6 YouTubers Who Destroyed Their Careers in a Single Upload

YouTubers Who Destroyed Their Career With 1 Video

Fame on the internet is a double-edged sword. One day, you're at the top of the world with millions of adoring fans, and the next, a single misstep can send your entire career crashing down. While some YouTubers have managed to bounce back from controversy, others have permanently destroyed their reputation with just one video. Whether it’s a scam, a reckless stunt, or a disastrously bad apology, these influencers learned the hard way that the internet never forgets.

Here are some of the most shocking cases of YouTubers who ruined their careers with a single video.

1. Colleen Ballinger's Cringe Apology Song

Colleen Ballinger, better known as Miranda Sings, was once one of YouTube’s most beloved creators. With over 20 million subscribers across multiple channels, a Netflix show, and sold-out live tours, she had built an empire on her quirky persona.

But in 2023, that empire came crashing down when former fans began speaking out about her inappropriate behavior, including allegations that she had sent lingerie to a teenage fan. Instead of addressing the situation seriously, Colleen made one of the worst decisions in YouTube history: she released a 10-minute ukulele "apology" song, sarcastically dismissing the accusations as nothing more than "toxic gossip."

The internet did not take kindly to this bizarre response. The video was instantly memed, mocked, and widely condemned. Over the next few months, Colleen lost hundreds of thousands of subscribers, had to cancel her tour, and disappeared from social media. When she finally returned, her attempt to act as if nothing had happened only fueled more backlash.

Lesson learned: If you're in hot water, never bring out a ukulele.

2. RiceGum's Shameless Scam and Bribery Attempt

RiceGum was one of the biggest YouTubers during the diss track era, known for his controversial personality and flashy flexing. But in 2019, his greed got the best of him when he promoted a mystery box gambling site that was later exposed as a scam.

Viewers were furious that he had encouraged them to spend real money on a shady loot box system. Rather than issuing a sincere apology, RiceGum made things even worse by offering $20 Amazon gift cards as compensation.

The internet saw through this weak attempt at damage control, and his reputation took a massive hit. Over the next year, he hemorrhaged subscribers and ultimately abandoned his channel. When he attempted a comeback in 2023, people were quick to remind him of his past scams, ensuring that his career would never fully recover.

Lesson learned: You can’t bribe the internet with a $20 gift card.

3. It's Owen Gets Banned for Fake MrBeast Videos

It's Owen was a clickbait machine, racking up millions of subscribers by exploiting trending topics. But his downfall came when he faked a MrBeast "farewell" video just days after the passing of beloved YouTuber Technoblade.

The video falsely claimed to feature MrBeast’s "final goodbye" to Technoblade, manipulating fans into watching. The backlash was immediate, with viewers and other creators calling him out for profiting off tragedy. But Owen's biggest mistake was thinking YouTube wouldn't take action.

Shortly after the controversy, his entire channel was terminated by YouTube, and he was permanently banned from creating new accounts. He attempted to appeal the decision, but YouTube made it clear: he was done.

Lesson learned: Clickbaiting grief is the fastest way to get yourself deleted.

4. Illuminati's Legal Battle Backfires

Illuminati (Blair) was a successful YouTuber in the anti-MLM niche, with a devoted fanbase and millions of monthly views. But in April 2023, she made a reckless move by accusing fellow creator LegalEagle of stealing her editing style.

This sparked a massive backlash, with former friends and colleagues exposing Blair for years of manipulative behavior, smear campaigns, and alleged workplace abuse. Rather than owning up to her actions, Blair doubled down, releasing an hour-long "defense" video filled with emotional manipulation and deflection.

The video only made things worse, as more creators came forward with allegations against her. In the following months, she lost nearly half a million subscribers, major sponsorships, and her once-thriving career.

Lesson learned: If you throw rocks, make sure you’re not living in a glass house.

5. The Completionist's Charity Scandal

Gerard "The Completionist" Khalil was known for his wholesome gaming content, but a 2023 investigation into his charity organization changed everything.

Creators Mudahar (SomeOrdinaryGamers) and Karl Jobst revealed that Gerard’s charity had raised over $600,000 but never donated the funds. This directly contradicted Gerard’s repeated claims that the money had gone to medical research.

At first, the internet was willing to hear him out, but then Gerard made the ultimate mistake: he released a PR-style "apology" video threatening legal action against his critics. Instead of clearing his name, the video confirmed everyone's worst suspicions.

The backlash was severe—his video became one of the most disliked in YouTube history, and his channel lost over 80,000 subscribers in days.

Lesson learned: If you’re caught in a scandal, don’t threaten the people exposing you.

6. Trevor Jacob's Fake Plane Crash Stunt

Trevor Jacob, a former extreme sports athlete turned YouTuber, wanted to go viral. So, in December 2021, he uploaded a video titled "I Crashed My Plane."

The problem? The entire thing was staged.

Trevor claimed his engine failed mid-flight, forcing him to parachute out and let the plane crash. But experts quickly noticed red flags:

• He was already wearing a parachute before the "failure" happened.
• He abandoned the plane without attempting standard emergency procedures.
• Multiple cameras were suspiciously mounted to capture the crash from perfect angles.

It didn’t take long for the FAA and FBI to get involved. In 2023, Trevor pleaded guilty to obstructing a federal investigation and was sentenced to six months in prison.

Lesson learned: Clout-chasing isn't worth federal charges.

The Internet Never Forgets

These YouTubers proved that no matter how big you are, one bad decision can end everything. Whether it’s lying, scamming, or trying to fool the government, there’s always a point of no return.

Fame on YouTube is built on trust, and once that trust is broken, it’s almost impossible to win it back. Some of these creators tried to make a comeback, but for most of them, their reputations were permanently destroyed.

One thing’s for sure: the internet never forgets.

Stay tuned for more influencer scandals, social media controversies, and internet deep dives at WiKi TLDR.

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