YouTubers who made videos "calling" Kobe Bryant delete channels following backlash

29 January 2020, 16:42

By Jazmin Duribe

The YouTubers are being compared to JayStation, who recently faced criticism for his YouTube videos.

The news of Kobe Bryant's death alongside his daughter Gianna and seven others (Christina Mauser, John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Ara Zobayan, Payton Chester and Sarah Chester) on Sunday (26 Jan) in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, shocked the world.

Tributes from heartbroken celebrities and the public rolled in, while several stars honoured the basketball legend at the 2020 Grammy Awards that same evening. However, some haven't been so respectful. YouTubers have been trying to capitalise off of Kobe's passing with a gross stunt.

READ MORE: YouTuber JayStation admits faking girlfriend Alexia Marano's death to get more subscribers

YouTuber Jolto, born Josh Giles, claimed that he has spoken with Kobe following his death in a video titled, "CALLING KOBE BRYANT AT 3 AM! *OMG HE ACTUALLY ANSWERED* (HES NOT DEAD)".

Jolto claimed that Kobe was texting him from beyond the grave after he found his number on the "dark web".

The format of contacting deceased celebrities isn't exactly new. JayStation has famously (and controversially) been doing it for a while. He recently contacted his deceased girlfriend Alexia Marano using a ouija board. However, it soon turned out that his girlfriend was very much alive.

"If you didn't already know the world-famous basketball player Kobe has unfortunately passed away and I just want to say all my thoughts and prayers to his family guys," Jolto began. "This is honestly so sad… Well, without further ado let's try and have a conversation with him."

Jolto said he felt "so bad" about doing it, but that he would "leak" Kobe's number if people wanted in the comment section. Next, messages popped up on his phone from someone he claimed is Kobe. The texts said he "didn’t want anything to do with the mainstream media anymore" and was "looking for a way out". Jolto then calls the number and a distorted voice picks up. "Help me. I told you not to call," it says.

Another YouTuber named ItsJack, real name Jack Martin, did exactly the same and claimed Kobe was alive. Again, he promised to share Kobe's number if people like the video and subscribed to his channel. "No ads will be on this video because I don't think I should be making money from this video," he said. "But, all my prayers go out to his family and friends and everything. This video is not supposed to do anything bad to him or anything."

Needless to say, the internet was disgusted that both YouTubers were using the tragedy for content.

Jolto and ItsJack's YouTube channels have now been deleted, but their videos have been re-uploaded by other YouTube channels. Before ItsJack deleted his account, he said he had "messed up" and would be posting an apology video soon.

H/T: Dexerto