'I don’t accept it': Spirit Airlines worker exposes James Charles’ private apology

James Charles faces backlash again after the Spirit Airlines worker he mocked rejected his private apology

James Charles is facing another wave of backlash after the former Spirit Airlines employee at the center of his viral GoFundMe controversy shared the influencer’s alleged private apology message, and made it clear she “does not accept it.”

The beauty YouTuber first sparked outrage earlier this week after posting a now-deleted video responding to Amber Lendof Vargas, a recently laid-off Spirit Airlines worker who had allegedly sent him a GoFundMe link asking for financial help. In the clip, Charles harshly criticized Amber and told her to “get another job,” before escalating the rant even further.

“You know what else would help you? Getting another job. Try that,” Charles said in the video. “You didn’t because you’re a lazy piece of s--- and you’re entitled and you think influencers and celebrities should fund your life for you.”

The comments quickly went viral across TikTok, X, and Reddit, with many users accusing Charles of being insensitive and “wildly out of touch” amid ongoing layoffs affecting thousands of Spirit Airlines employees. As criticism intensified, Charles deleted the video and later posted a public apology, calling his remarks “stupid,” “obnoxious,” “rude,” and “privileged.”

However, the controversy reignited after Amber posted her own response on TikTok overnight, revealing what appeared to be a direct message apology from Charles himself. In the alleged message, the influencer apologized for his “disgraceful and completely unnecessary” comments and admitted he was ashamed of how he handled the situation.

“I’m so sorry for adding to what was already a distressing time,” the message read. “I’m so ashamed not only [of] the video, but also for being so disgustingly out of touch.”

Charles also reportedly told Amber he had been “reading stories from real people about what it’s actually like losing a job” and claimed he donated to her original GoFundMe campaign. He concluded the message by saying he understood if she never wanted to hear from him again and wished her the best moving forward.

But Amber made it clear the apology did little to change her feelings about the situation.

“I do not accept his apology,” she said in her TikTok response. “Hell no, especially because he was very public with what he said, and thought it was ok to message me privately.”

She later added: “Some damage doesn’t disappear just because you finally feel guilty. I heard the apology. I just don’t accept it.”

https://x.com/PopBase/status/2055055362269888730?s=20

The renewed controversy has once again placed Charles at the center of online criticism, with social media users debating whether his apology was genuine or simply damage control after the backlash spiraled. Many commenters defended Amber’s response, arguing that public humiliation followed by a private apology felt insufficient given how widely the original rant spread online.

The latest backlash adds to a long list of controversies that have followed Charles throughout his internet career, including multiple public feuds, allegations surrounding inappropriate messaging scandals, and repeated online backlash campaigns that have made him one of YouTube’s most polarizing influencers.