James Charles And Tana Mongeau Responded To Intense Backlash After They Were Criticised For Partying During Lockdown

    "Actions like that don't deserve a platform and I want to fully apologize and be better than this."

    James Charles and Tana Mongeau appear to have had a change of tune, apologising for partying during lockdown after they were publicly called out by Tyler Oakley.

    Last week, a bunch of influencers and YouTubers attended a birthday bash held at the Hype House in LA, with videos showing a packed out event that seemingly ignored any precautions set out to protect people against the coronavirus.

    There was an immediate backlash to the party online, particularly as California recently passed New York as the state with the most confirmed cases of COVID-19.

    i love larray to death.. but what the fuck was nikita and him thinking... CA cases just passed NY and that’s literally such an issue... and then there’s a huge party with no one wearing a mask... setting great examples for all your fans... it’s really not ok.. think shit through

    ok but larray’s party is like coronavirus central??? what the fuck lmao and DO NOT tell me they had temperature scanners at the door because i know DAMN well they wouldn’t have done that😭 just cuz covid isn’t trending doesn’t mean it’s not still happening (most in the us)

    Social media star Tyler Oakley was among those to criticise the party, appearing to suggest the people who went were "bad influences" and should be unfollowed.

    hi @jamescharles @NikitaDragun @tanamongeau @larrayxo @charlidamelio @dixiedamelio & any others who have been partying in large groups - please consider social distancing, mask wearing, & using your huge platforms to encourage responsibility during a worldwide pandemic. https://t.co/G3CeWfk3uZ

    "I want them to stay healthy," Tyler added in a later tweet. "They just need a reminder that they have the added responsibility of being role models during a crucial moment in our country."

    Larray, whom the party was held for, responded to Tyler's tweet, acknowledging that it was "a dumb thing to do" before promising to take the virus more seriously in future.

    @tyleroakley i understand 100% where ur coming from & it was a dumb thing to do. I will do better & will actually take this shit seriously. appreciate you tyler much love

    Following the backlash, James Charles posted a day-in-the-life video that was originally meant to include clips from inside the party.

    However, the beauty YouTuber revealed in a post-video message that he had nixed the footage and instead asked fans to "be smarter than I was" and respect COVID-19 precautions.

    Appearing to reference Tyler's tweet, James went on to acknowledge the responsibility a large platform like his comes with, adding: "Wear your masks and continue to social distance."

    Tana Mongeau, meanwhile, faced further criticism for apparently attending multiple parties, both before and after the Hype House birthday bash.

    In a since-deleted video on Instagram, Tana could be seen alongside YouTuber Erika Costell, apparently at a party, saying: "Listen, we don't fucking care."

    Tana Mongeau says “Listen, we don’t f**king care” in video where she and Erika Costell appear to be in house party. Tana went to 2 other COVID parties at Jake Paul’s house and Hype House. Notably, James Charles apologized yesterday for Hype House party. What are your thoughts?

    It wasn't clear what Tana was referencing when she said this. However, some pointed out that Erika and Tana both share an ex — Jake Paul — and could've been referring to that instead of the backlash online.

    The video sparked yet more criticism of the YouTuber, who's previously spoken about experiencing severe breathing difficulties that led to her being diagnosed with asthma.

    here's @tanamongeau and @erikacostell 8 hours ago saying "listen, we don't fucking care, sorry!" using the "𝕊𝐞𝕏¥ NUDE" filter at ANOTHER huge party... *clears throat* 𝑑𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎 𝑔𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑐... *looks at the camera* 𝒊𝒏 𝑳𝑨

    nah, grow the fuck up @tanamongeau @erikacostell. i don’t care what “drama” this was in regards to, you are STILL partying during a pandemic that has left 149,000 people dead. you are adults. tell your millions of followers this is NOT OK and go fucking quarantine yourselves https://t.co/sfC6BJfe8i

    However, in a similar move to James, Tana posted an Instagram story responding to the backlash, calling her actions "careless and irresponsible" before apologising.

    Clearing up the Instagram video with Erica, Tana explained that she was referring to "past drama" and not the pandemic, adding: "I need to be a better example and person."