James Charles speaks out, distances himself from Evan Johnson after abuse verdict

Controversial beauty guru James Charles has publicly distanced himself from fellow influencer Evan Johnson, who was recently convicted of domestic assault. Naturally, social media exploded, because when does it not?

To refresh, on May 7, 2025, Kayla Malec, known for her viral dance videos and unfiltered TikTok content, dropped a bombshell: Her ex-boyfriend Evan Johnson was convicted of domestic assault. The internet collectively gasped—and hit replay.

‘And just like that, justice was served!

According to Malec, the relationship with Johnson wasn’t just toxic—it was criminal. After months of sharing her story and being dismissed as just “another influencer drama,” the truth hit like a plot twist in a Netflix documentary.

Johnson was found guilty, but plot twist number two: no jail time. His sentence? Suspended. Because apparently, in Sumner County, Tennessee, justice sometimes just takes a long coffee break.

“I don’t support him, and I don’t support violence against women!”

As if the scandal wasn’t spicy enough, rumors started flying about James Charles’ supposed connection to Johnson. Twitter detectives, armed with zero facts and a lot of energy drinks, speculated that the two were closer than just “industry acquaintances.”

Charles, probably rolling his eyes while drafting his response, made it crystal clear: there was never a personal relationship with Johnson—no dates, no drama, just a couple of professional interactions.

In true James fashion, he also took a moment to drop a life lesson, reminding fans that he stands firmly against any form of abuse. Considering his track record of controversy, it’s safe to say he wanted to squash this rumor like an expired beauty blender.

Malec’s TikTok victory lap quickly went viral, racking up millions of views faster than a celebrity breakup post. People cheered her on in the comments, showering her with support for standing up and speaking out. After all, nothing says “I’m over you” quite like telling the world your ex is officially a criminal.

Charles’ response, while a bit more PR-polished, was still well-received. With comments like, “This was actually a really good response in my opinion,” and, “he came with ✨RECEIPTS✨”

Others weren’t buying what Charles had to say:

While influencer drama tends to fizzle out, this case has sparked real conversations about abuse and how survivors are often dismissed until something drastic happens. Malec’s courage to speak out—and her ultimate win—feels like a rare victory in the world of social media chaos.