James Charles hits out again at “disgusting” comments on his sex life
James Charles (Photo: @jamescharles | Instagram)
The James Charles-Tati Westbrook spat continues to rumble on.
Back in May, the two makeup influencers, who together have millions of online followers, had a very public falling out. Westbrook, 37, posted a 43-minute video in which she laid into her former protégé.
The video was prompted by Charles choosing to promote a rival hair vitamin brand to the one owned by Westbrook.
Westbrook accused Charles of being disloyal, ego-driven, and using her to further his ambitions. More controversially, she accused the then 19-year old influencer of using his fame to hit on straight me and try to “trick” them into having sex with him.
Charles issued an emotional video in response, saying he was hurt by the allegations and apologizing for any pain he’d caused Westbrook.
He went on to refute the allegations of inappropriate behavior with other men. He posted another video, stating, “I have never, and would never, and will never use my ‘fame’, money or power, to manipulate or get any sexual actions from a guy. That is disgusting, it is not me, and the fact that Tati brought this up blows my mind, because she knows the real story.”
Westbrook has since deleted her video. Although Charles lost around 3million followers in the immediate aftermath of the controversy, his numbers have since rebounded.
Now, in a lengthy interview with Paper magazine, Charles reveals that he continues to struggle with his mental health since the episode. He also labeled Westbrook’s comments about his sex life “disgusting” and hurtful to the LGBTQ community.
“What that statement implies is that gaymen are all predatory, which is disgusting, not true and very dangerous to put out there,” he told Paper.
“The whole situation was scary for the LGBTQ+ community and paints a really bad picture of gaymen.”
He says one of the incidents referred to by Westbrook involved a man who identifies as bisexual.
“The reality is that the “hook-up” that was being discussed was completely consensual. It was with a boy who told me that he was bisexual and later on told the world he was bisexual. Therefore there’s nothing wrong with that.”
Charles said the breakdown of his relationship with Westbrook still impacted him greatly.
“I’m not mentally in a place where I want to be. What’s even harder to swallow is that it’s been six months since all the drama happened. I thought by this time I’d be completely good — back to normal, if you will — and that’s not the case.”
Charles also says that he’s very wary about getting involved with men romantically as he find himself distrustful and constantly looking for red flags.
“I’ve gotten really good at seeing those early on. You just never know what people’s true intentions are.
“With my job, there are so many blessings but a lot of people see them as an opportunity for themselves to either come up, get financial gain, get followers or attention or take me down with them, which has been attempted. I’m just careful … and lonely.”
Sharpen those ‘Knives,’ serve up the ‘Side’s: What to Watch – Thanksgiving Edition
Knives Out
Stepping out on a movie date this Thanksgiving? Netflixin’ while the pie is in the oven? Whatever your entertainment needs this holiday season, we got your back (and hopefully your mind) with Queerty’s special Thanksgiving Edition “Culture Club” column, serving up some of the highlights of new releases, streaming shows, classics worth revisiting, and what to drink while you watch.
The Carving: Knives Out
Director Rian Johnson (Looper, The Last Jedi) returns with this ode to Agatha Christie-style murder mysteries, family dysfunction, and murder. Christopher Plummer plays an aging author who gets bumped off just before disinheriting his nutty family from his will, and Daniel Craig plays a hilarious southern detective on the case. With an enormous cast that includes Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Don Johnson, Katherine Langford, Michael Shannon and Toni Collette, Knives Out works as a screwball family comedy, and a taut murder mystery. And since we’re pretty sure everybody has at least one family member they’d like to off on Thanksgiving, we recommend Knives Out as a cinema outing. It’s certainly preferable to actual murder.
In theatres November 27.
The Side: Eastsiders Season 4
Just in time to wake you from that Turkey Day coma, the sexy web series-cum-Netflix show returns for a fourth and final season. These new episodes find the hipsters of Silverlake wrestling with issues of commitment and indecision. At exactly what point should a couple get married? Should someone have children to please a spouse? And exactly how much sex is too much sex? On that last question, Eastsiders spends a lot of time. That deep, penetrating exploration, coupled with a great list of guest stars including Tom Lenk, Hailie Sahar, Traci Lords, Jake Choi and Katya, make the season a very charged send-off.
Streams on Netflix December 1.
The Stuffing: Home for the Holidays
Lesbian director Jodie Foster made her debut with this ensemble comedy about an unemployed, single woman (Holly Hunter) who returns home to spend Thanksgiving with her nutty family. Stuffed with an impressive cast that includes Robert Downey, Jr. (as Hunter’s gay brother), Anne Bancroft, Charles Durning, Claire Danes and Steve Guttenberg, Home for the Holidays captures the affection and friction between loving family members that so often comes in large helpings on Thanksgiving.
Streams on Amazon, YouTube, Vudu & Hulu.
The Yams: Lez Bomb
Writer/director Jenna Lorenzo made her feature debut with this screwball comedy about a woman coming out as gay on Thanksgiving. Somehow, despite bringing her girlfriend home, Lauren (Lorenzo) can’t seem to get the message across to her crazy family. The movie treats Lauren’s coming out with a refreshing matter-of-factness, though the real joy comes from an outstanding supporting cast that includes Steve Guttenberg, Brandon Michael Hall, Kevin Pollack, Bruce Dern & Cloris Leachman. The latter pair manages to steal the movie with their hilarious antics.
Streams on Netflix, YouTube & Amazon.
The “Black” Friday: Orphan Black – The Next Chapter
Anyone wanting something a little disturbing this weekend beyond people camped outside of Target on Thanksgiving Day, give a listen to this official continuation of the popular sci-fi series. The story picks up eight years after the TV series ended, finding the clones fighting to prevent a global disaster. The show began back in September, though we’ve opted to include it now thanks to the presence of queer actor Jordan Gavaris, who lends his voice to a forthcoming episode.
The (Great) Pumpkin Pie: A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
Finally, for a sweet dessert this year, why not stick with a classic. Though not as popular as his Christmas or Halloween offerings, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving finds its titular, angst-ridden character overrun by his friends who crash his Thanksgiving dinner. They’re led, of course by the ever-lesbianic Peppermint Patty (who’s actually voiced by a male actor this time). It’s classic, Americana fun with some very big laughs…and a few warm & fuzzy sighs too.
Streams on Amazon & Vudu.
The Sip: The Pumpkin Spice Martini
For a sweet accent to this year’s Thanksgiving dinner–or just to make eating with Trump-voting relatives palatable–sip on this potent pumpkin potable.
2ouncespumpkin spice vodka
1ounce dark rum
½ouncesHalf and Half
2TBSpumpkin puree
1ounceMaple syrup
¼tspvanilla extract
Mix ingredients in a martini shaker over ice. Shake well. Serve in a martini glass. Optional: add sugar, cinnamon and gram cracker crumbs around the rim.