10 Times Influencers Got Cancelled and How They Handled It

Influencers: love them or hate them, they’re at the center of today’s cultural conversations. Whether it’s the pristine travel pics, sponsored posts, or behind-the-scenes “authenticity,” these digital powerhouses have mastered the art of gaining followers—and losing them just as fast. 

The road to the top isn’t without bumps, and sometimes those bumps turn into full-blown cancellations. Some recover, others don’t, and the reasons why can be as baffling as they are entertaining.

In this piece, we’ll break down 10 times influencers got cancelled and how it all went down.

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1. James Charles: The Tati Westbrook Fallout

There was a time when beauty guru James Charles could do no wrong. He was CoverGirl's first male ambassador and had a wildly successful YouTube channel. But in 2019, a feud with fellow beauty YouTuber Tati Westbrook sent him tumbling off his influencer throne.

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Tati accused James of betraying her by promoting a competitor to her brand’s supplements. Things got ugly quickly when she released a video titled "Bye Sister,"  accusing him of manipulating straight men into questioning their sexuality. The internet exploded, and James lost millions of subscribers within days. Though he later made a comeback, the event remains a textbook example of how quickly an online empire can crumble.

The aftermath: James’ apology videos and time away from the limelight helped him regain some trust, but the influencer world learned a critical lesson in loyalty.

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2. Logan Paul: The Japan Forest Debacle

Logan Paul has always been a controversial figure, but he crossed a line no one expected when he posted a video from Japan’s Aokigahara Forest, also known as the "suicide forest". In the video, Paul and his friends stumbled upon a body and, rather than showing empathy or reporting it, they made jokes and filmed it for content.

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The backlash was swift and brutal. Logan was dropped from major brand deals, and YouTube temporarily demonetized his channel. His actions weren’t just viewed as insensitive—they were seen as morally reprehensible. The internet cancelled Logan overnight.

The aftermath: Logan issued several apologies, took a hiatus, and has since rebranded himself as a boxer and podcast host. While he hasn’t fully escaped his past, his pivot to other ventures has helped him maintain a presence in the spotlight.

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3. Shane Dawson: The Downfall of the King of YouTube

Shane Dawson’s cancellation is one of the most shocking because, for years, he was seen as the "king of YouTube." Known for his conspiracy theories, humor, and docu-series, Shane had an extensive, loyal following. But in 2020, old problematic videos surfaced where Shane used racial slurs, blackface, and made disturbing jokes about minors.

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As the backlash grew, he lost subscribers and brand deals, and YouTube demonetized his channel. Shane had always pushed boundaries, but the internet finally decided his past was unforgivable.

The aftermath: Shane made several apologies and took a long break from the platform. His attempt to return hasn’t been as successful as others—his reputation is deeply damaged, and the trust of his audience may never fully recover.

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4. David Dobrik: The Durte Dom Scandal

David Dobrik was once the golden boy of YouTube, amassing millions of followers with his vlog-style content that showed his friends doing pranks, stunts, and generally living a wild life. That all changed when allegations surfaced that a member of his friend group, Durte Dom, was involved in sexual misconduct during one of the vlogs.

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Though David wasn’t directly implicated in the act, critics argued that he fostered a toxic environment that allowed such behavior to happen. In response, several brands—including DoorDash and HelloFresh—cut ties with him, and Dobrik issued an apology.

The aftermath: David’s image took a serious hit, but he’s slowly working his way back, releasing more controlled, less chaotic content. However, some fans and brands remain skeptical.

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5. Caroline Calloway: The Scam Allegations

Caroline Calloway is a unique entry on this list because she’s a niche influencer who made headlines for allegedly being a scammer. Calloway gained fame on Instagram for her whimsical captions and images, often referencing her life as an art student in Europe. But in 2019, a former friend accused her of being a fraud, and Calloway’s infamous “creativity workshops” (which many viewed as a scam) didn’t help her case.

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Though she leaned into the chaos and even published a book titled "Scammer," her reputation was forever tarnished in the influencer world.

The aftermath: Calloway continues to post, but her follower count and overall influence have declined. Her name has become synonymous with over-promising and under-delivering, and her career never fully recovered.

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6. Jenna Marbles: Cancelled by Her Own Actions

Jenna Marbles was one of the few YouTubers who seemed universally loved. Her humor was self-deprecating, and her content was wholesome fun. But in 2020, Jenna released a video announcing she was stepping away from YouTube due to old videos where she used blackface and made racist jokes. What’s noteworthy here is that Jenna wasn’t cancelled by the public—she cancelled herself.

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The aftermath: Jenna’s departure from YouTube was voluntary, and many fans praised her for taking responsibility for her past actions. She has since stayed out of the limelight, living a quieter life with her fiancé and dogs.

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7. Myka Stauffer: Rehoming Controversy

Myka Stauffer, a family vlogger, built her brand around her life with her children, one of whom was adopted from China. Her content focused heavily on the adoption process, which attracted a large following. However, in 2020, Myka revealed that she had rehomed her adopted son, Huxley, after finding it too challenging to care for his special needs.

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Fans were outraged by the notion of treating a child like a commodity. The backlash was intense, and Myka’s channel lost sponsorships and subscribers.

The aftermath: Myka issued apologies and explained her decision in greater detail, but the damage was done. She has since stepped back from the public eye, and her once-thriving channel has significantly dwindled.

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8. Jeffree Star: Accusations and Drama

Jeffree Star is no stranger to controversy. His career has been marked by accusations of racism, bullying, and even sexual misconduct. Yet, Jeffree has always managed to weather the storm—until 2020, when the mounting accusations became too much. Former friends and collaborators came forward with stories of Jeffree’s manipulative behavior, and the internet decided they’d had enough.

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The aftermath: Jeffree relocated from Los Angeles to Wyoming, and while he’s still creating content and selling makeup, his influence has waned. His audience is more niche now, and he’s largely distanced himself from the drama-fueled beauty community.

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9. Nikita Dragun: Offensive Remarks and Behavior

Nikita Dragun is known for being a trailblazer in the beauty world, particularly as a trans influencer. But in 2021, her behavior became the subject of intense scrutiny when she attended crowded parties during the COVID-19 pandemic and made dismissive comments about wearing masks.

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Fans criticized her lack of responsibility, especially as someone with a large platform. Her apology didn’t help much, and she was accused of being tone-deaf and entitled.

The aftermath: Nikita has continued to post, but her public image took a hit. Her once-growing platform seems to have plateaued, and she’s lost some brand partnerships in the wake of the scandal.

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10. Chrissy Teigen: Bullying Allegations

Chrissy Teigen’s fall from grace shocked many, as she was known for being outspoken but lovable. However, in 2021, model Courtney Stodden accused Chrissy of sending them cruel messages in 2011, telling them to kill themselves. The internet was stunned, and Chrissy faced intense backlash for her past actions.

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As a result, Teigen was dropped by several brands and temporarily stepped away from social media.

The aftermath: Chrissy has since issued apologies and returned to social media, though her once-vibrant online presence has diminished. She seems to be working on rebuilding her image, but the incident remains a stain on her career.

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Conclusion

Cancel culture is an ever-present force in the influencer world, and as we've seen, even the most successful online personalities can find themselves on the wrong side of it. Some manage to bounce back stronger, while others fade into obscurity. The landscape is unpredictable, and one thing is for sure: no one is immune. Whether justified or not, these 10 influencers learned that building a career on the internet comes with the constant risk of public backlash.

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