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YouTuber-fan boundaries
Other top YouTubers have voiced concerns about the relationship and argued that interacting with underage fans in this way is wrong.
Valkyrae, a gaming YouTuber and streamer with 4 million subscribers, described the situation as “disappointing and disgusting.”
Pokimane, who has 6 million subscribers, said she didn’t know all the details, but she wanted to make it clear that “any inappropriate behavior towards minors is unacceptable, regardless of who you are.”
When YouTubers were a newer kind of celebrity, some crossed boundaries with fans. Infamously, Colleen Ballinger, known for her Miranda Sings character, faced allegations of grooming her young fanbase.
In response, she posted a widely condemned 10-minute musical apology, playing the ukulele.
Katya Varbanova, a social media consultant and the CEO of Viral Marketing Stars, told Business Insider that with any further statements, Donaldson should avoid making the same mistakes.
“Ever since Miranda Sings and Ukulele Gate, the general public doesn’t take grooming allegations of minors lightly,” she said.
Brushing off controversy
In June, Donaldson overtook the channel of the Indian music label T-Series to snatch the title of the biggest YouTuber in the world.
He is also no stranger to controversy. He has fielded accusations of overseeing a toxic workplace and being a “white savior.” His social experiments, in which he has people living in grocery stores or isolation chambers to win money, have also been likened to the horror series “Saw.”
Donaldson hasn’t personally responded to the claims about his workplace. But a spokesperson told Time that “safety is incredibly important and taken very seriously.” They also said medics and “experienced professionals” were on set at all times.
Donaldson’s success hasn’t been significantly tempered by the backlash, with the majority of his viewers seeing him as authentic and generous.
His support of Tyson has been a part of that. Tyson transitioned in 2023, and Donaldson has consistently shut down transphobic comments aimed at her and her family.
However, Donaldson, who aims to maintain a casual and fun workplace, may find that now is the time for more professionalism.
In a Time profile earlier this year, Donaldson said he doesn’t like traditional job titles. Instead, he prefers to call his employees “friends of friends” or “FOFs.”
Experts warned at the time that he may come to regret not running a more conventional workplace.
Varbanova told BI that Donaldson may now consider different ways to present his team in the media.
“There are always risks of taking a more unconventional approach to business, especially during moments of PR crisis,” she said.
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