YouTube beauty vlogger James Charles claims he unknowingly sent explicit messages to underage fans
YouTube beauty vlogger James Charles is apologizing Thursday after he was accused by some underage fans of sending them inappropriate messages.
In a new video, the 21-year-old YouTube celebrity said he was holding himself "accountable" for his actions, but claimed he never knew he was interacting with minors.
Charles, who has collaborated with artists such as Doja Cat, Lil Nas X, Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner, was accused of sexting with several underage fans within the last few months, including one who accused Charles of grooming him, according to Vulture. Some of them alleged Charles sent them nude pictures, demanded explicit photos in return and pressured them into sexual conversations on Snapchat.
The internet personality reacted to the accusations on Thursday and shared a 14-minute video titled "Holding Myself Accountable."
The apology video starts with Charles stating he owes "a massive apology to anybody I have hurt or anybody I made uncomfortable with my actions."
The beauty ambassador then claims that he was unaware of his alleged victims' real ages, claiming they told him they were 18.
He said that upon learning that he "engaged in flirty conversation" with minors, he blocked them.
Charles then admitted he "f---ed up" and that he needs "to take accountability for my actions and most importantly apologize to the people who were hurt by them."
"As an adult, it is my job and my responsibility to verify who I'm talking to and therefore there is nobody to blame for this other than myself," he added.
Charles has a significant online following, boasting over 25 million subscribers on YouTube and Instagram, as well as nearly 8 million Twitter followers. He also made history in 2016 when Cover Girl announced that he would serve as their first male ambassador.
