CREATOR NEWSLETTER
Issue #147 | June 29, 2023
All aboard the toxic gossip train.
In case you don’t know what I’m talking about, boy, do we have a story for you. YouTuber Colleen Ballinger, widely known as alter ego Miranda Sings, finally responded to those accusing her of forming inappropriate relationships with young fans.
How, you ask? In a ukulele song. No, I’m not kidding. This mega-cringe train crash is arguably more culturally significant in internet history than ‘Draumageddon’ or the impending Musk-Zuckerberg cage match.
While strumming on her ukulele, Ballinger sings about the “toxic gossip train,” which she accuses of spreading “misinformation” about her online. Why would she address such severe allegations in this wildly inappropriate fashion? She says her team “strongly advised” her not to speak her mind, but they didn’t tell her she “couldn’t sing.”
Within an hour of the video’s upload, social media users exploded in outcry, calling the video the “worst apology in YouTube history.” We’ve seen all kinds of viral discourse surrounding influencer apologies (or lack thereof) this year: whether it be people unpacking iDubbbz’s apologies for his controversial past or fans calling out Matty Healy for skirting responsibility for his problematic podcast appearance. But this Ukulele-ridden “apology” must be the most notorious one yet.
If you don’t want to give Ballinger an extra view or cent in ad revenue, Passionfruit contributor Steven Asarch has you covered with a breakdown of the full video and the viral controversy it unleashed.
– Grace Stanley, Newsletter Editor
ALL ABOARD
Colleen Ballinger Responds to Accusations in ‘Toxic Gossip Train’ Ballad
‘The only thing I’ve ever groomed is my two Persian cats’ is not the win she thought it was.
By Steven Asarch, Passionfruit Contributor
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THE COMMENTS SECTION
“Affiliate programs are the iPad tips of the content creator world.”
— Austin Rupp on the horrors of UGC (user-generated content for us olds).
IN THE BIZ
- PARTNER: The Publish Press brings you the news from the creator’s point of view. Sign up now to get the latest creator economy news stories—plus why it matters—delivered straight to your inbox.
- Oh, fun, TikTok has a new Creator Challenge Program, where brands can demand submissions from qualifying users (must have 50k followers!) who upload submissions to turn their accounts into commercial fodder.
- The more people who join the TikTok program, the less likely it is that your content will get chosen and paid out. The payments themselves will be far less. It’s nothing we haven’t seen before, people.
- In early June, YouTube decided to stop removing content containing election fraud misinformation. But now, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce is coming for that policy.
- Friend of the show Taylor Lorenz has launched her own YouTube channel, which tbh is a great way to keep up on both creator news and its ongoing drama circle.
NOTED BY LON HARRIS
A Bad Trip: What We Can Learn from the Shein Influencer Trip Backlash
Brand deals are the lifeblood of the creator economy, but they come with risks.
By Lon Harris, Passionfruit Contributor
PRIDE MONTH
Spotlight on LGBTQ+ Creators: Inspiring Voices and Stories
Find new LGBTQ+ faves to follow across social media this summer.
By Rachel Kiley, Passionfruit Contributor
TIKTOK MADE ME DO IT
Don’t drink the Grimace Shake.
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