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One minute she was the quirk-queen of the internet, hacking away at a head of hair with craft scissors and making "shoddy" paintings. The next? Nothing. Literally nothing. In late 2021, Joana Ceddia did the unthinkable for a creator with over three million subscribers. She didn't just stop uploading; she nuked the whole thing. Her YouTube channel, her Instagram, her digital footprint—gone.
It’s been years. People are still scouring Reddit threads and old archives.
What happened to Joana Ceddia wasn't some dramatic "cancellation" or a secret marketing ploy. It was a deeply personal, painful, and ultimately very human choice to walk away from a spotlight that had become physically and mentally suffocating. If you've spent any time in the "Joana-verse," you know she wasn't your typical influencer. She was a runner, a physics student, and someone who dealt with a health crisis that changed the trajectory of her life.
The Viral Rise and the "Emma Chamberlain" Comparison
Joana's growth was freakish. In 2018, she went from a few thousand subscribers to over a million in what felt like a blink. Some people accused her of buying subs because the algorithm seemed obsessed with her. They were wrong, obviously. She just tapped into a specific, raw energy that people were desperate for at the time.
She was often compared to Emma Chamberlain, but Joana felt more... unhinged? In a good way. She’d wear a Victorian ghost costume to school or attempt to follow a Bob Ross tutorial with the cheapest supplies imaginable. It was chaotic, low-budget, and felt like hanging out with a friend in their messy bedroom.
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But behind the jokes about "crunchy" hair and eating raw bell peppers like apples, a serious health issue was brewing.
The Reality of Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW)
The biggest catalyst for Joana's departure was her battle with her skin. She was incredibly open about her severe eczema. For a long time, she used topical steroid creams to manage it. These creams are standard medical practice, but for some people, they lead to a nightmare condition called Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW).
Basically, the skin becomes addicted to the steroids. When you stop using them, the body goes into a violent state of rebellion.
Joana described it as being "bed-bound." In her final months on the platform, she wore oversized sunglasses and hoodies to hide the inflammation and flaking. She wasn't just "itchy." Her skin was literally oozing and cracking to the point where moving her neck or arms was excruciating.
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"I was bed-bound. My skin was so tight and dry that I couldn't move my neck or my arms." — Joana Ceddia, The Absolute State of Affairs (2021).
Imagine trying to be "the funny girl" for millions of people when you can't even move your head without pain. It’s no wonder she hit the delete button.
Why She Deleted Everything Instead of Just Resting
Most YouTubers would just take a hiatus. They’d leave the old videos up to collect ad revenue while they healed. Joana isn't most YouTubers.
She always had a bit of a "burn it all down" philosophy. She was a physics and astronomy student. She had a life outside of the lens. By deleting her accounts, she effectively killed the pressure to return. She didn't want a "waiting room" of millions of people asking for updates every day while she was trying to survive a health crisis.
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Honestly, it was a power move.
Where is Joana Ceddia Now? (2026 Update)
Since the great vanishing of 2021, updates have been few and far between. Most of what we know comes from her close friend Jade, who has occasionally posted on Reddit or Instagram to assure fans that Joana is, in fact, alive.
- University Life: Joana reportedly focused heavily on her studies. While there were rumors about her attending NYU or schools in Canada (where she’s from), the consensus is that she prioritized her degree in physics/astronomy over her "influencer" career.
- The Pink Hair Era: In mid-2025, sightings and rumors of Joana with dyed pink hair started circulating on TikTok and Reddit.
- Her Father’s Channel: Her dad, Rolando, actually started a YouTube channel focused on health, nutrition, and fitness. Fans have speculated that Joana helps him with the editing and music—which makes sense, given her distinct editing style.
- Recovery: TSW can take years to heal. The latest word from 2025/2026 suggests she is doing much better, regaining her fitness, and living a "normal" life as a young adult.
The Actionable Insight: What We Can Learn
If you’re a creator or just someone who feels the weight of the digital world, Joana's story is a massive lesson in boundaries. You don't owe the internet your soul.
Here’s how to apply the "Ceddia Principle" to your own life:
- Prioritize the Physical: If your mental or physical health is crumbling, no amount of "clout" or "engagement" is worth the cost. Joana chose her skin and her sanity over a multimillion-dollar career.
- It’s Okay to Rebrand (or Disappear): You are not a static character in a TV show. If you want to stop being "the funny one" and start being a physicist, you can.
- The Internet Forgets, But You Don't: People will always ask "what happened," but eventually, the noise dies down. The peace you find in private is often more valuable than the praise you find in public.
Joana Ceddia was a lightning strike on YouTube. She came, she saw, she made us laugh at a bowl of raw eggs, and then she left on her own terms. She’s likely out there right now, looking at the stars through a telescope, happy that no one is filming her doing it.
If you are struggling with skin issues similar to what Joana faced, look into resources from the National Eczema Association or research ITSAN (International Topical Steroid Awareness Network) for support on TSW.