Influencer slammed for 'fake' apology after racist tweets
Beauty guru Laura Lee has found herself in the middle of controversy after some of her millions of subscribers recently came across racist tweets of hers from 2012.
The Youtuber has since released an apology video where she can be seen shedding a few tears, only fans aren’t buying it, labelling the apology as ‘fake’ and saying she is ‘cancelled’.
It wouldn’t be the first time that a so-called influencer has gotten into trouble for something they posted online in the past.
However, in the case of Laura who infamously broke off her relationship with the controversial Jeffree Star and denounced his discriminatory behaviour, fans are calling her a hypocrite and unsubscribing by the hundreds of thousands.
It all started with a five-part series on Shane Dawson’s channel that provided a behind-the-scenes look at Jeffree’s life as a super successful YouTuber and addressed his feuds with colleagues.
Then following the documentary-style series, a controversial photo was posted by Gabriel Zamora featuring Laura and two other beauty vloggers with their fingers up and the caption, “Bitch is bitter because without him we’re doing better.”
Angry fans quickly assumed this to be a dig at Jeffree after Gabriel followed it up with a tweet saying “Imagine stanning a racist? I could never.”
That’s when people started digging through old tweets from the four beauty bloggers where they themselves have used racist and derogatory language.
First, it was Gabriel who was called out, for previously using the N-word, prompting him to issue a lengthy apology and separate tweet dedicated to Jeffree.
i'm sorry @JeffreeStar . Trust me, its been an eye opening 24 hours
— Gabriel Zamora (@gabrielzamora) August 15, 2018
However, things really blew up when followers found Laura’s old posts which were even more problematic and racially insensitive.
And it’s fair to say, her large following of fans were not happy about it, with some even taking the initiative to involved the companies she works with.
Just another reminder (new tweets) that Laura Lee is an ACTUAL RACIST. pic.twitter.com/jArbsX8XdP
— Michelle (@michellepiazzax) August 14, 2018
@NARSCosmetics hope you plan on addressing the racist / body-shamer representing your brand . Sickening. Laura Lee is cancelled pic.twitter.com/DlgbJJlZ1n
— haley (@semixcharmed) August 13, 2018
Following the outburst, Laura temporarily deactivated her account and posted an apologetic statement, with hopes she could go on as usual – evident when she uploaded a makeup video just days later and neglected to address the issue at all.
This did not impress followers, so then came an emotion-laden, five-minute video titled “My Apology” yet still she is being called out for seeming insincere.
“I wish I was better six years ago. But I can’t pray for the past, I can only pray for the future,” Laura said in the video, before addressing the ‘hurt’ she may have caused Jeffree as well.
Unfortunately for the YouTuber, who only recently celebrated reaching the 5-million-subscriber mark, she was unable to redeem herself and has lost more than 200,000 subscribers in just a few days and even more by the minute.
Can’t with Laura Lee’s apology video. She couldn’t even produce fake tears so she had to resort to an awful acting job and constantly covering her eyes with her hands. It’s so fun to see her subscriber count drop with every passing moment. Sorry not sorry🤷🏼♀️
— Meghan (@Meghan3794) August 20, 2018
Jenna Marbles uploaded a 40 minute apology video for getting the wrong fish tank and Laura Lee uploads a 4 minute video of her fake crying for racist tweets🤷🏼♀️
— lucy (@glitterlylucy) August 20, 2018
Laura lee between cuts of her apology video trying to put more water in her body so a tear can finally leave her eye pic.twitter.com/vmD4CnWfpF
— nandy (kun weekends wife) (@magikaz) August 20, 2018
Laura lee saying it was 6 years ago .. that makes her 23.. imagine saying she wasnt educated at 23 #cantrelate #bullshit
— Jessica (@Jessg_snizzle) August 14, 2018
Laura Lee predicting the future: pic.twitter.com/AQUyxZquew
— lilpretz (@Its____L) August 20, 2018
Talk about drama!
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