YouTuber Laura Lee has issued an apology for her racist tweets. The insensitive tweets were unearthed from her timeline following a long series of events that started last week, when Jeffree Star, MySpace celebrity turned makeup guru, did a series of videos with fellow YouTuber Shane Dawson. Both of those influencers have a history of controversy surrounding them: Star was been known for making racist comments off- and on-camera, and Dawson used to wear blackface while doing a character known as "Shanaynay." The beauty community drama has extended past its usual fan base, reaching people like drama-channel host Keemstar.
Soon after Dawson's video, Gabriel Zamora, who also does YouTube makeup tutorials, posted a picture of himself, Manny Mua, Nikita Dragun and Lee on Twitter, saying "bitch is better, because without him, we're doing better." All four have appeared in Star's videos over the years but no longer work together. Zamora went on to say that "this person … would constantly say racist things about black people." Fans online assumed that Zamora was talking about Star and proceeded to comb through the vlogger's Twitter accounts in search of something. What they found were racist tweets from the quartet, dating back from around six years ago.
All issued their own apologies on Twitter, blaming their young age and saying that they have matured.
I’m reposting it because the responses got dark and ignorant. I’m taking a break from twitter. I now remember why I didn’t like it. People want you to be honest but don’t always wanna hear the truth ❤️ pic.twitter.com/y5rb3o6tXG
— GABRIEL (@gabrielzamora) August 13, 2018
I will do better: https://t.co/v09Nx5X272 via @YouTube
— Manny MUA (@MannyMua733) August 19, 2018
i apologize and feel disappointed in myself. i know i’m better than those old tweets from when i was 15. i hope you can see i am literally a changed person, growing and changing everyday to be a good role model for my loving followers.
— Nikita (@NikitaDragun) August 16, 2018
On Sunday, Lee posted a video to her channel after losing more than 200,000 subscribers in under a week. "I'm sorry for disappointing you, it hurts me so bad to disappoint you all for so many years," she said in a tearful apology. "Six years ago I decided to retweet things that were so vile and hurtful, I was so stupid and ignorant."
Lee has not posted on Twitter since the video went up.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Steven Asarch is a tech reporter for Newsweek currently based in New York City. In high school, he started stand-up ... Read more
