Current:Home > StocksMiranda Sings YouTuber Colleen Ballinger Breaks Silence on Grooming Allegations With Ukulele Song -NextWave Wealth Hub
Miranda Sings YouTuber Colleen Ballinger Breaks Silence on Grooming Allegations With Ukulele Song
View
Date:2025-04-18 20:44:30
Colleen Ballinger is singing her side of the story.
The YouTuber, best known for her awkward alter ego Miranda Sings, refuted allegations of grooming and forming inappropriate relationships with underage fans in musical vlog on June 28. While strumming a ukulele, Ballinger likened the accusations to a "toxic gossip train" headed for "manipulation station" as the rest of the internet "tie me to the tracks and harass me for my past."
"Some people are saying things about me that just aren't true," she said in a sing-song voice. "Even though my team has strongly advised me not to say what I'm going to say, I realized they never said I couldn't sing about what I want to say."
Ballinger, 36, went on to explain how she used to message her fans "to be besties with everybody" earlier in her career, but "didn't understand that maybe there should be some boundaries there."
As a result, according to the Haters Back Off star, there were "times in the DMs when I would overshare details of my life—which was really weird of me—and I haven't done that in years because I changed my behavior and took accountability."
Earlier this month, Ballinger was accused of grooming her fans when YouTuber KodeeRants shared screenshots of an alleged text exchange between actress and her fans. Per NBC News, the unverified group text was named "Colleeny's Weenies," with Ballinger allegedly asking fans their "favorite position" during one conversation.
In her ukulele video, Ballinger addressed the recent online chatter over her past, singing, "I thought you wanted me to take accountability, but that's not the point of your mob mentality. Your goal is to ruin the life of the person you despise while you dramatize your lies and monetize their demise."
"I'm sure you're disappointed in my s--tty little song, I know you wanted me to say that I was 100 percent in the wrong," she continued. "Well, I'm sorry I'm not gonna take that route of admitting to lies and rumors that you made up for clout."
And while Ballinger confessed to making "jokes in poor taste" and "lots of dumb mistakes," she denied ever sending inappropriate messages to teenage fans with the intention of grooming them.
"I just wanted to say that thing I've ever groomed is my two Persian cats," Ballinger added. "I'm not a groomer. I'm just a loser who didn't understand I shouldn't respond to fans."
Allegations over Ballinger's behavior previously surfaced back in 2020, when fellow YouTube star Adam McIntyre accused her of putting him in uncomfortable situations between the ages of 13 and 16. In a video titled "colleen ballinger, stop lying," he specifically called out a past livestream where Ballinger sent him lingerie.
At the time, Ballinger responded to McIntyre and acknowledged that the underwear stunt was "completely stupid," saying in a separate apology video, "I should have never sent that."
"I don't know what part of my brain was missing at the time that I thought, 'Oh, this is a normal, silly thing to do,'" added Ballinger. "But I am not a monster."
(E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (47642)
Related
- Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
- Paris Olympics highlights: Team USA wins golds Sunday, USWNT beats Germany, medal count
- US Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas to lie in state at Houston city hall
- Independent candidate who tried to recall Burgum makes ballot for North Dakota governor
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- Phaedra Parks Officially Returning to The Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 16
- ‘White Dudes for Harris’ is the latest in a series of Zoom gatherings backing the vice president
- Fresh quakes damage West Texas area with long history of tremors caused by oil and gas industry
- 'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
- Noah Lyles doubles down on belief he’s fastest man in the world: 'It's me'
Ranking
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- Liberty University, Jerry Falwell Jr. settle legal and personal disputes
- Scott Peterson Gives First Interview in 20 Years on Laci Peterson Murder in New Peacock Series
- Why are full-body swimsuits not allowed at the Olympics? What to know for Paris Games
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- Harris is endorsed by border mayors in swing-state Arizona as she faces GOP criticism on immigration
- Canada appeals Olympic women's soccer spying penalty, decision expected Wednesday
- Gospel group the Nelons being flown by Georgia state official in fatal Wyoming crash
Recommendation
Stamford Road collision sends motorcyclist flying; driver arrested
How long are cats pregnant? Expert tips for owners before the kittens arrive.
Dallas Cowboys' Sam Williams to miss 2024 NFL season after suffering knee injury
LIV Golf and the 2024 Paris Olympics: Are LIV players eligible?
Nevada attorney general revives 2020 fake electors case
Paris Olympics highlights: Team USA wins golds Sunday, USWNT beats Germany, medal count
Houston Texans lineman Denico Autry suspended six games for violating NFL's PED policy
Olympics commentator Bob Ballard dumped after sexist remark during swimming competition