Several brands have severed ties with YouTube star David Dobrik following allegations of misconduct.
Dávid Julián Dobrík is a United States-based YouTuber, comedian, actor and podcaster of Slovak nationality, and the creator of the Dispo app. He found early success on the video-sharing platform Vine, before starting his vlog on his YouTube channel in 2015.
The Allegations
On March 16, Business Insider published an interview with a woman – who spoke on condition of anonymity – and said she met several members of the Vlog Squad, including David and Dominykas Zeglaitis, in November 2018 at the age of 20.
In the interview, the woman said David filmed her and Dominykas into the bedroom, where she and Dominykas had sex. However, she further explained that she was too drunk to give permission/consent.
According to Business Insider, a YouTube video, titled, “SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE PLAYED WITH FIRE!!,” was uploaded days after the alleged incident occurred. At the woman’s request, the video was later deleted.
At this point, the Dominykas is no longer affiliated with the Vlog Squad. E! News reached out to him for comment on March 16 and we have yet to receive a response.
What Are The Brands Saying?
Before David made a public appearance the same day as allegations on the day the Business Insider article was published, his lawyer told E! News, “David will be addressing his community directly. Anyone who knows him knows he does not condone misconduct in any form. Vlog participants provide consent before anything is posted. Whenever consent is retracted, posts are removed. Any insinuation of wrongdoing is inaccurate and defamatory.”
However, following the Business Insider issue, several brands have announced that they will no longer be working with David.
On Friday, March 19, a DoorDash spokesman told E! News, “DoorDash strongly condemns the behavior of members of the Vlog Squad, and we have discontinued our sponsorship of the David Dobrik ‘Views’ podcast. This horrific misconduct is incongruous with DoorDash’s values and does not represent the communities we strive to create. Our thoughts are with all those impacted.”
In addition, a HelloFresh spokesman shared a statement with E! News on Saturday, March 20. “We can confirm that we are no longer working with David Dobrik or any member of the Vlog Squad,” said his message, “and we have no plans to work with them again in the future.”
“We are aware of the allegations against David Dobrik. We haven’t worked with David since April 2020 and can confirm we are not currently working with him nor do we have any plans to in future,” an EA Sports spokesperson said in a statement to E! News on March 20. “We expect any influencer or celebrity talent we work with to conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with EA’s values and policies.”
Dollar Shave Club told The New York Times they were also ending their partnerships with David.
“We’ve made the decision to end our relationship and cancel all planned activity,” a representative for Dollar Shave Club told the publication.
SeatGeek, the ticketing company that advertises with David, told Business Insider it was “reviewing” its partnership with the YouTuber.
E! News reached out to the Dollar Shave Club and SeatGeek on Saturday, March 20 for comment and has yet to receive a response.
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