"Not being fully cancelled is crazy" - Memes erupt as internet reacts to David Dobrik's return to YouTube years after controversy

Internet personality David Dobrik has returned to his YouTube channel with a body transformation video following his lengthy hiatus. In a video that also featured Mr. Beast, the influencer showcased his ripped physique and his friends reacting to the same. Netizens have since taken to social media to react to his comeback.

On January 8, David Dobrik returned to YouTube with a video titled SURPRISING FRIENDS WITH BODY TRANSFORMATION. After collaborating with his friend and fellow YouTuber Ilya Fedorovich, Dobrik managed to achieve his goal of getting ripped.

Several internet personalities were seen reacting to Dobrik’s transformation, including Dixie D’Amelio, Olivia Jade, Josh Peck, Noah Beck, Corinna Kopf, and more.

The video also included extensive footage of the David Dobrik clan, popularly called the ‘Vlog Squad,’ traveling across the world.

Right at the end of the 14-minute-long video, Mr. Beast appeared on camera to reveal that he and Dobrik had made a bet before Dobrik’s fitness journey, resulting in Fedorovich getting a brand new car.

In the video, Dobrik also revealed that he gifted employees of his Doughbriks pizza line brand new Teslas.

The video had amassed nearly two million views at the time of writing this article.

Many could not believe that David Dobrik had seamlessly reentered YouTube following a slew of controversies he was embroiled in since 2017.

The same included former fans coming forward to reveal that they were allegedly s*xually abused by former Vlog Squad member Dom Zeglaitis and were also forced by the Vlog Squad to consume alcohol despite being minors.

Dobrik’s Vlog Squad clan also faced racist allegations, with him also facing backlash for allegedly forcing members like Jeff Wittek to take part in life-threatening stunts.

One netizen commented:

Several others expressed similar sentiments, with many being shocked by David Dobrik trending on Twitter on January 8 as well. Reactions to his YouTube comeback read:

““New year, new me, new vlog” and what about a new eye for Jeff?,” an X user commented.

“David dobrik posted a new video..no one moved,” a platform user said.

“I can’t be the only one who thought this was photoshop ,” a netizen said.

As some expressed disappointment to see Dobrik back on YouTube, others were shocked by him posting again. Comments online read:

“Remember when you almost killed one of your best friends and then left him high and dry with the medical bills bc I do,” an X user said.

“Isn’t david dobrik like not a good person lol,” a platform user said.

“New you? Does this include taking accountability for what happened to Jeff,” a netizen commented.

Evidently, many were bringing up Jeff Wittek sustaining an eye injury after taking part in a video that was uploaded on Dobrik’s YouTube channel. Many opined that Dobrik was yet to compensate Wittek for the same. Meanwhile, other reactions read:

“Doesn’t even come close to Nikocado Avacado,” an X user said.

“Everyone spamming “steroids” in the comments,” another netizen said.

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A glimpse into the controversies of David Dobrik’s Vlog Squad as YouTuber makes a comeback

Disclaimer: The following section has mentions of s*xual abuse. Reader discretion is advised.

Netizens initially expressed concern with the Vlog Squad back in 2021 when Insider reported that a fan came forward to allege that she was s*xually harassed by Dom Zeglaitis while filming a view for David Dobrik that was released in May 2017.

As per Vulture, Ally Hardesty came forward in 2017 to allege that Zeglaitis forcibly kissed her at a VidCon that was held in the same year.

In June 2020, a former Vlog Squad member, Seth Francois, came forward to accuse the Vlog Squad of being racists. This reportedly included the group joking about taking Seth to the police and them also doing Blackface.

In March 2021, Business Insider published an article with a headline that read, “A woman featured on YouTube star David Dobrik’s channel says she was r*ped by a Vlog Squad member in 2018 the night they filmed a video about group s*x.”

In the article, the woman alleged that she was r*ped by Zeglaitis.

Former Vlog Squad member Jeff Wittek also came forward in 2021 to reveal that he seemingly sustained face, skull, and dental injuries after being hung by an excavator that was being operated by Dobrik.

This ended with Wittek suing Dobrik for $10 million and accusing him of general negligence and general tort. As per Vulture, Wittek claimed “wage loss, loss of earning capacity,” and him racking up medical expenses in the lawsuit.

It remains unclear as to whether Dobrik would return with consistent YouTube video releases at the time of writing this article.