James Charles Mocks Former Spirit Airlines Worker, Faces Backlash
Beauty influencer James Charles sparked online outrage after posting a TikTok mocking a former Spirit Airlines employee who asked for financial help. The worker, Amber Lendof Vargas, lost her job when Spirit Airlines collapsed on May 2, leaving 17,000 people unemployed. She sent Charles a GoFundMe link via DM, and Charles responded with a video calling her "lazy" and "entitled." The clip was widely criticized as out-of-touch amid rising financial strain in the US. Charles deleted the video and apologized privately, but Vargas publicly rejected the apology. The controversy boosted her GoFundMe to over $41,000. Charles has a history of controversies, including allegations of sending explicit texts to minors in 2021 and a 2019 callout video from Tati Westbrook.
Key facts
- James Charles posted a TikTok mocking a former Spirit Airlines worker's donation request.
- The worker, Amber Lendof Vargas, lost her job after Spirit Airlines collapsed on May 2.
- Spirit Airlines' collapse left approximately 17,000 workers unemployed.
- Charles called Vargas 'lazy' and 'entitled' in the video.
- Charles deleted the TikTok and apologized privately.
- Vargas rejected the apology publicly.
- Vargas's GoFundMe raised over $41,000 after the controversy.
- Charles has a history of controversies, including 2021 allegations of sexting minors.
Entities
Artists
- James Charles
- Amber Lendof Vargas
- Tati Westbrook
Institutions
- Spirit Airlines
- GoFundMe
- YouTube
- TikTok
- Forbes