Jake Paul finally addresses Logan Paul controversy
After more than three weeks and 20 vlog uploads, YouTuber Jake Paul has finally addressed the controversy surrounding his brother Logan Paul's suicide video. He did it near the end of a roughly 13-minute video titled: "YouTube, Let’s Talk About Brother Logan Paul."
Let's be clear: Jake is using his brother's controversy for clicks here. If he sincerely wanted to address the issue, he would have jumped to the case and demonetized the video. Instead, the first 11 minutes of the vlog are spent in typical Jake Paul fashion: joking, pranking, and in general, hanging out with his friends.
Finally, at the 11 minute mark, Jake addresses the issues.
"I wanted to let the situation have some time to breathe," Jake says. "I know Logan was going through a lot and everyone was talking about it. It didn't feel right to comment on it right away. But as his brother and as someone who knows Logan the best, I do feel its necessary to say something about it."
"I think what Logan did was very, very, very, very wrong, and he made a huge mistake," Jake said in the video. "And not only is he paying for it, but he is learning from it. I think that in no way, shape, or form is suicide a joke or should be made fun of in any, shape, or form ... I don't think it's right what he did at all."
Jake then goes on to defend his brother, saying, "He did not mean to offend anyone, and I can tell when he's like, in shock ... he didn't handle the situation the right way but I know in the back of his head he didn't mean to offend or hurt anybody, or create such a big frustration. And he is honestly, truly, truly sorry."
Jake ended his message with a little hope for the Logang, suggesting Logan's return will be sooner rather than later.
"For the Logang and all of his supporters and stuff ... since he is that strong person he is going to learn from his mistakes, which he has, and be able to bounce back. I know you guys are going to support him along the way, just like I am," Jake said before telling Logan he loved him.
For those out of the loop, Logan became the center of a YouTube controversy after releasing a vlog in which he and his friends went "ghost hunting" in Japan's Aokigahara forest, which is also known as the "suicide forest." During the video, Logan and his crew discover the body of a man who died by suicide. Logan uploads video footage of the encounter with the body prominently featured on the video's thumbnail.
Logan later removed the video after backlash. YouTube followed up on the controversy by taking his channel off the Google Preferred ad network (essentially reducing his payout per video) and canceling some of its original series with the YouTuber.
Logan says he's taking some time off to reflect, but if Jake's video is any indication, he'll be back to vlogging pretty soon.
UPDATE: Jan. 22, 2018, 8:59 p.m. PST In the YouTube description, Jake states he will give "all proceeds of this video" to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
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