James Charles apologises again over spirit airlines rant backlash

James Charles issues new apology over spirit airlines backlash and announces initiative after viral controversy

Beauty influencer James Charles has issued a fresh apology after facing renewed backlash over a viral rant involving Spirit Airlines employees, while also announcing a new initiative in response to the controversy.

The 27-year-old addressed the situation in a more than seven-minute TikTok video posted over the weekend, reflecting on comments made in a now-deleted clip that sparked widespread criticism online.

In the original video, Charles reacted to a message allegedly sent by a former Spirit Airlines employee who had requested support through a GoFundMe link. His comments, which included calling the individual a “lazy piece of s–t,” quickly went viral and prompted significant backlash across social media platforms.

not james charles apologizing AGAIN😭 pic.twitter.com/WuesD8LiGr

— 𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗻𝘆🫧💚 (@beyoncegarden) May 23, 2026

In his latest statement, Charles said the original post was “awful” and “completely unnecessary,” acknowledging that there was “no excuse” for his behaviour. He admitted that seeing repeated clips of the video circulating online contributed to his decision to respond again.

“I f–ked up. Point blank, period,” he said, adding that his initial reaction was impulsive and inappropriate.

Charles also acknowledged that his previous apology came only after sustained public criticism, stating that backlash played a role in forcing him to reassess the situation. He further revealed that he had privately apologised to the individual involved and made donations to affected employees through GoFundMe campaigns linked to Spirit Airlines’ financial difficulties.

Reflecting on the controversy, Charles said he has spent the past two weeks educating himself about job insecurity and economic hardship, noting that he had become disconnected from everyday struggles due to his influencer lifestyle.

He concluded by emphasising the need to better use his platform moving forward, acknowledging his privilege and expressing a commitment to more responsible content in the future.