James Somerton - A Public Figure's Story

Cade Ratke 24 Jun 2025

For quite a while, many people followed a creator named James Somerton, someone who put together video discussions about films, books, and even comic books. His work often focused on queer stories and figures within these forms of entertainment, and he gathered a rather sizable group of people who watched what he made. He was, in a way, a familiar voice for many who looked for these kinds of discussions.

Then, in late 2023, things took a pretty unexpected turn for James Somerton. A public discussion began, and it brought a lot of attention to his past work, causing quite a stir among his followers and beyond. It was a situation that, well, really changed how people saw his content and his presence online, almost overnight.

What followed was a series of events, including attempts to explain what had happened, and then, a lot of public reaction. This piece will walk you through what took place, who James Somerton is, and how things have developed since those initial moments of public questioning, giving you a picture of the story as it has unfolded, you know, up to this point.

James Somerton - A Look at His Life and Work
Who is James Somerton, Really?
What Happened with James Somerton?
The Unraveling of James Somerton's Public Image
How Did James Somerton Respond to the Allegations?
James Somerton's Attempts to Address the Situation
What Has Been the Fallout for James Somerton?
The Aftermath for James Somerton
James Somerton's Content - What Was It About?
Exploring James Somerton's Video Essays
The Broader Discussion Around James Somerton
Community Reactions to James Somerton
Was There More to the James Somerton Plagiarism Claims?
Deeper Aspects of the James Somerton Controversy
The Ongoing Story of James Somerton
Where Things Stand for James Somerton Now

James Somerton - A Look at His Life and Work

Before we get into the details of what occurred, it's probably good to get a bit of a sense of who James Somerton is. He's a person from Canada who, for some time, was quite a well-known creator on a video-sharing platform. He gained a following by making these video essays, which are basically longer, more thought-out video discussions on various topics. His main focus, you know, was often on media and popular culture, particularly from a viewpoint that looked at queer themes and stories.

He even used another name sometimes, "James of Telos," which was connected to a film company. For a good while, his online presence seemed to be going along quite well, actually. He had built up a rather significant number of people who watched his videos, reaching a point where he had hundreds of thousands of subscribers. This meant a lot of people were tuning in to hear his thoughts and perspectives, and that, in some respects, gave him a pretty wide reach for his ideas.

His content really resonated with many, especially those interested in the LGBTQ+ community's stories within popular entertainment. He was seen as a notable voice, someone providing insights into subjects that perhaps didn't always get a lot of attention elsewhere. So, it's fair to say, he was doing quite well, all things considered, attracting a considerable audience who found his work both informative and engaging, almost like a go-to person for these discussions.

Personal Details and Bio Data of James Somerton

Full Name	James Somerton
Also Known As	James of Telos
Nationality	Canadian
Known For	YouTube video essays on media, pop culture, and queer themes
Subscriber Count (Pre-Controversy)	Over 330,000 (November 2023)
Current Status	Former YouTuber; physical safety confirmed, mental state unclear.

Who is James Somerton, Really?

James Somerton, as we've touched upon, was a creator from Canada who built a name for himself on a popular video platform. He became known for putting together what are called video essays, which are, you know, longer, more detailed discussions on subjects like movies, books, and comic books. What made his work stand out for many was his particular interest in exploring queer history and characters within these different forms of storytelling, actually.

He really focused on providing perspectives on media and pop culture that came from a queer point of view. This kind of content, quite naturally, found a dedicated audience, and it helped him grow his channel significantly. By November of 2023, he had managed to gather a very impressive number of people who followed his work, reaching about 337,000 subscribers, which is a pretty big crowd, you know.

His insights into LGBTQ+ themes in popular media made him a rather important figure for many people within that community and for those interested in those topics. He had, in a way, carved out a space where these discussions could happen, and his content often brought attention to subjects that might not have been widely talked about elsewhere. So, he was, in essence, a prominent voice for a particular kind of cultural analysis.

What Happened with James Somerton?

The situation that changed things for James Somerton started to unfold in early December 2023. This is when another creator on the same video platform, someone known as Hbomberguy, put out a video. This particular video, as a matter of fact, brought up some very serious questions about James Somerton's work, suggesting that large parts of it were, well, not entirely original.

The video from Hbomberguy seemed to show that considerable sections of James Somerton's content were taken directly from other sources without proper acknowledgment. This kind of public display of information, naturally, created a massive stir among people who watched these kinds of videos and, of course, among James Somerton's own followers. It was a moment that really shifted the public conversation around his channel, almost instantly.

What Hbomberguy did was, in essence, systematically go through some of James Somerton's previous video essays. He pointed out multiple instances where it looked like parts of the text were copied from other writers. This kind of public display of information, you know, really put a spotlight on the creation process behind James Somerton's popular videos, leading to a lot of discussion and concern among his audience and the wider online community.

The Unraveling of James Somerton's Public Image

The video from Hbomberguy was quite thorough, and it went into some very specific details. For example, there was a part in Hbomberguy's video where he showed a paragraph that James Somerton appeared to have taken from another source. What was particularly striking, it seems, was that James Somerton had added an extra sentence to this copied text, a sentence that wasn't in the original material.

This added sentence, as it turned out, was reportedly about how straight women were, to put it mildly, not great. After inserting this one line, James Somerton then, apparently, went back to using the rest of the original text. This specific detail, you know, really caught people's attention and added another layer to the public discussion that was already happening, making the situation even more complicated for James Somerton.

This entire public discussion, which some people started calling the "James Somerton plagiarism scandal," began to unfold quite quickly. The video from Hbomberguy, which was put out on December 6, 2023, at about 4:30 PM UTC, has since been viewed by a very large number of people, getting over 17 million views. This kind of reach meant that the questions raised about James Somerton's work became widely known, and that, in some respects, created a very public challenge for him.

How Did James Somerton Respond to the Allegations?

After the initial public discussion started, James Somerton did put out a video that was meant to be an apology. This happened later in December, the same month the initial video from Hbomberguy came out. However, this first attempt to address the situation, it seems, didn't quite go as he might have hoped, actually.

Instead of helping to calm things down, this apology video, in a way, made the situation even more difficult for him. The public reaction to it was, well, quite negative, and he received a lot of criticism. It appeared that his attempt to explain or apologize didn't resonate with his audience in the way he probably intended, and that, you know, just added more fuel to the ongoing public discussion.

The general feeling was that the video didn't adequately address the concerns that people had. So, rather than resolving the issues, it seemed to just increase the level of public dissatisfaction. This meant that the questions surrounding James Somerton and his content continued to grow, and the pressure on him remained very high, almost like the apology itself became part of the problem rather than the solution.

James Somerton's Attempts to Address the Situation

Following the first, less-than-successful apology, James Somerton later made another attempt to communicate with his audience. He put out a second apology video, and in this one, he apparently laid out some plans for what he intended to do with his channel moving forward. He even talked about rebranding his channel to "James of Telos," which was the name of the film company that, you know, he was associated with.

This second video, it seems, was meant to outline a path for the future, perhaps to show that he was serious about making changes and continuing to create content, but under a new identity. He was, in a way, trying to restart or redefine his online presence after the public difficulties he had faced. The idea was to move past the immediate issues and establish a new direction for his work, basically.

However, despite these efforts to return to making content and to put out a second apology, the situation remained quite difficult for James Somerton. The public discussion and the questions about his past work didn't just disappear. Even with new plans and a different channel name, the effects of the earlier events continued to shape how people viewed him and his content, and that, you know, made things still very uncertain for his future online endeavors.

What Has Been the Fallout for James Somerton?

The public discussion around James Somerton had some very real and immediate effects on his online presence. For instance, his account on a popular social media platform, which used to be called Twitter and is now known as X, was deleted not long after Hbomberguy's video became widely known. This was a pretty quick removal of a significant part of his public interaction, actually.

While his main video channel and the videos he had made were still available for people to watch, this removal of his social media presence showed a clear attempt to, you know, lessen his public footprint online. It was almost as if he was trying to pull back from the immediate public eye as the situation continued to unfold. This kind of action, naturally, left many people wondering about his current state and what he was planning next.

Financially, the situation also had a considerable impact. Before these events, James Somerton was reportedly earning a significant amount of money each year from his work on the video platform, something like $170,000. He also had a very large number of views on his videos, almost 6 million, and a substantial subscriber count. So, the public discussion that started, in some respects, put a stop to that level of success, and that, you know, would have been a very big shift for him.

The Aftermath for James Somerton

The events surrounding James Somerton took a very serious turn in March 2024. He posted what appeared to be a note on social media, which many people interpreted as a suicide note. This, understandably, caused a great deal of concern among his followers and the wider public, leading to a lot of worry about his well-being, you know, at that time.

Thankfully, it was later confirmed that he was alive and physically safe, which brought a sense of relief to many who were concerned. However, even with this confirmation of his physical safety, the information available suggested that his mental state was still unclear. This meant that while he was no longer in immediate physical danger, there were still questions about his overall well-being, and that, in some respects, left many people feeling uneasy about his situation.

The public discussion around James Somerton also touched on some other past claims. For example, it was found that he had, apparently, used stock images and essays that were not his own in connection with claims of having 15 years of experience in wedding photography and videography. This particular detail, you know, came to light after he was called out on platforms like Wedding Wire, adding another layer to the public scrutiny he was facing.

James Somerton's Content - What Was It About?

Before all of these public discussions started, James Somerton had really made a name for himself by creating video essays that talked about a variety of subjects. His main focus, as we've mentioned, was on films, books, and comic books. But what really set his work apart for many was his particular interest in exploring queer history and characters within these different forms of media, actually.

He had a way of looking at popular entertainment through a lens that highlighted LGBTQ+ themes, often bringing attention to aspects that might have been overlooked by others. This approach, naturally, resonated with a specific audience, and it helped him build a dedicated following. He was seen as someone who could provide insightful commentary on these topics, and that, in some respects, made his channel a go-to place for such discussions.

His videos often delved into subjects that could be seen as controversial or, you know, not always openly discussed in mainstream spaces, like social unrest. He had a way of presenting these ideas that garnered widespread attention, and his subscriber count, which exceeded 230,000 at one point, showed just how many people were interested in his unique perspective on these important cultural issues, almost like a thoughtful guide through complex topics.

Exploring James Somerton's Video Essays

James Somerton's video essays were, in a way, a significant part of his public identity. He was known for putting together these longer, more detailed video discussions, which really allowed him to explore topics in depth. His content typically focused on media, like movies and television shows, and also on broader issues within the LGBTQ+ community, which was a very consistent theme in his work, you know.

He had a knack for picking out themes and characters that resonated with a particular audience, and his discussions often provided a unique viewpoint on how these elements fit into the larger cultural conversation. This approach, naturally, helped him to connect with many people who were looking for content that reflected their experiences or offered new ways of thinking about media. So, his video essays were, in essence, a central part of his appeal and what drew people to his channel.

The style of his content was often seen as thoughtful and analytical, providing a deeper look at subjects that might otherwise just be taken at face value. He would, it seems, break down stories and cultural moments, offering his interpretations and drawing connections that many found compelling. This commitment to detailed discussion was, you know, a hallmark of his work and a key reason why he built such a considerable following over time, almost like a public scholar of popular culture.

The Broader Discussion Around James Somerton

The public discussion surrounding James Somerton, often referred to as the "James Somerton scandal," is, in some respects, still developing. It's not a situation that has fully settled, and new information or perspectives can still come to light. This means that the conversation around him and his past work continues to be a topic of interest for many people who follow online creators, you know.

The situation has prompted a wider discussion within online communities about originality, proper sourcing, and the responsibilities of content creators. It has, in a way, become a case study for what happens when questions about a creator's work become very public. This kind of ongoing conversation, naturally, shows that the impact of these events goes beyond just one person and affects how people think about online content creation in general.

For some communities, particularly those where James Somerton was a prominent figure, there have been specific decisions made about how to handle discussions related to him. For example, some online forums or groups have decided that all posts talking about James Somerton will be taken down, without any exceptions. This shows a very clear stance on the matter, basically, and a desire to move past the immediate public discussion.

Community Reactions to James Somerton

The reactions from various online communities to the situation with James Somerton have been quite varied, but there's a clear trend in some places. For instance, the decision to remove all posts discussing James Somerton, even if there are new developments, suggests a desire to, you know, close that chapter. This kind of policy indicates that for some, the discussion has run its course, and it's time to move on from the topic.

This approach is often taken to help manage the flow of information and to prevent continuous rehashing of past events, which can be, in some respects, quite draining for a community. It means that even if something significant happens in the future regarding James Somerton, it will likely not be a topic allowed for public discussion in those specific spaces. This is a very firm boundary, almost like a collective decision to focus on other things.

The community's decision to follow the lead of others, such as someone named Kat, regarding James Somerton's condition, also shows a collective effort to respond to a sensitive situation with care. Once there was confirmation about James Somerton's well-being, the focus shifted to respecting the wishes of those closest to the situation. This kind of group approach, you know, highlights the human element in these online discussions, where empathy and concern for a person's state become very important considerations.

Was There More to the James Somerton Plagiarism Claims?

Beyond the main public discussion about his video essays, some other details about James Somerton's past work also came to light. It was found, for instance, that he had claimed to have a considerable amount of experience, specifically 15 years, in wedding photography and videography. However, it was later discovered that he had, apparently, used stock images and parts of essays that were not his own in relation to these claims, actually.

This particular aspect of the public discussion surfaced after he was, you know, called out on platforms like Wedding Wire and other similar places. This meant that the questions about his originality weren't limited to just his video essays but extended to other areas of his claimed professional life. It added another layer to the overall picture of the public scrutiny he was facing, almost like a pattern emerging from different parts of his past.

The fact that he had, apparently, been missing since these particular claims came out on those wedding-related platforms also added to the public concern and the ongoing discussion about his whereabouts and his overall situation. So, it wasn't just one isolated incident, but rather a series of events that contributed to the broader public conversation about James Somerton and his work, and that, in some respects, made the situation even more complex for him.

Deeper Aspects of the James Somerton Controversy

There were some very particular details that came up during the public discussion, like the part about someone named Nick in James Somerton's second apology video. Some people found this section to be, well, rather odd, actually. It described Nick's movements around Canada, with James Somerton apparently following, and it made some listeners wonder if Nick was trying to distance himself from the difficult situation, and if James Somerton was, perhaps, not fully grasping that, you know.

This specific part of the apology raised questions about the dynamics between James Somerton and others involved, and how that might have been perceived by people who weren't completely up to speed on all the details. It's hard to know exactly how things went down, of course, but the way it was presented did lead to some speculation and further discussion among those following the situation. So, it added a layer of personal interaction to what was already a very public event, basically.

The whole situation, from the initial video from Hbomberguy to the apologies and the

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