Shane Dawson

Shane Lee Yaw was born in Long Beach, California, on July 19, 1988.{{Cite web |date=June 30, 2010 |title=Shane Dawson: life beneath the wigs – Long Beach Current |url=https://lbcurrent.com/uncategorized/2010/06/30/shane-dawson-life-beneath-the-wigs/ |access-date=February 2, 2025 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Leskin |first=Paige |title=The rise of Shane Dawson, the veteran YouTuber who's been embroiled in multiple controversies and is worth an estimated $12 million |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/shane-dawson-net-worth-youtube-career-chuck-e-cheese-controversies-2019-9#the-youtuber-was-born-as-shane-yaw-on-july-19-1988-in-long-beach-california-1 |access-date=February 2, 2025 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}} He has two older brothers named Jacob (b. 1980) and Jerid (b. 1985), and the three grew up in a low-income household headed by their single mother, Teresa.{{Cite web |last=Dawson |first=Shane |date=March 5, 2011 |title=BORN THIS WAY in LONG BEACH!meow |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NyjCnLwji4&feature=channel_video_title |access-date=March 6, 2011 |via=YouTube |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054625/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NyjCnLwji4&feature=channel_video_title |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=DRAW MY LIFE – Shane Dawson |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-F72tFju90 |access-date=November 15, 2016 |via=YouTube |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160612101614/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-F72tFju90 |archive-date=June 12, 2016 |url-status=live }}{{unreliable source?|date=August 2019}} He was educated in Lakewood, California, graduating from Lakewood High School in 2006. He was bullied for his weight in school; he later lost {{convert|150|lb}} in adulthood. He first became interested in making videos when he would hand in videos for school projects with his friends.

File:Dawson 2010 (Cropped).jpg in 2010]]

On March 10, 2008, Dawson made his YouTube channel, called "ShaneDawsonTV". The earliest video that remains on the channel, "Kermit the Frog and Me" was uploaded about 4 months later. When he first began making videos, he worked at Jenny Craig along with his mother and brother, but was fired in August 2008 after he uploaded a video of himself pole dancing in the building he worked at and for showing before-and-after photos of clients, saying that "all these people gain their weight back."{{Citation|title=From Fame To Shame – Shane Dawson's Story (Shane Yaw)| date=August 28, 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_2pQzD-Nk0| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211113/p_2pQzD-Nk0| archive-date=November 13, 2021 | url-status=live|language=en|access-date=October 14, 2021}}{{cbignore}} (at 7:45). The video also included clips of his co-workers reading inappropriate passages of a book by Jenny Craig spokesperson Valerie Bertinelli. His mother, brother and about six other coworkers who appeared in the video also were fired after the company saw the video.{{Cite web |last=Ferguson |first=Wes |date=April 13, 2012 |title=Shane Dawson Reveals Downside to Internet Fame |url=http://www.celebuzz.com/2012-04-13/shane-dawson-reveals-downside-to-internet-fame/ |access-date=February 18, 2017 |publisher=celebuzz |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820213941/http://www.celebuzz.com/2012-04-13/shane-dawson-reveals-downside-to-internet-fame/ |archive-date=August 20, 2016 |url-status=live }} In September, he uploaded a video called "Fred is Dead!", which has since received over 25 million views.{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NLXlZivlyA |title=FRED IS DEAD! |date=September 12, 2008 |last=Shane Dawson TV |via=YouTube |access-date=August 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006175522/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NLXlZivlyA |archive-date=October 6, 2019 |url-status=live }} During this time, Shane performed as a number of "drug-addled, often drunk, cultural stereotype characters" in his skits, including: "ghetto girl" Shanaynay, "Ned the Nerd", gangster "S-Deezy", "Barb the Lesbian", a football jock/bully (who is a closeted homosexual), the jock's insecure girlfriend (who thinks she is overweight), a "fashionably bulimic" high school girl (whose finger is her "best friend" to aid in self-induced vomiting), "Aunt Hilda" (portrayed with a thick "New York-Jewish" accent), gothic girls, "trans" characters, and "Guadalupe"/"Fruit Lupe" (a Mexican with stereotyped chola accent).{{Cite news |last=Dachille |first=Arielle |date=September 26, 2014 |title=I Don't Buy This Shane Dawson Apology |work=Bustle |url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/41633-youtube-star-shane-dawson-apologizes-for-racist-videos-im-not-buying-it-video |access-date=August 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703152835/https://www.bustle.com/articles/41633-youtube-star-shane-dawson-apologizes-for-racist-videos-im-not-buying-it-video |archive-date=July 3, 2019 |url-status=live }}

Dawson would also, in skits where he was playing himself, portray either fictional or exaggerated versions of his own "relatives" and family members. One video sees Dawson pretending to be a high school student and the struggles of feigning "illness" to avoid attending school for a day. The same video sees him wearing a bright-red wig, red lipstick and matching red bathrobe to portray his "mother", an alcoholic, "Southern", lazy and semi-abusive character. When she forces Dawson to attend school, she sends him out the door by saying "Later, faggot!" Despite Dawson's own bisexuality and homosexual marriage, these instances of gay slurs drew some criticism at the time; his actual mother (who later appears in several videos) bears no comparison to this character. He also drew some criticism for portraying a pre-op transgender female character, who appeared in a skit about speed dating; the bulk of the character's appearances consisted of such lines as "I'm sick of this penis! Chop it off!" and explaining "and that's how they're going to turn my penis into a clitoris." At that point, Dawson (portraying himself) is seen turning to the side and vomiting, profusely.

Dawson occasionally posts new videos on his channel "ShaneDawsonTV" (mainly short web films, music video parodies, film trailer parodies, and original music) and formerly posted other videos on his second channel "ShaneDawsonTV2", now called "Human Emoji"; however, the use of this channel has mostly been discontinued as of 2012. His third and main YouTube channel, Shane, is where he previously posted vlogs, and now posts original content Mondays through Fridays. He began using this channel in May 2010. In November 2009, Dawson was featured on Attack of the Show!.{{Cite web |last=Dalonzo |first=Michael |date=November 5, 2009 |title=Shane Dawson's Comedy Sketches on YouTube |url=http://g4tv.com/attackoftheshow/whoswhoonyoutube/66741/Shane-Dawsons-Comedy-Sketches-on-YouTube.html |access-date=April 17, 2010 |website=Attack of the Show! |publisher=G4 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926190717/http://g4tv.com/attackoftheshow/whoswhoonyoutube/66741/Shane-Dawsons-Comedy-Sketches-on-YouTube.html |archive-date=September 26, 2017 |url-status=live }} In 2010, Forbes magazine named him their 25th most famous web celebrity.{{Cite magazine |last=Ewalt |first=David M. |date=February 2, 2010 |title=The Web Celeb 25 |url=https://www.forbes.com/2010/02/02/web-celebrities-internet-thought-leaders-2010.html |magazine=Forbes |access-date=April 17, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420194639/http://www.forbes.com/2010/02/02/web-celebrities-internet-thought-leaders-2010.html |archive-date=April 20, 2010 |url-status=live }}

On August 11, 2010, Dawson announced that he was making a 30-minute pilot called SD High. Previously, the funding he needed for the pilot was provided by digital media group Take180 after he helped them out with acting in their own videos.{{Cite web |title=WIZARDS OF SD HIGH?! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rqvxqu049AY |access-date=November 8, 2010 |via=YouTube |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101103131544/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rqvxqu049AY |archive-date=November 3, 2010 |url-status=live }} The pilot is based on two videos which Dawson uploaded to his main channel in Summer 2010. The story centered around a teenage boy in school and his interactions with the other characters. The pilot's release date was set towards the end of September 2010 on his main YouTube Channel, however Dawson later announced that he had been contacted by a television studio to produce the pilot for their TV channel(s).{{Cite web |last=Dawson |first=Shane |date=September 15, 2010 |title=Taylor Lautner In My Room?! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoV-lDDHNn0 |access-date=September 15, 2010 |via=YouTube |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101208052844/http://www.youtube.com//watch?v=OoV-lDDHNn0 |archive-date=December 8, 2010 |url-status=live }}

File:Shane Dawson (7492069694) (cropped).jpg 2012]]

According to Dawson, there is some uncertainty involving the pilot, however it may be a TV show in the future.{{Cite web |last=stirfryTV |date=September 25, 2010 |title=SHANE DAWSON in the YouTube Spotlight |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=iv&annotation_id=annotation_798357&v=0vlHLPwlV2o |access-date=September 25, 2010 |via=YouTube |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100929070105/http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=iv&v=0vlHLPwlV2o&annotation_id=annotation_798357 |archive-date=September 29, 2010 |url-status=live }} On March 26, 2011, Dawson uploaded a video to YouTube explaining to his audience that he was working with Happy Madison Productions, Sony Pictures, and some other YouTubers including TheFineBros and BrittaniLouiseTaylor to create the television show.{{Cite web |last=ShaneDawsonTV |date=March 26, 2011 |title=Teens Gone Wild in 'SD High'! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqFOTUoWpzQ |access-date=March 26, 2011 |via=YouTube |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110329010835/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqFOTUoWpzQ |archive-date=March 29, 2011 |url-status=live }}

In January 2012, Dawson stated in a video that he was now working on a new television show, which would be semi-based on his life working at a Weight Loss center. He stated that he would be pitching the show soon, and that he was "really excited" for it, and stated the show was "kind of like Arrested Development, but – not."{{Cite web |title=shane |url=https://www.youtube.com/shane#p/u/0/Rap7P_FwTxs |access-date=September 6, 2013 |via=YouTube |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130903023139/http://www.youtube.com/shane#p/u/0/Rap7P_FwTxs |archive-date=September 3, 2013 |url-status=live }} On May 16, 2012, Dawson revealed in a vlog that he was working on a comedy-horror film, explaining that he wanted to write "something like a teen comedy", however that the film would be "scary and fun". Dawson revealed in November 2012 that he was in negotiations to direct a feature-length film.{{Cite web |date=November 17, 2012 |title=SUPER SWEET 16 *SPOOF*! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLCRCAimdcU&feature=channel&list=UL |access-date=September 6, 2013 |via=YouTube |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517043853/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLCRCAimdcU&feature=channel&list=UL |archive-date=May 17, 2014 |url-status=live }} In 2012, Dawson revealed in a vlog that he was working on a music project. In March 2012, Dawson revealed that his debut mainstream single, "Superluv!" would be released that month. The song was released on March 31, 2012, on iTunes, with an accompanying music video debuting on his YouTube channel on the same day. The song managed to chart at 87 in Ireland, 16 on the UK Indie Chart, 163 on the UK Singles Chart and reached the 28th spot on the US iTunes Pop Chart.

On May 8, 2012, Dawson revealed in a video that he has begun working on his next original song, which is tentatively titled "The Vacation Song". He previewed about 10 seconds of the "rough edit" of the song, and stated that he was going to change the mood of the song, saying, "Right now, it's a little too happy, because it's a breakup song. I want it to be more like Kelly Clarkson's 'Since U Been Gone'." He stated that the song would "hopefully" be released by the beginning of June 2012.{{Cite web |title=MY BREAK UP SONG! (Hang With Shane : Day 90) |via = YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9zx8JIq5hI&feature=channel&list=UL |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517044130/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9zx8JIq5hI&feature=channel&list=UL |archive-date=May 17, 2014 |access-date=November 12, 2013}} The song was released on June 23, 2012, with the music video being released a week later.

In October 2012, a film called Smiley was released to theaters starring Dawson. In December, Dawson released a new single entitled "Maybe This Christmas". On February 5, 2013, Dawson recorded a single titled "F**K Up".{{Cite web |date=February 5, 2013 |title=Is Bieber Going To Jail!? |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u605KFGsdc |access-date=September 6, 2013 |via=YouTube |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517043722/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u605KFGsdc |archive-date=May 17, 2014 |url-status=live }} The song was released on YouTube and iTunes on March 30, 2013.{{Cite web |title="F**K Up" Music Video By Shane Dawson |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DY3OqM05xjo |access-date=September 6, 2013 |via=YouTube |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130808142051/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DY3OqM05xjo |archive-date=August 8, 2013 |url-status=live }} On October 18, 2013, Dawson released a song entitled "Wanna Make Love To You", with Liam Horne.{{Cite web |title=Wanna Make Love To You – Single |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/wanna-make-love-to-you/721854317?i=721854351 |access-date=November 4, 2014 |publisher=iTunes Store |date = October 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224101135/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/wanna-make-love-to-you/id721854317?i=721854351 |archive-date=December 24, 2014 |url-status=live }} Dawson does not actually provide vocals to the song, but iTunes credits him as one of the artists.

File:Shane Dawson fan 2014 (cropped).jpg 2014]]

In June 2013, Dawson started a podcast entitled Shane and Friends. As of 2013, Dawson revealed that he was pitching a talk show and was continuing to pitch the series about him working at a weight loss center. On November 12, 2013, Dawson announced that he was developing the weight loss center project with Sony Pictures Television for NBC. The project has been titled Losin' It and, if picked up, would be a half-hour single-camera comedy series focusing on a successful former-client at a weight loss center who decides to share his inspiration by becoming a consultant at the center, and subsequently becomes the manager by the end of his first day. Darlene Hunt, Will Gluck, Richie Schwartz, Lauren Schnipper, and Dawson would serve as executive producers for the project.{{Cite news |last=Rose |first=Lacey |date=November 12, 2013 |title=YouTube's Shane Dawson, 'Big C' Creator Team for Weight-Loss Comedy at NBC |work=The Hollywood Reporter |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/youtubes-shane-dawson-big-c-655331 |access-date=November 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114135834/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/youtubes-shane-dawson-big-c-655331 |archive-date=November 14, 2013 |url-status=live }}

On April 4, 2014, Dawson announced that he had directed and starred in a comedy film in Pittsburgh earlier that year. The film, which was made on a $800,000 budget,{{Cite web |last=Abele |first=Robert |date=September 19, 2014 |title=Review: 'Not Cool' by YouTube star Shane Dawson is a waste of time |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-not-cool-chair-starz-movie-review-20140922-story.html|url-status=live |access-date=March 6, 2020 |website=Los Angeles Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200306163422/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-not-cool-chair-starz-movie-review-20140922-story.html |archive-date=March 6, 2020 }} was released September 19, 2014.{{Cite web |date=April 4, 2014 |title=I MADE A MOVIE! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC2ljglqd9M |access-date=February 18, 2017 |via=YouTube |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306224105/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC2ljglqd9M |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |url-status=live }} On June 26, he announced that the film would be titled Not Cool.{{Cite web |title=Shane Dawson on Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/shanedawson/status/482214092870938624 |access-date=January 8, 2015 |via=Twitter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714132839/https://twitter.com/shanedawson/status/482214092870938624 |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |url-status=live }}{{Primary source inline|date=February 2025}} It was part of a Starz original series called The Chair, in which two novice directors are given the same script and must each make their own film from it. People who watched both films then voted online to vote for the films. Not Cool competed against Anna Martemucci's Holidaysburg. Zachary Quinto, producer of The Chair, called Dawson's film "deeply offensive" and "tasteless", and that Dawson should not be making films at all, removing his name from the film in disgust. Dawson defended his film by saying that "I like the movie. The producers that I trust like the movie. The test audience liked the movie. I know I deserve to make a movie because I've been working my f***ing ass off these last eight years on YouTube."{{Cite web |last=Nemetz |first=Dave |title='The Chair' Exclusive: Shane Dawson Reacts to Zachary Quinto Dissing His Movie |url=https://tv.yahoo.com/blogs/tv-news/the-chair-exclusive--shane-dawson-reacts-to-zachary-quinto-dissing-his-movie-165124392.html |access-date=December 20, 2014 |publisher=Yahoo TV |date=November 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221004308/https://tv.yahoo.com/blogs/tv-news/the-chair-exclusive--shane-dawson-reacts-to-zachary-quinto-dissing-his-movie-165124392.html |archive-date=December 21, 2014 |url-status=live }} Dawson won the competition, winning the $250,000 prize to work on another film project.{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |title=Shane Dawson Wins Starz 'The Chair' $250,000 Prize, But Not Everyone's Cool With It |url=https://variety.com/2014/digital/news/shane-dawson-wins-starz-the-chair-250000-prize-but-not-everyones-cool-with-it-1201351264/ |access-date=December 20, 2014 |website=Variety |date=November 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225134806/http://variety.com/2014/digital/news/shane-dawson-wins-starz-the-chair-250000-prize-but-not-everyones-cool-with-it-1201351264/ |archive-date=December 25, 2014 |url-status=live }}

In December 2014, Dawson released a parody of Taylor Swift's song "Blank Space" on YouTube. This video was found to be in poor taste by her labels, Big Machine Records and Sony, who removed it,{{Cite web |title=Shane Dawson Parody Pulled For Copyright Infringement? #shanedawsonsony |url=http://newmediarockstars.com/2014/12/shane-dawson-parody-pulled-for-copyright-infringement-shanedawsonsony/ |access-date=March 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315183703/http://newmediarockstars.com/2014/12/shane-dawson-parody-pulled-for-copyright-infringement-shanedawsonsony/ |archive-date=March 15, 2015 |url-status=live }} citing "copyright infringement". Dawson subsequently claimed that the parody was removed because Sony objected to the video's violent content. The video was restored in February 2015.

In early 2015, Dawson released a memoir titled I Hate Myselfie: A Collection of Essays. The memoir was released by Atria Books/Keywords Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster.{{Cite magazine |last=Spangler |first=Todd |title=Shane Dawson Thinks Even People Who Hate His YouTube Videos Will Like His Book |url=https://variety.com/2015/digital/news/shane-dawson-thinks-even-people-who-hate-his-youtube-videos-will-like-his-book-1201405177/ |magazine=Variety |access-date=May 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426091905/http://variety.com/2015/digital/news/shane-dawson-thinks-even-people-who-hate-his-youtube-videos-will-like-his-book-1201405177/ |archive-date=April 26, 2015 |url-status=live }}

In July 2016, Dawson released another memoir entitled It Gets Worse: A Collection of Essays. It was released by Atria/Keywords Press.{{Cite book |title=It Gets Worse: Book by Shane Dawson |date=July 19, 2016 |url=http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/It-Gets-Worse/Shane-Dawson/9781501132841 |access-date=August 3, 2016 |publisher=Simon & Schuster |isbn=9781501132841 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160729231945/http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/It-Gets-Worse/Shane-Dawson/9781501132841 |archive-date=July 29, 2016 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=It Gets Worse by Shane Dawson |url=http://simonandschusterpublishing.com/it-gets-worse/ |access-date=August 3, 2016 |publisher=Simon & Schuster Publishing |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801101532/http://simonandschusterpublishing.com/it-gets-worse/ |archive-date=August 1, 2016 |url-status=live }}

File:Shane Dawson with fan.png

In June 2018, Shane uploaded a three-part documentary series titled The Truth About TanaCon, about the TanaCon convention,{{Cite web |last=Farokhmanesh |first=Megan |date=June 26, 2018 |title=YouTuber's anti-VidCon convention TanaCon was such a disaster that fans are comparing it to Fyre Fest |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/6/26/17500590/tanacon-disaster-fyre-fest-tana-mongeau-youtuber |access-date=February 12, 2019 |website=The Verge |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408024912/https://www.theverge.com/2018/6/26/17500590/tanacon-disaster-fyre-fest-tana-mongeau-youtuber |archive-date=April 8, 2019 |url-status=live }} the company who organized the event—Good Times, ran by talent manager Michael Weist{{cite web |last1=Kaufman |first1=Amy |title=Staff Writer |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2019-08-23/jawline-youtube-stars-instagram-hulu |website=Los Angeles Times |date=August 23, 2019 |access-date=July 10, 2020}}—and the effects the disastrous event had on fans.{{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Julia |date=June 28, 2018 |title=YouTuber Shane Dawson calls disastrous TanaCon the 'worst decision ever' |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/28/17515998/shane-dawson-tanacon-youtube-interview-docuseries |access-date=February 12, 2019 |website=Polygon |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203101311/https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/28/17515998/shane-dawson-tanacon-youtube-interview-docuseries |archive-date=February 3, 2019 |url-status=live }} The series received tens of millions of views in one week and garnered significant media attention.{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Liz Shannon |date=July 3, 2018 |title='The Truth About Tanacon': Shane Dawson Takes a 'Making a Murderer'-Style Look at Some Epic YouTube Drama — Watch |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2018/07/shane-dawson-tanacon-documentary-watch-1201980824/ |access-date=July 18, 2018|website=IndieWire |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719143604/https://www.indiewire.com/2018/07/shane-dawson-tanacon-documentary-watch-1201980824/ |archive-date=July 19, 2018 |url-status=live }} In August 2018, Shane continued the documentary format and covered makeup artist Jeffree Star in a five-part series titled The Secret World of Jeffree Star and also received high amounts of media attention{{Cite web |date=August 2, 2018 |title=27 of the most shocking things we learnt about Jeffree Star from Shane Dawson's YouTube documentary |website=Cosmopolitan |url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/celebrity-hair-makeup/a22621818/jeffree-star-shane-dawson-you-tube-documentary/ |access-date=August 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816125900/https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/celebrity-hair-makeup/a22621818/jeffree-star-shane-dawson-you-tube-documentary/ |archive-date=August 16, 2018 |url-status=live }} In September 2018, Shane covered YouTuber Jake Paul in an eight-part series titled The Mind of Jake Paul. The series follows Dawson's investigation on the lifestyle of Paul, including research with licensed therapist Katie Morton on antisocial personality disorder. Dawson was criticized for his documentaries The Mind of Jake Paul and The Secret World of Jeffree Star, with some arguing that Dawson was too sympathetic towards the racism scandals of both subjects.{{Cite web |last=Hernandez |first=Patricia |date=October 19, 2018 |title=Jake Paul's Racism Controversy Reveals the Flaw in Shane Dawson's Docuseries |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/19/18000158/jake-paul-racism-martinez-twins-shane-dawson-documentary |access-date=December 31, 2018 |website=The Verge |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190101100422/https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/19/18000158/jake-paul-racism-martinez-twins-shane-dawson-documentary |archive-date=January 1, 2019 |url-status=live }}

In January and February 2019, Shane released a two-part series on conspiracy theories titled Conspiracy Series with Shane Dawson. The first part included theories on the Apple FaceTime glitch, deepfakes, subliminal messages in cartoons, Hollister, Walt Disney, the Woolsey Fire and Camp Fire.{{Cite web |last=Lindsay |first=Kathryn |title=These Are All The Crazy Conspiracies Shane Dawson Is Investigating In His New Series |url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2019/01/223207/shane-dawson-conspiracy-theories-series-explained |access-date=February 12, 2019 |website=Refinery29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190213020006/https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2019/01/223207/shane-dawson-conspiracy-theories-series-explained |archive-date=February 13, 2019 |url-status=live }} The second part featured Dawson investigating further topics, exploring the wider message "don't believe everything you see", including Adobe Voco voice manipulation, and Chuck E. Cheese pizzas.{{Cite news |title=Shane Dawson releases highly-anticipated second episode of Conspiracy Series on YouTube |url=https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/shane-dawson-releases-highly-anticipated-second-episode-conspiracy-series-youtube-353838 |access-date=February 12, 2019 |website=Dexerto |date=February 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190213015752/https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/shane-dawson-releases-highly-anticipated-second-episode-conspiracy-series-youtube-353838 |archive-date=February 13, 2019 |url-status=live }} Dawson has been criticized for his conspiracy theory content, as some feel that his videos about the flat Earth, Moon landing hoax, and 9/11 hoax conspiracy theories, among others, contribute to YouTube's widespread issues with misinformation.{{Cite news |date=February 19, 2019 |title=YouTube Unleashed a Conspiracy Theory Boom. Can It Be Contained? |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/19/technology/youtube-conspiracy-stars.html |access-date=March 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324192237/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/19/technology/youtube-conspiracy-stars.html |archive-date=March 24, 2019 |url-status=live }} In July 2019, Dawson returned to YouTube for a one-hour long documentary video titled The Return of Eugenia Cooney about Internet personality Eugenia Cooney. Earlier in the year, Cooney announced that she would be taking a break from social media to focus on her health.{{Cite web |title=Shane Dawson Returns to YouTube With Eugenia Cooney Documentary |url=https://www.etonline.com/shane-dawson-returns-to-youtube-with-powerful-eugenia-cooney-documentary-128957 |website=Entertainment Tonight |date=July 19, 2019 |access-date=July 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722045038/https://www.etonline.com/shane-dawson-returns-to-youtube-with-powerful-eugenia-cooney-documentary-128957 |archive-date=July 22, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=July 20, 2019 |title=YouTubers Eugenia Cooney and Shane Dawson make a joint comeback |url=https://www.dailydot.com/upstream/eugenia-cooney-shane-dawson-return/ |website=The Daily Dot |access-date=July 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721153328/https://www.dailydot.com/upstream/eugenia-cooney-shane-dawson-return/ |archive-date=July 21, 2019 |url-status=live }}

In October 2019, Dawson released The Beautiful World of Jeffree Star, which follows Dawson and Star as they plan and design a new makeup and merchandise collection called The Conspiracy Collection.{{Cite web |last=Contreras |first=Cydney |date=September 24, 2019 |title=Shane Dawson Reveals Mysterious New YouTube Series |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1076653/shane-dawson-s-new-youtube-series-will-explore-the-beautiful-world-of-jeffree-star |access-date=September 25, 2019 |publisher=E! |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924235939/https://www.eonline.com/news/1076653/shane-dawson-s-new-youtube-series-will-explore-the-beautiful-world-of-jeffree-star |archive-date=September 24, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Contreras |first=Cydney |date=October 29, 2019 |title=Shane Dawson & Jeffree Star Unveil the Entire Conspiracy Collection |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1087746/shane-dawson-and-jeffree-star-finally-unveil-the-entire-conspiracy-collection |access-date=October 30, 2019 |publisher=E! |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030035729/https://www.eonline.com/news/1087746/shane-dawson-and-jeffree-star-finally-unveil-the-entire-conspiracy-collection |archive-date=October 30, 2019 |url-status=live }}

Dawson began dating YouTuber Lisa Schwartz in December 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2207848/shane-dawson-comes-out-as-bisexual/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711232741/http://www.mtv.com/news/2207848/shane-dawson-comes-out-as-bisexual/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 11, 2015|title=YouTube Star Shane Dawson Comes Out As Bisexual: 'I Am Open To Love'|last=Roth|first=Madeline|publisher=MTV|date=July 8, 2015|accessdate=January 24, 2016}} He came out as bisexual in July 2015 and confirmed that he had separated from Schwartz.{{Cite web |last=Vultaggio |first=Maria |date=July 7, 2015 |title=Shane Dawson Comes Out As Bisexual In YouTube Video, Thanks Twitter Fans For Support |url=http://www.ibtimes.com/shane-dawson-comes-out-bisexual-youtube-video-thanks-twitter-fans-support-1998287 |access-date=July 7, 2015 |website=International Business Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708121430/http://www.ibtimes.com/shane-dawson-comes-out-bisexual-youtube-video-thanks-twitter-fans-support-1998287 |archive-date=July 8, 2015 |url-status=live }} He began dating YouTuber Ryland Adams in 2016, and they became engaged on March 19, 2019.{{Cite web |last=Weiss |first=Geoff |title=YouTube Power Couple Shane Dawson And Ryland Adams Announce Engagement |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2019/03/20/shane-dawson-ryland-adams-engaged/ |access-date=March 20, 2019 |website=Tubefilter |date=March 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515022715/https://www.tubefilter.com/2019/03/20/shane-dawson-ryland-adams-engaged/ |archive-date=May 15, 2019 |url-status=live }} Having previously lived in Calabasas, California, he moved in August 2021 to Colorado, where he and Adams purchased a farm for $2.2 million.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Katie Louise |title=Shane Dawson and Ryland Adams have moved to Colorado |url=https://www.popbuzz.com/internet/youtubers/shane-dawson-colorado-house-ryland-adams/ |access-date=September 8, 2021 |website=Pop Buzz|date=August 27, 2021}}{{Cite web |title=Instagram post by Shane Dawson • August 26, 2021 |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CTDDTCXn1Ku/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CTDDTCXn1Ku |archive-date=December 26, 2021 |url-access=registration|website=Instagram}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite web |title=Instagram post by Shane Dawson • Oct 24, 2016 at 6:31am UTC |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BL74o8KAB7b/ |access-date=February 23, 2017 |website=Instagram |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417155207/https://www.instagram.com/p/BL74o8KAB7b/ |archive-date=April 17, 2017 |url-status=live }}{{Primary source inline|date=February 2025}}

On January 3, 2023, Dawson and Adams married in Colorado.{{cite web|last=Hernandez|first=Angie Orellana|title=YouTubers Shane Dawson and Ryland Adams Are Married|url=https://www.eonline.com/amp/news/1361290/youtubers-shane-dawson-and-ryland-adams-are-married|publisher=E! News|date=January 12, 2023}} In July of the same year, they announced via Adams's vlog channel that they were expecting twin babies via surrogacy.{{cite web | last=Walcott | first=Escher | title=YouTubers Shane Dawson and Ryland Adams Expecting Twins via Surrogate | website=Peoplemag | date=July 8, 2023 | url=https://people.com/youtubers-shane-dawson-and-ryland-adams-expecting-twins-7558279 | access-date=December 12, 2023}} On December 10, 2023, Dawson announced the birth of their twin sons.{{cite web | last=Walcott | first=Escher | title=YouTuber Shane Dawson and Husband Ryland Adams Welcome Twin Sons via Surrogate: 'Unbelievably Grateful' | website=Peoplemag | date=December 11, 2023 | url=https://people.com/youtuber-shane-dawson-husband-ryland-adams-welcome-twins-sons-8414017 | access-date=December 12, 2023}}

Dawson has discussed his experiences with body dysmorphic disorder.{{Cite web |last=Nguyen |first=Mai Linh |title=Shane Dawson Opens Up About Body Dysmorphia |url=http://whatstrending.com/inspiring/14325-shane-dawson-opens-up-about-body-dysmorphia |access-date=February 18, 2017 |website=whatstrending |date=October 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219023436/http://whatstrending.com/inspiring/14325-shane-dawson-opens-up-about-body-dysmorphia |archive-date=February 19, 2017 |url-status=live }}

Dawson has been criticized for his racial comedy, particularly his use of blackface in several skits impersonating Wendy Williams and Chris Brown, his use of the words "nigga" and "nigger" in multiple videos, and his jokes about "ghetto pranks" at the 2012 VidCon. These past performances, and their reliance on caricatures of people of color and other minorities, led to allegations of racism. In September 2014, YouTuber Franchesca Ramsey and other bloggers criticized Dawson for his past actions. He later apologized for the jokes in a video, stating that he viewed the controversy as a "learning experience".{{Cite news |last=Romano |first=Aja |date=September 30, 2014 |title=Racist blackface 'comedy' is making a comeback — on YouTube |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-intersect/wp/2014/09/30/racist-blackface-comedy-is-making-a-comeback-on-youtube/ |access-date=December 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412004615/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-intersect/wp/2014/09/30/racist-blackface-comedy-is-making-a-comeback-on-youtube/ |archive-date=April 12, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Guzman |first=Richard |date=November 12, 2014 |title=Long Beach native Shane Dawson talks winning 'The Chair' and his harsh critics |work=Press-Telegram |url=https://www.presstelegram.com/2014/11/12/long-beach-native-shane-dawson-talks-winning-the-chair-and-his-harsh-critics/ |access-date=June 27, 2020 }}{{Cite web |last=Dachille |first=Arielle |date=September 26, 2014 |title=YouTube Star Shane Dawson Apologizes for Racist Videos & I'm Not Buying It — Video |website=Bustle |url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/41633-youtube-star-shane-dawson-apologizes-for-racist-videos-im-not-buying-it-video |access-date=June 27, 2020 }}

In 2018, Dawson was the subject of a controversy regarding comments he had made about pedophilia on a 2013 episode of his podcast Shane and Friends, after which he published an apology video likening his comedic style at the time to that of shock jocks. The same comments were also the subject of a controversy in March 2019, coupled with more controversy regarding comments he had made on a 2015 episode of the same podcast about engaging in sexual activity with his cat.{{Cite news |date=March 18, 2019 |title=Everything you need to know about controversial Youtuber Shane Dawson |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/shane-dawson-youtube-cat-sex-comment-paedophilia-twitter-social-media-podcast-a8827911.html |access-date=March 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190319161752/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/shane-dawson-youtube-cat-sex-comment-paedophilia-twitter-social-media-podcast-a8827911.html |archive-date=March 19, 2019 |url-status=live }}

On June 26, 2020, Dawson responded to criticism of his racial comedy by posting a 20-minute video in which he addressed renewed criticism for his use of blackface, the words "nigga" and "nigger", and other offensive comments he made since launching his YouTube channel. Although he had apologized publicly before, Dawson claimed he had only recently realized how "those apologies suck" and that he did not "know who that person is anymore". He further remarked how he "should have been punished for things" and how "finally just [owning] up to all of this and [being] accountable is worth losing everything" to him. Dawson also apologized to James Charles, whom he had described as "egocentric" and "power hungry" just a week before. He concluded his apology video by vowing to better his "actions", but said he understands if people do not want to accept his apology or no longer support him.{{cite web|last=Aiello|first=McKenna|date=June 27, 2020|title=YouTuber Shane Dawson Says He's Willing to Lose Everything as Past Controversies Resurface|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1165597/youtuber-shane-dawson-says-he-s-willing-to-lose-everything-as-past-controversies-resurface|access-date=June 28, 2020|publisher=E!}} He also claimed that he dealt with the pain from his childhood by making inappropriate jokes: "It is something I did for shock value or because I thought it was funny. It's all gross and I promise that that is not real; that is not me."{{cite web|last=Kemp|first=Dylan|date=June 28, 2020|title=Jaden Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith Bash Youtuber Shane Dawson After Video Resurfaces of Him 'sexualizing' an 11-year-old Willow|url=https://thesource.com/2020/06/28/jaden-smith-and-jada-pinkett-smith-bash-youtuber-shane-dawson-after-video-resurfaces-of-him-sexualizing-an-11-year-old-willow/|access-date=June 28, 2020|work=The Source}} Hours after his apology was posted, musician Jaden Smith accused Dawson of sexualizing his sister Willow Smith, expressing how he was "disgusted" after an old video resurfaced of Dawson pretending to masturbate while looking at a poster of Willow, who was 11 years old at the time. Jaden and Willow's mother Jada Pinkett Smith also told Dawson that she was "done with the excuses".{{Cite news|last=Andrews|first=Travis M.|date=June 28, 2020|title=Shane Dawson apologizes for his offensive YouTube content, from blackface to murder fantasies|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/06/28/shane-dawson-apology-video/|url-status=live|access-date=June 30, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200630173935/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/06/28/shane-dawson-apology-video/|archive-date=June 30, 2020}}

On June 29, 2020, Target announced that it was "in the process of removing" Dawson's two published books I Hate Myselfie and It Gets Worse from its shelves.{{Cite web |last=Haasch |first=Palmer |date=June 29, 2020 |title=Target is removing Shane Dawson's books from stores after Willow Smith's family called him out for an old video where he appeared to sexualize her as a minor |website=Insider |url=https://www.insider.com/target-removing-shane-dawsons-books-smith-willow-tweet-2020-6 |access-date=June 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200630174729/https://www.insider.com/target-removing-shane-dawsons-books-smith-willow-tweet-2020-6 |archive-date=June 30, 2020 |url-status=live }} On June 30, YouTube indefinitely suspended monetization on all three of Dawson's channels.{{Cite news |last=Lorenz |first=Taylor |date=June 29, 2020 |title=Shane Dawson and Jeffree Star: Losing Followers and Losing Ads |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/29/style/shane-dawson-jeffree-star-youtube.html |access-date=June 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200630170947/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/29/style/shane-dawson-jeffree-star-youtube.html |archive-date=June 30, 2020 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Julia |date=June 30, 2020 |title=YouTube suspends ads on Shane Dawson channels over old racist videos |website=The Verge |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/6/30/21308288/shane-dawson-youtube-suspends-monetization-channels-blackface-older-videos |access-date=June 30, 2020 }}

• I Hate Myselfie (2015)
• It Gets Worse: A Collection of Essays (2016)

{{Awards table|5}}

|-

| 2010

| Streamy Awards

| Best Vlogger

| rowspan="6" | Himself

| {{won}}

|{{Cite web |title=The 2010 Streamty Awards Official winners |url=http://www.streamys.org/winners/2010-winners/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101114062358/http://www.streamys.org/winners/2010-winners/ |archive-date=November 14, 2010 |access-date=December 1, 2010 |website=Streamy Awards}}

|-

| 2010

| Teen Choice Awards

| Choice Web Star

| {{won}}

|{{Cite magazine |date=August 9, 2010 |title=2010 Teen Choice Awards winners announced |url=https://ew.com/article/2010/08/09/teen-choice-awards-winners-201/ |access-date=December 1, 2010 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151008141357/http://www.ew.com/article/2010/08/09/teen-choice-awards-winners-201 |archive-date=October 8, 2015 |url-status=live }}

|-

| 2011

| Teen Choice Awards

| Choice Web Star

| {{nom}}

| {{citation needed|date=November 2019}}

|-

| 2017

| People's Choice Awards

| Favorite YouTube Star

| {{nom}}

|{{Cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/tv/2017/01/18/peoples-choice-awards-2017-winners-list/|title=See the Full List of People's Choice Awards 2017 Winners Here|magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}

|-

| rowspan="2" | 2017

| rowspan="2" | Streamy Awards

| Creator of the Year

| {{nom}}

| rowspan="2" |{{Cite web |date=August 18, 2017 |title=And The 7th Annual Streamy Award Nominees Are... |url=https://www.streamys.org/2017/08/announcing-the-nominations-for-the-7th-annual-streamys/ |access-date=September 8, 2018 |website=Streamy Awards |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905142552/https://www.streamys.org/2017/08/announcing-the-nominations-for-the-7th-annual-streamys/ |archive-date=September 5, 2018 |url-status=live }}

|-

| Best First Person Channel

| {{nom}}

|-

| rowspan="4" | 2018

| rowspan="4" | Streamy Awards

| Collaboration

| "Switching Lives With A Blind Person", with Molly Burke

| {{nom}}

|{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/awards/2018-streamy-awards-nominations-youtube-sponsor-1202956357/|title=2018 Streamy Awards Nominations Unveiled, YouTube Signs as Sponsor|date=September 25, 2018}}

|-

| Creator of the Year

| Himself

| {{won}}

| rowspan="3" |{{Cite web |last=Schaffstall |first=Katherine |date=October 22, 2018 |title=Streamy Awards 2018: Winners List |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/streamy-awards-2018-winners-list-1146664 |access-date=October 22, 2018 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530121300/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/streamy-awards-2018-winners-list-1146664 |archive-date=May 30, 2019 |url-status=live }}

|-

| Documentary

| The Truth About Tanacon

| {{won}}

|-

| Editing

| The Truth About Tanacon, with Andrew Siwicki

| {{won}}

|-

| 2018

| People's Choice Awards

| The Social Star of 2018

| Himself

| {{won}}

|{{Cite web|url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2018/11/12/shane-dawson-james-charles-peoples-choice-awards/|title=Shane Dawson, James Charles Crowned at 44th People's Choice Awards|date=November 12, 2018}}

|-

| 2019

| The Shorty Awards

| YouTuber of the Year

| Himself

| {{won}}

|{{Cite web |title=Actor – Michelle Obama, Noah Centineo, Marie Kondo, John Mulaney Win 2019 Shorty Awards |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2019-shorty-award-winners-list-full-1206922/item/actor-shorty-winners-2019-1207056 |access-date=May 8, 2019 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=May 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506192131/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2019-shorty-award-winners-list-full-1206922/item/actor-shorty-winners-2019-1207056 |archive-date=May 6, 2019 |url-status=live }}

|-

| 2019

| Streamy Awards

| Documentary

| Himself

| {{won}}

|{{cite web | title=Jeffree Star, Shane Dawson YouTube series wins documentary award | website=Empire Extreme | date=December 12, 2019 | url=http://empireextreme.com/jeffree-star-shane-dawson-youtube-series-wins-documentary-award/ | access-date=December 30, 2023 | archive-date=December 30, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230203609/http://empireextreme.com/jeffree-star-shane-dawson-youtube-series-wins-documentary-award/ | url-status=dead }}

{{end}}

• List of entertainers who performed in blackface

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{IMDb name|3507289|Shane Dawson}}
• {{YouTube|u=ShaneDawsonTV|Shane Dawson TV}}

{{Shane Dawson}}

{{Streamy Awards Audience Choice Winners}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dawson, Shane}}

Category:1988 births

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