Something big is happening online — and it’s not just trending for a day. Over the last week, James Charles has lost over 700,000 followers on TikTok, and fans are asking the same question: Why now?

This dramatic unfollowing spree started in early May 2025 after allegations surfaced that the makeup influencer was romantically involved with Evan Johnson, a content creator recently charged with domestic abuse. Johnson’s name has been front and center in one of TikTok’s most talked-about cases — and now, James is being accused of turning a blind eye to it all.

What Are the Allegations Against James Charles?

The storm began when TikTok creator Mikaela Testa posted a viral video on April 30. In it, she said:

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“Just letting everyone in Australia know that James Charles is sleeping with Evan Johnson — the one who broke Kayla’s jaw… The one who was in prison. James Charles has been housing this motherf**ker to sleep with him.”

It didn’t take long for this clip to explode. Fans reacted swiftly, calling out James for allegedly supporting someone recently arrested for abusing TikToker Kayla Malec — a young woman who bravely shared her story just a month earlier.

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The fallout was fast. Fans began unfollowing James on TikTok in droves. While his YouTube subscriber count remains stable, his TikTok audience is shrinking by the day, according to SocialBlade.

What Did Zach Sellers Say on the Podcast?

Further fuel was added to the fire when influencer Zach Sellers, once close to James Charles, made claims on the Bee Better podcast. The episode, titled “Investigating James Charles,” included several pointed accusations:

• James and Evan were in “constant communication”
• James sent “shirtless photos” to Evan
• He allegedly referred to Evan as “daddy” in messages

Zach said he personally saw flirty texts between the two and felt betrayed, especially considering the abuse allegations against Evan.

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Did James Charles Help Evan Johnson Post Bail?

While nothing has been confirmed, social media is filled with rumors that James Charles may have paid Evan Johnson’s bail or given him financial support. Some users have even claimed that James flew Evan out and gave him gifts in exchange for a romantic relationship.

It’s worth noting that Kayla Malec has spoken vaguely about being betrayed by a close friend. She didn’t name names but hinted at having receipts — and fans were quick to speculate she was referring to James.

What Happened Between Evan Johnson and Kayla Malec?

To understand why fans are so upset, we need to look at the backstory.

On April 4, Kayla Malec posted a powerful YouTube series called “He Doesn’t Love You,” in which she shared details of what she described as months of silent abuse during her nine-month relationship with Evan Johnson. She claimed physical and emotional harm, including a shocking allegation that he broke her jaw.

Just three days later, Evan was arrested in Sumner County, Tennessee, on domestic assault and probation violation charges. He was released on bail but is set to appear in court for his hearing on May 7, 2025.

Has James Charles Responded to the Backlash?

So far, James Charles has not made any public statement regarding the recent accusations. As of now, there’s no denial, no confirmation — just silence.

It’s worth remembering that James has had a rocky history with controversy. From the Tati Westbrook fallout in 2019 to grooming allegations in 2021, he’s no stranger to public scrutiny. In each of those cases, his reputation took a hit, and this latest situation may be the most damaging yet.

Can James Charles Recover from This?

That depends.

The internet has a short memory, but this situation is different. It’s tied to real-life abuse allegations and a very public court case. If James is indeed connected to Evan Johnson in the way people are claiming, fans will expect accountability — not just a makeup tutorial or an apology video.

Until then, the unfollows continue. And so does the conversation.