The Long-Simmering Feud Between Two YouTube Giants
Popular YouTubers FouseyTube (Yousef Erakat) and drama channel host Keemstar have been embroiled in an bitter feud for years, ever since animosity grew after initial collaborations. Though they were once friendly, tensions erupted into vicious name-calling and extended public attacks. Their beef reminds many of the chaos between rap giants Tupac and Biggie in the way it has ballooned.
With 20 million subscribers and 2.8 billion views amassed since starting his channel in 2011, Fousey earned fame pulling pranks and stunts. But he also opened up about his mental health journey after suffering trauma like parental loss as a child. Keemstar meanwhile garnered infamy for his abrasive Delivery and sensational attacks on YouTubers through his drama channel channels DramaAlert and K***rstar, which boast a combined 23 million subscribers.
This latest episode involved an up and coming social media boxer named Dean the Great caught in the middle as things spiraled from messy to dangerous. Dean had been working closely with Keem‘s fight promotion and management company Happy Punch but also bonded with Fousey, who has dabbled in boxing events himself. As tensions between the YouTube stars grew more toxic, Dean faced backlash just for associating with both. The public breakdown in relationships provides a sobering reminder about the impacts of poor communication.
The Communication Breakdown That Changed Everything
Based on public statements and leaked private conversations, a serious communication breakdown occurred between all three parties, culminating in Dean‘s departure from Happy Punch and cancellation of his next fight. In the absence of open dialogue to clear up misunderstandings early on, tensions continued mounting over weeks.
When conflict arises, clinical psychologist Dr. Joanne Ginter recommends first addressing the situation directly with the person privately, focusing just on the facts. If reasonable effort fails, she then suggests bringing in a neutral third party with training in mediation and dispute resolution techniques to help find common ground.
Instead, in this case with emotions already running high, the parties skipped straight to making public declarations, allegations and threats without hearing each other out first. Clinical psychologist Dr. Melanie Greenberg notes that face-to-face communication facilitates reading nonverbal cues and expressing sentiments that get lost electronically.
According to Woodward et al in the Journal of Counseling Psychology, validating the other party‘s perspective even during disagreement helps build trust and defuse arguments before they spiral out of control. Unfortunately dismissive, accusatory and attention-seeking responses prevailed here instead.
The Stress and Psychological Damage of Unresolved Feuds
Prolonged conflict with no relief through compassionate communication channels can severely impact well-being. Greenberg discusses how anxiety created by external stress often manifests inwardly as depression and damaged self-esteem. Over time grudges can create negative thought cycles that prevent healthy functioning.
Unchecked resentment also frequently spills over, collateral hurting uninvolved parties like it did with Dean the Great. A 2022 Stanford study found that observing others‘ conflicts triggered parts of subjects‘ brains tied to firsthand stress, showing such disputes yield "secondary" stress for witnesses too.
This high-profile disaster demonstrates why properly addressing discord early, directly and with mediation techniques leads to the most favorable resolutions psychologically. Once matters escalate publicly no-one wins as reputations and business interests get torched in the crossfire.
Understanding FouseyTube‘s Mental Health Struggles
While Fousey‘s overreactions aggravated the friction between both parties, the context around his mental health journey provides insight into his conduct. Troubled from a young age after losing his father and bouncing between households, Fousey suffered trauma that left him struggling for stability. He was formally diagnosed with bipolar disorder years back.
According Greenberg, the condition is characterized by unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and impulsivity. Signs during highs include heightened confidence, impulsive decision-making, racing thoughts, poor sleep plus engaging in risky behaviors like substance abuse and promiscuity.
Fousey‘s past manic episodes coerced shocking behavior like adopting outlandish personas, public meltdowns and involvement with illegal drugs according to news reports. Greenberg cautions this illness if untreated can destroy careers, financial health and relationships.
While impossible to excuse all his irresponsible actions, deeper awareness of Fousey‘s mental state puts them somewhat in perspective. Ideally he accesses professional resources not yet tried fully to identify his optimal medical treatment, coping strategies and create accountability. The Internet provides immediate access to licensed counselors and support groups to aid the process.
Nonprofit organization Project Semicolon has also assisted many social media figures including beauty YouTuber NikkieTutorials struggling with mental illness by providing community support. Their founder Amy Bleuel explained, "Bipolar disorder is being treated differently than other diseases. Can you imagine if a celebrity announced they have breast cancer or a family member with Alzheimer’s, and the world told them to get over it?”
Keemstar‘s Instigating Ways Added Fuel to the Fire
While Fousey undoubtedly crossed lines himself at times including disparaging comments about Keem‘s family, the other party is far from innocent. Keemstar has built an influencer career on fanning flames, where manufacturing drama with other Internet stars drew clicks and notoriety for his platforms.
Some fellow YouTubers have accused Keem of weaponizing mental health issues by mocking conditions like depression and alcoholism when provoking targets. According to clinical psychologist Dr. Perpetua Neo, repeatedly using personalized attacks rather than sticking to substantive facts demonstrates a lack emotional control that inevitably damages all relationships over time.
Even boxing promoter Eddie Hearn who helped broker Mike Tyson‘s recent comeback acknowledged that while controversy sells tickets, most successful fighters balance it with dignity and sportsmanship. He shared, "There‘s an art to hype a fight without it getting too silly or cringeworthy. Just getting attention shouldn‘t override self-respect.”
In this case after Fousey‘s concerning patterns resurfaced, Keem potentially could have firmly established boundaries around conduct he finds objectionable without insensitive personal jabs about his illness. Similarly Fousey might have offered transparency about his mental state to warrant compassion rather than ridicule.
Research shows framing disputes constructively without mean-spirited language has better odds of reaching mutual understanding and even strengthening bonds between former enemies like famous boxers turned friends Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield.
The Path Forward: Growth Emerging From Pain
Every messy chapter holds opportunity for reflection about missteps made on all sides. Fousey has admitted publicly his actions negatively affected Dean which hints at his readiness for positive growth to emerge from an awful situation.
Studies analyzing how prominent business and political leaders rebounded after scandals found that showing accountability through apologies and plans to right wrongs rebuilds reputations. With guidance from mental health experts on relationship skills and addressing destructive tendencies, Fousey can bounce back wiser than before.
Likewise, Keemstar may benefit by consulting PR specialists known for resurrecting damaged images like Olivia Pope-esque Judy Smith who inspired hit show Scandal. Identifying better ways to call out concerning behavior while avoiding unnecessarily personal attacks could help revive some audience faith.
Dean‘s classy public statement on the matter should set the tone for parties reconnecting. He noted maturely, “The best way I can represent myself is professionally and positively for the culture… Lessons learned, blessings counted.”
This very ugly and embarrassing public scene ironically has seeded fertile ground for improved communication, strengthened connections and revived careers if they have the courage. And the audience can gain from it too if we reflect on our own relationships, ask whether we listen generously even in conflict and lead always with compassion.