Tana Mongeau's Racial Slur History: 5 Key Controversies That Keep Resurfacing

The use of racial slurs by prominent social media figures remains a flashpoint for public accountability, and few creators have faced as much scrutiny over past comments as Tana Mongeau. As of December 2025, the conversation surrounding her history of using the N-word and other racist language is not a single, isolated incident, but a recurring theme that continues to shape her public narrative and the debate around "cancel culture" and celebrity growth. This article examines the full timeline of the controversy, the specific incidents that brought it to light, and the apologies that followed. The allegations are not new; they stem from content created early in her career, but they are frequently brought back into the spotlight, particularly during new career ventures or when other controversies involving her peers, like podcast co-host Brooke Schofield, resurface. Understanding the context of these past actions is crucial for anyone following the evolving career of the self-proclaimed "YouTube chaos queen."

Tana Mongeau: A Quick Biographical Profile

Tana Marie Mongeau is an American internet personality, rapper, and model known primarily for her "storytime" videos on YouTube and her highly publicised personal life.

• Full Name: Tana Marie Mongeau
• Born: June 24, 1998
• Age: 27 (as of December 2025)
• Birthplace: Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
• Career Start: 2015, posting "storytime" vlogs on YouTube.
• Key Events: TanaCon (2018), marriage to Jake Paul (2019), launch of her OnlyFans career, and co-hosting the *Cancelled* podcast.
• Content Style: Chaotic, unscripted, highly dramatic vlogs focusing on personal life, relationships, and celebrity feuds.
• Other Ventures: Music career (singles like "Facetime," "Hefner"), reality TV appearances.

The Origins of the Slur Controversy: Early Tweets and Videos

The initial evidence of Tana Mongeau's use of the N-word and other racially insensitive content dates back to her early teenage years, specifically between 2012 and 2014. This material consisted primarily of old tweets, Snapchat videos, and unedited clips that were later dug up by internet sleuths and commentary channels. During this period, Mongeau was a teenager creating content for "shock value" and to generate views, a tactic she later admitted to. The content was largely overlooked by the mainstream until her profile grew, at which point the past comments became a major liability. The resurfacing of this old material laid the groundwork for the larger, more public feuds that followed.

1. The iDubbbz Feud and the 'Content Cop' Exposé

The first major, widely-publicized confrontation over Mongeau's use of the N-word occurred in 2017 with fellow YouTuber iDubbbz (Ian Carter). Mongeau had initially called out iDubbbz for using the slur in a video, which prompted him to create a highly critical video in his "Content Cop" series, specifically targeting her. iDubbbz's "Content Cop" video served as a comprehensive exposé, detailing not only her hypocritical stance but also presenting extensive evidence of her own past racist remarks and use of the N-word. This feud brought the issue to the attention of millions of viewers outside of Tana's immediate fanbase, cementing the controversy as a permanent part of her online history.

2. The Kahlen Barry Accusations and the Summer 2020 Reckoning

The controversy was reignited in the summer of 2020, amidst global Black Lives Matter protests, when YouTuber and former collaborator Kahlen Barry posted a video accusing Mongeau of racist behavior, microaggressions, and gaslighting. Barry's video was a powerful, direct account of his personal experiences working with Mongeau, which went far beyond just her past use of slurs. He detailed a pattern of behavior that made him uncomfortable, forcing Mongeau to address the issue directly. This accusation was significant because it shifted the narrative from old, forgotten tweets to a more recent pattern of behavior and a direct conflict with a Black creator.

3. The "RE: an Apology" Video and Public Backlash

In response to the mounting pressure from Kahlen Barry and the wider public, Mongeau uploaded a video titled "RE: an Apology." The video was intended to be a comprehensive response to all the accusations, including her past N-word usage, the iDubbbz feud, and the Kahlen Barry allegations. However, the apology was met with significant backlash, with many critics calling it "robotic," inauthentic, and self-serving. Critics pointed out that she seemed to minimize her actions, claiming she used the slur in the past "for shock value" and to make people laugh, while simultaneously denying that she was a racist. This response was widely seen as a failure to take full accountability, further damaging her reputation among those who felt her remorse was performative.

4. The Ongoing Debate on Accountability and 'Cancel Culture'

The recurring nature of the N-word controversy surrounding Tana Mongeau has made her a central figure in the ongoing debate about accountability in the influencer world. Mongeau has continued to maintain a massive following, despite the numerous scandals, leading to discussions about the effectiveness of "cancel culture." Her ability to bounce back from major controversies, including the infamous TanaCon disaster, has been dubbed "the 900 lives of Tana Mongeau" by some commentators. The question remains whether her apologies are genuine steps toward growth or simply calculated moves to maintain her brand and relevance. This dichotomy is a core element of her public persona.

5. Current Relevance: The Brooke Schofield Connection (2024/2025)

As of late 2024 and into 2025, the topic of racism and accountability has resurfaced around Mongeau through her association with her *Cancelled* podcast co-host, Brooke Schofield. Schofield faced her own backlash for past problematic social media activity, which again brought Mongeau's history back into the conversation. In a move to distance herself and clarify her own current political and social stance, Mongeau publicly endorsed Kamala Harris and addressed the need for accountability, indirectly referencing the ongoing scrutiny of her circle. This continuous cycle demonstrates that for a public figure like Mongeau, past actions are never truly forgotten. The "Tana saying the N-word" incident serves as a constant reminder and a measure against which her current claims of growth and maturity are judged.

The Long-Term Impact on Tana Mongeau's Brand

The controversy surrounding Tana Mongeau's use of racial slurs is a critical component of her career narrative. While she has successfully transitioned her brand to a more mature, OnlyFans-centric, and podcast-driven model, the shadow of her past remains. Her continued success, despite the documented history of racist behavior and controversial apologies, highlights a complex reality in the creator economy: a loyal fanbase can often outweigh public outrage. For Mongeau, the key to survival has been to embrace the "chaos queen" persona, allowing controversy to become a feature, not a bug, of her brand. However, as the digital landscape continues to demand greater social responsibility, she will likely face this historical reckoning for the foreseeable future.

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