James Charles getting shady on Twitter: All the times he subtweeted

James Charles built a massive following through makeup tutorials and high-gloss beauty content, but the pattern of public controversies that began with the 2019 Tati Westbrook feud has continued in waves. After Westbrook accused him of manipulating people’s sexuality in a lengthy video, Charles lost millions of subscribers. His initial response video drew heavy criticism, yet a longer follow-up helped him regain ground. Westbrook later posted another video retracting the claims, and Charles eventually rebuilt most of his audience, reaching roughly 23.8 million YouTube subscribers by mid-2026. The cycle of drama has not stopped. Here are some of the moments where James Charles drew attention for his online behavior.

Alicia Keys’s beauty line

The 2020 exchange began when Charles posted a now-deleted tweet criticizing Alicia Keys for entering the beauty space after she had previously stated she was not interested in makeup. As the owner of his own makeup line, Charles framed the comment around celebrities joining the industry without genuine passion. He quickly deleted the tweet and later explained that he had discovered Keys’s product was a skincare line rather than makeup. In a follow-up post he tagged her directly and apologized for the misstep. Keys has not responded publicly. Some fans accepted the clarification while others pointed out that Charles had previously supported similar launches from non-Black celebrities.

Trixie cosmetics

Also in 2020, RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Trixie Mattel posted a tweet asking followers about negative experiences with makeup brands. Charles replied with a blunt comment naming Trixie Cosmetics as the worst offender. The remark was direct, yet Trixie responded with humor by posting an edited image of her drag persona holding a gun. The exchange stayed light and the two creators had already collaborated on a YouTube video earlier that year. Their interaction reflected an established rapport rather than lasting tension.

James Charles singing

Early in 2020 Charles posted a nearly six-minute TikTok video in which he sang along to tracks by Doja Cat, Dua Lipa, Rihanna, and others while friends Anthony Gargiula, Tony Lopez, and Ondreaz Lopez danced. New York Times columnist Taylor Lorenz retweeted the clip with the caption “We cannot lose this app,” referencing the then-ongoing discussion about a possible U.S. ban of TikTok. Another user, Dylan Aguilera, quote-tweeted Lorenz and wrote, “PLEASE someone important tell @jamescharles he cannot sing.” Charles replied that Aguilera’s own pinned tweet suggested similar vocal limitations and told him to mind his own business. Aguilera continued posting, but Charles did not engage further. He has shared additional performance clips in the years since.

Spirit Airlines employee controversy

In May 2026 Charles posted a now-deleted TikTok rant directed at a laid-off Spirit Airlines employee who had messaged him about a GoFundMe campaign. He called the worker a “lazy piece of shit” and accused her of entitlement. The video drew immediate backlash. Charles later issued private and public apologies, but the recipient rejected them. Reports documented millions of followers lost across platforms in the following weeks, with some estimates placing the TikTok drop between 1.3 million and 4 million in short windows.

Recent content and brand activity

Despite the recurring controversies, Charles has continued releasing new material. In early 2026 he posted a prom makeup tutorial, a Coachella vlog, and a video recreating looks from 2016. His beauty line Painted.co has run active promotions, including summer sales. The channel maintains roughly 23.8 million subscribers and continues to produce regular beauty content.

TikTok follower losses and platform impact

The Spirit Airlines incident accelerated a measurable drop in TikTok followers that echoed earlier subscriber losses from 2019. Multiple reports tracked declines exceeding one million in May 2026 alone. Observers noted the pattern of rapid audience fluctuation tied to public backlash, with some accounts citing drops as high as 4 million across short periods. The numbers illustrate how quickly platform metrics can shift when controversies gain traction.

Ongoing public perception and cancel culture discussions

Media coverage and social commentary in 2026 revisited the question of whether repeated incidents have created lasting reputational damage. Outlets ran pieces questioning whether audiences had reached a point of fatigue, yet Charles continued to post new videos and maintain brand partnerships. The conversation reflects a broader discussion about how quickly online audiences move between outrage and continued engagement with high-profile creators.

Makeup line and brand updates

Charles’s ownership of Painted.co remains central to his public identity. The brand has stayed active with seasonal promotions and product releases throughout 2026. Beauty content on his main channel continues to reference the line, keeping the commercial side of his career visible even as drama cycles recur. The combination of ongoing sales activity and tutorial output shows the business side operating alongside the public controversies.