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YouTube Puts Its Star Logan Paul's Content On Hold After He Laughed At A Dead Body Hanging From A Tree
Despite having more than 15 millions of viewers, YouTube removed Logan Paul’s channels from Google Preferred, cut him from season four of "Foursome," and put his new Originals on hold.
Logan Paul is facing consequences after controversy surrounding a video he posted of a suicide victim on his popular YouTube channel. Paul uploaded a video of what appeared to be a man hanging from a tree. As The Hollywood Reporter shares, YouTube has made a statement that it has put original content with Paul on hold and it removed him from its preferred advertiser program.
"In light of recent events, we have decided to remove Logan Paul’s channels from Google Preferred," shared a YouTube spokeswoman in a statement. "Additionally, we will not feature Logan in season four of ‘Foursome’ and his new Originals are on hold."
As previously reported, Paul filmed a video in Japan's Aokigahara Forest, known as the suicide forest, that showed the body of a man who had committed suicide. The video generated widespread controversy for being perceived as exploitative and insensitive to issues of mental and emotional illness.
"Our hearts go out to the family of the person featured in the video," YouTube said following the video. "YouTube prohibits violent or gory content posted in a shocking, sensational or disrespectful manner. If a video is graphic, it can only remain on the site when supported by appropriate educational or documentary information, and in some cases it will be age-gated. We partner with safety groups such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to provide educational resources that are incorporated in our YouTube Safety Center."
Paul, who has over 15 million subscribers on YouTube, deleted the video. He then issued two apologies and shared that he is currently taking a hiatus from vlogging to "take time to reflect."
YouTube's removal of Paul from its preferred advertiser program is expected to have financial repercussions to his channel. The company shared that he has one strike against him. Aside from limiting its partnership with Paul, it's unclear what this means for his own original content in the long run. As The Telegraph reported, Paul's other Japan-related content has earned him upwards of $90,000. The suicide video was removed and thus not monetized. Following backlash from fans that YouTube needs to take a harder stance on Paul's content, YouTube said it is looking into "further consequences" and taking steps "to ensure a video like this is never circulated again."
[Photo: Getty Images]
