YouTube star Miranda Sings accused of mistreating young fans

YouTube star Miranda Sings — whose real name is Colleen Ballinger — faces an onslaught of accusations that she engaged in toxic and inappropriate behavior with underage fans.

In separate investigations by Rolling Stone and NBC News, fans have shared how the access and attention Ballinger gave them was later used to create exploitative and hurtful interactions.

“I can no longer support her in any way, shape or form, like, regardless of if her apology is the most genuine, most heartfelt,” Tatum Spears, 31, told NBC News.

“Because the things that are coming out, there’s just so much … Like there’s just there’s so many aspects that are coming to light that are horrifying over and over again on so many levels,” Spears added.

Miranda Sings is a comedic character that Ballinger developed in 2008, and whose profile has amassed over 22 million subscribers across multiple channels.

The 36-year-old also had a Netflix show that aired for two seasons, as well as a comedy special that is still available for streaming on the platform.

In 2020, another YouTuber named Adam McIntyre became one of the earliest accusers, after posting a video saying Ballinger had an inappropriate personal friendship with him when he was between 13 and 16 years old.

McIntyre claimed that Ballinger sent him lingerie as a joke, gave him access to her social media, and used him to help generate content.

In another instance, Ballinger would send sexual messages in a Twitter group chat named “Colleeny’s Weenies.”

She asked questions like, “Are you a virgin?” and “What’s your fav position?” She also asked McIntyre for pictures of himself, according to screenshots obtained by Rolling Stone.

Other accusations include references to a live show in which Ballinger brought underage fans onstage and referred to their outfits as “porn.”

Former fan Harlem Osborne, now 32, told NBC News he believes what Ballinger did qualifies as examples of grooming and emotional manipulation.

As more and more fans begin to speak out and wrestle with their support of the online star, some brands have started to cut ties with Ballinger.

ZocDoc and the skincare company OneSkin ended their partnership with Ballinger last week, TMZ reported.