Colleen Ballinger has confronted the fallout from her controversial ukulele apology video, which she shared in June, denying accusations of grooming through song.
In her latest video, titled “fall vlog,” Ballinger returned to YouTube after a four-month hiatus and admitted that the previous apology was “quite cringe-worthy.”
Acknowledging the situation, Ballinger expressed regret, stating, “Clearly, the last video I posted on here is quite cringe-worthy, to say the least. I faced some serious allegations, and, I admit, I let anger get the best of me. Instead of handling the situation with maturity and empathy, I allowed my ego to take over, and I’m truly disappointed in myself.”
While accusations against Ballinger surfaced in 2020, a June report from NBC News shed new light on the situation as more members of her online fanbase came forward. YouTuber Adam McIntyre, according to the report, alleged in a 2020 video that Ballinger had “established an inappropriate personal friendship with him while he was between the ages of 13 and 16, including sending him lingerie as a joke. He also claimed that Ballinger gave him access to her social media, collaborated on content ideas, and exchanged text messages for years.”
Addressing these allegations in her latest video, Ballinger admitted, “Throughout my 15-year career, there were instances where I displayed immaturity and inappropriateness in my comedy. I also failed to give adequate thought to my interactions with fans. Due to that behavior, people were hurt, and I am genuinely sorry. My intention was never to cause harm, but it’s evident that I did, and I feel deeply remorseful.”
Concluding the video, Ballinger announced her intention to continue vlogging on YouTube and has already posted another video titled “What I’ve been up to.”
“I’m not claiming to be perfect, and there are aspects of my past that I wish I could amend and alter. I lack control over what has transpired, and I certainly can’t dictate what people say about me. However, I do have control over my future actions. I am committed to creating a positive, kind, inclusive, and safe online space through my content,” Ballinger stated. “Whether you choose to join me on this online journey or not, I’d love to have you. I harbor no expectations of being embraced with open arms, nor do I anticipate changing anyone’s opinion with this video. My sole purpose is to apologize and demonstrate that people can evolve, learn, and become better after making mistakes many years ago.”
