The Rise, Fall, And Lasting Legacy Of YouTube Icon Jenna Marbles

Jenna Marbles was one of the most popular content creators on YouTube. I remember laughing at her jokes when I was younger, listening to her life lessons, and following her journey. Her dog, Kermit, was the cutest and sweetest pup.

After years of building a loyal fanbase, she said goodbye to everyone in 2020, making the heartbreaking decision to leave YouTube and close the chapter on a decade-long career that had changed the platform forever.

Jenna Marbles: The Icon

Jenna Nicole Mourey – we know her as the Jenna Marbles – started off working in Cambridge, Massachusetts, juggling gigs such as bartending, go-go dancing, and working at a tanning salon, all while trying to pay her $800 rent. 

Marbles’ life changed forever when she uploaded “How to Trick People Into Thinking You’re Good Looking” – a hilarious yet painfully relatable take on trying to look hot. Preston Troutt, CEO of CrowdSurf, summed it up perfectly in a viral X/Twitter thread: “It was so relatable. Fans couldn’t get enough of it.” Indeed, decades of glamorous celebrity lifestyles left people craving authentic content. So, with over 72 million views and 81,000 comments, this video cemented her as “the OG of content creation.”

Unlike many creators who keep a wall up between themselves and their audience, Marble welcomed her fans with open arms, asking for video ideas, giving shoutouts, and even featuring fans in her content. 

By 2016, Marbles had gained a large following and began giving advice. Her “30 Life Lessons” was funny but also helpful. As Troutt tweeted, “She gave out life lessons that many people found inspiring.” From 2010 to 2020, Marbles’ content felt unmatched. While so many YouTube videos felt overly edited, she was transparent, messy, and hilarious. 

When the Internet Turns Cruel

In 2020, old content resurfaced and sparked backlash. The videos where she impersonated Nicki Minaj and sang “problematic” lyrics from a 2011 music video attracted the hate mob. She also seemed to make fun of Asians, wearing a rice hat and fake mustache.

Marbles removed the offensive videos, apologized, and made the decision to step away entirely from YouTube.

“I do want to tell you how unbelievably sorry I am if I ever offended you by posting this video or by doing this [Nicki Minaj] impression, and that that was never my intention,” Jenna said in her final, now-deleted apology video, per Dexerto.

What people on the internet seem to forget is that those things were all normal back then. Influencers said slurs or offensive things because it wasn't seen as "problematic." Marbles was just a product of the time, but that didn't mean she was racist or hateful. The internet mob is quick to judge, attack, and cancel but lacks the capacity to consider context or nuance. They preach empathy but show none of it. Because of some of Marbles' jokes, people disregarded how she changed many of her fans' lives through her videos.

Preston tweeted in his thread, “Instead of avoiding accountability, she took bold action. She quit YouTube entirely – a decision that earned her respect and even more love from fans.” However, I’d argue that Marbles’ departure only left her longtime fans heartbroken. 

According to sources, Marbles and her longtime partner Julien Solomita got engaged in 2021 and tied the knot in 2022. They’ve stayed out of the public eye, though Solomita has shared glimpses into their life, like the terrifying moment when a stalker broke into their home in 2023.

Marbles’ leaving YouTube was a loss for the internet as a whole, but I'm sure she's happy being out of the toxic spotlight.

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