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Tag: Digital Influencer

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WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

What Happened To Jenna Marbles?

What Happened To Jenna Marbles?

Born Jenna Nicole Mourey on September 15, 1986, in Rochester, New York, Jenna Marbles holds an interesting life story before her meteoric rise to fame on YouTube. She graduated from Brighton High School in 2004 before earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Suffolk University and later a Master’s Degree in Sports Psychology from Boston University.

Prior to her YouTube fame, Jenna juggled various jobs, including go-go dancing at nightclubs, bartending, working at a tanning salon, and blogging for Barstool Sports. However, none of these traditional roles would lead her to the global fame she would eventually find.

The YouTube Rise

In 2010, Jenna launched her YouTube channel under the pseudonym ‘Jenna Marbles,’ where Marbles refers to her pet dog, Mr. Marbles. Her rise to fame was meteoric, largely credited to her unique sense of humor and quirky videos, starting with her breakout video, “How To Trick People Into Thinking You’re Good Looking,” which currently has over 70 million views.

Her videos, an eclectic mix of comedy, commentary, and personal vlogs, soon found resonance with a growing global audience. Some of her most popular videos include “What Girls Do In The Car,” “Drunk Makeup Tutorial,” and “How Girls Get Ready.” She quickly became one of the most influential creators on the platform.

Jenna Marbles’ YouTube Statistics

Year Subscriber Count Total Views
2010 100,000 5 Million
2011 1 Million 100 Million
2012 2.5 Million 500 Million
2013 8 Million 1.2 Billion
2014 13 Million 1.6 Billion
2015 15 Million 2 Billion
2016 16 Million 2.2 Billion
2017 17 Million 2.5 Billion
2018 18 Million 2.7 Billion
2019 20 Million 3 Billion
2020 20.2 Million 3.3 Billion
2023 20.3 Million 3.5 Billion

What Happened To Jenna Marbles? 1

The Downfall

However, like many Internet personalities, Jenna Marbles wasn’t immune to controversy. In June 2020, she released a tearful apology video addressing past content that had been offensive and insensitive, particularly focusing on a video from 2011 where she impersonated Nicki Minaj, which was seen as blackface, and another video from 2012 that contained a derogatory slur.

Facing heavy backlash, Jenna took the initiative to address the controversies head-on, apologizing for her past mistakes and promising to do better. However, the Internet’s response was mixed, with many fans arguing that she had been unjustly targeted due to the shifting cultural context.

Despite the ongoing debate, Jenna decided to step back indefinitely from her YouTube channel, stating, “I think I’m just going to move on from this channel for now. I don’t know if that’s forever, I don’t know how long it’s going to be.”

Recent News

Since stepping back from YouTube, Jenna Marbles has maintained a relatively low profile, sporadically appearing on her partner Julien Solomita’s Twitch streams and his YouTube channel. As of 2023, Jenna has not resumed her YouTube channel, leading to speculation that she might have permanently retired from the platform. Despite this, Jenna still has an active presence on Instagram and occasionally tweets to her followers.

While Jenna Marbles’ future on YouTube remains uncertain, there is no denying the enormous impact she’s had on the platform. Her raw humor, candidness, and quirky content made her one of the biggest names on the platform, contributing significantly to the formative years of YouTube. Regardless of her current hiatus, her influence on YouTube and internet culture at large remains undeniable.

It’s a testament to Jenna Marbles’ legacy that despite controversies and her stepping back from YouTube, her subscriber base remains largely intact, and her videos continue to amass millions of views. In many ways, Jenna Marbles’ story serves as a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of internet fame, but also as a reminder of the power of authenticity in a world increasingly dominated by curated online personas.

If you like this article check out the Rise and Fall of Alex Day, Shane Dawson, Sam Pepper and more…

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WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

What Happened To Shane Dawson?

What Happened To Shane Dawson?

Shane Dawson, born Shane Lee Yaw, is a YouTuber who came to prominence in the mid-to-late 2000s and is known for his controversial content and eccentric personality.

His career has seen significant ups and downs, with a series of controversies that have led to a notable decline in his popularity.

Here’s a deep dive into his rise and fall.

If you like this then why note check out other “rise and fall” style blogs on Smosh, Alex Day, Tyler Oakley and more

The Rise

Shane Dawson started his career on YouTube in 2008, quickly gaining a massive following due to his comedy sketches, parodies, and vlogs. His early content often featured him impersonating celebrities, such as Paris Hilton and Miley Cyrus, which attracted a huge young audience. His channels saw exponential growth, as seen in the table below:

Year Subscribers
2008 100,000
2010 2 million
2013 6 million
2015 8 million
2017 11 million

Dawson later transitioned to creating more mature content, such as documentaries and investigative videos on controversial internet figures. His series on Jeffree Star, Jake Paul, and Tana Mongeau became incredibly popular, boosting his subscribers to over 20 million by 2019.

Podcast Career

In addition to his YouTube success, Dawson also hosted a podcast, “Shane and Friends,” from 2013 to 2017. The podcast had a successful run with over 140 episodes, featuring interviews with celebrities, YouTubers, and social media influencers. It added another layer to Dawson’s online presence and diversified his content, further contributing to his growth.

The Fall

Dawson’s fall from grace began in 2020, when several controversies surrounding his past content resurfaced. A few key incidents include:

  1. Old Racist Videos: Dawson faced backlash over old videos where he was seen using racial slurs and stereotypes. His impersonations, which had been a significant part of his initial success, were now seen as offensive and harmful.
  2. Inappropriate Comments and Actions Toward Minors: Dawson was accused of making sexualized comments and inappropriate actions towards underage fans in his past content.
  3. Association with Controversial Figures: Dawson’s close association with Jeffree Star, a beauty influencer with his own share of controversies, also hurt his image.

These controversies led to a significant decline in his popularity and subscriber count, as shown in the table below:

Year Subscribers
2019 23 million
2020 21 million
2021 20 million
2022 19 million

In June 2020, Dawson posted a video titled “Taking Accountability,” in which he apologized for his past behaviour. However, the apology was not well-received, with many criticizing him for not adequately addressing the issues.

Time Away from YouTube

Following the backlash, Dawson took a hiatus from YouTube. He was largely absent from the platform for about a year, with only occasional appearances on his fiancé Ryland Adams’s channel. His hiatus marked a significant shift in his career, as he had been a constant presence on YouTube for over a decade.

The Aftermath

Dawson attempted a comeback in 2021 with a video titled “The Haunting of Shane Dawson,” but the response was mixed. While some fans were glad to see him return, many others felt that he hadn’t adequately addressed his past controversies.

In 2023, Dawson remains a polarizing figure. His influence and subscriber count have significantly declined from his peak, and his reputation has been severely damaged by his past controversies.

As of 2023, his subscriber count stands as follows:

Year Subscribers
2023 18 million

This steep fall from his peak of 23 million subscribers in 2019 underscores the impact of his controversies on his popularity.

However, it’s worth noting that despite the backlash, Dawson retains a core group of fans who continue to support him. His videos, though far less frequent than before, still generate millions of views, indicating that he still holds a place in the online space, albeit a diminished one.

Current Endeavors

Since his return to YouTube, Dawson has tried to steer his content in a different direction, focusing more on personal growth and less controversial topics. However, he hasn’t been able to fully escape the shadow of his past controversies. His attempts to move forward are often met with mixed reactions, with some viewers appreciating his efforts to change, while others remain sceptical of his sincerity.

In addition to his YouTube content, Dawson has also tried to diversify his online presence. He’s made several appearances on his fiancé’s podcast, “The Sip,” and has hinted at working on a new series, though details remain vague.

Conclusion

Shane Dawson’s rise and fall serve as a stark reminder of the power and perils of internet fame. His career has been marked by incredible highs and significant lows, and his story continues to evolve. His controversies have opened up important conversations about accountability and the lasting impact of harmful content.

While it remains to be seen whether Dawson will ever regain his former status, his story offers valuable lessons for content creators and audiences alike about the importance of respectful and responsible content.

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