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WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

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.”

What Happened To Jenna Marbles? 2

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 Onision aka Gregory Jackson

In the late 2000s, a unique character emerged in the landscape of YouTube. His name was Onision, born Gregory James Daniel (formerly Jackson).

Known for his outlandish humour, edgy content, and music videos, Onision quickly gained popularity with one video in particular, “I’m a Banana,” which went viral and has accumulated over 77 million views.

Year Subscriber Count Most Viewed Video
2009 100,000 “I’m A Banana”
2010 500,000 “Banana Song (I’m A Banana)”
2011 1,000,000 “10 Things I Hate About Parents”

His content, which often included sketches, rants, and personal vlogs, garnered him a large following, making him one of the platform’s prominent creators.

If you like this check out my blogs about the Rise and Fall of Shane Dawson, Alex Day, Smosh and more

The Controversies Begin

However, his fame began to be overshadowed by a series of controversies. Several of his former partners, including Shiloh Hoganson and Billie Dawn Webb, came forward with allegations of emotional and psychological abuse, manipulation, and grooming. These allegations were vehemently denied by Onision, but they began to taint his reputation.

Moreover, his content started reflecting questionable conduct. He would often exploit personal relationships and difficult situations for views, leading many to accuse him of disregarding the privacy and feelings of those involved.

A notable example includes a video documenting Hoganson’s apparent mental breakdown, a video that was widely criticized for exploiting a vulnerable individual for views.

The Fall of Onision

In late 2019, Chris Hansen, a television journalist known for his show “To Catch a Predator,” began investigating Onision, leading to a further public outcry. This investigation brought more attention to the allegations against him.

YouTube, responding to the allegations of harassment and child endangerment, suspended monetization on his channels in 2020. This action significantly impacted his income and marked a clear downturn in his career.

Year Subscriber Count Most Controversial Video
2019 2,000,000 “Shiloh Has Sepsis”
2020 1,500,000 “Wow”
2021 1,200,000 “Sorry”

Despite his attempts to defend himself and salvage his reputation with various responses and explanations, Onision has struggled to regain his former popularity. As of 2021, his viewership had declined significantly, and many in the YouTube community distanced themselves from him due to his alleged behavior.

Onision’s story serves as a stark reminder of the potential dark sides of online fame and the importance of ethical behaviour in the digital age. His rise and fall provide a compelling case study of how fame, power, and lack of accountability can intertwine on a platform like YouTube, with significant real-world consequences.

The Aftermath

Onision’s story didn’t end with the loss of his YouTube income and the reduction in his followers. The controversy surrounding him continued, particularly due to the severity of the allegations.

His actions, both on and off camera, left a lasting impact on his victims, his audience, and the broader YouTube community.

Legal Actions and Further Scrutiny

Following YouTube’s demonetization of his channels, the spotlight on Onision only grew brighter. The allegations against him sparked further scrutiny, prompting discussions about the role of social media platforms in policing content and the conduct of their creators. Some called for stricter regulations and safeguards to protect vulnerable individuals, particularly young followers who often idolize content creators.

Despite the seriousness of the allegations, as of 2021, Onision has not faced any legal charges. However, the court of public opinion had largely turned against him. Various media outlets picked up the story, and numerous other YouTubers created content discussing the allegations, further tarnishing Onision’s reputation.

Onision’s Response

Onision, for his part, has consistently denied any wrongdoing. He has produced a series of videos addressing the allegations, attempting to refute the claims made against him. These videos, however, have been largely met with scepticism and criticism. Many viewers have accused him of gaslighting — a form of psychological manipulation in which a person seeks to sow seeds of doubt in a targeted individual or in members of a targeted group, making them question their own memory, perception, or sanity.

In spite of everything, a small segment of his audience has remained loyal. Some followers have dismissed the allegations as lies or exaggerations, while others seem to have stuck around to observe the drama unfold.

What Happened To Onision aka Gregory Jackson

Lessons from the Onision Saga

Onision’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the power and pitfalls of internet fame. It highlights the need for platforms like YouTube to maintain vigilance over the conduct of their content creators, particularly those who hold significant sway over young and impressionable audiences.

The saga also brings attention to the difficulty of policing behaviour online, where the line between private and public life is often blurred. It underscores the need for discourse around digital ethics, as well as the potential for manipulation and abuse in the age of social media.

The story of Onision is far from over, and as it continues to unfold, it will likely spark further discussion about the nature of online fame, the responsibility of platforms, and the rights and protections of users.

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