Cancel culture is messy. It’s loud, confusing, and sometimes unfair (for some). Some creators genuinely messed up. Others got dragged for weak reasons. Some bounced back bigger than before. The influencer industry is worth over $30 billion, so naturally, all eyes are on them and who canceled influencers 2026 are.
Below, we’ll break down each creator: who they are, what happened to get them canceled, and where they’re at in 2026.
Why influencers get canceled?
Influencers, famous figures on social media, can sometimes face “cancellation” – a sudden loss of support from their fans. This downfall usually happens for three main reasons:
- Offensive behavior or comments – When influencers use their social media platforms to say or do something that upsets people, such as using racist, sexist, or mean comments, their fans turn against them.
- Personal controversies and scandals – When influencers do something wrong, such as treating others badly, or if they get into scandals such as being accused of being emotionally abusive, their fans turn against them.
- Unethical practices – When influencers do not practice what they preach, such as not being honest about their sponsored content, or if they deceive their fans, their fans turn against them. Sexual harassment allegations can also affect them.
When influencers get canceled, there are various consequences that result, such as:
- When influencers get canceled, they lose their sponsorships, meaning companies do not want to partner with them.
- They may also experience a decline in their number of fans, likes, and comments on their posts.
All these reasons can result in the influencer losing their digital influence and power. While there have been instances where influencers have managed to regain their power, there is a lot to take from this experience, which shows how risky their career is.
This shows how careful one needs to be with their actions and words, not only online but also in real life. Another aspect of influencer cancellations is related to social justice, which is a result of the current cultural climate, especially due to the digital world that we live in.
Top 20 Canceled Content Creators
- James Charles
- David Dobrik
- Shane Dawson
- Jeffree Star
- Logan Paul (Suicide Forest)
- Tana Mongeau
- Gabbie Hanna
- Colleen Ballinger
- Sienna Mae
- Addison Rae
- Zoe Laverne
- OnlyJayus (Isabel Paez)
- Alix Earle
- Mikayla Nogueira
- Bella Poarch
- Danielle Bernstein
- Scottykfitness
- Peach McIntyre
- Yaya Mayweather
- Mario Mirante
1. James Charles
James Charles rose from makeup tutorials to global influencer status. He soon became the first male ambassador for CoverGirl with millions of YouTube subscribers. But his career hit a dramatic point in 2019 with perhaps the most infamous influencer feud in YouTube history.
In May 2019, fellow beauty YouTuber Tati Westbrook published a 43‑minute video called Bye Sister (this video shows the full chronology), accusing Charles of betrayal and inappropriate behavior, alleging he tried to manipulate and coerce people in his personal and professional life. The video went viral, and within 24 hours, Charles became the first creator in YouTube history to lose over a million subscribers in that time span.
That’s old history, right? Not really, because recently, old scandals resurfaced amid callouts and social media roasts.
Public response was fierce, with brands like Morphe dropping him, costing millions in deals. Fans split, but boycotts dominated.
As of 2026, he runs his makeup brand Sisters Cosmetics, valued at $22M, posting on Instagram (19.7M followers, down from peak). He has not fully recovered; YouTube subs hover at 24M with relatively low engagement, and recent TikTok reels mock his “comeback fails.
Did he fully recover? Not in the same way as before, but he continues to have a career and a great following.
2. David Dobrik
David Dobrik was once YouTube royalty. His Vlog Squad was everywhere, but since early 2021, allegations began surfacing that some pranks and videos went far beyond humor and into harmful territory.
Former member Seth Francois said he was tricked into kissing a friend during a video shoot, describing the experience as sexual assault. Around the same time, a Business Insider report shared allegations that another former member, Dominykas “Durte Dom” Zeglaitis, had sexually assaulted a woman during the filming of a 2018 vlog shoot, in which alcohol was involved and the woman was allegedly unable to consent.
Then, rumors surfaced about an incident during filming, where Wittek filed a $10 million lawsuit against Dobrik in 2022, alleging negligence and intentional (yes) wrongdoing. And in 2024, Wittek stated that the case had been delayed, but he still hoped to take it to trial.
In the beginning of 2025, though, Dobrik surprised the internet when he announced his return to vlogging after a nearly 3-year hiatus.
He has maintained a big subscriber base (about 17.2 million) and fans responded with a mix of excitement and skepticism.
So is he still “canceled”?
It depends who you ask. Some past viewers have moved on or still hold negative views of him because of the 2021 controversy, while many long‑time fans are happy to see him back online. In the world of influencers, “cancellation” is often temporary, and he seems to be in the phase where he’s slowly rebuilding his brand.
3. Shane Dawson
Shane Dawson was one of YouTube’s original megastars, but he was also one of those stars who kind of knew that he would get cancelled.His early career was built on comedic character content and later on long‑form documentary videos about internet celebrities.
But his past (racist content, blackface, and jokes about minors) was unearthed in the late 2010s and early 2020s.
The result? Brands pulled deals, his books were dropped from stores, YouTube demonetized his channels, and he lost hundreds of thousands of subscribers as a result.
Has he recovered in 2026? It depends on who you ask, really. By 2025 and into 2026, Dawson’s presence on YouTube is not small (it is smaller, though). He has shifted to niche content like paranormal investigation and conspiracy theories and has a dedicated audience. He no longer commands the cultural centrality he once had, though, and that’s important to note.
4. Jeffree Star
Jeffree’s career goes back before the rise of YouTube. His fame began with the success of MySpace and eventually led him into the beauty industry with his own line of cosmetics. Although extremely successful, the public image of Jeffree Star has been marred by a series of scandals and issues, including accusations of racist comments
The James Charles-Tati drama also saw the beauty YouTuber Jeffree Star at the center of the controversy.
However, in the early 2020s, Jeffree Star has been stepping back from the world of the beauty community and the world of YouTube. In interviews conducted with him in 2022, he discussed his move away from the world of the internet and his more secluded lifestyle at his ranch in Wyoming.
But, in the last year or so, Jeffree has remained extremely active online and hasn’t hesitated to court controversy. He’s made a number of outspoken, often inflammatory, comments about gender identity and the LGBTQ+ community, which have been deemed transphobic, such as stating that he believes nonbinary identities are “made up” and disparaging parents of non-binary individuals.
Has he recovered? Meanwhile, he still earns hundreds of thousands per day on platforms like TikTok by live‑selling products and doing livestreams.
5. Logan Paul
Logan Paul was already a massive YouTuber before he posted a video in late 2017 that included footage of a deceased individual in Aokigahara, Japan—a forest infamous for suicide victims. The video caused worldwide outrage for its insensitivity.
Yet, despite the anger and the hashtags calling for his cancellation, Logan Paul is not “totally cancelled” as many people think “cancel culture” is supposed to work.
In fact, even though in the years 2024-2026, Logan Paul’s career is about evolution rather than “cancel culture” in action.
He became a full-time WWE performer after signing a long-term contract and competing in WWE TV bouts. He even got into reality TV with his brother Jake’s “Paul American” reality TV series.
However, he is also in the public eye for a number of reasons, such as his CryptoZoo NFT lawsuit dismissal and his defamation lawsuit against Matchroom Boxing, which he won in 2025.
Is Logan Paul still cancelled? But even though many people think he’s done terrible things and should be held in contempt to this day, he is not “totally cancelled” as the term is supposed to be used. He is in the public eye in a major way.
6. Tana Mongeau
Tana Mongeau is a YouTube personality known for her storytime videos and drama-filled videos. The worst instance of her being canceled happened with the launch of TanaCon, an influencer convention similar to VidCon. Due to poor planning, fans had to stand in long lines with no water or food provided. This was a major public relations blunder for her.
In 2024, Tana and her podcast co-host Brooke Schofield went on an international podcast tour with her podcast Cancelled. This was a major part of her career. However, also in 2024, Tana Mongeau faced controversy when she revealed on her podcast that she had sex with YouTuber Cody Ko when she was just 17 and Cody was 25. This was an admission of her having sex with another YouTuber.
Is Tana Mongeau totally canceled? Yes and no. Yes, because although she has a large fan base and continues to make videos and podcasts.
7. Gabbie Hanna
Gabbie initially gained fame on Vine, then later on YouTube, TikTok, and other social media platforms, where she accumulated a large following from her personal vlogs, rants, music, and poetry content. Over the years, Gabbie has been involved in a whole lot of drama, from feuds, controversial content, and emotional content, which led to a large part of the online community discussing and talking about her behavior.
Gabbie also experienced a period where she created hundreds of intense TikTok posts in one day, which caused concern among her followers, resulting in a wellness check by the police due to her behavior and mental health.
Where is Gabbie today? Gabbie created an apology video on YouTube in 2024, contemplating her past behavior and wanting to change and grow as a person. Many of her fans responded well to the video, saying it was sincere, but others want Gabbie to confront certain issues from her past more directly. Gabbie also created her “An actually good podcast” (Feb 2026). Time will tell about that one.
8. Colleen Ballinger
Ballinger had earned huge fame in the 2010s with her OTT comedies, especially with her videos and even a Netflix series, gaining millions of fans. However, in 2023, there were serious allegations against her, especially by her former fans, about grooming, which were quite serious, with fans giving particular examples of their experiences with her. This is how this issue escalated to a big controversy.
She then came up with a ukulele video, which was quite controversial, where she apologized, but many found this quite condescending, making her a case study of how not to deal with controversies, especially allegations against one’s character.
Ever since then, she is not back to her former status. She had announced a brief hiatus from YouTube in early 2025, claiming that she would focus on her health and personal life, but then came back to vlogging, where she receives an average of 20k-30k views per video.
Is she canceled, though? There are many online commentators who still refer to her name while referring to her ruined reputation, while she is certainly not “rehabilitated” yet.
9. Sienna Mae
In 2021-2022, she became the focus of a massive internet backlash as a result of being accused of sexually assaulting Jack Wright, a fellow TikToker, as she shared a video as well as a lengthy YouTube video discussing her side of the case.
Sienna Mae has denied the more serious accusations, releasing a lengthy blog post in which she claims she never engaged in any form of sexual assault and that much of what happened had been taken out of context. At this time, she lost a large chunk of her followers (more than a million on the TikTok platform).
Where is she now? Since then, Sienna Mae has continued her presence online. She’s posted on Instagram and TikTok about personal growth, body positivity, and confidence, and as of early 2026 she’s still active on social media with millions of followers.
10. Addison Rae
Addison Rae gained enormous popularity on TikTok from 2019 onwards for posting dance and lip-sync content. However, she has also received backlash for a variety of reasons throughout her journey. From old tweets criticizing Black Lives Matter movements that she later apologized for to jokes about working and cultural appropriation.
But still, although some say that she “fell off” and “lost relevancy,” she has never really been “canceled.” That is, she has never really been subject to a unilateral cultural backlash that seeks to end her career.
So, what is she up to currently? Well, the major controversy in 2026 began at the Grammys on February 1st when she faced backlash for her lip-sync disaster during a performance of “Fame Is a Gun.” People called it “awful,” “chaotic,” and “tone-deaf,” saying that she did not sing live during the event despite being nominated for Best New Artist, which went to Olivia Dean.
11. Zoe Laverne
Zoe rose to fame as a prominent social media creator with millions of followers across TikTok. However, her reputation suffered a severe beating in late 2020 after a video emerged featuring her kissing a fan, Connor Joyce, who was merely 13 years old at the time, given that Zoe was already 19 years old.
Although Zoe apologized for her actions and claimed that she and the boy had become “best friends” and that they realized that there was an age gap between them that should not have been ignored, many people still do not buy this story and have continued to express outrage over her behavior.
Where is she now? Zoe is sporadically active on the TikTok platform in 2026 but is focused on her married life.
12. OnlyJayus
Is a popular American TikTok star, YouTuber, and content creator known for her science facts, TMI oversharing, approachable humor, and STEM advocacy. However, her digital presence had a major shift when past racist and anti-LGBTQ slurs she made at other creators came out.
She initially denied it and claimed the screenshots were “photoshopped,” then apologized through private messages but publicly denied it. This caused the #CancelOnlyJayus to trend, with her comments were flooded with people asking her about it.
Then in 2024, her ex-girlfriend Brittney Lee Deard filed a restraining order against her for verbal abuse, harassment (showing up at her home), and “berating” her through her social media.
Is she still canceled? Her public image is that of an “untrustworthy hypocrite” (for her racist and ableist past and her past accusations of abuse), and she recently got caught again in a video that gained her 1.5 million views.
13. Alix Earle
Alix Earle is a popular American TikTok & Instagram influencer. She is popular for her “Get Ready With Me” videos.
In the year 2024, some old screenshots surfaced where the TikToker was seen using racial slurs. She had apologized for her actions and had explained that she was young and unaware of the impact of the words. However, her apology was considered to have been made too late.
She also saw her podcast, Hot Mess with Alix Earle, paused and eventually dropped from the Unwell Network in early 2025 after a public rift with Alex Cooper’s brand.
Where is she now? On one hand she continues to land major moments, like competing on Dancing with the Stars (where she placed second) and appearing in Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show in 2026. On the other hand, she had to defend herself from critics saying that her presence there was “undeserved.”
14. Mikayla Nogueira
Mikayla Nogueira is a hugely popular American TikTok beauty influencer and makeup artist with millions of followers known for her energetic personality and makeup tutorials.
Back in the early-to-mid-2020s, she hit her first big controversy when critics accused her of being out-of-touch and overly commercial. Especially after a sponsored mascara review where many claimed she used false lashes or heavy editing instead of just the product, and didn’t clearly disclose the sponsorship.
Where is she now? She launched her own beauty brand, Point of View (POV) Beauty, which performed strongly at launch and expanded into new products like lip kits in 2025. But even for that, she faced criticism from fellow creators who called her out over a product controversy that spiraled out of control.
15. Bella Poarch
Bella Poarch first broke out as a TikTok sensation in 2020 thanks to a viral lip-sync video that became one of the most-liked posts in the platform’s history.
Like many big influencers, Poarch has had her share of backlash and calls for cancellation over the years. Early in her rise she drew heavy criticism for a tattoo she had that resembled the Imperial Japanese Rising Sun symbol (offensive to a lot of East Asians) and she publicly apologized and removed it after pressure.
Around 2023-24 there were some social media disputes and boycotts tied to comments she made about geopolitical topics tied to Israel and a planned ENHYPEN collaboration, though those did not lead to any lasting mainstream “cancellation.”
Is she still heavily canceled? Not, in the way people sometimes use that term as she still holds a huge social presence, but residue lingers.
16. Danielle Bernstein
Danielle Bernstein is an American fashion influencer and entrepreneur best known for founding WeWoreWhat, a successful blog-turned-fashion brand that gathered major following.
However, her reputation hasn’t been without difficulties as several smaller designers and fashion watchers have accused her of borrowing designs or using others’ work without giving them due credit. She’s also faced heat for her behavior during the pandemic as well as for her other mishaps that have further intensified the notion that she should be “canceled.”
Where is she now? Well, as far as her reputation is concerned, she hasn’t really managed to rise above the criticism that she faced for years. She’s been subject to further negative commentary for her behavior, such as the allegations by her former hairstylist that she is “controlling” and “cheap.”
17. Scottykfitness
Scotty K Fitness, real name Scotty Knox Flynn, is a mustachioed fitness personality and former firefighter who burst into the world of TikTok with raw workout challenges, mental health advocacy, and comedic rants, totaling 7 million followers across all platforms.
The controversy that led to Scotty K Fitness being ‘canceled’ started at the end of January 2026, as he responded to a comment comparing his appearance to a TV show character, but instead of just ignoring it, he decided to share personal information about the commenter in a now-deleted video. This is an act of doxxing, which many people believe is a big breach of internet etiquette.
Is he really canceled? Some people believe that he crossed a line into making fun of a disabled person with some of his comments that followed. This led to his supplement company, Ryse, dropping him as a sponsor and to a lot of backlash on social media platforms.
18. Peach McIntyre
Peach McIntyre is a lifestyle and family content creator with a presence on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. She has been a divisive figure for quite some time now, with drama surrounding her videos and her responses to her commenters and the way she tackles issues.
There have been videos and posts from her that have caused a stir among her viewers and have been accused of being insensitive towards people with serious health conditions and of racial profiling and tonal issues.
Because of this, there are even petitions online calling for her to be “cancelled” or banned from platforms – and these petitions have gathered a few thousand signatures in early 2026, mostly from people upset at her behavior on social media.
Where is she now? Despite the backlash, she hasn’t been officially deplatformed or removed from major services. She still posts content, has an active YouTube channel with hundreds of thousands of subscribers, and continues to produce videos into early 2026.
19. Yaya Mayweather
Iyanna “Yaya” Mayweather, the daughter of boxing legend Floyd Mayweather, is a social media personality and aspiring model who has become popular for her extravagant lifestyle on Instagram and her involvement with rapper NBA YoungBoy, with whom she has a son.
Her most popular moment of cancellation came when she stabbed Lapattra Jacobs (NBA YoungBoy’s then-pregnant girlfriend) with a knife during a confrontation at NBA YoungBoy’s house in Houston in 2020.
The violent act, in the midst of NBA YoungBoy’s own legal struggles with several baby mamas and arrests, earned her the title of “crazy violent stalker” in several media outlets as well as TikTok roast videos.
Where is she now? In early 2026, Iyanna Mayweather made news headlines when she publicly called out NBA YoungBoy for his handling of her son’s birthday expenses. She also went viral when she jokingly said she was bored and thinking of getting a job “for fun,” which many believed to be a typical statement from her spoiled upbringing.
20. Mario Mirante
Mario Mirante is a social media influencer and content creator who is most notable for his content and his podcast “Pretty Funny” with fellow creator Brynne Marie.
He became canceled in March 2024. His start in being canceled began with a “wood burning” controversy that people thought was reckless and dangerous, especially with the wildfires in California, and which led to backlash on the TikTok platform for his insensitivity.
However, in 2025, there were political posts that were thought to be divisive, and in January 2026, the month that Brynne announced their 2-year breakup using TikTok, the tension culminated. All of this happened during Mario’s raw videos on his struggles with mental health, where he admitted his “psychosis fears” and that he felt “judged like Truman Show.” Speculation arose that there may have been some toxicity and abuse in their relationship, and that there may have been drinking in front of his girlfriend, who is a recovering alcoholic.
Where is he now? At this point, Mario appears active online in some capacity, though publicly dealing with a quieter moment in his career and life.
Capping Off
The influencer world is always changing. There’s more emphasis on micro-influencers, more rules being put in place, and more scrutiny by their fans than ever. Being responsible is more important now more than ever.
As this world continues to change, all players in this game, whether they’re influencers, fans, brands, or platforms, need to be aware and act responsibly. This is how we keep this world of internet influence healthy and relevant.
FAQ
Q1: What does it mean when an influencer is “canceled”?
When someone is “canceled,” it basically means that the influencer or celebrity is getting a huge backlash on the internet because of something they did, whether it was recently or years ago. They probably aren’t surprised when they lose money because of ads, get roasted on social media or news outlets, etc.
Q2: Are all canceled influencers permanently out of the public eye?
Not necessarily and not always. Take James Charles, for example. He’s had major drama but managed to bounce back despite the fact that there’s actually no real peace. If someone recovers really comes down to how bad the scandal was, if they own up to it, and if they keep putting out content people actually like.
And then there are other people who do face online gossip or criticism but aren’t “officially” canceled (Mario Mirante).
Q3: What kinds of behavior tend to trigger cancel culture?
The kinds of behavior that tend to trigger cancel culture include:
- Racist slurs, sexist, or offensive content
- Sexual misconduct or grooming accusations
- Fishy business practices
- Repeatedly insensitive or harmful behavior
- Even political content can be a trigger (if they haven’t been political to begin with)
Q4: Can public opinion be different from industry “cancellation”?
Yes. Public opinion is usually divided. There are some fans out there that will continue to support the creator because they appreciate their honesty or their personal progress, but there are also some that will heavily criticize them because of their past behavior.
Q5: Can influencers prevent being canceled?
No one is completely immune, but some ways include:
- Being aware of past content before creating new content
- Owning up to your mistakes early on (don’t use a ukulele)
- Being consistent with your current and future behavior, being optimistic and courteous
Q6: Is cancel culture permanent?
Not always. It depends on public memory, their behavior, and how they handle accountability, even though we must say that cancellations were more severe years ago.
