Emma Chamberlain, the popular YouTuber and social media influencer, has recently opened up about the aftermath of the $10,000 DM scandal that caused controversy online. Chamberlain, who has over 12 million subscribers on YouTube, suggested that the incident left her feeling like she had no “control” over her “identity” after it was “taken out of context.”
The scandal started in December 2021, when Chamberlain sent a direct message to another influencer, Caroline Calloway, offering to pay her $10,000 for a photo of herself that she had posted on Instagram. Calloway shared the DM on Twitter, and it quickly went viral. Many people criticized Chamberlain for offering to pay such a large sum of money for a photo, and some accused her of trying to buy her way into a certain social circle.
Chamberlain has since apologized for the DM, saying that it was a “stupid mistake” and that she was “embarrassed” by it. However, in a recent podcast interview, she suggested that the incident had taken a toll on her mental health.
“I felt like I had no control over my identity,” she said. “People were putting out all these assumptions about me, and I didn’t have any say in it. It was really frustrating.”
Chamberlain also criticized the way that the media had covered the scandal, saying that many outlets had “taken it to a whole other level” and “made it seem like I was this evil person.”
Despite the controversy, Chamberlain’s popularity has not waned. She continues to post regularly on her YouTube channel and has recently signed a deal with Louis Vuitton to be a brand ambassador. She has also been praised for her candidness and openness about her struggles with anxiety and other mental health issues.
It remains to be seen whether the $10,000 DM scandal will have any long-term impact on Chamberlain’s career or reputation. However, her willingness to discuss the incident openly and honestly is a testament to her resilience and authenticity as a content creator.