Is it 2019 again ? !
If you were on social media at all in 2019, you’re likely aware of theinfamous feudbetweenJames CharlesandTati Westbrook.
But for those who need a refresher, here’s what went down between the two YouTubers.
So thingskicked offin April 2019 when James promoted a brand that was a rival of his then–close friend Tati’s business. For context, the pair had been frequent collaborators for quite some time, and Tati, anOG beauty guruwhom James frequently called his “mom,” acted as somewhat of a mentor to the then-19-year-old.
As a result, Tati felt betrayed when James promoted the hair-vitamin brand SugarBearHair — which was a huge rival of her own company, Halo Beauty — in exchange for artist passes at Coachella.
Tati consequently uploaded a 43-minute video to YouTube titled “Bye Sister,” in which she detailed feeling “used” by James, explained how she’d helped him out over the years in terms of his career, and highlighted several alleged disturbing incidents about him. Most notably, she claimed that James had a history of trying to convince straight men to hook up with him.
Addressing James directly, Tati said in the video, “You know, it’s really disgusting to manipulate someone’s sexuality — especially when they are still emerging into adulthood. You are using your fame, your power, your money, to play with people’semotions.”
Tati said, “How dare you laugh about it and make meme after meme and retweet and this and that, and [say] ‘I love straight boys,’” then added, “This behavior is not normal.”
Then, perhaps most memorably, Tati recounted a time that James had allegedly “tried to trick a straight man into thinking that he’s gay” at her birthday dinner, which had taken place in February.
Claiming that James had a history of speaking explicitly about sex in a vulgar manner, Tati said, “And you did it at my birthday dinner. You were talking in detail about things you wanted to do to the waiter. And when I said, ‘James, he’s straight,’ your response was, ‘Doesn’t matter, I’m a celebrity.’”
In the months that the “Bye Sister” video was live on YouTube, and even after it was deleted in June 2019, James lost millions of followers while Tati’s subscriber count massively increased. Meanwhile, other YouTubers wound upentering the conversation with their “receipts”and opinions on the whole thing, and at one point, Tatiended up being draggedafter fans realized she’d only spoken out about James’s alleged behavior when it affected her business and income.
Ever since the “Bye Sister” scandalcame to an end, several more minors have accused James of sexual misconduct. He has denied these allegations as well as those made by Tati.
James posted a lengthy statement in February 2021 shutting down claims that he’d “groomed” a 16-year-old, instead alleging that the person in question had lied about their age. A couple of months later, in April, he posted a now-deleted video to YouTube in which he said he washolding himself “accountable.”
pic.twitter.com/q9Bp0fxa6J
Fast-forward to today, and James has sparked controversy once again after making light of his feud with Tati.
Celebrating his birthday this weekend, James shared a photo of the cake he wasseemingly given by a friend, which read, “and you did it at my birthday dinner!” If you recall, this is the exact quote from the “Bye Sister” video that was referring to Tati’s claims that he allegedly “tried to trick” the straight waiter into thinking he was gay while out for Tati’s birthday.
James Charles posts photograph of his birthday cake referencing his ill-famed feud with Tati Westbrook.pic.twitter.com/0G1nsRYmfc
Several fans were quick to express their thoughts on James’s decision to post photos of the cake making light of Tati’s quote. While some people found itfunny, others felt that the subject wasn’t “something to joke about.”
James Charles with his cake for his 24th natal day party . 😭 pic.twitter.com/u28z4pngpP
“He’s so…he’s just so anything and unserious. He’s got wayyyyyyy too many accusations in his file to be acting like this. Time and place, James. TIME AND PLACE,” one personwrote.
“it’s not funny anymore,” saidanother. “that’s just rude af of him to bring something up like that mocking her.”
