James Charles is hitting back at allegations made by fellow YouTuber/ex-BFF Tati Westbrook and others that he used his internet fame to “manipulate” a straight guy into having gay sex, saying what happened between the two of them was “100% consensual” and that they didn’t even have sex because, actually, he’s still a virgin.
As you may recall, the 19-year-old beauty vlogger lost 3+ million followers in the past few weeks after Westbrook posted a public takedown video accusing him of attempting “trick a straight man into thinking he’s gay.”
Afterwards, Charles issued an apology saying he had “learned the hard way about boys that I am interested in, and also ones that I should or shouldn’t be talking to.”
When that failed to dampen the firestorm ignited by Westbrook, Charles went into hiding. His website went dark and he seemed to disappear from public view.
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Related: More terrible news for disgraced beauty vlogger James Charles
Now, the teenage influencer has published a new 40-minute video titled “No More Lies” in which he walks back that original apology, saying he’s never used his internet fame to pressure anyone into having sex and blasting people on social media for spreading falsehoods about him.
“First of all, I’m a 19-year-old virgin,” Charles declares in the video. “I talk about boys quite a lot on my social media networks. Clearly, at this point, it’s not acceptable anymore… just thought I’d bring it up, put it out into the universe.”
“I don’t really get a lot of action.”
OK, we’re glad that’s settled.
The straight man Charles was said to have seduced is a waiter from Seattle named Sam Cooke, who Charles says actually identifies as bisexual, and who published his own video last week detailing his relationship with Charles, saying he wasn’t manipulated and that he welcomed the contact from the beauty vlogger.
In his video, Charles insists he’s not a sexual predator or a “danger to society”, as some, including fellow beauty vlogger Jeffree Star, have labeled him.
“I have never, and would never, and will never use my fame, money or power, to manipulate or get any sexual actions from a guy,” he says. “That is disgusting, it is not me, and the fact that Tati brought this up blows my mind, because she knows the real story.”
Charles says when he spoke to Cooke about his sexuality, “he said straight up he was bi. There was no straight man being manipulated in the story like Tati mentioned.”
Related: Vlogger Jeffree Star’s past predatory sexual behavior is finally coming back to haunt him
He goes on to explain that the pair met up at a hotel room, where they cuddled and made out for a while and that “everything that happened was 100% consensual.”
Later in the video, Charles admits that he does occasionally DM guys who he finds “cute” and that, yes, sometimes those guys have turned out to be straight, but he’s always been respectful when that happens.
“I am attracted to men,” he says. “Whenever I found someone cute I would send them a simple message saying ‘hello’ or a nice compliment.”
“If anyone made it clear they weren’t interested or they weren’t gay I would apologize for the unwanted attention and the conversation was put to a halt immediately.”
After the last few weeks, however, Charles says he’ll avoid sending those sorts of messages “going forward.”
Watch.
Vince
OMG. Twink drama rama!!! The only video that interested me is the charles one not because I give a rats ass who the effeminate twink is raping but her freak show tammy fae look. 🙂
I will say one thing. I’m not sure what the middle ground of being a virgin to not much action means. Maybe it’s another sexual term queerty is famous for pushing.
Brian
I have a feeling that other than losing so many subscribers, this guy is loving the attention.
redzebra1
Even the Daily Mail reporter chasing him at Brisbane airport?
stephen_25
Does anyone really give a smokey eye or a flaming butthole, about this little wank stain?
dwes09
Quite obviously some people do.
Just like they care about the Kardashians. It’s the same kind of TMZ/Gossip column superficial amusement.
Apparently teenage girls also find his makeup tips valuable. That is what makes his money.
Chrisk
The fact that twinkyboy recognized Charles and her other messy friend Jeffry star when they came in his restaurant is a clue that he’s as straight as a game of twister. Lol
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
He’s a horny 19 year old. Give the kid a break.. bitter old queens showing their jealousy
Chrisk
It sounds more like most don’t even care one way or the other where he puts his pecker so there’s no need to insult anyone.
redzebra1
He’s not a kid either, he’s 19. The adult age of the state of New York he lives in is 18
Bytemenow
Who?
Esscourt
All these twinks and their makeup—just transition to women already!
Donston
That’s not really how being trans works. Gender expression is different than gender identity. There are many dudes who are seemingly masculine and not all that into make-up or dresses who eventually transition. And many of these guys who are fem or wear make-up don’t really feel a connection to any gender and definitely aren’t interested in transitioning (aka they’re “non-binary”, the hip new term). The problem is that too many guys (even many non-fem guys) seem to think that being non-gay identifying equates to being inherently more masculine, more special and is generally more “superior”. And being able to convince a non gay identifying guy (and in particular a straight-identifying guy) to either hook up with them or be with them uplifts their ego and is a greater turn-on.
GayNOTQueer
Exactly.
Josh447
Hey James, glad you realized you were the object of a baseless hit job and I’m glad you are taking steps to correct the damage. Remember, “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned” as little miss Westbrook tried to pull off. Thing is, she had no real amo.
You will overcome this. Kudos to you.
IDavid
Donston
It ultimately does seem as if that chick and Jeffree teamed up to take him down while he was vulnerable. Most of the things that they put out out there was either proven to have no merit, was over-exaggerated and/or reflected their own hypocrisy. However, all three seem as if they live for the drama, attention and coin.
Mikey E
The really interesting thing about this drama is that it illustrates – in a real life example – how effeminacy is off-putting and toxic to men. Here you have James Charles who, on paper, is an extremely attractive date. He is young, slim, healthy, fairly good-looking, has an outgoing personality, ambition and a sense of humor. Moreover, he is a multi-millionaire with millions of fans. He travels all over the world. He goes to Coachella as a VIP.
If he were a normal guy, he would be choosing from thousands of interested guys. But as an effeminate male, he can’t get even one legit date. No one wants him. He is reduced to panting over straight boys and “bi curious” boys who take advantage of him and then, after a while, tell him that they are no longer interested. That one factor – effeminacy – is enough to make him dateless. Millions of dollars and fame can’t undo that damage. It’s that bad. No matter how much websites like Queerty try to normalize it or portray it positively, effeminacy is catastrophic for those afflicted by it.
Donston
Eh, no. I hate to break it to you, but many guys like more effeminate men, especially when those guys are young and “pretty”. If you’re gonna keep with this effeminate hate train at least make it make sense. There’s a long list of effeminate males who are public figures and who have male partners. Charles has actually had a couple of legit boyfriends from what I can tell. He’s just hyper focused on guys who mostly date girls or present themselves as “straight” or “mostly straight”. That’s the ultimate problem. He also may be too much of a drama queen, which is not the same thing as being effeminate. Charles is also just 19. So, the fact that he hasn’t had a long-term relationship isn’t a big deal.
Mikey E
@Donston – It’s not hate. It’s observation. Charles has not had legit boyfriends. He says so himself. So I don’t think you have been following this story.
It is untrue that “many” guys are into effeminate men. As you correctly point out, youth is valued. Handsome/cute/”pretty” (meaning conventionally attractive) is valued. But effeminate is almost universally a negative. And James Charles is a perfect example of how it can wreck a person’s romantic life all by itself. He is young. He is (without the makeup) fairly cute. But his effeminacy makes him undesirable. Why date a man who acts like a female, talks like female and even calls himself a woman? What’s the point? A boy could just date an actual female.
Black Pegasus
@Mikey E
It’s not his “effeminacy” that repels most men, it’s his rabid flamboyancy..(there’s a difference between being effeminate and being flamboyant). He’s nothing but a caricature of every negative stereotype ever brought to life about gay men. And quite honestly, every flamboyant gay man I’ve ever known has had some sort of drama or psychological problems. It’s as if they’re almost incapable of living normal productive lives. It doesn’t matter how much money and fame James Charles has acquired, his psychological disorders prevents him from being a safe choice for most decent men. We are repulsed by his antics and personality.
Donston
And even super over the top flamboyant dudes can get boyfriends, especially if they’re white, young and have money. Many over the top fem and flamboyant guys get bfs. Please stop trying to fem shame, especially since around half of homosexual/homo-leaning/homoromantic/gay men spend their lives alone for a variety of different reasons. Not acquiring a legit partner isn’t unusual for “queers”. His mannerisms and voice probably have less to do with not having boyfriend than his hysterical habits (which, once again, is not the same as being flamboyant or effeminate), his age and his desire to be with a dude who does not unabashedly want to be with a guy.
redzebra1
Not all gay men are masculine, nor should be. Aforshiori there are effeminate. And in couples, not single like him. So what are you saying exactly?
Mikey E
@Black Pegasus – That’s a very interesting point. There is plenty of social science research showing that effeminacy is heavily disfavored among men, and is a strong negative factor in partner selection among gay and bisexual men. But as far as I know, there has not been any social science research which attempts to distinguish feminine traits from “flamboyant” or “camp” or “queeny” effeminate traits. Since there is no real research looking into this distinction, I can’t say if you’re wrong or right that flamboyance is the real date killer. But from personal experience, I can say that “flamboyant effeminacy” is far more disturbing and off-putting than low-key effeminacy. Both are negatives, but the former is far worse.
redzebra1
He might not have a choice in the matter. Maybe the editor decides whom writes on what issue.
redzebra1
Gage he met at Coachella has admitted on Twitter he used him for fame. So there’s that story gone.
QJ201
Willam Belli just did a “beatdown” episode on this…. BEST take on these messes EVER
redzebra1
Did you ask him or the website? r are you just guessing? Because that’s not ‘knowing’.