OMGYoung Hollywood Scandals From 2021: The ‘Drivers License’ Drama, Vlog Squad Controversy and More

The ‘Drivers License’ Drama

New year, new drama! The start of 2021 brought the “Drivers License” drama surrounding Olivia, Joshua and Sabrina. Each star acknowledged the rumors in multiple interviews throughout the year, with Joshua noting to GQ in December that “[Rodrigo] hasn’t spoken to me since ‘Drivers License’ came out.”

Bryce Hall and Addison Rae’s 2nd Split

After a relationship filled with ups and downs, the TikTok stars called it quits one final time in February. Their downfall started with rumors swirling online that Bryce had cheated on Addison, which he later denied.

“I never cheated on Addison,” he said in a YouTube video titled “We Broke Up,” which was uploaded on March 25. “Addison and I broke up about a month ago and kept everything semi-private on social media … both of us are going through a s–t ton of things right now behind-the-scenes that we don’t necessarily comfortably want to talk about, to a camera especially. With all that stress we’ve mutually decided that it would be best if we parted ways.”

The Vlog Squad Controversy

The Vlog Squad founder lost sponsorships and brand deals in March following misconduct allegations. At the time, a woman — who has remained anonymous and was 20 years old at the time — claimed that she was sexually assaulted by Dominykas Zeglaitis (otherwise known as “Durte Dom”) in a since-deleted vlog from 2018, titled “SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE PLAYED WITH FIRE!!”

The woman retold her story to Insider, claiming that she was unable to give consent during the incident with Dom because she was under the influence of alcohol, which was allegedly provided by the Vlog Squad. David Dobrik addressed the situation in two videos. The first, uploaded on March 17, received backlash from fans. In the second, shared on March 23, he apologized further.

“I have put myself in a lot of situations where I have needed to apologize for my past actions, and I have never done this correctly and never done this respectfully,” the internet personality said. “My last video is a testament to that. I don’t want to defend that video; I don’t want to delete that video.”

He went on to apologize for posting the 2018 video even though he had received consent from the woman at the time.

“Even though I got the consent to post the video, I should have never posted it,” David said. “I didn’t know what was going on in that room, and I should have been making sure everybody involved was taken care of and wasn’t uncomfortable.”

Dom, for his part, denied the allegations via Instagram Stories in April. Months later, in September, he addressed them further in a YouTube video.

“I thought that by us filming this video, it was just another fun, stupid vlog, and that everything would be fine, nobody was harmed. I was wrong. It impacted these girls, and it’s gonna follow them for their whole lives,” he said in his YouTube video. “I know what we did that night wasn’t right. We shouldn’t have filmed that video. We shouldn’t have put you guys in that position.”

The TikTok Relationship Drama

In March, TikTok star Mads Lewis accused fellow internet personality Nessa Barrett of stealing her ex-boyfriend Jaden Hossler in a since-deleted TikTok video. At the time, Josh Richards — Nessa’s ex and Jaden’s former best friend — said that “the truth is going to come out” during an episode of the “BFFs” podcast.

“First, I want to say, I’m always going to be that guy that wants to believe my best friend … because exes do crazy ass s–t,” Josh explained, referring to Mads’ claims. “But also, a guy gets jealous. I f–king love Jaden, I know he wouldn’t do anything.”

On April 7, Josh addressed the situation on a separate episode of the podcast, noting that he and Nessa — who were previously on a break — had “broken up.” He made it clear that it wasn’t because of the rumors. Amid the relationship drama, Mads appeared on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast to tell her side of the story, revealing that when she and Jaden broke up, the “Angels and Demons” singer told her that he had started to develop feelings for Nessa. After Nessa and Jaden officially started dating, Josh addressed the entire situation one final time.

“I’m moving on from it. They’re moving their way,” Josh said on the April 14 episode of the “BFFs” podcast. “I wish the best. That’s that.”

Demi Lovato’s Frozen Yogurt Controversy

Demi Lovato called out the L.A.-based frozen yogurt shop The Bigg Chill in June after a “triggering” experience in the store. The Disney Channel alum referred to the store as “diet culture vultures” after they marketed some foods as “sugar-free.”

“Finding it extremely hard to order froyo from @thebiggchillofficial when you have to walk past tons of sugar-free cookies/other diet foods before you get to the counter,” Demi shared in their initial message. In their own Instagram Story post, The Bigg Chill explained, “We carry items for Diabetics, Celiac disease, Vegan and of course have many indulgent items as well.”

Then, Demi shared apparent screenshots of their conversation with the store via Instagram DMs. “You can find a way to provide an inviting environment for all people with different needs. Including eating disorders — one of the deadliest mental illnesses only second to [opioid] overdoses,” their message read. “Don’t make excuses, just do better.”

They went on to suggest ways for The Bigg Chill to clarify their messaging. Demi explained, “When it’s not super clear, the messaging gets confusing and being in L.A. it’s really hard to distinguish diet culture vs health needs.”

Eventually, Demi posted an Instagram video apologizing for the entire situation. They later reflected on the controversy during a June installment of the Audacy Check In.

“It was me talking about something I was very passionate about pertaining to the diet culture and I realized that because I was so passionate … I let my emotions get the best of me and it didn’t allow me to explain where I was coming from as easily as it would have been on a podcast,” Demi shared.

Little Mix Appears to Shade Jesy Nelson

Jesy Nelson, who announced her departure from Little Mix in December 2020, spoke about her relationship with Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall during an October interview with Glamour U.K. At the time, Jesy said that she had no contact with the rest of the band since leaving the group.

“I haven’t spoken to the girls,” she shared. “It is weird because for so many years we were as close as sisters, together every hour of the day for weeks, sharing beds, laughing, crying just 24/7 the four of us together and then … Nothing.”

Days later, Jesy debuted her solo career on October 8 with the single “Boyz,” featuring Nicki Minaj. Following the song’s release, fans accused the singer of “Blackfishing” in the music video — which she addressed during an interview with Vulture. Around the same time, eagle-eyed fans were quick to notice that Perrie, Leigh-Anne and Jade appeared to unfollow Jesy on social media. Later that same month, both Jesy and the remaining Little Mix members addressed the apparent feud.

“We’re not talking anymore,” Jesy said on the Graham Norton Show. “It is sad, but honestly there is no bad blood from my side. I still love them to pieces and genuinely wish them all the best.”

Jade told The Telegraph: “We don’t want to talk about the video, or be critical, but one thing we will clarify regarding the blackfishing situation is that Jesy was approached by the group in a very friendly, educational manner.”

The Zayn Malik, Gigi and Yolanda Hadid Drama

On October 28, Zayn Malik took to Twitter and addressed a reported altercation in which he allegedly “struck” Yolanda Hadid.

“As you all know I am a private person and I very much want to create a safe and private space for my daughter to grow up in,” he wrote in part. “A place where private family matters aren’t thrown on the world stage for all to poke and pick apart. In an effort to protect that space for her, I agreed to not contest claims arising from an argument I had with a family member of my partner’s who entered our home while my partner was away several weeks ago.”

He further denied the claims in a separate statement to TMZ on October 28.

“I adamantly deny striking Yolanda Hadid and for the sake of my daughter I decline to give any further details and I hope that Yolanda will reconsider her false allegations and move towards healing these family issues in private,” the musician’s statement read.

According to court documents obtained by J-14 at the time, Zayn pleaded no contest to four counts of summary harassment on October 29. The docs claimed he “shoved” Yolanda following an incident that took place in September. He was put on 360 days of probation (90 for each count), and was also ordered to stay away from Yolanda and complete an anger management class. Following the alleged incident, Us Weekly confirmed that Zayn and Gigi Hadid had split.