10 Popular Internet Influencers Who Are Actually Bad People

10 Popular Internet Influencers Who Are Actually Bad People

From family vloggers caught in shocking abuse scandals to beauty gurus with endless controversies, the influencer world has its fair share of bad apples. And while some scandals make us roll our eyes, others leave us questioning how these people ever gained a platform in the first place.

1. Ruby Franke

At one point, Ruby Franke was the picture of wholesome family life. Her 8 Passengers channel on YouTube gained millions of fans who tuned in for parenting tips and sweet family moments. But behind the cheerful exterior, something horrifying was happening.

In 2023, Franke was arrested and later sentenced for abusing her children. The case revealed disturbing details—starvation, physical punishment, and forced labor. Many viewers who once admired her were left stunned by how long the abuse had gone unnoticed.

Her downfall has become a cautionary tale, sparking conversations about the darker side of “family content” and the urgent need for laws protecting children in influencer households.

2. Tiffany Smith (Piper Rockelle’s “Momager”)

Known as the “momager” behind young star Piper Rockelle, Tiffany Smith looked like a supportive parent helping her daughter’s dreams come true. But the Netflix documentary Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing revealed a very different story.

Allegations of exploitation, manipulation, and even inappropriate behavior toward child influencers quickly overshadowed her image. Smith faced lawsuits and eventually settled for millions, but the damage to her reputation was already done.

Parents and fans alike were left shaken, realizing that the influencer industry can be a dangerous place for kids when money and fame take priority over well-being. Smith’s scandal serves as a wake-up call about child safety in online spaces.

3. Andrew & Tristan Tate

Few influencers have sparked as much controversy as Andrew and Tristan Tate. They built their brand on flashy wealth and bold statements, drawing in a massive audience of mostly young men.

In late 2022, the brothers were arrested in Romania, making international headlines. While they continue to defend themselves, ongoing investigations and additional charges in the UK have left their reputations in ruins.

Once hailed by some as “self-made kings,” the Tates are now symbols of the dangers of glorifying toxic masculinity online. Their story is a reminder that charisma and confidence don’t always equal integrity.

4. Chiara Ferragni

Italian fashion influencer Chiara Ferragni built her empire on glamour, style, and savvy branding. But in 2023, her reputation took a nosedive after a charity-linked scandal dubbed “Pandorogate.”

She promoted a holiday cake claiming proceeds would go to charity. Fans later learned the money never reached the intended cause, and Ferragni was fined over €1 million for misleading practices. By 2025, she faced criminal charges for aggravated fraud.

What was once a shining example of influencer-business success has become a cautionary tale about transparency. For fans, it was a betrayal that showed not all collaborations are as charitable—or honest—as they seem.

5. Cyan Boujee (Honour Zuma)

South African influencer Cyan Boujee, also known as Honour Zuma, wasn’t exactly new to controversy. But things escalated when she promoted a suspicious Russian job scheme that raised red flags worldwide.

Critics accused her of encouraging young women to enter situations that looked dangerously close to human trafficking. The backlash was swift, and even though she later apologized and deleted the posts, the trust of many followers had already been broken.

Her case highlights just how much power influencers hold over impressionable audiences. A single post can have real-life consequences, and in this case, it nearly pushed fans into potentially harmful situations.

6. Jeffree Star

The beauty community has always been dramatic, but Jeffree Star managed to take scandal to a whole new level. With his edgy personality and bold makeup looks, he built a billion-dollar brand. But behind the glam, Star was constantly surrounded by chaos.

Accusations of racism, ties to a registered sex offender, Nazi imagery, and even sexual assault allegations followed him for years. While he managed to bounce back time and again, each scandal left a deeper dent in his reputation.

For many, Jeffree Star represents the toxic side of influencer culture—where controversy fuels clicks, but ethics take a backseat. His name is now synonymous with drama and distrust.

7. Shane Dawson

Shane Dawson was once considered YouTube royalty. His documentaries and quirky humor helped him build a loyal fanbase over the years. But the internet never forgets, and his old content came back to haunt him in a big way.

Past videos featuring blackface, racist jokes, and disturbing “comedy” about pedophilia and bestiality resurfaced, sparking massive backlash. Despite issuing apologies, Dawson’s attempts to redeem himself have largely fallen flat.

Once seen as a pioneer in online entertainment, Dawson is now a prime example of how shock-value humor can destroy a career. For fans, the biggest disappointment was realizing their “relatable” favorite had crossed unforgivable lines.

8. Olivia Jade

For Olivia Jade, Instagram fame and YouTube stardom were just the beginning. As the daughter of actress Lori Loughlin, she already had access to privilege most could only dream of. But her involvement in the infamous college admissions scandal shattered her influencer image.

Her parents were caught paying bribes to secure her spot at USC, and Olivia Jade became the face of entitlement and corruption. Brand deals disappeared overnight, and her follower base turned on her almost instantly.

Though she’s attempted a comeback, the scandal left a permanent mark. Her story is less about personal misconduct and more about how wealth and influence can be abused in plain sight.

9. Tana Mongeau

Tana Mongeau built her brand on being wild, unfiltered, and unapologetic. Fans loved her chaotic storytelling style, but that chaos turned disastrous when she attempted to host her own convention, TanaCon.

Billed as an alternative to VidCon, the event quickly spiraled into a nightmare. Thousands of fans were left waiting outside in the heat with no proper venue, no food, and no refunds. The fiasco drew comparisons to the Fyre Festival and became one of YouTube’s biggest scandals.

Mongeau brushed it off with her usual humor, but many fans saw it as a betrayal. What was supposed to be a celebration turned into a money-grab gone wrong.

10. Nikita Dragun

Known for her bold fashion and unapologetic personality, Nikita Dragun was once a rising star in the beauty world. But her controversies often overshadowed her talent.

From accusations of blackfishing to hosting a huge maskless party during the height of the pandemic, Dragun consistently found herself under fire. Things escalated in 2022 when she was arrested in Miami after allegedly assaulting a police officer at a hotel.

While she continues to share content online, her reputation as a scandal magnet makes her hard to take seriously. Nikita’s story shows how repeated poor decisions can erode even the most promising career.