Miranda Sings, the popular alter ego character created by Colleen Ballinger, has recently faced accusations from several former fans. These individuals claim that she groomed and took advantage of them while they were underage.
Colleen Ballinger’s YouTube journey began in 2008, where she posted numerous videos featuring her comically talentless and quirky character, Miranda Sings. Over the years, she gained a massive following, with a combined subscriber count of over 22 million across three YouTube channels.
Colleen’s success on YouTube led her to venture into traditional celebrity territory. She had her own Netflix original series, made an appearance on Jerry Seinfeld‘s Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, performed in the Broadway musical Waitress, and authored two best-selling books.
Colleen Ballinger Controversy
Recent headlines have revolved around allegations made by former fan Adam McIntyre. In 2020, Adam initially accused Colleen of grooming, but his video received significant pushback from other fans defending Colleen. The controversy soon died down and was forgotten. However, on June 4, 2023, Adam released another video addressing the matter.
In this video, which has already garnered over 583,000 views, Adam shared his experiences with Colleen, expressing his belief that she used him and other fans for her own convenience. He revealed being part of a group chat with Colleen and other fans.
Despite Colleen being in her 30s at the time, most participants in the chat were allegedly between 14 and 16 years old. Shockingly, Colleen commented on their appearance, encouraged bullying, and asked inappropriate questions, such as about their sexual experiences.
Adam McIntyre’s Accusations
Adam substantiated his claims by sharing screenshots from the group chats, some of which contained the inappropriate questions asked by Colleen. These screenshots were also posted on Adam’s Twitter, where he continued to reveal more about his relationship with Colleen. Additionally, Adam stated that Colleen used love-bombing techniques to make him feel special and manipulated him into running her social media accounts without compensation or recognition, ultimately leading to the end of their friendship.
Adam’s courage in speaking out inspired other former fans to share their experiences of being groomed or used by Colleen.
Another accusation emerged on June 14 when a TikTok user named Becky, also known as ‘noitsbecky,’ claimed that Colleen had humiliated and exploited minors for entertainment during her shows. Becky attended one of Colleen’s shows when she was 16 years old and was called up on stage. However, she became uncomfortable when Colleen, portraying Miranda, controlled her body as part of a “yoga challenge” routine. In one instance, Colleen spread Becky’s legs apart, causing her spandex to become visible while maintaining a smirk on her face. Becky expressed her frustration on Twitter, calling Colleen a predator and accusing her of exploiting vulnerable teenagers.
The grooming accusations against Colleen have resulted in repercussions for her. Two companies that worked with her on her podcast, RELAX! with Colleen Ballinger & Erik Stocklin, have withdrawn their sponsorships.
Colleen’s Previous Controversies and Response
Colleen previously addressed controversies in a video titled “addressing everything” published in 2020. She acknowledged her mistakes, including sending a fan unused lingerie during a giveaway livestream in 2016. Colleen admitted that it was a silly and stupid mistake, expressing remorse and clarifying that it was not a secretive or malicious act. Despite acknowledging her errors, she firmly denied being a groomer or a monster.
Finally, on June 28, Colleen broke her silence and uploaded a video response to her vlog channel. Despite being advised by her management team to refrain from speaking out, Colleen found a way to express herself through
song. She sang a ten-minute ukulele ditty about the situation, referring to the accusations as “toxic gossip” and comparing them to a manipulative train heading to a “manipulation station.”
However, fans were dissatisfied with Colleen’s response, accusing her of mocking her accusers and trivializing a serious matter.
In conclusion, Colleen Ballinger, known for her character Miranda Sings, is facing allegations of grooming and exploiting underage fans. Former fans have come forward with their experiences, and the repercussions of these accusations are being felt in Colleen’s professional relationships. Colleen has addressed the controversies in the past and recently responded with a musical video, although it was met with criticism from her audience. The situation continues to unfold, and the impact on Colleen’s career and reputation remains uncertain. Check out her response below.
Via Dexerto
