PewDiePie Mocking Deaf Woman Controversy

About

PewDiePie Mocking Deaf Woman Controversy refers to YouTuber PewDiePie receiving backlash for mocking the sign language of a deaf TikToker named Scarlet May (@scarlet_may.1) within a "TikTok cringe" reaction video that he posted in late July 2022. After making fun of her hand movements, long nails and speech, the controversy started on Twitter after users highlighted his inclusion of the clip. Soon after, PewDiePie edited the clip out of the original video and issued a response and apology, claiming that he didn't realize she was deaf or doing sign language. Many still labeled it a microaggression against Black and "POC" feminity continuing to attempt to cancel him, while some deemed it a simple mistake.

History

On June 26th, 2022, PewDiePie uploaded a YouTube^[1] video titled "My Dog Cringes at TikToks.." Within it, he and his pet pug watch and react to perceivably cringy TikTok videos. The Youtube video received roughly 1.8 million views and 176,000 likes in two days (shown below).

One of the TikToks that PewDiePie reacted to in the video was posted by deaf TikToker^[2] scarlet_may.1 on July 18th, 2022, wherein, she told a humorous story about going to the drive-thru. In 11 days, the TikTok received roughly 2.3 million plays and 473,800 likes (shown below, left).

PewDiePie's reaction centered on May's "crazy nails" and hand movements. He stopped the video before the TikTok finished and then mimicked her hand movements with the paws of his dog while doing a silly voice. On July 27th, TikToker matt_thee_rat posted a video (since deleted) that included this clip, levying backlash at PewDiePie regarding his insensitivity. Matt_thee_rat's TikTok was deleted 24 hours later, however, users like TikToker^[3] crybabyjournalz2.0 posted a stitch with the original video before it was deleted (shown below, right).

Later on July 27th, 2022, Twitter^[4] user Iced_Exponet attached matt_thee_rat's TikTok in a tweet, captioning it, "Not Pewdiepie making fun of a deaf woman???" and earning roughly 30,200 likes and 1.2 million views in less than a day (shown below).

Not Pewdiepie making fun of a deaf woman??? pic.twitter.com/sugizTcosx

— 𝑰𝒄𝒆𝒅 (@Iced_Exponet) July 27, 2022

Due to the attention that the aforementioned tweet received, May's TikTok followers started commenting on her videos, wanting to know what she thought about PewDiePie's comments. On July 27th, May posted a TikTok^[5] that acted as her response, saying that it was "very weird and very unnecessary," but also that she's "very used to it." In less than a day, the TikTok received roughly 1.9 million plays and 489,300 likes (shown below).

Twitter^[6] user Iced_Exponet tweeted Scarlet May's response TikTok^[5] on the same day that it was posted, captioning it, "She responded," and earning roughly 21,600 likes and 347,500 views in less than a day.

Later on July 27th, PewDiePie posted a comment underneath his original YouTube^[1] video, claiming that he "edited out the clip with the girl that has the long nails. Had no clue she was deaf, but kinda dumb of me to not realize." He went on to write, "Still watching through the clip I only poked fun of her long nails. The voice I did for my dog is the same voice I've given her for years." Ultimately, he edited out the controversial clip from the video, leaving the rest of it intact. In less than a day, PewDiePie's comment received roughly 4,200 likes (shown below).

Reactions

On July 28th, 2022, Twitter^[7] user wafflepug defended PewDiePie in a reply that attached a screenshot of his YouTube comment. They wrote in the tweet's caption, "He responded. Instead of canceling people without context try watching his content and you'll find he is a very wholesome creator." In less than a day, the tweet received roughly 4,800 likes (shown below, left).

However, there were also internet users who did not accept PewDiePies' explanation and apology. This was predominantly based on PewDiePie's position as a white man exploiting signifiers of feminine Black and "POC" culture, labeling them as "cringe." For instance, on July 27th, Twitter^[8] user kenthota posted a tweet with a similar sentiment, earning roughly 1,200 likes in a day (shown below, right).

Various Reactions

Search Interest

External References