company declined to comment for this story and Shiggy did not respond to a request for an interview.Business Insider spoke to multiple creators and an influencer marketing agent who worked on Cash App's TikTok campaign to learn how the company approached running sponsored content on the platform. Most asked to remain anonymous in order to not violate their agreements with Square.<h2>Square gave content recommendations to creators participating in the campaign</h2>Business Insider reviewed the campaign brief that Cash App sent to creators who were producing sponsored content for the company."Create a TikTok with your best interpretation of the catchy song in everyday situations," the company wrote, referring to Shiggy's "Cash App" single. "And use hashtag #CashAppThatMoney."The company offered a set of "starter ideas" for the types of videos a creator could produce: <ul><li>Making fun of how broke you are.</li><li>Window shopping (online or in real life).</li><li>When your friend clearly owes you money.</li><li>When you win a bet by doing something dope.</li></ul>A quick survey of videos created with the #CashAppThatMoney shows that many creators used Cash App's suggestions for their sponsored posts.<h2>Cash App paid thousands of dollars for individual posts from popular creators</h2>Square hired dozens of TikTok creators to create content for its #CashAppThatMoney campaign, including the Hype House's Chase Hudson, Addison Rae, Tony Lopez, and Ondreaz Lopez, and Sway LA's Josh Richards, Kio Cyr, and Griffin Johnson. These seven creators alone have a combined 59.6 million followers on TikTok.While Square declined to comment on how much it compensated influencers for each video, one agency told Business Insider that the company paid $5,000 for a video for one of its clients with more than one million TikTok followers. Another creator who created a #CashAppThatMoney video confirmed that a 4-figure payment was on par for the campaign. Other brands like the milkshake company F'real Foods <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/milkshake-brand-freal-tiktok-influencer-marketing-success-analysis-2020-1">said they pay between $400 and $450</a> for a sponsored post on TikTok.Square's higher rate for sponsored content could be tied to the fact that it hired some of TikTok's most popular creators who command top prices for promoted videos. Fintech companies have also seen a high return-on-investment from influencer marketing campaigns on TikTok, potentially making it worth it to pay a bit more to reach a larger audience on the app.The financial technology company, Tally, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-ads-more-efficient-than-instagram-fintech-startup-tally-2020-2">told Business Insider</a> that TikTok ads have been 300% more efficient than Instagram ones in driving downloads of its automated debt management app. For more on how brands and influencers are interacting on TikTok, check out these other Business Insider Prime posts:<ul><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-ads-more-efficient-than-instagram-fintech-startup-tally-2020-2">CASE STUDY: TikTok ads have been 300% more efficient than Instagram ones in getting new users for fintech startup Tally</a>: As more adults sign up for TikTok, fintech brands are using influencer videos and its self-serve ad platform to advertise on the platform.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/milkshake-brand-freal-tiktok-influencer-marketing-success-analysis-2020-1">A milkshake brand blew up on TikTok, and its 460,000 followers have changed how it approaches marketing and its target audience</a>: With 460,000 TikTok followers, the milkshake maker F'real has built a larger following than national brands like Chipotle, Walmart, and Burger King.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-photographer-gains-3-million-followers-3-months-quits-job-2020-1">A TikTok photographer explains how he gained 3 million followers in 3 months and was able to quit his job as an insurance actuary</a>: Alexander Stemplewski quit his job to focus on social media and photography. Here are the three ways he plans to earn a living as an influencer.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/inside-tiktok-talent-agency-manager-for-influencers-talentx-2020-1">How TalentX plans to rule TikTok, starting with 32 influencers and a Los Angeles mansion</a>: TalentX Entertainment is eyeing brand partnerships, merchandising, live events, and television and film development for its roster of TikTok stars.</li></ul><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/intelligence/stories-slide-deck?IR=T&amp;itm_source=businessinsider&amp;itm_medium=ctgr_bii&amp;itm_term=ctgr_leadgen&amp;itm_content=tiktok&amp;itm_campaign=stories-slide-deck"><img src="https://static.businessinsider.com/image/5bd375adcd6f3842155a1a29" alt="Exclusive FREE Report: The Stories Slide Deck by Business Insider Intelligence" style="width: 100% !important" /></a><blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@theshiggyshow/video/6768593103554219269" data-video-id="6768593103554219269" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;"> <section><a target="_blank" title="@theshiggyshow" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@theshiggyshow">@theshiggyshow</a> Cash App That Money 💰 <a title="cashappthatmoney" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/cashappthatmoney">#cashappthatmoney</a> <a title="cashpartner" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/cashpartner">#cashpartner</a> <a title="foryou" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/foryou">#foryou</a> <a title="money" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/money">#money</a> <a title="ad" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/ad">#ad</a> <a target="_blank" title="♬ Cash App - Shiggy featuring Mar Dope and Jay Blakk" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/Cash-App-6763835363568912385">♬ Cash App - Shiggy featuring Mar Dope and Jay Blakk</a> </section></blockquote> <blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@aydonholley/video/6768527709359574278" data-video-id="6768527709359574278" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;"> <section><a target="_blank" title="@aydonholley" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@aydonholley">@aydonholley</a> How to get easy cash🤣 #cashappthatmoney <a title="cashapppartner" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/cashapppartner">#cashapppartner</a> <a target="_blank" title="♬ Cash App - Shiggy featuring Mar Dope and Jay Blakk" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/Cash-App-6763835363568912385">♬ Cash App - Shiggy featuring Mar Dope and Jay Blakk</a> </section></blockquote>

Inside Cash App's viral TikTok ad campaign that used an original song and advised influencers to make fun of 'how broke you are'

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Waves of social activism and callout <keyword id="24504" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="culture">culture</keyword> have defined quarantine, starting with the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, followed by viral workplace-inequality stories, and now hundreds of new allegations of sexual harassment and assault being disseminated online.</li><li>The surge of allegations echoes the 2017 #MeToo movement inspired by the Harvey Weinstein accusations, which brought about widespread use of the hashtag.</li><li>This time viral allegations of sexual misconduct against the comedian <keyword id="9445349" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Chris-DElia">Chris D'Elia</keyword> seemed to have sparked a new wave of accusations against A-list teen celebrities, video-game streamers and developers, <keyword id="29554" type="SPORT" weightage="60" keywordseo="Wrestling">wrestling</keyword> professionals, and internet personalities.</li><li>While some allegations have been substantiated and some have had consequences for the accused, the outpouring of allegations on social media has largely been subjected to the court of online opinion — which has so far shifted back and forth rapidly, leading to the rise of an unsubstantiated belief that accusers may be making false accusations as part of a trend or for "clout."</li></ul>Multiple industries and internet-adjacent communities appear to be in the middle of a massive #MeToo moment as hundreds of sexual-assault allegations have been amplified on social media in the past week.In the gaming industry, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/23/style/women-gaming-streaming-harassment-sexism-twitch.html">The New York Times reported</a> that more than 70 people, most of them women, have come forward with allegations that include gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexual assault.Allegations against A-list celebrities — such as the actor <a href="https://pagesix.com/2020/06/21/ansel-elgort-denies-sexual-assault-allegation-through-instagram-post/">Ansel Elgort</a>, the singer <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/3166987/justin-bieber-denies-sexual-assault-allegations/">Justin Bieber</a>, and the "Riverdale" cast member <a href="https://www.insider.com/cole-sprouse-lili-reinhart-deny-sexual-assault-allegations-response-twitter-2020-6">Cole Sprouse,</a> who have all denied the accusations — have trended on Twitter.Online celebrities such as Twitter personality <a href="https://twitter.com/00azula/status/1274520455668432896">Jovan Hill</a> and TikTokers <a href="https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/tiktok-star-ondreaz-lopez-responds-amid-sexual-assault-allegations-1383055">Ondreaz Lopez</a> and <a href="https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/tiktoks-cody-orlove-responds-to-zoe-laverne-abuse-accusations-1383353">Cody Orlove</a> have all responded to accusations of sexual assault and abuse, apologizing to the accusers but also denying the extent of their claims.Additionally, stars in the professional-wrestling community have been accused of varying degrees of sexual assault, with the majority of the accusations emerging on social media using the hashtag #SpeakingOut, <a href="https://deadspin.com/metoo-comes-to-pro-wrestling-1844122216">Deadspin reported</a>. Some of the accused faced immediate consequences, <a href="https://deadspin.com/metoo-comes-to-pro-wrestling-1844122216">including firings</a>, as dozens of women in the wrestling community came forward in a matter of days.<div type="image" title="me too rally stop victim blaming" height="3646" width="5462" msid="76540886" hostid="261"></div>Some communities appear to be taking the allegations seriously, particularly in the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/23/style/women-gaming-streaming-harassment-sexism-twitch.html">streaming</a> and <a href="https://deadspin.com/metoo-comes-to-pro-wrestling-1844122216">wrestling</a> industries where authority figures can vet claims and hold people accountable.But there are other allegations being brought forward by anonymous figures that can't be vetted. Some of these allegations make their way to social media, where they can take hold and influence public opinion.The internet moves at lightning speed and a pattern has begun to emerge: Allegations are posted online, they gain traction, the accused posts their denial, and the tide quickly flips on the accuser. The online community seems torn between a desire to "believe women," brought on by the 2017 #MeToo movement, and a desire to believe the well-liked online figures who are being accused.This desire to believe the denials from internet celebrities, musicians, actors, and other public figures has led to some people alleging there's a "<a href="https://twitter.com/jamescharles/status/1275146102904287232">false-accusation trend</a>" online. The idea of false accusations is a persistent one, largely rooted in <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-45565684">unfounded stigma</a> against accusers that <a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/why-we-often-dont-believe-women-who-report-sexual-assault">has trickled down</a> through generations. Now it appears to have reached Gen Z and online communities.<h2>Social media has been a defining factor in the new #MeToo wave, starting with a viral thread about the comedian Chris D'Elia</h2>While the 2017 #MeToo movement was largely sparked by reports about Harvey Weinstein from <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/05/us/harvey-weinstein-harassment-allegations.html">The New York Times</a> and <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/from-aggressive-overtures-to-sexual-assault-harvey-weinsteins-accusers-tell-their-stories">The New Yorker</a> — which carried over into physical activism, such as protests — the current resurgence has so far occurred only in online spaces. If it continues to pick up steam, and if the accusations against famous figures like Elgort and Bieber are either supplemented by reporting or elevated to legal action, it seems likely that the recent burst of accusations could be amplified into something more akin to the global 2017 movement. Right now, the most serious claims and consequences appear to have been insulated in their respective communities — gaming and wrestling.The surge in accusations can seemingly be attributed to the rise in social-justice activism that's taken place following the killing of George Floyd, which inspired a burst of public protests worldwide. As more people turned to the internet during COVID-19 quarantine, anger over police brutality festered before eventually exploding into action. After Minneapolis burned, and protesters were beaten across the US, some police departments and cities have started to change their policies.Recently, internet-driven activism has sprung up elsewhere as people channel their collective outrage toward change. Pay disparities along racial lines and a lack of Black, Indigenous, and people of color representation in workplaces have become <a href="https://www.insider.com/bon-apptit-timeline-allegations-drama-culture-race-andy-alex-sohla-2020-6">trending issues</a> in multiple industries, including media and <a href="https://www.insider.com/kameron-kam-lester-jeffree-star-cosmetics-racist-shane-dawson-token-2020-6">makeup</a>. In line with the anti-racism movement, <a href="https://www.insider.com/celebrity-fight-canceled-quarantine-why-were-seeing-feuds-doja-lana-2020-5">cancel culture</a> and <a href="https://www.insider.com/celebrity-fight-canceled-quarantine-why-were-seeing-feuds-doja-lana-2020-5">viral callouts</a> have both thrived, from <a href="https://www.insider.com/instagram-meme-account-karensgoingwild-karens-gone-wild-kevins-2020-5">capturing "Karens" on camera</a> to "<a href="https://www.insider.com/la-woman-backlash-posing-drill-protests-facts-with-fiona-moriarty-2020-6">performative activism</a>" backlash.The first sexual-misconduct allegations to seemingly break the proverbial floodgates in the past week were against the comedian Chris D'Elia. One of his first accusers gained notoriety by comparing him to his character in the Netflix series "You," a fictional comedian who grooms and rapes women. The accuser alleged that D'Elia preyed on her when she was 16 and he was 24, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2020/06/22/chris-delia-sexual-harassment-allegations-workaholics/">The Washington Post reported</a>.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—SheRatesDogs (@SheRatesDogs) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1273057240350552066?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2020</a></blockquote>Her thread was amplified by the popular Twitter account @SheRatesDogs, which created a thread with <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2020/06/22/chris-delia-sexual-harassment-allegations-workaholics/">nearly two dozen accounts</a> of women alleging that D'Elia had harassed them as teenagers and young adult women, soliciting both nude photos and physical intimacy during encounters. In <a href="https://www.tmz.com/2020/06/17/chris-delia-responds-sexual-misconduct-allegations-minors-underage-girls/">a statement to TMZ</a>, D'Elia apologized for some of his past behavior, but denied knowingly pursuing "any underage women at any point."For the gaming industry and streaming community, the wave of allegations appears to have begun on June 19, when <a href="https://www.insider.com/twitch-saynotorage-apologized-for-sexual-harassment-allegations-2020-6">five women accused</a> Twitch streamer SayNoToRage of sexual harassment. SayNoToRage, who goes by the moniker Lono and does not share his legal name publicly, has since apologized for his action, but his admission of guilt is the exception, not the norm, in responses to the current #MeToo wave. While many of the allegations against famous men like Elgort and Bieber have gone viral, most of the accused who have acknowledged the allegations, including those two A-listers, have denied them.<h2>So far, most of the allegations have been met with denials, and without any objective vetting of the claims, the idea that there's a 'false-accusations trend' has emerged</h2>Without an admission of guilt, the denials have been met largely with acceptance — although a few counterarguments have been posed, as in Bieber's case. Two women have most recently made accusations about Bieber, <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/3166987/justin-bieber-denies-sexual-assault-allegations/">MTV reports</a>, including one woman, Kadi, whose claims Bieber has not responded to, and an anonymous Twitter account created the day the accusations were posted under the name "Danielle."<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Pop Crave (@PopCrave) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1274604749233537024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2020</a></blockquote>Both accounts have been subjected to investigations by random Twitter users, and the sentiment that Bieber was guilty — perpetuated, in part, by "antis," or people who dislike Bieber for fan-related purposes — until Bieber posted his counterclaims, which seemed to largely sway opinion in the other direction. That said, there are still viral tweets and large discussions over whether Bieber and his team are lying, including in the replies to his own tweets.Bieber issued 15 tweets countering the viral allegations against him, including articles, screenshots of purported emails about his Airbnb reservation, and a photo of a purported receipt for a hotel reservation. The thread of his own evidence, along with his statement that the allegations against him "were factually impossible" and that he would "be working with twitter and authorities to take legal action," seemed to convince many of the social media users who were interested.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1274869663151747072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2020</a></blockquote>Most of the allegations and the denials have occurred so quickly that there hasn't been very much reporting, and little to no legal action, to vet the claims. Rather, the court of online public opinion has been the ecosystem where the current #MeToo wave is occurring. And because the personalities being accused have huge platforms and a legion of fans, there's an impetus to believe them over the accusers, many of whom are anonymous and have claims that would require more thorough vetting to stand up in court or in an article.Given the anonymous nature of many of the allegations, a narrative seems to be developing online that there is a "trend" of false accusations against celebrities, even though some of the accusers — like Lopez's — have <a href="https://twitter.com/iirascibility/status/1275194605026209792">doubled down</a> to say they aren't lying, and the accused is.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—James Charles (@jamescharles) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1275146102904287232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2020</a></blockquote>There's an established danger in immediately believing anonymous and unsubstantiated claims.As Sprouse and Lili Reinhart said in response to claims about various "Riverdale" cast members that trended on Twitter, several of the allegations against various "Riverdale" stars were shown to <a href="https://www.insider.com/cole-sprouse-lili-reinhart-deny-sexual-assault-allegations-response-twitter-2020-6">seemingly have originated</a> from the same IP address, suggesting that one person was making multiple anonymous unsubstantiated claims against multiple teen celebrities. That same Twitter user <a href="https://www.insider.com/cole-sprouse-lili-reinhart-deny-sexual-assault-allegations-response-twitter-2020-6">implied in a later tweet</a> that they made false accusations to prove that a social-media mob would believe anything and Sprouse was innocent.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Pop Crave (@PopCrave) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1274898680831782913?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2020</a></blockquote>But there's also a danger in assuming that because a handful of accusations aren't true, the rest aren't, an assumption that's silenced or delegitimized accusers throughout history.The idea that allegations are made to gain online fame is an especially dangerous mentality, because it contributes <a href="http://www.drcandacevlove.com/women-sexual-assault-reporting/">to a stigma</a> that dissuades victims to come forward. The idea that accusers become famous themselves for making false accusations against famous figures ignored the backlash and hate from the accused person's fans and from online communities dedicated to attacking women, such as those that organized campaigns during <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gamergate-the-growing-divide-between-gamers-and-journalists-2014-9">Gamergate</a>. <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-45565684">Official figures suggest</a> that the number of rapes and sexual assaults that are never reported or prosecuted far outweigh the number of men who are wrongfully charged for sex crimes they didn't commit, and while fake rape accusations get a lot of attention, <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-45565684">studies suggest</a> that between only 2% and 10% of accusations are actually unfounded. But most of these statistics are based on accusations submitted to law enforcement, not social media, so the landscape may be skewed differently online. Without more research into the online environment that many accusers have turned to in 2020 to disseminate allegations, it's unclear how likely social-media allegations are to be false.While social media offers a place where accusers, who are predominantly women, can quickly disseminate claims to a wide audience, it also serves as an often toxic environment where people can side with one party only to quickly change their mind. Until more claims are vetted by reporters, investigators, law enforcement, and other neutral parties, it's unclear how far the #MeToo resurgence will go.<ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/kpop-trump-tulsa-rally-hashtags-fancams-donations-activism-online-stan-2020-6">A timeline of K-pop fandom's viral digital activism, from reserving no-show tickets for Trump's Tulsa rally to spamming racist hashtags</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/blm-george-floyd-protests-influencers-political-meghan-rienks-swoozie-fousey-2020-6">BLM protests have flipped the script for influencers used to walking the line between losing followers and political expression. Now, creators say the landscape has shifted.</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/virtue-signaling-social-media-george-floyd-protests-racism-2020-6">Politicians and influencers have been accused of 'virtue signaling' during police brutality protests, but the callouts could do more harm than good</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/bon-apptit-timeline-allegations-drama-culture-race-andy-alex-sohla-2020-6">Bon Appétit's week from hell: How a deluge of allegations depicting a 'toxic' work culture left the magazine in chaos</a></li></ul>

A new #MeToo movement is erupting online as allegations of sexual misconduct hit celebrities, influencers, and streamers

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="122849" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Jason-Derulo">Jason Derulo</keyword> recently spoke to Insider about <keyword id="6762469" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="TikTok">TikTok</keyword>, his newfound independence, and how he stays inspired after so many years in the industry.</li><li>With his newest hit, "Savage Love (Laxed - Siren Beat)," Derulo has officially earned a top 10 song in three consecutive decades, dating back to "Whatcha Say" in 2009.</li><li>"I feel younger than ever. I feel more inspired than ever," he said. "I don't see any slowing in the near future. I always feel like a new birth has happened every time I release new <keyword id="6354530" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="music">music</keyword>, I feel like a different person."</li><li>The pop star is headlining a virtual festival on Friday, sponsored by Anheuser-Busch, to celebrate International Beer Day.</li><li>"It's very high-energy," Derulo said of his performance plans. "I don't think that a lot of people are doing performances of this magnitude. A lot of the virtual shows that I've seen have been pretty boring."</li></ul><a href="https://www.insider.com/category/jason-derulo">Jason Derulo</a> feels kind of bad about it, but he's actually doing just fine.Despite the ambient anxiety of 2020 and <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/pro/lists/coronavirus-music-business-latest-974262/">the pandemic's devastating effects on the music industry</a>, Derulo says he's been feeling exceptionally inspired in quarantine, even exhilarated — and who could blame him?With more than 30 million followers on TikTok, <a href="https://www.billboard.com/music/jason-derulo/chart-history">another top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100</a>, and newfound freedom from his 12-year recording contract, Derulo's career has never seemed quite so fun."It feels kind of weird saying it, given everything that's going on, but I feel younger than ever. I feel more inspired than ever. I don't see any slowing in the near future," he recently told Insider. "I always feel like a new birth has happened every time I release new music, I feel like a different person. I'm reinspired."We caught up with the "Take You Dancing" singer on Zoom, and he went into detail about his social media use, new music on the horizon, and what he's learned after more than a decade in the industry.You're headlining Anheuser-Busch's virtual festival on Friday to celebrate International Beer Day. What made that an inviting opportunity for you?Of course, in these crazy times, I'm missing performing. I'm missing that fans-to-artist interaction. So this is the closest thing to that, obviously.And I know everybody's at home right now, so this feels like a perfect partnership to come together and do something really nice for the fans.Can you tease anything about your performance? What songs might you sing?Oh, so it's pretty full-on. It's about a 40-minute set, so you've got all of the old hits, all the new ones, and everything in between.It's very high-energy. I don't think that a lot of people are doing performances of this magnitude. A lot of the virtual shows that I've seen have been pretty boring, for lack of a better term. So yeah, me and my guys, we wanted to come together and do something really special.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Jason Derulo (@jasonderulo) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1291439323431047168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2020</a></blockquote>What's the biggest challenge when it comes to channeling the energy of a live show into a virtual one?I think the biggest difference is not having someone to bounce off of. You're bouncing off yourself. You're like, "Put your hands up. Wait, wait a minute, hold on — that's different." All of those things that are like, the ping-pong effect that you have on stage, that always tends to be really fun, but you don't have that energy.And also, the gratification after a performance. You have that positive energy of someone telling you that they liked some part of the show. Whereas, here, you've got to find it yourself. It's self-motivating.Has doing these virtual performances made you excited for going on tour again in the future?I am excited, but I'm trying to keep that excitement to a minimum because I don't know when that's going to be possible. I know my agent is trying to set up our tour and everything for 2021 — but I don't even know if that's going to even be possible in 2021.They talked about it being my biggest tour yet. And I was pretty excited about that. But I'm really concerned about the present, and just trying to live in the present, because I don't know when that's going to happen.<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bfWFF9oM3OQ" frameborder="0"></iframe>That makes sense. Is there any new music you're working on during quarantine that you're particularly excited about?Oh, absolutely. A ton. Actually, this time is really special, because I was signed to a record label, Warner Bros., for 12 years and I'm a free agent right now. I've been putting out songs on my own.And we're obviously going to partner up with the right family [at a new label], when we find that family, so I'm preparing for that. A huge launch — top of the year, new record label, new songs, going for gold as usual.Has being an unsigned artist changed the way you approach making music, or is your process the same?It's the same. I lead with creativity. So for me, it's never about trying to get the No. 1 song or trying to be at the top of the charts. It really stems from me being a lover and a fan of music. And I've always led with that. I've always lived with that — and the fact that I want to be different. So every single song that I do is, is not based on necessarily the songs that you hear on the radio.I always try to bring something fresh to the table. And I think that's the only way to stay within the music industry for so long. You've got to continue to reinvent yourself and come with that fresh, new energy.<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gUci-tsiU4I" frameborder="0"></iframe>Speaking of charts: <a href="https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9428548/taylor-swift-cardigan-folklore-debut-number-one">"Savage Love" just entered the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100</a>, which means you've officially earned a top 10 hit in three consecutive decades. That's crazy.That is crazy.What was your reaction to that when you heard?I actually heard that today. Just scrolling through Twitter. For some reason, Twitter's got all the stats. People go chart-crazy on Twitter.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—chart data (@chartdata) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1290342711606882306?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2020</a></blockquote>But yeah, I thought that was pretty unbelievable. It feels kind of weird saying it, given everything that's going on, but I feel younger than ever. I feel more inspired than ever. I don't see any slowing in the near future. I always feel like a new birth has happened every time I release new music, I feel like a different person. I'm reinspired.I always humble myself enough to know that there's always room to grow. So this accolade, it just furthers that idea.You were 20 years old when you earned your first No. 1 hit in 2009 ["Whatcha Say"] and now, you're this music industry veteran, but you're collaborating with a lot of younger TikTok stars. Since you found success at such a young age, does that affect how you interact with them? Do they ever ask you for advice?Oh yeah, absolutely. A lot of the TikTokers that I tend to be close to are aiming to be music stars, I think. They have these amazing platforms and they want to utilize them to become something even bigger. So yeah, all the time. Wherever I can, try to reach in and help somebody out, I do that.Like for my session with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4_HdJitH6s">"Coño,"</a> I pulled in <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@ondreazlopez?lang=en">Ondreaz Lopez</a> to come be a collaborator on writing the lyrics. And I was shocked at how good he was. So I've always been that person, naturally, pulling in new talent because you never know where you'll find that fresh new energy.And it's worked time and time again — with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbtPXFlZlHg">"Talk Dirty,"</a> that being Ricky Reed's first song that he produced. And <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rClUOdS5Zyw">"Want to Want Me"</a> with Ian Kirkpatrick, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOAfz0H4f00">"Trumpets"</a> with Jon Bellion, all first-timers. They never had a hit before ours.So that's proof that all people need sometimes is a shot, is a chance. All those producers have continued on and become these massive producers, because of that first shot that they had.<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RbtPXFlZlHg" frameborder="0"></iframe>Did you ever struggle with having so much attention and so many eyes on you at such an early age? I try to keep my head down and just rock forward. I've never really been the type of artist that was always looking to the media for negativity, or trying to garner attention because I'm doing this, or dating this person. I always just try to make great music. You know what I'm saying?And for me, I think there's a positive and negative to that. I think maybe, if I was like that, maybe my music would even go further — if that's even a thing.But if I had any advice for anybody, I would say, stay creative. Because at the end of the day, people can love or hate your music, but at least that is what you're known for: your music.Attention is tough. With every positive that you hear, you're going to hear 10 negatives. It is really tough. But at the end of the day, you got to just keep your head down and just rock with the people that rock with you. And stay creative.Is there something about you, your hobbies or your personality, that you feel like would surprise people?Not really anymore. I feel like with TikTok, I just laid everything out. People know me now. It's like, if you didn't know me before, <a href="https://www.insider.com/jason-derulo-tiktok-video-interview-fame-advice-online-trolls-2020-7">you can see who I am on TikTok</a>, through and through.When you post videos, do you ever get the feeling of like, <a href="https://www.insider.com/jason-derulo-best-tiktok-videos-quarantine-2020-5">"This one's going to go viral,"</a> or do you just post without considering it?No. Sometimes actually, I be like, "Yo, this one's going to go crazy!" And then it doesn't. There's no crystal ball in terms of that. Sometimes I want to be like, "Are y'all kidding me? Y'all didn't like this one?"Well, now's your time to shout out a video that you were proud of that didn't get enough attention.You know what, let me see. Let me check in my recents, for one that I feel like should have went crazy, crazy.[Scrolling] Hmm. This is so funny. Oh, I felt like this should have did better, for sure. I'm cooking a gigantic marshmallow.Yeah, it did well, it got 9.2 million views, but I was like, "Yo, this one's about to go crazy."Just 9.2 million measly views. No big deal.[Laughs] Yeah. Thank you.<blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@jasonderulo/video/6845127731517164806" data-video-id="6845127731517164806" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;"> <section> <a target="_blank" title="@jasonderulo" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jasonderulo">@jasonderulo</a> Almost died doing this @marshmellomusic collab @maxymaxmax <a target="_blank" title="♬ Be Happy - Dixie D’Amelio" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/Be-Happy-6840013492871759873">♬ Be Happy - Dixie D’Amelio</a> </section> </blockquote> Note: This <keyword id="28970" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="60" keywordseo="interview">interview</keyword> has been lightly edited for clarity.

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