Onision
Personal information
Born
Gregory James Daniel[1]

(1985-11-11) November 11, 1985 (age 38)
Auburn, Washington, U.S.
Occupations
Spouses
  • Skye Tantaga
    ​
    ​
    (m. 2005; div. 2010)​
    [2]
  • Kai Avaroe
    ​
    (m. 2012)​
    [3]
PartnersLyldoll
(2010–2012)
Adrienne Jourgensen
(2011)
Billie Dawn Webb (2016–2017)
YouTube information
Channels
Years active2006–present
Genres
  • Comedy
  • commentary
Subscribers
  • 2.03 million (Onision)
  • 1.81 million (UhOhBro)
  • 1.44 million (OnisionSpeaks)
  • 496 thousand (OnisionArchive)
  • 140 thousand (OnisionEncore)
[4]
Total views350 million (combined)[4]
100,000 subscribers2009
1,000,000 subscribers2013
Last updated: January 13, 2021

James Jackson (born Gregory James Daniel; November 11, 1985),[1][5][6] known professionally by his online alias Onision (/oʊˈnisiɒn/ oh-NEE-see-on), is an American YouTuber and alleged child predator. His primary YouTube channel, "Onision", featured sketches and satirical clips; videos posted to his other channels focus on personal stories covering controversial topics as well as discussion with his viewers. His activity both online and offline has attracted controversy and criticism from online media outlets and viewers alike,[7][8] as well as many allegations of abuse, sexual grooming of minors and rape.

As of June 2022, Jackson's main Onision channel had received over 2 million subscribers and over 330 million video views;[9] his secondary channel "UhOhBro" had received just under 2 million subscribers and over 370 million video views;[10] and his vlog channel "OnisionSpeaks" had received over 1.4 million subscribers and over 550 million video views.[11] A music video titled "Banana Song (I'm a Banana)", written and performed by Jackson, is his most-viewed video; as of October 2022, it had garnered over 91 million views.

Early life

Jackson was born Gregory James Daniel on November 11, 1985, in Auburn, Washington.[1][5][6] Jackson has told fans that his mother raised him and his older sisters in a rural environment and that they were Seventh-day Adventists.[5][6] Additionally, in his 2014 self-published Facts About Onision (Story Time) video, Jackson states that his mother "filed for divorce once it was made clear that his father was a child predator".[6] During his teenage years, Jackson composed music and worked on web and graphic design.[6] Jackson served in the United States Air Force in 2005, and received a general discharge under honorable conditions in 2008.[12]

Online career

Video content

Jackson began filming comedy sketches of himself in 2004, under the alias "Mr. Odd."[13]

Jackson created his YouTube channel on January 29, 2006 but did not upload any content until October 2007.[2][9] His earliest clips featured a character named Chibi, whom fans interpreted as a parody of Fred Figglehorn.[2] In 2019, Insider wrote that Jackson was "best known for his objectifying content and controversial reputation", and detailed that "he rates pictures that women submit to him, gives his opinions on their bodies, and comments on other YouTubers". Many of the submissions that Jackson accepted and featured in his videos were of girls under the age of eighteen.[3]

In 2009, Jackson uploaded "Banana Song (I'm a Banana)", which went viral. The video featured Jackson "jumping around screaming in a banana suit",[3] as well as his first wife, Skye Tantaga.[2] "Banana Song" was featured on the Comedy Central series Tosh.0 as the "Viewer Video of the Week" in 2010.[14]

In 2011, Jackson posted a number of clips with his then-girlfriend, Canadian singer Shiloh Hoganson.[2] The clips were scripted but presented in a manner many fans interpreted as unscripted.[citation needed] In some of them, however, Hoganson is seen apparently experiencing transient amnesia; Adrienne Jourgensen, an ex-girlfriend of Jackson's, published a letter stating that Jackson believed Hoganson was lying about her memory loss.[2] Jackson and Hoganson later stated that she was pregnant with Jackson's child but suffered a miscarriage.[2][7] On August 11, 2019, a 2011 video featuring Hoganson resurfaced online. In it, Jackson is heard telling her, "You know this video is never going to be online, right? No one will ever know how much I abuse you", before throwing candy corn at her and laughing as she cried. Hoganson also states in the video that Jackson lacerated her ear with scissors while she was sleeping.[15][16]

Reception and criticism

Jackson's on-camera and off-camera activity has received criticism from online media outlets as well as from fellow online content creators. In 2010, Tubefilter listed Jackson as one of "5 YouTubers On Their Way Up", alongside Shane Dawson and the Fine Brothers. The outlet described Jackson's channel as frequently updated with a "very rough, in-your-face R-rated style" and called Jackson "the most controversial YouTuber".[17] In 2012, The Daily Dot described Jackson as "known for his militant vegetarianism, sex appeal, comedic skits, and controversial views on topics like circumcision."[18] The publication has also criticized his content on multiple occasions; in 2013, James Cook wrote for the outlet, calling Jackson "YouTube's most troubled star".[7]

In 2018, Jackson was included on a Daily Dot-published list of six YouTubers "worse" than Logan Paul.[8] The outlet opined that "[Jackson's] videos these days [2018] are just as obnoxious and irritating as they were nine years ago when he first struck YouTube gold with a truly terrible song about being a banana."[8] Jackson has also received criticism from fellow YouTubers, notably Daniel Sulzbach (known online as "MrRepzion" or "Repzion"), Strange Æons, and Blaire White.[2][19] In a 2019 email to Insider, Jackson shared that "People hated me, with a passion, for my opinions I openly held."[3] In late 2019, Insider called Jackson "one of YouTube's most reviled personalities".[3]

Controversies and legal issues

Event and platform bans

Jackson was banned from VidCon 2012 due to a video in which he stated that since his then girlfriend Adrienne Jourgensen slept with more than 20 people before she was with him, she is a "slut" and therefore "cannot be raped".[2][18] The video then received backlash from viewers outside of Jackson's core audience, as noted by NewMediaRockstars and The Daily Dot.[2][18] VidCon co-founder Hank Green sent an email to Jackson stating "if it is possible that you will not be safe, we will not let you come [to VidCon]."[2] Jackson responded to the ban in a Facebook post stating: "If you want someone to blame for my absence, you can blame the haters who spammed VidCon with anti-Onision mail and VidCon itself for giving into the pressure and going back on their word."[20]

In November 2019, Jackson was banned from Patreon after posting the phone number of Billie Dawn Webb, a fellow YouTuber. Webb was one of several women who claimed Jackson and his spouse had groomed and manipulated them into a sexual relationship or otherwise engaged in harassment and abuse.[21] Patreon confirmed in a statement to The Verge that they had banned Jackson "as he violated our Bullying and Harassment [policy] as it relates to doxing."[21] In response to the ban, Jackson uploaded a video where he seemingly contorted himself, stripped down to his underwear, and poured a bottle of kombucha over his head.[22] Jackson later said that this video, alongside a series of follow-up videos, were staged. Jackson subsequently opened a new website where his supporters could re-donate, but shut it down shortly after its launch.[23]

In January 2021, following the release of Onision: In Real Life, Jackson's channels were suspended from the YouTube Partner Program.[24]

Allegations of abuse, child grooming and rape

In 2019, allegations of child grooming and abuse were leveled at Jackson and his spouse, Kai Avaroe, formerly known as Lainey.[3] Jackson responded by stating that "the grooming stuff is absolute nonsense".[3] Billie Dawn Webb also made allegations of abuse by Jackson and Avaroe, stating that they were sent texts asking them to "be chained to [the] basement wall for a week with a sign around [their] neck that says 'I'm sorry for lying.'"[3]

When reached by Insider for a comment in response to these allegations, Jackson requested $10,000 for an interview and stated: "I do not want to participate in this circus without compensation, I should be paid to endure to [sic] stupidity of the current state of outrage/online culture."[3]

In January 2020, Jackson called 9-1-1 on American television journalist Chris Hansen and lawyer Mike Morse in response to them knocking on his door. He described Hansen and his crew as "YouTube stalkers". Morse, referring to Jackson, stated that "It concerns me that he [has] two kids in the home," and that he "really didn't like what [he] was hearing about this guy".[25] Hansen had also previously reached out to Jackson for an interview, with Jackson requesting $350,000 in exchange for his participation.[26]

According to a February 2020 article by The Daily Beast, Hansen's investigative team alleges that Jackson has exploited his online fame for nearly a decade by grooming young fans and "coercing them into sexually and emotionally abusive relationships".[27]

On February 9, 2023, it was reported that a lawsuit is being filed against Jackson and Avaroe for using his popular YouTube channels to "recruit, solicit, and groom" children into having sex with him, with YouTube and its parent company Google also named as co-defendants for continuing to monetize his channels.[28]

On March 3, 2023, a second suit was levied against Jackson and Avaroe by an ex-partner named Sarah, who alleges they groomed her when she was 14 and that Jackson raped her when she was 18.[29]

In media

A documentary about Jackson titled Onision: In Real Life was broadcast on January 4, 2021, during the launch of Discovery+, with Chris Hansen as producer and consultant.[30]

Discography

  • Onision (2012)
  • Explicit (2012)
  • Bipolar (2012)
  • Flucking Blitch (2013)
  • The Puppet (2018)
  • Shut Up (2018)
  • With Character (2018)
  • The Banana Man (2019)
  • I'm a Meme (2019)
  • I Am Trash (2020)

Bibliography

Novels

  • Stones to Abbigale (2015)
  • This Is Why I Hate You (2015)
  • Reaper's Creek (2018)

Biography

  • In Real Life (2023)

References

  1. ^ a b c Jackson, James. I Legally Changed My Name... Onision. Archived from the original on December 12, 2019. Retrieved January 27, 2020 – via YouTube. My mom named me, as a child, Gregory James Daniel.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Manarino, Matthew (June 27, 2013). "Onision: The Definitive Timeline Of YouTube's Perfect Villain". NewMediaRockstars. Archived from the original on July 3, 2013. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Graves, S. (December 10, 2019). "One of YouTube's most reviled personalities is crumbling under scandal and asked us to pay $10,000 for an interview". Insider. Archived from the original on December 12, 2019. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
  4. ^ a b "About Onision". YouTube.
  5. ^ a b c Jackson, James. "Onision FAQ". onision.net. Archived from the original on October 17, 2014. Retrieved May 15, 2010.
  6. ^ a b c d e Jackson, James (January 13, 2014). Facts About Onision (Story Time). Onision. Archived from the original on December 11, 2019. Retrieved May 15, 2019 – via YouTube.
  7. ^ a b c Cook, James (December 10, 2013). "YouTube's most troubled star". The Daily Dot. Archived from the original on January 3, 2017. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  8. ^ a b c Katzowitz, Josh (January 23, 2018). "Forget Logan Paul—these 6 wildly popular YouTube pranksters are worse". The Daily Dot. Archived from the original on November 27, 2019. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
  9. ^ a b Jackson, James. "Onision – YouTube about page". YouTube. Archived from the original on January 17, 2019. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  10. ^ Jackson, James. "UhOhBro – YouTube about page". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 8, 2019. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
  11. ^ Jackson, James. "OnisionSpeaks – YouTube about page". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 7, 2019. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
  12. ^ "About Airman Daniel - America's Air Force & The Story of an Airman - The Unofficial Site by Gregory J. Daniel". March 9, 2007. Archived from the original on March 9, 2007. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  13. ^ "Onision when he was Mr Odd - 2004". Vimeo. January 1, 2004. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  14. ^ "Tosh.0 - February 3, 2010 - Friendly Tackle - Full Episode". Comedy Central. January 13, 2010. Archived from the original on December 7, 2019. Retrieved January 14, 2010.
  15. ^ "Greg Abuses Me". YouTube. August 11, 2019. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  16. ^ Schroeder, Audra (December 6, 2019). "Video of YouTuber Onision threatening ex-girlfriend resurfaces". The Daily Dot. Archived from the original on December 7, 2019. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
  17. ^ Hyde, William (April 12, 2010). "5 YouTubers on Their Way Up". Tubefilter. Archived from the original on January 2, 2017. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  18. ^ a b c Eördögh, Fruzsina (January 25, 2012). "YouTuber inflames viewers with rape comments". The Daily Dot. Archived from the original on March 10, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
  19. ^ Asarch, Steven (November 27, 2019). "Who is Onision? YouTuber banned from Patreon after doxxing". Newsweek. Archived from the original on November 27, 2019. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  20. ^ "VidCon - Life of Onion". Archived from the original on July 11, 2019.
  21. ^ a b Kelly, Makena (November 27, 2019). "Controversial YouTuber banned from Patreon after alleged doxxing". The Verge. Archived from the original on November 27, 2019. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  22. ^ "Wow". YouTube. November 29, 2019. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  23. ^ Jackson, Gregory (November 27, 2019). hiatus. UhOhBro. YouTube. Archived from the original on December 12, 2019. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
  24. ^ Sung, Morgan (January 21, 2021). "YouTube demonetized Onision". Mashable. Archived from the original on June 1, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  25. ^ Ikonomova, Violet (January 13, 2020). "Why Is Mike Morse Chasing Accused YouTube Sex Predator Onision?". Deadline Detroit. Archived from the original on January 14, 2020. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  26. ^ "A creator who has become YouTube's supervillain called 911 when reporter Chris Hansen knocked on his door to ask him about accusations of grooming underage fans". Insider.com. Archived from the original on March 1, 2020.
  27. ^ Zimmerman, Amy (February 17, 2020). "The Creepy Cult of Onision: A 'Body Positivity' YouTube Star Accused of Preying on Young Girls". The Daily Beast. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  28. ^ CT Jones (February 9, 2023). "Controversial Former YouTube Star Onision Sued For Alleged 'Grooming'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023.
  29. ^ "Michigan woman alleges ex-YouTube star Onision groomed and raped her". MLive. March 3, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  30. ^ "Discovery+ Sets More Than 50 Original Titles for Launch Month | Hollywood Reporter". www.hollywoodreporter.com. December 3, 2020. Archived from the original on October 7, 2021. Retrieved January 3, 2021.

External links