The James Charles-Tati Westbrook spat continues to rumble on.
Back in May, the two makeup influencers, who together have millions of online followers, had a very public falling out. Westbrook, 37, posted a 43-minute video in which she laid into her former protégé.
The video was prompted by Charles choosing to promote a rival hair vitamin brand to the one owned by Westbrook.
Westbrook accused Charles of being disloyal, ego-driven, and using her to further his ambitions. More controversially, she accused the then 19-year old influencer of using his fame to hit on straight me and try to “trick” them into having sex with him.
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Charles issued an emotional video in response, saying he was hurt by the allegations and apologizing for any pain he’d caused Westbrook.
He went on to refute the allegations of inappropriate behavior with other men. He posted another video, stating, “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. That is disgusting, it is not me, and the fact that Tati brought this up blows my mind, because she knows the real story.”
Westbrook has since deleted her video. Although Charles lost around 3million followers in the immediate aftermath of the controversy, his numbers have since rebounded.
Now, in a lengthy interview with Paper magazine, Charles reveals that he continues to struggle with his mental health since the episode. He also labeled Westbrook’s comments about his sex life “disgusting” and hurtful to the LGBTQ community.
“What that statement implies is that gay men are all predatory, which is disgusting, not true and very dangerous to put out there,” he told Paper.
“The whole situation was scary for the LGBTQ+ community and paints a really bad picture of gay men.”
He says one of the incidents referred to by Westbrook involved a man who identifies as bisexual.
“The reality is that the “hook-up” that was being discussed was completely consensual. It was with a boy who told me that he was bisexual and later on told the world he was bisexual. Therefore there’s nothing wrong with that.”
Charles said the breakdown of his relationship with Westbrook still impacted him greatly.
“I’m not mentally in a place where I want to be. What’s even harder to swallow is that it’s been six months since all the drama happened. I thought by this time I’d be completely good — back to normal, if you will — and that’s not the case.”
Related: James Charles hits back at sexual predator allegations
Charles also says that he’s very wary about getting involved with men romantically as he find himself distrustful and constantly looking for red flags.
“I’ve gotten really good at seeing those early on. You just never know what people’s true intentions are.
“With my job, there are so many blessings but a lot of people see them as an opportunity for themselves to either come up, get financial gain, get followers or attention or take me down with them, which has been attempted. I’m just careful … and lonely.”
Donston
He had a falling out with them, and they decided to get back at him by making him look like a sexual predator. It was some terrible shit, even by social media “influencers” standards. However, he did make himself an easy target. When you publicly say stuff like you’re not interested in dating gay-identifying guys, that you want a “straight” dude, that you want a guy to come out of the closet in order to be with you- you’re painting yourself in a certain light. More than anything, it highlights how your views on love, relationships and romantic partnerships is not about attraction, affection, emotional investment, preferences, practicality but is instead almost strictly driven by ego, sociology, fantasy, fetish and identity. That isn’t unusual for young people, particularly young “queers”. But putting that out there makes you an easy target, and it also makes you difficult to sympathize with.
justgeo
Just an insipid creature why are you giving him space Could care less about it’s ‘orientation’ kinda makes my skin crawl
thisisnotreal
I followed all that drama and it still disgusts me to this day and so does james. He talked about how it paints an unfair picture that gay men are predators….umm it ain’t unfair if it has truth to it. Yeah we aren’t ALL predators obviously (I’m sure not) but I’ve personally known some gays that loved pursuing men who identified as straight and using every single tool on their belt (including alcohol and drugs) in order to “convince” a man who didn’t want to sleep with them, to sleep with them. Stereotypes often exist because of some grain of truth, and that one of us exists because there are gays out there like James who fetishize men who don’t identify as gay, and when they are told no it becomes either an ego thing for them to prove or it becomes another hunt for them to conquer. James made very loud comments about his preferences for men who don’t want him and men he isn’t supposed to have in the past, and then once he started being called on his predatory behaviour he threw his hands up and cried victim. Well I don’t buy it from him for one second I think he represents a lot of dangerous stereotypes for our community and and he reinforces a lot of crap people think about us and for those reasons I will never like or respect him. Makes me wish it was possible to revoke his membership so none of us would have to be in the dame group as him.
Josh in OR
I have been saying this for years.
Fetishizing straight men is harmful to gay men. Fetishizing straight men is not like enjoying spanking, or a little choking. It is delegitimizing openly, unmistakeable gay men. The kind of gay men whose refusal to fit into a predetermined package gave us every victory along the way towards equality. It says ‘You aren’t good enough if you can’t or won’t ‘pass’. Straight is better. There is something wrong with femininity.’ It’s misogynistic at its core, and it displays some serious internalized homophobia, to boot.
A ‘straight’ fetish is no different than a Jewish person having a fetish for Nazi regalia. It is DEEPLY troubling and speaks volumes about the fetishist’s state of mind.
maleficent
you don’t have to have ovaries to be a bitch
maleficent
if I may attach to myself here… he is physically beautiful. glad he can work-it and we can appreciate it.
Kyle_1983
This guy will do anything to keep relevant, that’s what’s truly disgusting.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
He was 19 year old kid. He had the audacity to endorse a competitors Make-up instead of Westbrook’s. She then began a campaign to tear Charles down accusing him of being a “predator” for having sex with a guy who identifys as Bisexual and released a video confirming it and said the hookup was 100% consensual…All part of the “social influencer” dramarama…. Charles finally stopped being her whipping boy and set the record straight. He has since regained all the lost followers..
Charles is worth an estimate twelve million dollars…..
And pretty sure anyone here would use the same position if available to hookup with hot willing guys……
Jimmyk321
It’s sad that you think being 19, an adult, is an excuse for predatory behavior, if you believe James Charles or not, that says a lot about you.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Jimmyk321: Please explain the “predatory” behavior. He didn’t force anyone into sex. It’s not like he is a 50 year old man seeking 19 year olds. The guy released a video saying he was Bi and he wanted to hook with Charles.
I find it disgusting that Westbrook, an older person threw a hissy fit because Charles dared to forge better deal for himself, cutting Westbrook out was the cause of this nonsense
DuMaurier
I don’t know who he is. The only thing I really latched onto was the part about him losing 3 million followers from this. That’s a lot, isn’t it?
Jimmyk321
He’s gained that back but yes, that is a lot. Most YouTubers don’t even have 3 thousand overall followers, let alone 3 MILLION to lose.
Mark Allen
There are so many incredible GLBT people in this world. True “influencers”. Doctors, scientists, politicians, environmentalists. People who make the world a better place. Life is incredible and very short. While I don’t want to devalue anyone’s life, I seriously don’t understand why we waste time on the ego of a child. There is really nothing of value to this article.
Den
We “waste time” on this character because his presentation and travails have something to tell us about modern society. Both those of depth and the extremely superficial all provide important observations.
What these people, their conflict/drama and who elevates it tells us about values and culture may not be pretty, but it serves us to pay attention.
C_Alan
Instagram has made you dumber.
white-queer-african
So here i am in dark Africa, not me saying butt most of the US of A and som others too! Now who are these folks? Like that other non-significant tribe the Khardasians, yes yes they are rich! Goodness how dumb are non Africans to believe such drivel? Give me dark Africa any day…..
Manchester
This whole drama was so stupid and ridiculous. I am even questioning myself for commenting on it.
dustychiffon
This kid has issues, and homophobia from other “influencers” is one of them. What this older lady did to him, as well as the other older lady Jeffery Star, was plain slander. He should have lawyered up with some defamation, and sent them to the pound.
stuffedpuppy
Absolutely right, @dustychiffon! That Tatti is completely Tata (that’s French for stupid). Who the hell is she to meddle in his sex life? Besides the day gay men will stop fantasizing about str8 men will be a cold day in hell. Wake up people! You mean to say that these (pseudo) straight guys could plead ignorance that Charles was gay? Get real. How is this Tatti’s business and let alone Jeffrey Starr’s (right, she never made advances to straight guys)…
Indeed, James Charles should hit them with a defamation suit ASAP…that’s all these hysterical “ladies” deserve!