Youtuber and podcaster David Dobrik has officially returned to Youtube after his hiatus amidst the vlog squad controversy.
Dobrik received backlash in March 2021 after a woman came forward saying that she was raped back in 2018 by a member of vlog squad, Dom Zeglaitis, who’s also known as ‘Durte Dom’. Vlog squad was created in 2015 which consists of David Dobrik and his circle of Youtuber friends.
Reports said that the woman under the pseudonym “Hannah” went to the vlog squad’s house to film a video but then was immobilized due to the alcohol supplied by the members of vlog squad. Hannah said that she did not consent on having sex. She and her friend went into a room with Zeglaitis where he raped the woman while other members of the vlog squad listened outside.
The video was entitled ‘SHE SHOULD HAVE NOT PLAYED WITH FIRE!!’ that mentioned the group sex between Zeglaitis, Hannah and her friend. The video gained five million views before being deleted.
Dobrik uploaded an apology video called ‘03/22/21’ addressing the controversies and apologizing to the victim.“I was completely disconnected from the fact that when people were invited to film videos with us, especially videos that relied on shock for views or whatever it was, that I was creating an unfair power dynamic. I did not know this before,” Dobrik said.
Dobrik mentioned in his apology video that he would be taking a break from social media. “ It doesn’t feel right to go back to posting like I have been, it also does not feel right to go dark because I love what I do but I think it is important to show that change is possible and that I’m learning, maybe even forgiveness is possible. I want to use this opportunity to step up and own my mistakes.”
Finally returning online, Dobrik uploaded a new vlog on June 16 called ‘SURPRISING MY FRIENDS!!’ which captured Dobrik’s vacation with his friends in Hawaii. The YouTuber also announced that new vlogs will be uploaded every Tuesday.
Unfortunately, Dobrik’s video did not mention the controversy, as if nothing happened, which left a lot of viewers disappointed.
Some were rejoiced by the comeback of the youtuber.
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