Updated March 2nd, 2020
James Charles has found himself at the centre of controversy once again.
In a two-part TikTok series posted Friday, the beauty guru has been accused of sexting a 16-year-old fan via Snapchat.
The accuser, named Isaiyah, says he added James on Snapchat a while back and that James began Snapping him inappropriate photos and messages earlier this month. The teenager alleges that he told James he was 16-years-old and that his age was also in his social media bios at the time.
“I was getting really uncomfortable so I told him my age, I told him I’m 16,” Isaiyah said on TikTok. He claims James continued to ask for nude photos and to FaceTime him.
Both TikToks have been since removed by the platform for violating community guidelines. Isaiyah says his TikToks providing “proof” that James was aware of his age are also being blocked.
Several drama channels and outlets are reportedly temporarily banned by TikTok and Twitter for posting about the allegations against the YouTuber, leading many to believe that James is striking their content.
Shortly after, James released a statement via Twitter denying the allegations.
“The accusation that I have groomed this person is completely false,” the YouTuber begins. He recalls that he found Isaiyah on his explore page and after noticing he was a fan, James added him on Snapchat. He claims he woke up to multiple Snaps from Isaiyah the following morning.
“I ask him how old he was right away and me told me he was 18 so I started flirting back,” James writes. “Later in the day, he said a few things that made me question the validity of his original age answer and when I asked him to confirm his age once again, he admitted he was 16.”
James claims he apologised to Isaiyah and unfriended him, believing the teenager had ulterior motives.
Isaiyah has since responded to James’ statement in a tweet himself, writing, “James we both know I blocked you, you never asked for my age. After I told you I was 16 you proceeded to ask me for nudes and said it didn’t matter.”
He alleges James called him “hot” and said “I wish the timeline could speed up so you can be 18.”
He also shared a voicenote on Twitter that he allegedly sent to one of his friends about James continuing to solicit racy content from him despite knowing his age.
Isaiyah’s story is one of several allegations against the 21-year-old influencer. Since Isaiyah’s viral TikTok, many other young men— some underage— have come forward to share their alleged experiences with sexting James. James has also faced similar accusations in the past.
As such, fans and members of the YouTube community alike are speaking out against James and his alleged predatory behaviour.
“This is James Charles,” controversial YouTuber Trisha Paytas wrote in a quote tweet to James’ statement. “It is now fact that he sexted with minors. His best friend is 16-year-old Charlie D’Amelio! This is repeated predatory behavior on underage boys. He is sick in the head. It’s a disease – he needs help. Ppl fuck up once and learn, predators need intervention.”
In a video posted to Twitter, Keemstar— another controversial internet personality— rants that he’s “sick” of James coming off as the victim. “James Charles will put out a defense, ‘Well he was queer-baiting me, he lied, he said that he was, you know, bi-curious or whatever.’ This has happened so many fucking times,” he says. “How does James keep getting caught up? We always come to the conclusion that James Charles is the victim and these other people are just out for clout and attention.”
Keemstar goes on to compare the allegations against James to other YouTubers with young fanbases like Corpse Husband. “We know that to be true, that the kids lie so the kids can talk to their fucking hero, but we’re not running stories on Corpse Husband. Corpse Husband doesn’t get caught,” he says. “Because he’s not fucking doing that! But you know who keeps putting themselves in that situation? James Charles.”
On March 1st, Isaiyah posted a Snapchat story in the car with the caption, “On the way to the police station bye sister.”
It is still unclear if James knew about Isaiyah’s real age at the time of publication.