Colleen Ballinger returns to YouTube to address ‘mistakes’

Colleen BallingerYouTube’s latest persona non grata addresses “embarrassing mistakes” after months of silence.

Ballinger, 36, returned to the video-sharing platform on Sunday for the first time since her outrage. ukulele performancein which he apologized to members of the online community (but also scolded them) following various accusations, including that he had “groomed” his fans for work.

“Obviously, the last video I posted here is really embarrassing. … They were accusing me of some pretty horrible things and I was just angry,” Ballinger said in a new video in which she apologizes for some of the behavior that got her in trouble, as well as sharing that she intends to vlog again.

“I should have handled that situation with maturity and empathy, but instead I let my ego take over and I’m really disappointed in myself.

“Over the last 15 years of my career, there have been times when I was immature and inappropriate with some of my comedy. And there were times where I didn’t think enough about some of the interactions with my fans,” he said. “And because of that behavior, people were hurt. And I’m so sorry. “I never wanted to hurt anyone, but clearly I did and I feel really bad about it.”

Ballinger admitted that he is “not a perfect person” and said there were many things he wishes he could go back and change or redo. He said, however, that he “has no control over any of that” and has no control “over the things people say” about her. “I only have control over my actions in the future.”

Earlier this year, the internet personality known for his popular miranda sings the character was hit with accusations from fellow YouTubers and superfans who alleged that she was “preparing” them for childbirth and had made sexual jokes with minors in a group chat. As the accusations swirled, the “Haters back off!The actor stopped posting on his social media pages for almost a month.

Then, in June, he grabbed a ukulele and broke his silence with a song. posted on his YouTube channel that included a chorus about a “toxic gossip train” and lyrics that said: “Everyone thinks you’re the kind of person who manipulates and abuses children. “I just wanted to say that the only thing I have prepared are my two children.” Persian Cats” and “I’m not a hairdresser, I’m just a loser who didn’t understand that he shouldn’t respond to fans. And I’m not a predator, even though many of you think I am, because five years ago I made a fart joke.”

The last line was referring to a resurfaced clip from one of Ballinger’s live shows where he had a fan lying on her back and spreading her legs while a fart noise played through the speakers. TMZ reported that the viral clip caused the loss of several sponsorship deals on his show “Relax!” podcast.

“I never had any bad intentions, but I feel like shit,” Ballinger sang toward the end of her 10-minute-long song, staring intently at the camera with a defeated look before looking down and continuing to perform her “toxic.” gossip train chorus,” which she repeated throughout the song.

Many of the allegations against Ballinger were first made in April 2020 by Adam McIntyre, a former Ballinger superfan and now a successful YouTube personality. in a video, McIntyre alleged that Ballinger used him for unpaid social media work before cutting ties with him over a controversial tweet he sent to the Miranda Sings account and trolling him. Ballinger was also criticized for sending underwear to McIntyre as a joke.

Ballinger posted a 13-minute apology video a month later, explaining that it was normal for her to hire fans for her social media work, as well as for work when she went on tour, but that she often tested them beforehand. employment. Such was the case with McIntyre, she said, taking the blame for the controversial tweet.

“I’m not a monster, I’m not a hairdresser,” Ballinger said in his 2020 video, adding that he had been in contact with McIntyre’s mother after the tweet issue. “I care about him as much as I do all of my fans I’ve interacted with over the years, and I wish him nothing but success, happiness and love.”

McIntyre caught wind of Ballinger’s latest video, which surfaced on Saturday, and quickly issued a response through the platform. He called out Ballinger for “watering everything down as much as possible” and said his speech was a “slap in the face.” She also said Ballinger never apologized to him privately. During his response, she interpreted Ballinger’s mea culpa and paused to comment on his statements.

Times staff writer Jonah Valdez contributed to this report.