It was a video that shook the internet. Back in May 2019, beauty guru Tati Westbrook released what would become one of YouTube’s most infamous takedown videos, accusing fellow influencer and former friend James Charles of multiple offenses.
The 43-year-old’s video quickly went viral, racking up over 30 million views.
Westbrook’s subscriber count skyrocketed by four million in a single week, while Charles lost more than a million followers in just 24 hours.
But six years later, the tides have turned.
James Charles’ Meteoric Comeback
For Charles, the young beauty star who became the first-ever male ambassador for CoverGirl at 17, the controversy was only a temporary setback.
By 26, he owns a $7 million Los Angeles mansion, expanded his cosmetics brand Painted into the UK, and even saw his products used by Beyoncé during her 2023 Renaissance tour.
His YouTube following now sits at 24 million, nearly double the 13.8 million he had immediately after Westbrook’s accusations.
Westbrook’s Rise and the Fallout
Tati Westbrook, widely regarded as the “OG makeup influencer,” launched her channel in 2010.
Her easygoing style, honest reviews, and personal storytelling earned her millions of followers and the reputation of being genuinely relatable.
Her decision to publicly target Charles, however, was controversial.
At the time, she was 37 and nearly a decade into her career, while Charles was only 19.
The two had been close—she even had him do her makeup for her 2017 wedding—so the public perceived the video as a kind of “punching down.”
The Drama That Shook the Beauty World
Westbrook’s 43-minute video, “Bye Sister,” began with complaints about a business rivalry—Charles had promoted SugarBearHair, a competitor to Westbrook’s Halo Beauty vitamins.
Soon, the accusations turned personal, alleging predatory behavior on Charles’ part.
The backlash was immediate. Followers fled Charles’ channel at a staggering pace, and the story went global.
But within days, Charles released his own video, “No More Lies,” refuting the allegations.
His message resonated: he had never used fame, money, or influence to manipulate anyone.
That video has now been viewed 58 million times.
Fallout and Apologies
The so-called “Dramageddon” controversy continued with a string of response videos and eventually ended the friendship between Westbrook and Charles.
Westbrook later issued an apology and accused Shane Dawson and Jeffree Star of manipulating her into posting the original video—claims they denied.
Industry insiders suggest the drama was as much about perception as reality.
Dwight O’Neal, co-founder of Rose Neal Collective, said, “It challenged people to realize, we were fooled.
It made people understand that influencers are an image they’ve created.”
Legal Battles and Business Woes
Westbrook’s troubles didn’t end with social media backlash.
After launching Tati Beauty and co-founding Halo Beauty with her husband, she faced a lawsuit from business partner Clark Swanson accusing her of fraud and breach of fiduciary duty.
The legal fight drained her finances, forcing her to sell her Los Angeles condo and $4 million home.
Tati Beauty shuttered after the Covid pandemic and ongoing litigation, and in 2024, she and her husband stepped away from Halo Beauty following an out-of-court settlement.
A New Chapter in Texas
Following the lawsuit, Westbrook and her husband relocated to a quieter life outside Fort Worth, Texas.
She describes the move as “transformative,” citing a spiritual awakening that helped her navigate legal battles, personal struggles, and the end of her cosmetics line.
The Shift to Wellness and Controversy
Westbrook’s recent content has moved from beauty tutorials to a wellness-focused, “pseudoscience” approach.
Her new routines include the carnivore diet, beef tallow skincare, fluoride-free toothpaste, and avoiding seed oils and microplastics.
While some fans appreciate her honesty, others have been critical.
“I want to hear about how she bakes her under eyes, not a bunch of wide-eyed nonsense about seed oils,” one Reddit commenter wrote.
Experts suggest the pivot reflects an influencer seeking a niche in a saturated beauty market, though authenticity remains key.
The Legacy of Tati Westbrook
Once a pillar of the beauty community, Westbrook’s influence has waned.
Her subscriber count has dipped to just under 8 million, and video views have declined sharply.
Meanwhile, Charles has thrived, building both wealth and global recognition.
Westbrook’s representatives maintain that the old drama is “no longer culturally relevant,” signaling a clear break from the controversies that once defined her online presence.
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