Michelle Phan Is Back on YouTube. People Aren't Buying It.

Could you forgive and forget if it was for someone who brought so much joy to you in your early days? Michelle Phan is a name that brings much nostalgia to fans who followed her journey sixteen years ago. She was so loved and successful, hitting the double digit millions—so why did she disappear from YouTube during her prime days? Michelle has been called out for her questionable actions throughout the years . . .

What happened to Michelle Phan and where is she now?

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[Media]

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[aleksandramomcilovic]

Michelle is the reason that I put some shimmery eyesadow in the inner corners of my eye every day for a long time...

[JessiSmiley]

Michelle was the first YouTuber I followed. I discovered her when i was 9. I'm 23 now she was literally my whole youth

[Azenithf]

I genuinely hand on heart feel so bad for her. Not only did she have to navigate the very new and unwalked path of an influencer, she also was very young and did not have the support system she clearly needed. It's easy for ppl behind the screens to criticise but even with all that money ppl will never truly understand the pressures and mental strain this could have on you. Not everyone can handle it and michelle looks like she's truly struggling and trying desperately to find her way out.

[gyarugals]

Let's be honest we have all done something that we could get canceled for

[IcideBunny]

crazy to see what type of makeup looks were considered innovative back in the day

[Kata_Rin]

As a Vietnamese person myself I have to say that the definition of “Em” you provided doesn’t always stand. We mainly refer to ourselves in third-person in Vietnamese so “Em” can mean “you”, “I”, “she”, “he”…. it is just a word used to refer to someone younger than you, or it can be used as a word to refer to yourself if you are younger than the person you’re talking to. It can also be used as a word to refer to kids, little brothers or sisters, or a female significant other (from the perspective of her male significant other). I’m not entirely sure of the definition Michelle meant to highlight, but that’s sort of a rough picture of how I know the word to be used.

[Falany]

I remember watching her 2010 to 2016ish, she was one of the main reasons I started to experiment more with my makeup. Sad to hear she's gone so off the rails with all the pseudoscience stuff

[momiji]

Whatever people feel about her, her grit is insane. She rose to the top despite being a minority. She also doesn't strike me as a jealous person, seeing as how she helped out her sister in law and embraced her unknown half sister that went looking for her. I want to give her credit where it's due despite whatever the heck she believes. But this is why everyone should pay attention in school so not to fall for pseudoscience! Talking back to the teacher saying "oh where would we ever use this irl?" this is why!! Lol

[JudyTheAlien]

I’m all for calling her out for toxic behavior. But most of these feel like internet takes.

[annabethsmith-kingsley]

She sounds like a normal person with a bunch of random opinions, like anybody else, and the internet did its thing and picked apart everything she ever said. The younger generations are godless nihilists and yet, very judgemental about everything: it's a jarring juxtaposition.

[echoi]

It’s crazy to see how much time has flown and how much has changed. I remember watching her videos back in 2008 in my college dorm - she literally taught me how to do makeup. I quickly became a huge fan, especially with the lack of Asian representation at that time in media. I purchased some of her Em custom palettes and lipsticks, and even subscribed to Ipsy for several years before ownership got transferred from Michelle. I even applied to her Electric Zoo contest I think back in 2010. Those were the good days!

[babyqeels]

One of my biggest issues is her saying that she hadn’t seen a doctor about her mental health issues in 2017, and then in 2020 saying she had to resort to alternative medicine due to “limited resources”. It’s possible that in those three years Michelle started going to the doctor regularly, but I just find that hard to believe. I know lots of people turn to more “natural” options when therapy, medications, etc don’t work for them, but I’m wondering if Michelle even tried seeing real doctors first tbh

[ediesaffron]

I personally think Michelle is incredibly talented, smart, creative and very driven. Unfortunately the internet is so insanely toxic & with a platform like hers there’s no way to please everyone. No matter what she does there’s always going to be someone out there that doesn’t agree or someone that she offends. It’s sad how cruel we are to one another on the internet. I don’t know how influencers stay sane & I honestly feel bad for her.

[caffieneaddict]

So I definitely do not appreciate the pseudoscience, but I also feel like Michelle is not a bad person. I remember all those old videos. I think she definitely needs help and perhaps it is time for her to leave the internet, or take time to see what she ultimately want to do. Best of wishes for her.

[SaraDemler]

Nooo not Michelle 😩 I loved her and she was one of, if not the first beauty "influencer" back when there wasn't a beauty community. I used to use her diy treatments and her make-up advice.

[chimeiamv]

I have been watching her since she was still using IQQU acne serum on every video and I used to ask my mom to let me get some. It's a good thing she didn't when I later heard about how unregulated IQQU was.

[theaubingirl]

You're actually beating her up for approaching strangers and sitting with them??? You serious?

[cutieologist]

Wow that's crazy. I discovered Late Night Alumni through watching her videos and have loved their music ever since. I had no idea there was a lawsuit 💀

[saafiiiraa]

Nobody would be able to withstand the scrutiny of today. It's ridiculous. People live for cancelling other people - and it's a bleeping shame.

[Babyturkey]

I love Jenna Marbles! She's really the only creator who took accountability and removed herself. Hope she is doing well! 🥰