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Gregory Jackson
Personal information
Born
Gregory Daniel Jackson

(1985-11-11) November 11, 1985 (age 39)
NationalityAmerican
Spouses
Skye Tantaga
(m. 2005; div. 2010)
[1]
Kai Avaroe
(m. 2012)
[2]
Website
YouTube information
Channels
Years active2006–present
Genre(s)Comedy, commentary
Subscribers
  • 2 million (Onision)
  • 2 million (UhOhBro)
  • 1.6 million (OnisionSpeaks)
  • 565 thousand (OnisionArchive)
  • 162 thousand (OnisionEncore)
  • 48 thousand (OniChan)
[3]
Total views2 billion (combined)[3]
100,000 subscribers2009
1,000,000 subscribers2013

Last updated: May 20, 2018

Gregory Daniel Jackson, also known as Gregory Daniel Avaroe[4] and his YouTube username Onision (/ˈnsɒn/),[5][6] is an American entertainer and YouTube personality.[7] While his primary YouTube channel, "Onision", features sketches and satirical clips, videos posted to his other channels focus on personal stories covering topics such as suicide and self-harm, as well as discussion with his viewers. His online content has attracted controversy and criticism from online media outlets and viewers alike, and Jackson has been accused of misogyny and child grooming.[7][8][9]

As of November 2019, Jackson's main Onision channel has received over 2 million subscribers and over 330 million video views;[10] his secondary channel "UhOhBro" has received just under 2 million subscribers and over 370 million video views;[11] and his vlog channel "OnisionSpeaks" has received over 1.6 million subscribers and over 550 million video views.[12] The music video to Banana Song (I'm A Banana), written and performed by Jackson, is his most-viewed video; as of November 2019, it has garnered over 70 million views.

Early life

Jackson has told fans his mother raised him and his older sisters in a rural environment, and that they were Seventh-day Adventists.[5][6] Additionally, in his self-published Facts About Onision (Story Time) video, Jackson states that his mother "filed for divorce once it was made clear his father was a child predator."[6] During his teenage years, Jackson composed music and worked on web and graphic design.[6] In 2005, he graduated from high school and enlisted with the United States Air Force. He says he was stationed in South Korea before being honorably discharged in 2008.[6]

Online career

Video content

Jackson created his channel in 2006, but did not upload any content until October 2007.[1][10] His earliest clips featured a character named Chibi whom fans interpreted as a parody of Fred Figglehorn.[1] By 2019, Insider wrote that Jackson was "best known for his objectifying content and controversial reputation," and detailed that "he rates pictures that women submit to him, gives his opinions on their bodies, and comments on other YouTubers."[2]

In 2009, Jackson uploaded the Banana Song (I'm a Banana), which went viral. The video featured Jackson "jumping around screaming in a banana suit,"[2] as well as his first wife, Skye Tantaga.[1] Banana Song was featured on Tosh.0 as the "Viewer Video of the Week" in 2010.[13]

In 2011, Jackson posted a number of clips with his then-girlfriend Shiloh Hoganson.[1] The clips were scripted but presented in a manner many fans interpreted as unscripted.[citation needed] In some of them, however, Hoganson experienced amnesia; Adrienne Jourgensen, an ex-girlfriend of Jackson's, published a letter stating that Jackson believed Hoganson was lying about her memory loss.[1] Jackson and Hoganson later stated that she was pregnant and suffered a miscarriage.[1][8] In 2019, a video featuring Hoganson resurfaced online; in it, Jackson is heard telling her, "You know this video is never going to be online, right? No one will ever know how much I abuse you", before hurtling candy corns at her and laughing.[14]

Reception

Jackson's on-camera and off-camera activity has received criticism from online media outlets, as well as from fellow online content creators. In 2010, Tubefilter listed Jackson as one of "5 YouTubers On Their Way Up", alongside Shane Dawson and the Fine Brothers. The outlet described Jackson's channel as frequently updated with a "very rough, in-your-face R-rated style", and called Jackson "the most controversial YouTuber."[7] In 2012, The Daily Dot described Jackson as "known for his militant vegetarianism, sex appeal, comedic skits, and controversial views on topics like circumcision."[15] The publication has also criticized his content on multiple occasions; in 2013, James Cook wrote for the outlet, calling Jackson "YouTube's most troubled star".[8] In 2018, Jackson was included on a Daily Dot-published list of six YouTubers "worse" than Logan Paul.[9] The outlet opined that "[Jackson's] videos these days [2018] are just as obnoxious and irritating as they were nine years ago when he first struck YouTube gold with a truly terrible song about being a banana."[9] Jackson has also received criticism from fellow YouTubers, notably Daniel Sulzbach (known online as MrRepzion) and Blaire White.[1][16] In an email to Insider, Jackson shared that "People hated me, with a passion, for my opinions I openly held."[2]

Controversies

Bans from VidCon and Patreon

Jackson was banned from VidCon 2012 due to a video in which he stated that, since Jourgensen slept with more than 20 people before she was with him, she is a "slut" and therefore cannot be "raped".[1][15] The video then received a backlash from viewers outside of Jackson's core audience, as noted by NewMediaRockstars and The Daily Dot.[1][15] VidCon co-founder Hank Green issued an email to Jackson stating "if it is possible that you will not be safe, we will not let you come [to VidCon]."[1]

In November 2019, Jackson was banned from Patreon after posting the phone number of fellow YouTube creator Billie Dawn Webb, who claimed she had been groomed by and manipulated into a sexual relationship with Jackson. At the time, Webb was among several women who had accused Jackson of harassment, manipulation, and abuse.[16][17] Patreon confirmed in a statement to The Verge that they had banned Jackson "as he violated our Bullying and Harassment [policy] as it relates to doxing."[17] In response to the ban, Jackson uploaded a video of him seemingly contorting himself, screaming, pouring kombucha on himself, and shouting, "What am I going to do now?"[16] Jackson subsequently opened a new web site where his supporters could re-donate.[16] In a video, Jackson announced that the site was shut down shortly after its launch.[18]

Allegations of abuse and child grooming

In 2019, allegations of child grooming and abuse were levied at Jackson and his spouse, Kai Avaroe.[2] Jackson responded by stating that "the grooming stuff is absolute nonsense."[2] As aforementioned, Webb also made allegations of abuse by Jackson and Avaroe, stating that she was sent texts asking her to "be chained to [the] basement wall for a week with a sign around [her] neck that says 'I'm sorry for lying.'"[2]

When reached by Insider for a comment in response to these allegations, Jackson requested $10,000 for an interview and stated: "I do not want to participate in this circus without compensation, I should be paid to endure to [sic] stupidity of the current state of outrage/online culture."[2] On October 30, Chris Hansen announced that he and the FBI are currently investigating the matter during an interview with one of the alleged victims, Sarah,[19] although, as of January 2020, no charges has been issued against Jackson. Hansen has stated that Jackson has repeatedly been invited to appear on Hansen's weekly podcast, Have a Seat with Chris Hansen, but that Jackson has refused to do so without being paid.[20]

Other controversies

In 2019, Jackson was fined $90,000 by the Planning & Public Works Department of Pierce County, Washington for disturbing the wetlands in his backyard.[21] Jackson claims to have paid the fee, and that he is currently replanting the area.[21]

911 call on Chris Hansen

On January 11, 2020, Jackson called 911 on Chris Hansen and his law firm, Mike Morse, for knocking on his door. He accused Hansen and his crew of being, "YouTube stalkers." He had previously asked for $10,000 dollars from the media––and $350,000 for Hansen––to interview him. Morse stated that, "It concerns me that he [has] two kids in the home," and that he, "really didn't like hearing about this guy [on Have a Seat with Chris Hansen]." Jackson made up a fake name for the 911 call, "Dan Jackson."[22][23][24]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Manarino, Matthew (June 27, 2013). "Onision: The Definitive Timeline Of YouTube's Perfect Villain". NewMediaRockstars. Archived from the original on July 3, 2013. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Graves, S. (December 10, 2019). "One of YouTube's most reviled personalities is crumbling under scandal and asked us to pay $10,000 for an interview". Insider. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
  3. ^ a b "About Onision". YouTube.
  4. ^ Sissons, Scott R. (April 12, 2019). Wetland, Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Area Assessment Review to Resolve Violation Case Number 63803, Parcel No. 9760200941, App. No. 901710 (Report). Pierce County Planning & Public Works. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  5. ^ a b Jackson, Gregory Daniel. "Onision FAQ". onision.net. Retrieved May 15, 2010.
  6. ^ a b c d e Jackson, Gregory Daniel (January 13, 2014). Facts About Onision (Story Time). Onision. YouTube. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  7. ^ a b c Hyde, William (April 12, 2010). "5 YouTubers on Their Way Up". Tubefilter. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  8. ^ a b c Cook, James (December 10, 2013). "YouTube's most troubled star". The Daily Dot. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  9. ^ a b c Katzowitz, Josh (January 23, 2018). "Forget Logan Paul—these 6 wildly popular YouTube pranksters are worse". The Daily Dot. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
  10. ^ a b Jackson, Gregory Daniel. "Onision – YouTube about page". YouTube. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  11. ^ Jackson, Gregory Daniel. "UhOhBro – YouTube about page". YouTube. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
  12. ^ Jackson, Gregory Daniel. "OnisionSpeaks – YouTube about page". YouTube. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
  13. ^ "Tosh.0 - February 3, 2010 - Friendly Tackle - Full Episode". Comedy Central. January 13, 2010. Retrieved January 14, 2010.
  14. ^ Schroeder, Audra (December 6, 2019). "Video of YouTuber Onision threatening ex-girlfriend resurfaces". The Daily Dot. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
  15. ^ a b c Eördögh, Fruzsina (January 25, 2012). "YouTuber inflames viewers with rape comments". The Daily Dot. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
  16. ^ a b c d Asarch, Steven. "Who is Onision? YouTuber banned from Patreon after doxxing". Newsweek. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  17. ^ a b Kelly, Makena. "Controversial YouTuber banned from Patreon after alleged doxxing". The Verge. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  18. ^ Jackson, Gregory (November 27, 2019). hiatus. UhOhBro. YouTube. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
  19. ^ Hansen, Chris (October 30, 2019). "Chris Hansen Looking deep into Onision with Sarah". YouTube. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  20. ^ Hansen, Chris (November 6, 2019). "Looking Deeper into Onision with Shiloh". YouTube. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  21. ^ a b Asarch, Steven (December 24, 2019). "Sarah On Her Relationship With YouTuber Onision: 'Why Did You Think This Was OK?'". Newsweek. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  22. ^ Ikonomova, Violet (January 13, 2020). "Why Is Mike Morse Chasing Accused Sex Predator Onision?". Deadline Detroit.
  23. ^ "Full 911 Audio: Onision Calls Police On Chris Hansen & Mike Morse". youtube.com.
  24. ^ Karnes, Eric (January 13, 2020). "To Catch a Predator' Host Chris Hansen Wants to Catch YouTuber Onision". The Blemish.