James Charles, a well-known beauty influencer, faced backlash online after he harshly criticized a former Spirit Airlines employee. During a profanity-laden outburst, he labeled the worker a “lazy piece of s–t” due to a request for financial help.
The 26-year-old social media star’s fiery comments came in a TikTok video he later deleted. He had received a message that included a GoFundMe link and an appeal for support from a woman who claimed she lost her job after Spirit Airlines unexpectedly ceased operations last weekend.
The abrupt closure, which resulted in approximately 17,000 job losses, prompted Charles to express his frustration. He argued that the laid-off worker should prioritize finding new employment instead of reaching out to him with what he described as a “f–k ass message.”
In the deleted video, Charles recounted the direct message he received: “I got a DM from a girl saying, ‘I’m really struggling because Spirit Airlines just filed for bankruptcy and I lost my job. Here’s a GoFundMe link. Any donations help,’” he said, mocking the plea with laughter.
He continued, “I’m sure donations would help, sweetheart. But you know what else would help? Finding another job. In the time it took you to send that message to me, someone you don’t even follow, you could have applied for numerous other jobs,” he fumed.
Charles went on to criticize the individual further, saying, “Instead, you didn’t, because you’re lazy and entitled, expecting influencers and celebrities to support you. Why would I ever help you? You’re not a fan, you don’t even follow me. And you think I’m going to send you money because you lost your job?!”
Charles, reportedly worth $22 million, aggressively leaned toward the camera and yelled, “Welcome to the real world, sweetheart,” before fuming about how people lose their jobs everyday.
He then brought up her race and said she is fully capable of finding new employment.
“You’re white, pretty and able-bodied; you’re in a much better position than a lot of other people out here who are trying clearly much harder to make a better life for themselves,” the YouTuber wailed.
“Why would I f–king help you?! I’m not f–king help you. All you did was lost your job. I’m gonna do nothing, you know what you need to do? Go find a f–king new one, girl! Put some effort into the workplace.”
The unhinged video quickly sparked an online firestorm, with critics blasting Charles for his “vile” outburst and being extremely “out of touch.”
He then deleted the chaotic clip and issued a bizarre shirtless half-baked TikTok apology on Saturday.
“This video was f–king stupid,” Charles said in the video, adding, “It was rude, it was obnoxious, it was privileged, and most importantly, it was completely f–king unnecessary.”
He added how he could have ignored the message and moved on, but opted instead to post a video publicly bashing the struggling out-of-work woman.
“It was obnoxious, and I shamed her for asking for help in a situation where she was clearly struggling, and this could have been her absolute last resort,” Charles continued.
“I feel awful because that wasn’t my intention. And I really hurt a lot of people… I’m super sorry, especially to the woman from Spirit Airlines.”
