RECENTLY canceled YouTuber Colleen Ballinger has re-emerged on the platform, posting her first video in four months.
The last video she had posted was a ten-minute-long ukulele song defending herself against recent claims of grooming her younger fans.
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Now, Ballinger is looking to come back to her channel and post on a more consistent basis.
In her new video, simply titled Fall Vlog, she first addresses the long gap in her content.
“Hello everybody, sorry I’ve been gone for so long. I’ve really missed this. I’ve missed talking to everyone every single day,” she kicked off the video.
She then launched into an apology, attempting to take accountability for her reactions to all of the allegations from four months prior claiming that she is “not perfect”.
Read more on Miranda Sings
“The last video that I posted on here, it’s really embarrassing, to say the least,” said the YouTuber.
“I was being accused of some pretty awful things and I just was mad and I should have handled that situation with maturity and empathy but instead I just let my ego take over and I’m really disappointed in myself,” Ballinger expressed.
What the YouTuber is referring to is a rash of allegations against her for the grooming of young fans.
Allegations were made against her by fellow content creator Adam McIntyre, who claimed in 2020 that Ballinger “groomed” and used him for content when he was a minor.
McIntyre said that he first discovered Ballinger as Miranda Sings in 2012 and instantly became a fan of hers and eventually they began talking on a “more personal level” and became “good friends.”
At this time, McIntyre would have been 13 and Ballinger was already in her 30s.
Other fans then came forward with similar stories to McIntyre which resulted in a public outcry against the YouTuber star, effectively canceling her and leading to a four-month silence on her channel.
The vlogger seemed to address these allegations saying she “did not put enough thought into some of [her] fan interactions,” and that she “never wanted to hurt anybody.”
Ballinger also admitted that she was “immature and inappropriate with some of [her] comedy.”
Fans seem to approve of her approach to an apology which many commenting word of support.
“I like that Colleen is not crying. So many YouTubers, when it’s an apology video, they cry and sob, and it seems fake. This is straight up. To the point,” pointed out a commenter.
“What happened, happened, she addresses it and then it’s up to the people to follow or not. People change and grow. Going to give her a chance,” the commenter concluded.
Following her apology the YouTuber then went on to announce her intention to return to the platform.
“I’m back and I’m here now. And I am not a perfect person and there are plenty of things in my past that I wish I could go back and redo and fix and change. I don’t have control over any of that,” Ballinger said.
She went on to say that she wants to create a “safe and inclusive,” space in her new videos but understands that people are not going. to welcome her back with open arms.
Ballinger also explained that she took the four-month hiatus to focus on being a mother, spending time with her family, and going to therapy, now she is shifting to add another goal.
“I wanted to try to show people that it’s possible for someone to grow and learn and be better after making mistakes many many years ago… so that’s what I’m going to do,” explained the YouTuber.
After three minutes of Ballinger’s explaining her absence and remorse, the vlogger pivoted to a day-in-the-life style video, giving updates and showing some fun fall activities.
Many fans are excited to see the YouTuber back in action, sharing words of encouragement and excitement in the comments of her video.
“Didn’t expect to get emotional watching this but I’m relieved to know you were inching your way through this dark time. Please stay and vlog. I missed you and the family,” gushed one viewer.
“I’m glad you are back. I’ve missed these vlogs a lot! All of us have a past that we are not proud of. People need to remember that about themselves. I love you!” shared another.
Viewers on X, formerly Twitter, took a different opinion on Ballinger’s return to vlogging.
“She should make an apology video for her apology video,” posted on user.
“Can we not let her come back… why do we keep giving the worst people platforms,” pled another poster.
“YouTube is fine without her. Go on hiatus again,” wrote someone else.