Industry
Andy Signore Responds to Sexual Misconduct Allegations
- Andy Signore released a video on Monday addressing sexual misconduct allegations against him that surfaced nearly two years ago.
- In the video, he apologized for making inappropriate comments to fans, but denied ever assaulting anyone.
- He argued that his relationship with one of his accusers, April Dawn, was consensual.
- Dawn later tweeted a response to the video and defended her previous claims.
Signore Accused of Misconduct
Screen Junkies creator Andy Signore has responded to sexual misconduct allegations and is maintaining that the assault claims against him are false.
In 2017, Signore, who was at the time the Vice President of Content at Defy Media, which owned Screen Junkies before its collapse, was accused of sexual harassment and assault. One allegation came from a former employee named Emma Bowers. She identified herself as an intern working for copy credit and said that Signore sent her inappropriate messages complimenting her physical appearance.
“Lol jacking it to you in your undies,” one message read.
Another major allegation came from April O’Donnell who goes by April Dawn. Dawn was a fan of Signore and the Screen Junkies who said that Signore sexually assaulted her multiple times. She alleged that he tried to force a sex toy inside of her, took photos of her without her permission, and promised her a position at Screen Junkies for sexual favors.
When she tried to report this to HR at Screen Junkies, she says they did nothing to help her. This claim was backed up in a statement by her boyfriend, who worked at Screen Junkies, as well as another Defy employee named Dani Fernandez.
Dawn said that Signore threatened her boyfriend’s job over the matter. She also found other women online who said they had received inappropriate messages from Signore in the past.
These allegations resulted in Signore losing his job at Defy. In August 2018, he sued to the organization for claiming he was wrongfully fired. The lawsuit was settled in June.
After the accusations came out, other stories brought to the surface painted a similar picture of Signore. In a 2018 interview, Roxy Striar, who worked at Defy under Signore, said that while she was never assaulted, she found his behavior crossed lines.
“There were things that would happen through the years that I spoke about and was really, I didn’t speak about it publicly,” Striar said in an interview with Kristian Harloff.
“Uncomfortable,” Harloff asked.
“More than uncomfortable, really inappropriate,” she answered.
“He was a super, super inappropriate guy,” she later added.
Signore has denied ever harassing Striar.
Signore Responds to Claims
On Monday, Signore posted a video titled “#MeToo Misfire – An Honest Defense of Andy Signore” in an effort to clear his name. He said that until now, he was not legally allowed to discuss the situation.
“The truth is I did awkwardly flirt with and make inappropriate comments to some of my fans despite being married,” Signore admitted. “And in doing this I betrayed so many people that I love and respect. I put them into horribly awkward and uncomfortable positions. And I’m truly sorry for this behavior.”
While he admitted to inappropriate flirting, he still denied ever assaulting anyone.
“These egregious claims labeling me a sexual predator, workplace harasser, and a rapist are categorically untrue,” Signore said. “And I do not want my family hounded forever by such malicious slander.”
He claims his relationship with Dawn was consensual and referred to it as an affair. He showed text messages between to two to show the relationship was mutually founded.
He says that they met at a comic con in 2015. In the messages, he claims the two are flirting. In one Dawn says thinks being his groupie would be fun. However, in some of the messages, it does appear that Signore is doing most of the flirting. He refers to her as a cute nerd girl, says he can’t stop thinking about her, and says he will regret not kissing her for the rest of his life.
Signore then addressed Dawn’s accusation that he took photos of her, and claimed it was false. He showed screenshots that show that Dawn had sent nude photos herself.
Signore also said that while Dawn claimed she was invited out to Los Angeles to appear on Fan Cam, this was not the case. He said they planned this together, and that when she got to L.A., she sent him messages about hooking up. Based on the screenshots, it appears she invited him to her hotel room and mentions needing condoms.
After revealing this, he denied ever using sex toys in any of their encounters.
Signore then continues to say in 2016, he received an email from Dawn saying she found messages he was sending her to be unacceptable. However, he claims he was not sending her anything.
In the e-mail, Dawn says that she only went along with their relationship because she was concerned for her safety based on comments he made.
“It honestly was at the point I was afraid to turn you down for anything and kept making excuses for you to not do anything to me,” Dawn wrote.
Dawn also requested that he stop calling her, and sending her texts, emails, gifts, and mail. She added that she was “truly afraid of the lengths you would go to get what you want.”
Signore replied saying he had not contacted her in a while and will continue to not do so.
He goes that when he learned Dawn took the matter to HR, he told them about the relationship and sent their correspondence even though it would jeopardize his marriage. He wanted to prove to HR that their relationship was consensual. He said that Dawn had given no evidence of his misconduct. He claims the reason HR never followed up on her complaint was because of his evidence.
Signore then accused Dawn of leading a charge against him.
“She began to look for anybody that she could find who had ever been a fan of the show to look for infidelities and other exchanges that she could use against me,” Signore claimed. “She was determined to have others join her in labeling me as a serial abusing rapist who was ready to assault the next woman in my path.”
Dawn did not accuse him of being a rapist in her statement against him.
After addressing the allegations from Dawn, he moved onto the ones from Bower, which he also claimed were false. He said that these events took place before Screen Junkies existed. He also said that Bowers was not an intern and was actually higher up than she implied.
He then said that she sent him nude photos of herself and that he responded with compliments. However, they both agreed that the situation was awkward and mutually apologized.
“I remain perplexed that Emma would inflate our indecent, comparing me to the criminal and abusive acts of Harvey Weinstein,” Signore said.
He then adds that he believes the stories that Dawn and Bowers told made the flirtatious messages he sent to fans look way worse than they were. He shares a tweet that backs him up in part and reads: “His behavior is appalling but if anything the majority of these DMs just prove he’s a cheat, a bit of a creep and has zero game.”
He also includes this message from a girl who shared a screenshot of their interaction.
“Never said I was harassed,” the girl states. “Just sharing my interactions with him. Like I said at the time, I thought it was all innocent.”
As for why he believes Dawn might fabricate this situation, Signore believes she wanted to use his status.
“I believe that she was using me for access to my brand,” Signore said. “And I believe that when I became unavailable, due to being married, she moved onto my colleague. And I believe that she didn’t want him to think that she was using him too.”
He adds that he thinks her accusation undermines real sexual assault victims and says.
“I’m not proud of many of the lousy decisions that I have made, but I committed no crimes,” he states towards the end of his video.
Statements About the Video
Rogue Rocket reached out to Signore for further comments about the situation. He again admitted that he made mistakes when speaking with fans.
“At the time I had developed a warped idea in my mind that conflated fan support with romantic interest,” Signore told Rogue Rocket. “And that led me to make some poor choices in the realm of fan interaction. As has been documented, I crossed lines in that regard that I now very much regret.”
“While it has been devastating to be caught up in this movement as I have been, I am grateful for the opportunity to have become a better person,” Signore added.
He also told Rogue Rocket about his intentions behind making the video. He said he never wanted to deny he did anything wrong, but said he did want to tell his side of the story.
“I did not make my video to dispute any of that,” he said. “My priority is to clear my name of a wrongful sexual assault allegation that has cost me my reputation and my livelihood.”
Dawn responded to his video in a tweet. She stood by her allegations and maintained that she is telling the truth.
“I was ready then and I’m ready now to take the hits, comments or criticism you can throw at me because at the end of the day I know my truth and what I did was right,” Dawn wrote.
Industry
Too Faced Co-Founder Condemns Sister’s Post Calling NikkieTutorials a Liar After Coming Out as Transgender
- Massive Beauty YouTuber NikkieTutorials came out as transgender in a new video that has been received with widespread praise.
- However, fans were upset to learn that she was pushed to share her story after unnamed people threatened to leak the information to the press.
- Too Faced Cosmetics then came under scrutiny when the cofounder’s sister made a snide comment about NikkieTutorials being a liar, continuing a long-running feud between the brand and beauty guru.
- The brand co-founder issued a statement condemning his sister’s behavior and said she is no longer employed by Too Faced.
Too Faced Apologizes
Too Faced Cosmetics co-founder Jerrod Blandino apologized Tuesday for his sister Lisa who called beauty YouTuber NikkieTutorials a liar hours after she came out as transgender.
“I would like to make sure it is understood that although I love my sister very much, the things she says or does have absolutely nothing to do with me and do not in any way reflect me, my opinions, thoughts, or feelings nor speak for me or Too Faced in any way shape or form,” Blandino wrote in a post on Instagram stories.
“I am sorry for the hurt she has caused…I do not tolerate this behavior and she is no longer an employee of Too Faced,” he added before expressing how proud he was of NikkieTutorials for sharing her truth.
His post was later shared across the brand’s official social media accounts.
“I’m Coming Out”
The backlash against Too Faced came shortly after Nikkie de Jager, better known as NikkieTutorials, came out as transgender in an emotional 17-minute video posted Monday.
“I can’t believe I am saying this today to all of you, for the entire world to see, but damn it feels good to finally do it. It’s time to let go and be truly free,” de Jager said in the video titled “I’m Coming Out.”
“When I was younger I was born in the wrong body, which means that I am transgender,” she continued.
The 25-year-old from the Netherlands, who has been posting on YouTube for 11 years, opened up about her childhood, explaining that she identified as female for as long as she can remember and began transitioning at a young age with the support of her mother.
De Jager said she had grown her hair out at the age of 6 and was wearing only girls clothing a year or two later. She started hormone treatments and growth stoppers at 14-years-old and “fully transitioned” by the age of 19.
“I transitioned while on YouTube,” the beauty guru said. “And saying that right now seems so crazy to me because I have literally grown up and transformed into me in front of all of you.”
De Jager, one of YouTube’s top beauty creators who has amassed over 12 million subscribers, said she kept her story private for so long because she wanted to live free of labels and wanted her channel to focus on her art.
However, she wanted to assure her fans that she is the same person they have loved and supported for years. “I am me. I am still Nikkie. Nothing changes about that,” she said. “The last thing I want in my life is for you to not trust me anymore, or to look at me with different eyes, or look at me in a different manner, or think that I have changed.”
Blackmail Attempt
While de Jager explained that she has always wanted to share her story with her audience, she admitted that she was doing so now after someone had threatened to pubically out her.
“So today, I am taking back my own power and I have to tell you something,” she said before making her announcement.
Without ever naming who was behind the blackmail attempt, de Jager talked more about how it made her feel.
“I have been blackmailed by people that wanted to leak my story to the press,” she said. “And at first it was frightening to know that there are people out there that are so evil that they can’t respect someone’s true identity. It is vile. It is gross and I know you are watching this.”
She claimed that those blackmailing her wanted to leak her story because they said she is lying and “too scared” to tell people who she really is.
“I’m not scared,” she said directly to the camera before holding her middle finger up to the people who, “thought they could really mess up my life with that.”
Praise from Fans
De Jager’s announcement was met with widespread support from celebs, fans, and fellow YouTubers, many of whom were outraged at the fact that someone else had tried to leak her story.
Lisa Blandino Sparks Outrage
However, not everyone was supportive of the beauty guru. Twitter users and YouTube drama channels ready to defend de Jager against hate screenshotted a snide comment allegedly made by Lisa Blandino.
The screenshots showed that on her Instagram account @makupprincess, under the name Dani California, she changed her bio to: “Transgender huh? That’s not the only thing she’s been LYING about.”
The comment appeared to signal a continuation of the long-running feud between the beauty star and Too Faced Cosmetics.
In Shane Dawson’s docuseries about his collaboration with Jeffree Star Cosmetics, Star once again accused Too Faced of massively underpaying de Jager for her 2016 makeup collaboration with them. According to Star, she received a $50,000 flat fee for a palette that brought them in over $10 million.
While de Jagger has not openly discussed much about her profits on the palette, she has previously mentioned frustrations over the quality of the product.
After screenshots of Blandino’s comment spread across the internet, many became upset that someone would take such a sensitive moment as an opportunity to tear de Jager down and felt that regardless of any feud, the comment was insensitive.
Enraged social media users began calling Too Faced disgusting and transphobic and soon after, the @makupprincess account changed its bio to read: “Let’s be clear, I love trans people & dislike anyone who lies to hurt others! Period!”
The comment further enraged internet users went on to call for a boycott of the brand. Some even accused Too Faced of possibly being responsible for blackmailing de Jagger.
Im highly suspicious of her. Besides the fact she is trash, it seems to me she might be involved w the blackmail. And if she was involved… i wouldnt be overly surprised her brother might have AT LEAST known about it.
— KateyCakes (@KateyKGecko) January 14, 2020
See what others are saying: (NBC News) (Insider) (E! News)
Industry
Two of YouTube’s Highest Earners Are Kids
Industry
Internet Reacts to Tana Mongeau Winning ‘Creator of the Year’ at the 2019 Streamy Awards
Evelyn Yang, Andrew Yang’s Wife, Says Gynecologist Sexually Assaulted Her
Brazil’s Secretary of Culture Fired Over Speech Reminiscent of Nazi Rhetoric
Pope Francis Names First Woman to Senior Vatican Diplomatic Role
Virginia Governor Declares State of Emergency Prior to Pro-Gun Rally
Student Expelled From Christian School After Rainbow-Filled Photo
At Least 60 Treated After Delta Jet Dumps Fuel Over LA Schools
Sanders and Warren Disagree Over CNN Report That Alleges Sanders Said a Woman Couldn’t Win the Presidency
Too Faced Co-Founder Condemns Sister’s Post Calling NikkieTutorials a Liar After Coming Out as Transgender
Supreme Court Won’t Hear Appeal of Michelle Carter, Woman Who Encouraged Boyfriend’s Suicide
Protests Erupt in Iran After Military Admits to Shooting Down Plane
2020 Oscar Nominations: Diversity Criticism, Snubs, and More
Cosplay Instagram Star Belle Delphine Trolls Followers With PornHub Account
Billie Eilish Fans Call Out Twitter User for Sexualizing the Underage Singer
Man Kills 17-Year-Old Bianca Devins and Posts Photos Online
Instagram Users Tell Skai Jackson to Stop Posting About Cameron Boyce
Deepfake App Pulled After Many Expressed Concerns
YouTuber ProJared Accused of Soliciting Explicit Photos From Underage Fans
School Bus Driver Gets No Prison Time After Raping 14-Year Old Girl
James Charles Threatens to Sue Over Fake Racist Image
Why Twitter Tried to Cancel Lil Nas X
Bella Thorne Posts Her Own Topless Photos After Threats From Hacker
DeepNude App Banned on GitHub After Spreading to Multiple Platforms
Donald Trump & Soleimani: What’s Going on With the U.S. and Iran?
What You Need to Know About the Deadly Australian Wildfires
WHY People Are FREAKING Out About Adam Driver, Tekashi 6ix9ine’s Controversial Sentence, & More
DISGUSTING! Deputy EXPOSED Body Slamming Middle School Student & Netflix BLASTED Over “Gay Jesus”
PewDiePie MSM Credibility CRISIS, Hallmark’s Ad Controversy, Viral Slapper ARRESTED, India, & More
UHOH! Youtube’s New CRACKDOWN, iDubbbz Content Cop REMOVED, Viral Slapper Exposed, Anthony Padilla &
How Police Deal With Protests and Riots All Over the World…
WHY People Are FREAKING OUT On Olivia Wilde, Eminem, Nick Cannon & What The IG Report REALLY Says…
WOW! H3H3 BTS KPOP Controversy & Backlash, Walmart Santa Apology, New Zealand Volcano, & India Bill
The DISTURBING Onision Problem, YouTube Rewind 2019 Reaction, PewDiePie, BTS, & French Protests
Pinkwashing: The Dark Side of the Breast Cancer Awareness Industry Explained…
Too Faced Co-Founder Condemns Sister’s Post Calling NikkieTutorials a Liar After Coming Out as Transgender
Supreme Court Won’t Hear Appeal of Michelle Carter, Woman Who Encouraged Boyfriend’s Suicide
Japanese Billionaire Gives Away $9 Million as Social Experiment
Adam Driver Fans Donate Nearly $70,000 to His Non-Profit in Honor of Ben Solo Performance
At Least 60 Treated After Delta Jet Dumps Fuel Over LA Schools
Student Expelled From Christian School After Rainbow-Filled Photo
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Announce Decision to ‘Step Back’ From Royal Family
Ukraine-Bound Plane Crashes in Iran, Leaves 176 Dead
Australian Cabinet Approves 2 Billion Dollars for Fire Relief
Protests Erupt in Iran After Military Admits to Shooting Down Plane
2020 Oscar Nominations: Diversity Criticism, Snubs, and More
Evelyn Yang, Andrew Yang’s Wife, Says Gynecologist Sexually Assaulted Her
Brazil’s Secretary of Culture Fired Over Speech Reminiscent of Nazi Rhetoric
Pope Francis Names First Woman to Senior Vatican Diplomatic Role
Virginia Governor Declares State of Emergency Prior to Pro-Gun Rally
Student Expelled From Christian School After Rainbow-Filled Photo
At Least 60 Treated After Delta Jet Dumps Fuel Over LA Schools
Sanders and Warren Disagree Over CNN Report That Alleges Sanders Said a Woman Couldn’t Win the Presidency
Too Faced Co-Founder Condemns Sister’s Post Calling NikkieTutorials a Liar After Coming Out as Transgender
Supreme Court Won’t Hear Appeal of Michelle Carter, Woman Who Encouraged Boyfriend’s Suicide
Protests Erupt in Iran After Military Admits to Shooting Down Plane
2020 Oscar Nominations: Diversity Criticism, Snubs, and More
Donald Trump & Soleimani: What’s Going on With the U.S. and Iran?
What You Need to Know About the Deadly Australian Wildfires
WHY People Are FREAKING Out About Adam Driver, Tekashi 6ix9ine’s Controversial Sentence, & More
DISGUSTING! Deputy EXPOSED Body Slamming Middle School Student & Netflix BLASTED Over “Gay Jesus”
PewDiePie MSM Credibility CRISIS, Hallmark’s Ad Controversy, Viral Slapper ARRESTED, India, & More
UHOH! Youtube’s New CRACKDOWN, iDubbbz Content Cop REMOVED, Viral Slapper Exposed, Anthony Padilla &
How Police Deal With Protests and Riots All Over the World…
WHY People Are FREAKING OUT On Olivia Wilde, Eminem, Nick Cannon & What The IG Report REALLY Says…
WOW! H3H3 BTS KPOP Controversy & Backlash, Walmart Santa Apology, New Zealand Volcano, & India Bill
The DISTURBING Onision Problem, YouTube Rewind 2019 Reaction, PewDiePie, BTS, & French Protests