Art and make-up, two trendy genres of YouTube content that gain millions of views every week. For both genders, these topics gain a lot of attention for many people due to many people wanting to follow their favorite influencers and celebrities. One of the biggest of these beauty YouTubers is James Charles. His name is synonymous with make-up tutorials and art videos. It is why many look up to him as a role model, both literally and figuratively.
James Charles, which is both his actual name and the name of his YouTube Channel, began to upload make-up tutorials back in 2016. Since then, he has grown to become one of the most influential and iconic beauty YouTubers on the platform. Due to his positive outlook on life, friendly personality, and high voice, many have watched his videos which number in the millions. Each video gets roughly 5 million views in just a week.
The videos Charles mainly posts are on make-up tutorials. He has also worked with many other influencers like Lilly Singh, Trixie Mattel, and Plastique Tiara. But, he has also branched out into other content like fun challenges, playing video games, and even participates in major events. One example of this was when he actually sang the national anthem back in 2019 for a charity event sponsored by the ACE Family. (Dolan Twins Imagine, 2019). He also has started his own merchandise called Sisters Apparel which sells clothing designed by him and a few other designers.
While a major celebrity, he had faced many controversies among other YouTubers, social media influencers, and celebrities. One example was when another YouTuber named Tati Westbrook talked about how Charles made comments on him making moves on other guys who were straight. This was reported by The Cut that told a quote in a video by Westbrook, “You tried to trick a straight man into thinking he’s gay, yet again, and somehow you’re the victim … You’re using your fame, your power, and your money to play with people’s emotions.” (Spellings & Hou, 2019). While the issue died down after Charles made a comment on it, he had and still faces some other controversial topics.
One recent controversy that caused backlash was when Charles posted a video a few days ago on experiencing for 24 hours on being pregnant. The photo used to promote the video caused mixed reactions. As Today wrote from one fan who commented about the issue, “I love you James,’ a fan wrote. ‘But be ready to expect backlash. This wasn’t a good move. It’s very insensitive & I’m generally not a sensitive person. Sorry bud. This ain’t right.” (Gariano, 2021). While many have different opinions on the matter, it still hasn’t hurt his continuous growth on YouTube.
James Charles now has over 25 million subscribers and is still continuing to increase. Despite his sometimes insensitive comments, he still holds to be a good person and his collaborations with others has shown this. One example is his collaboration with other YouTubers when playing video games. Close to the end of last year, he joined in the trend of playing an iconic video game, Among Us which caused many viewers to enjoy the entertainment. In this livestream by YouTuber Disguised Toast, James Charles participated in playing the game.
Even with both his ups and downs, Charles remains as one of the most iconic beauty YouTubers on the Internet. His fame and merchandise have continued to grow and expand not just in the United States, but across the globe. While at times he may mess up, his forgiving nature and upbeat personality continue to inspire and attract many fans.
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