You remember 2010 YouTube? It was a weird, lawless place. Back then, creators like Shane Dawson and Onision (James Jackson) weren't just popular; they were the architects of the platform. If you were online, you couldn't escape them. Shane was the king of sketch comedy and later the "docuseries" format, while Onision was the edgy, controversial contrarian who seemed to survive every "cancellation" thrown his way.
But things changed. Fast.
Today, their names usually pop up in "downfall" video essays or legal filings rather than the trending tab. It’s a strange, messy story of how two of the biggest names in digital history saw their empires crumble for very different reasons. While Shane has attempted a quiet, domestic comeback, Onision’s situation has turned into a serious legal saga.
The Shane Dawson "Docuseries" Era and the 2020 Crash
Shane Dawson didn't just fall off; he imploded during the peak of his career. Honestly, it was surreal to watch. In 2019, he was untouchable. His series with Jeffree Star sold out millions of dollars in makeup. He was being hailed as the "King of YouTube." Then, the summer of 2020 happened.
People started digging. Hard. Old clips resurfaced—not just "edgy" jokes, but videos involving blackface, offensive stereotypes, and incredibly disturbing comments about minors and even animals. The backlash was so intense that YouTube indefinitely suspended monetization on all three of his channels. Target and Amazon pulled his books.
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Life After the Hiatus
Shane took a long break. He moved to Colorado with his now-husband, Ryland Adams, and traded the Hollywood hills for a literal farm. They married in early 2023 and, by December of that year, welcomed twin sons via surrogacy.
He’s back to posting now, but it’s different. The views aren't what they were, and he mostly sticks to his podcast and conspiracy-style vlogs. It feels like he’s playing to a smaller, dedicated bubble rather than trying to reclaim the mainstream. Most people have moved on, and for many, the "old Shane" is someone they’d rather just forget.
Onision: From Edge-Lord to Federal Lawsuits
If Shane Dawson’s story is about a fall from grace, the story of Onision is about a long, slow descent into serious legal trouble. For years, James Jackson thrived on being the villain. He made "Uh-Oh Bro" videos, criticized everyone’s lifestyle, and seemed to enjoy the hate.
But the "drama" stopped being about mean comments and started being about serious allegations of grooming and exploitation.
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The Legal Reality
Unlike Shane, who mostly faced "cancel culture," Onision has faced the actual legal system. In February and March of 2023, federal lawsuits were filed against James Jackson and his spouse (Kai/Lucas Jackson). The lawsuits, brought forward by survivors and represented by firms like The Haba Law Firm, allege that the couple used their YouTube platform to lure and groom young fans.
The most recent updates into 2025 and 2026 show that these cases are a massive headache for Google and YouTube as well. The lawsuits argue that YouTube knowingly profited from Onision's behavior while ignoring reports from victims.
Onision has been banned from almost every major platform. Patreon kicked him off years ago for doxing, and his YouTube channels—once a source of massive income—are largely ghosts of what they used to be. He still tries to post on obscure sites or through mirrors, but the "Onision" brand is essentially radioactive at this point.
Why Do These Stories Still Matter?
It’s easy to dismiss this as "old internet drama," but it actually changed how YouTube works. Because of these two, the "Adpocalypse" and stricter community guidelines became the norm.
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- Accountability is delayed but real: Both creators spent a decade being "problematic" before the floor finally fell out.
- The Platform's Responsibility: The Onision lawsuits are a landmark because they seek to hold the hosting platform (YouTube) responsible for what their "partners" do.
- The "OG" Era is Over: The era where you could say anything for "shock value" and still get a makeup deal is dead.
What to Keep an Eye On
If you're still following this saga, the main thing to watch isn't Shane's new podcast episodes; it's the progress of the federal lawsuits against Onision. Those court rulings could fundamentally change how social media companies have to monitor their creators.
For Shane, the path seems to be "lifestyle vlogging" for a niche audience. He’s essentially a legacy act. He has the money to stay away, and for the most part, he seems to be doing just that.
To stay informed on the actual facts of these cases, avoid the gossip forums and stick to primary sources like court filings or verified reporting from outlets like The Verge or Insider. The era of the "unfiltered" YouTuber has been replaced by an era of legal consequences and corporate caution.
Next Steps: You can track the progress of the Sarah v. Google LLC (Onision) case through federal court records via PACER to see how the grooming allegations are being handled in the legal system.