Youtuber & influencer James Charles following backlash from his participation on the viral “Fake Mugshot” TikTok challenge, deleted the post on Twitter after being criticized by his followers.
He apologized for his participation in that challenge and wrote, “Despite the fact that hundreds of other influencers and artists have done something similar, I deleted the mugshot trend. It was never my intention to trigger anyone & it is a waste of time trying to have an open discussion with people who hate me regardless.”
despite the fact that hundreds of other influencers and artists have done something similar, I deleted the mugshot trend because it was never my intention to trigger anyone & it's a waste of time trying to have an open discussion with people who hate me regardless ✌🏼
— James Charles (@jamescharles) April 6, 2020
The “Fake Mugshot” trend
TikTok has become the biggest beauty trend driver with tutorial videos on everything. From ‘sock curls’ to ‘cutting your bangs’ is now going viral on TikTok.
The latest makeup trend on TikTok is referred to, involving deliberately rough look, with smudged eyeliner, runny mascara, messy hair, or painted on fake injuries(like bloody noises & black eyes). After doing “makeup” users pose in a series of photos mimicking a real mugshot (looking straight ahead & then to side).
Some of the users are inspired by the real mugshot of celebrities like Paris Hilton & Nicole Richie, while others are just using their imagination.
What happened with the influencer
Most of the TikTok users have taken the challenge to the app to create fake mugshot“ and it became headline when Youtuber James Charles took part in this challenge. However, it made his followers disappointed.
The Vlogger & beauty influencer James Charles posted shirtless and with the help of makeup he added a black eye and bleeding nose. Since it was all cosmetics, it made Twitter and Instagram uncomfortable. They shammed the celeb by calling the look “triggering” & “offensive”.
One of his followers commented, “You know I had to have two nose surgeries due to domestic violence. My nose is still crooked. I am reminded of those moments every day,”
Another user said, “I don’t understand why this would be a trend.” He said he loves James but it’s not fun having his face bruised and not being able to cover them up. Maybe he is being too sensitive but this made him feel really uncomfortable because he couldn’t take mine off. It made him feel so dehumanized.
The influencer deleted his post from the social platforms by saying,” Hi babe, I’m so sorry that you went through something so awful and traumatic.”
Charles said, “It’s a TikTok trend going around where people post their ‘mugshots’ and has nothing to do with domestic violence whatsoever. love you.”