Colleen Ballinger — best known for her internet character, Miranda Sings—became an early
viral YouTube sensation.
But fans have recently come forward to accuse Ballinger of some seriously shady behavior.
The rumors are true–the internet is indeed forever.
And Colleen Ballinger knows it now more than ever.
In 2020, a since-deleted video resurfaced of Colleen and her sister, Rachel Ballinger,
playing characters based on racist stereotypes of Latina women.
Colleen took to YouTube to apologize and address the offensive clip after receiving criticism.
In a video titled "Addressing Everything," she explained that the racial stereotypes
were hurtful and not funny.
Ballinger said she was ashamed and:
"Embarrassed that I ever thought this was okay.
I was a sheltered teenager who was stupid and ignorant and clearly extremely culturally
insensitive."
The controversial YouTuber also apologized for negative public remarks previously made
about a plus-size woman who sat next to her on a flight.
Ballinger stated that she felt awful re-watching the video, saying:
"I was appalled and shocked that those things were coming out of my mouth 12 years ago because
that is not the woman who I am today."
Colleen Ballinger faced a Twitter scandal in March 2020, when she shared on her Miranda
Sings account that she'd soon be making a surprise announcement.
With a Pride flag in the background and Miranda sporting rainbow eyeshadow, many people speculated
that the announcement would be support for the LGBTQ+ community.
But instead it was a joke about coming out as a Meghan Trainor fan.
Fans immediately called Ballinger out, explaining that pretending to come out as queer was nothing
to joke about.
Ballinger removed the tweets and expressed regret, writing:
"I'm deeply sorry.
Miranda is a character.
A lot of the time I base the character on people who are idiots.
I will see people do something awful and then do it as Miranda to show them how idiotic
it looks."
She added that:
"[Queerbaiting] is wrong.
Period.
I'm the biggest supporter and ally of the LGBTQ+ community and the fact that I disappointed
people in that community is devastating."
In 2021, Colleen Ballinger found herself making another public apology.
This time, she allegedly insulted African American Vernacular English, known as AAVE,
in a now-deleted tweet shared on her Miranda Sings account.
Fans wasted no time commenting that Ballinger's post was racially insensitive and that she
should take the tweet down, as it sounded like she was making fun of AAVE.
Ballinger appeared to quickly agree and deleted the tweet.
She responded:
"I was trying to sound like an awkward mom who uses gen z slang so I googled 'gen z slang'
& used all the words that popped up.
I should have done more research."
One fan also sent the YouTuber a Google doc about why non-Black people shouldn't use AAVE,
to which Ballinger replied that she would read the document.
Well, the claims don't stop there with the Miranda Sings actress.
Colleen Ballinger responded to accusations made by fellow YouTuber Adam McIntyre that
she'd sent him a bra and a pair of underwear.
McIntyre also accused her of sending inappropriate messages via group chat to him and other minors.
McIntyre would've been a 13-year-old fan at the time of the incidents.
Ballinger admitted that her actions towards a minor were inappropriate.
She explained in a video:
"In my mind at the time, this was no different than the other weird stuff I send to my fans
as a joke.
Now in hindsight, I realize how completely stupid of me."
Ballinger, who would've been around age 30 at the time of the incident, also claimed
that McIntyre's mother supported their online friendship.
But McIntyre insisted his mother didn't approve of their relationship.
In June 2023, McIntyre explained in a YouTube video how his relationship with Ballinger
evolved over the years.
He also claimed that he'd created online content for Ballinger but wasn't credited or paid.
Amid Adam McIntyre's allegations, YouTuber KodeeRants spoke out against Colleen Ballinger
and why they left the Miranda Sings fandom in June 2023.
In a now-deleted video, KodeeRants accused Ballinger of manipulation, inappropriate behavior
and toxic comments that she had online with both adult and underage fans in a group chat
called The Weenies.
In one shared screenshot, Ballinger appeared to ask McIntyre if he was a virgin.
KodeeRants confirmed McIntyre's claims, saying Ballinger had not only formed inappropriate
parasocial relationships with young fans, but also allegedly orchestrated a hate campaign
against McIntyre following their 2020 falling-out.
In response, McIntyre uploaded a video titled "I was right about Colleen Ballinger."
In June 2023, before Rolling Stone detailed similar claims from former Miranda Sings fans
who were underage, an incriminating montage video was published on Twitter.
The video showcased screenshots of several alleged inappropriate messages, posts, and
tweets from Ballinger.
The tweet read:
"Colleen ballinger fans, please take a moment to watch this.
all of it is real, I remember seeing it happen in real time.
We need to stop giving this woman a platform.
especially now that she is currently exploiting her toddler age children online."
The screenshots ranged from Ballinger appearing to joke about sexual assault and eating disorders,
to referring to herself as a pedophile.
And the YouTuber subsequently lost thousands of subscribers with those claims.
On June 28, 2023, Colleen Ballinger responded to ongoing allegations in a YouTube video
which featured a 10-minute apology song.
The Miranda Sings star strummed a ukulele and sang about what she dubbed the toxic gossip
train.
Ballinger explained that her team advised against speaking out, so she decided to sing.
She admitted to making mistakes and messaging her fans in the past, but ultimately denied
the serious allegations.
Ballinger sang in the video:
"I'm not a groomer, just a loser."
Seemingly referring to Adam McIntyre's claims, she continued singing:
"I know you wanted me to say that I was 100% in the wrong / Well, I'm sorry I'm not gonna
take that route / Of admitting to lies and rumors that you made up for clout."
Fans and critics were left unimpressed and didn't feel the apology song was exactly remorseful.
"This is the worst thing that's ever happened to me!
Well, second worst."
One YouTube user commented:
"This ain't All Too Well 10 minute version girl, you groomed kids."
Another Twitter user posted an Ariana Grande singing GIF alongside the caption:
"Colleen ballinger after her team said she couldn't talk about the grooming allegations."