Industry
Jeffree Star Addresses Backlash Over “Cremated” Makeup Collection
Published
2 years agoon

- Jeffree Star announced his upcoming “Cremated” eyeshadow palette and collection, which he says fits the grim theme but also references phrases he uses like “I’m deceased.”
- Some called it insensitive to release at a time when over 300,000 people worldwide have died from COVID-19 and when funeral plans have been modified or postponed.
- But others noted that he has worked on the line since well before the pandemic and argued that a further delay would be difficult and costly.
- Jeffree has stressed that the intentions behind his art came from a good place.
“Cremated” Collection Announced
Jeffree Star is facing criticism online for launching a new makeup collection that many are calling “tone-deaf” and “insensitive” to release during the coronavirus pandemic.
On Friday, the beauty YouTuber announced that his brand, Jeffree Star Cosmetics, will soon release his “Cremated” eyeshadow palette and collection. The following day, he posted a video talking about the collection in more detail, saying the “gothic neutral” palette will be accompanied by four lip glosses, two makeup bags, and a metal straw set.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Jeffree Star (@jeffreestar) on
As far as how he picked that name, Jeffree said: “Cremated is like my iconic catchphrase: ‘I’m deceased.’”
“It is a double entendre and cremated, as well as being of course very dark and gothic, is also a term that I like to use. You know when you are really blown away by something? You’re mesmerized and it’s so sickening, me and my friends love to say ‘Bitch I’m cremated. Baby, I’m deceased.’”
He also mentioned that this collection was supposed to be larger and was scheduled for an April launch, but had to be delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Fans seemed to be pretty excited about the line. In less than 24 hours, the video picked up millions of views and snatched the top spot on YouTube’s trending page.
Backlash
But there were plenty of frustrated people who took to Twitter to criticize the line, arguing that it’s insensitive given the fact that more than 300,000 people worldwide have died from COVID-19. Others noted that cremations, memorials, and funeral services have been impacted by the coronavirus as well.
so ur gonna tell me Jeffree star is releasing a palette called ‘cremated’ during a global pandemic where thousands are dying💀 pls who are his PR team ALSO these shades are so nasty…tell me they aren’t all dupes of themselves…. pic.twitter.com/Rx8f7qTh6c
— chloe (@ffschIoe) May 16, 2020
jeffree star rly released a CREMATION themed palette in the middle of a global pandemic in which the bodies of thousands killed by covid are being cremated. and STILL his deranged lil fans will eat it up lmao. i'm so tired when will that voldemort nosferatu looking cunt just ***
— adrasteia (@adrasteiarose) May 16, 2020
This is extremely inappropriate. We are in the middle of a pandemic and ppl are dying. Not only are u releasing a palette at all, but it’s death themed. Tone deaf & really shows how little you actually care. Ppl can’t even attend their own loved ones funerals wtf is wrong with u?
— we are borg (@free_borg_drone) May 16, 2020
to those who find a cremation palette launch during a pandemic acceptable, please feel free to let the millions of families who lost loved ones, were unable to have a proper burial, & had no choice but to have a cremation for their loved one why you feel so strongly. quickly.
— ♡ sensitive cry baby ♡ (@_mcdrew) May 16, 2020
People even looked closely at the collection, criticizing everything from the shade names to promotional photos.
this is the most disrespectful shit i’ve seen all week, seriously? casket ready, burial ground, a grave digger?#crematedpalette #CREMATED #jeffreestar pic.twitter.com/G8VbmtkhbJ
— 🤡 (@2_603_040) May 16, 2020
#jeffreestar releasing a palette named ‘cremated’ with shadows such as ‘gravedigger’ & a grim photoshoot with a hearse (another shadow name) in the bg during a pandemic where 308k+ people have DIED is so freaking tonedeaf. had no idea dying was so quirky would’ve died sooner 🤪 pic.twitter.com/QN4Jb28AmW
— 𝕽🦋 (@hrhxreem) May 16, 2020
Others Defend Collection
Still, others defended Jeffree, noting that he’s worked on this palette since before the pandemic. Many shared screenshots to show that he trademarked the name in September of 2019 as proof.
Jeffree star trademarked his palette name ‘cremated’ in SEPTEMBER he tried to push back the launch and obviously he can’t just waste thousands of dollars or even more. Yeah theres a pandemic on but people get cremated everyday and it’s a gothic themed palette not a pandemic one..
— Tay 🥴 (@badatusernames_) May 16, 2020
People complaining about the name of the new @JeffreeStar collection, it's not that deep 🤦♀️ Yes we're in a pandemic but he named it forever ago and can't change packaging in a moment's notice. #cremated #crematedpalette pic.twitter.com/qpaTqZATpn
— Delarae (@delaraexox) May 15, 2020
There were also some arguments between people who said the brand could’ve pushed the launch back, and others who pointed out how difficult and costly that would’ve been.
He already did postpone the launch, it was supposed to be released in April. and production probably cost a lot of money, the makeup has a shelf life and wasting all of that makeup, & all the work his workers put in for it, it’d be a shame.
— ale (: (@lopez_uhh) May 16, 2020
@OhMyGodExposeU ..you do understand makeup expires right? If he waited months to change the packaging name it'll be a loss of money. Plus his fans literally wanted this.
— 🦋 (@h_byanka) May 16, 2020
Jeffree Addresses Backlash
By Saturday, Jeffree posted a series of Instagram stores where he briefly addressed the backlash himself.
“There’s a lot of talk on Twitter,” he said. “Cremated and any palette and anything I’ve ever created. It’s my art. To me, it’s not just an eyeshadow palette. It’s way more than that. “
“There’s always so many meanings with my art, and that’s what it is. it’s mine. I created it for the world. It’s allowed to be interpreted any way that anyone wants to take it, but I always come from a good place.”
@JeffreeStar talking about the #CREMATEDpalette, products that didn’t make it into the #CREMATED collection, and upcoming products.. via IG Stories May 16th, 2020. https://t.co/Ay20PncG0r pic.twitter.com/tvt61aqNEE
— Jeffree Star Cosmetics (@JSC_family) May 17, 2020
He went on to say that he was “so proud” of his work and added: “On a real level you guys, my own father was cremated, my two dogs that passed away last year were cremated, so nothing ever comes from a negative place in my life. So if you take it that way, that’s how you articulate things, but bitch, not me.”
Then on Sunday, Sebastian Williams, who runs a YouTube drama channel, posted a video on the topic that featured a statement from Jeffree.
In it, Jeffree said that his audience is excited about the palette and he expects it to sell out, but he added: “Because it’s ‘Jeffree’ people want to be offended and make it personal.”
He again mentioned the passing of his father and two dogs, saying his intentions weren’t negative.
When asked why he didn’t just delay the launch, he said: “With how production is going after months of delays, some things we decided to cancel and others just didn’t make sense to wait when we already have a very packed year.!”
He said he has several other upcoming launches so this one would’ve had to wait until 2021, but he didn’t want to risk any makeup becoming expired.
And when asked if he understood people’s anger given how cremations and funerals have been impacted due to the virus. He said, “I 100% see where people are coming from in that reguard.”
So despite some frustration, it appears that Jeffree will move forward with the launch, which is set for this coming Friday. And it’s clear from his statements that he still expects it to be a huge success.
See what others are saying: (E! News) (Teen Vogue) (Cosmopolitan)
Industry
Schools Across the U.S. Cancel Classes Friday Over Unverified TikTok Threat
Published
5 months agoon
December 17, 2021By
Cory Ray
Officials in multiple states said they haven’t found any credible threats but are taking additional precautions out of an abundance of safety.
School Cancelled
Schools in no fewer than 10 states either canceled classes or increased their police presence on Friday after a series of TikToks warned of imminent shooting and bombs threats.
Despite that, officials said they found little evidence to suggest the threats are credible. It’s possible no real threat was actually ever made as it’s unclear if the supposed threats originated on TikTok, another social media platform, or elsewhere.
“We handle even rumored threats with utmost seriousness, which is why we’re working with law enforcement to look into warnings about potential violence at schools even though we have not found evidence of such threats originating or spreading via TikTok,” TikTok’s Communications team tweeted Thursday afternoon.
We handle even rumored threats with utmost seriousness, which is why we're working with law enforcement to look into warnings about potential violence at schools even though we have not found evidence of such threats originating or spreading via TikTok.
— TikTokComms (@TikTokComms) December 16, 2021
(2/3) Law enforcement agencies have investigated this threat and determined that it originated in Arizona and is not credible. We want to continue to encourage members of Team BCPS to report suspicious or threatening activities or postings.
— Baltimore County Public Schools (@BaltCoPS) December 16, 2021
While there are no known specific threats against New Jersey schools, the safety of our children is our highest priority and we will work closely with law enforcement to monitor the situation and remain prepared.
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) December 16, 2021
Still, given the uptick of school shootings in the U.S. in recent years, many school districts across the country decided to respond to the rumors. According to The Verge, some districts in California, Minnesota, Missouri, and Texas shut down Friday.
“Based on law enforcement interviews, Little Falls Community Schools was specifically identified in a TikTok post related to this threat,” one school district in Minnesota said in a letter Thursday. “In conversations with local law enforcement, the origins of this threat remain unknown. Therefore, school throughout the district is canceled tomorrow, Friday, December 17.”
In Gilroy, California, one high school that closed its doors Friday said it would reschedule final exams that were expected to take place the same day to January.
According to the Associated Press, several other districts in Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Montana, New York, and Pennsylvania stationed more police officers at their schools Friday.
Viral Misinformation or Legitimate Warnings?
As The Verge notes, “The reports of threats on TikTok may be self-perpetuating.”
For example, many of the videos online may have been created in response to initial warnings as more people hopped onto the trend. Amid school cancellations, videos have continued to sprout up — many awash with both rumors and factual information.
“I’m scared off my ass, what do I do???” one TikTok user said in a now-deleted video, according to People.
“The post is vague and not directed at a specific school, and is circulating around school districts across the country,” Chicago Public Schools said in a letter, though it did not identify any specific post. “Please do not re-share any suspicious or concerning posts on social media.”
According to Dr. Amy Klinger, the director of programs for the nonprofit Educator’s School Safety Network, “This is not 2021 phenomenon.”
Instead, she told The Today Show that her network has been tracking school shooting threats since 2013, and she noted that in recent years, they’ve become more prominent on social media.
“It’s not just somebody in a classroom of 15 people hearing someone make a threat,” she said. “It’s 15,000 people on social media, because it gets passed around and it becomes larger and larger and larger.”
See what others are saying: (The Verge) (Associated Press) (People)
Industry
Jake Paul Says He “Can’t Get Cancelled” as a Boxer
Published
7 months agoon
November 1, 2021
The controversial YouTuber opened up about what it has been like to go from online fame to professional boxing.
The New Yorker Profiles Jake Paul
YouTuber and boxer Jake Paul talked about his career switch, reputation, and cancel culture in a profile published Monday in The New Yorker.
While Paul rose to fame as the Internet’s troublemaker, he now spends most of his time in the ring. He told the outlet that one difference between YouTube and boxing is that his often controversial reputation lends better to his new career.
“One thing that is great about being a fighter is, like, you can’t get cancelled,” Paul said. The profile noted that the sport often rewards and even encourages some degree of bad behavior.
“I’m not a saint,” Paul later continued. “I’m also not a bad guy, but I can very easily play the role.”
Paul also said the other difference between his time online and his time in boxing is the level of work. While he says he trains hard, he confessed that there was something more challenging about making regular YouTube content.
“Being an influencer was almost harder than being a boxer,” he told The New Yorker. “You wake up in the morning and you’re, like, Damn, I have to create fifteen minutes of amazing content, and I have twelve hours of sunlight.”
Jake Paul Vs. Tommy Fury
The New Yorker profile came just after it was announced over the weekend Paul will be fighting boxer Tommy Fury in an 8-round cruiserweight fight on Showtime in December.
“It’s time to kiss ur last name and ur family’s boxing legacy goodbye,” Paul tweeted. “DEC 18th I’m changing this wankers name to Tommy Fumbles and celebrating with Tom Brady.”
Pucker up Timmy, it’s time to kiss ur last name and ur family’s boxing legacy goodbye. DEC 18th Im changing this wankers name to Tommy Fumbles and celebrating with Tom Brady. Tickets on sale November 10th!#PaulFury One Will Fall. @MostVpromotions @showtimeboxing @amaliearena pic.twitter.com/IFStMpJul5
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) October 29, 2021
Both Paul and Fury are undefeated, according to ESPN. Like Paul, Fury has found fame outside of the sport. He has become a reality TV star in the U.K. after appearing on the hit show “Love Island.”
See what others are saying: (The New Yorker) (Dexerto) (ESPN)
Industry
Hackers Hit Twitch Again, This Time Replacing Backgrounds With Image of Jeff Bezos
Published
8 months agoon
October 8, 2021By
Cory Ray
The hack appears to be a form of trolling, though it’s possible that the infiltrators were able to uncover a security flaw while reviewing Twitch’s newly-leaked source code.
Bezos Prank
Hackers targeted Twitch for a second time this week, but rather than leaking sensitive information, the infiltrators chose to deface the platform on Friday by swapping multiple background images with a photo of former Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos.
According to those who saw the replaced images firsthand, the hack appears to have mostly — and possibly only — affected game directory headers. Though the incident appears to be nothing more than a surface-level prank, as Amazon owns Twitch, it could potentially signal greater security flaws.
More Twitch shenanigans are afoot. All game directory header pictures on the Web version of Twitch are now showing a closeup picture of Jeff Bezos. It's been like this for the last 2 hours. pic.twitter.com/LcKP9jGMCC
— AnEternalEnigma (@AnEternalEnigma) October 8, 2021
For example, it’s possible the hackers could have used leaked internal security data from earlier this week to discover a network vulnerability and sneak into the platform.
The latest jab at the platforms came after Twitch assured its users it has seen “no indication” that their login credentials were stolen during the first hack. Still, concerns have remained regarding the potential for others to now spot cracks in Twitch’s security systems.
It’s also possible the Bezos hack resulted from what’s known as “cache poisoning,” which, in this case, would refer to a more limited form of hacking that allowed the infiltrators to manipulate similar images all at once. If true, the hackers likely would not have been able to access Twitch’s back end.
The photo changes only lasted several hours before being returned to their previous conditions.
First Twitch Hack
Despite suspicions and concerns, it’s unclear whether the Bezos hack is related to the major leak of Twitch’s internal data that was posted to 4chan on Wednesday.
That leak exposed Twitch’s full source code — including its security tools — as well as data on how much Twitch has individually paid every single streamer on the platform since August 2019.
It also revealed Amazon’s at least partially developed plans for a cloud-based gaming library, codenamed Vapor, which would directly compete with the massively popular library known as Steam.
Even though Twitch has said its login credentials appear to be secure, it announced Thursday that it has reset all stream keys “out of an abundance of caution.” Users are still being urged to change their passwords and update or implement two-factor authentication if they haven’t already.
See what others are saying: (The Verge) (Forbes) (CNET)

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