Tyler Oakley Says He’s ‘Taking a Break’ From Twitter After ’Death Threats’

Tyler Oakley Says He’s ‘Taking a Break’ From Twitter After ’Death Threats’
Jack Phillips
1/19/2014
Updated:
7/18/2015

Tyler Oakley, a YouTube personality who has interviewed the likes of One Direction, said that he is taking a break from Twitter and other Internet activities after he received death threats.

Oakley appears to have gotten into a spat with One Direction’s Liam Payne for Payne tweeting that he likes the show “Duck Dynasty.” Payne wrote, “Being a fan of someones show and the way they still hold a family together doesnt mean i am ok with all they say.”

Throngs of Twitter users sent Oakley angry messages, defending One Direction.

“Well that sucks. I misinterpreted a comment & stood up for something I believe in - which in no way altars my love of the music, by the way,” Oakley wrote on Twitter. Oakley has more than 3 million subscribers on YouTube and 1.8 million Twitter followers.

He later wrote: “I’m taking a break from the Internet for a minute. Getting some crazy death threats and stuff. Sending love to y‘all, I’ll see you soon. :].”

He continued: “[One last thing: the @TrevorProject saves lives by offering a free, confidential lifeline for crisis and suicide prevention. <3].”

Payne also said that he’s tired of the media scrutinizing his every movie.

“Sick of all this bull I'll be back again when the freedom of speech law is back and people don’t believe to much into the [expletive] they read,” Payne wrote.

His sister said he'll be taking a hiatus from Twitter.

“My brother tweeted he respected family values not that he supports them,” Ruth Payne said.

“At the moment he just needs a break…,” Ruth said. She added: “I hope he has a long time away from twitter now and enjoys his time off without being judged.”

On Sunday, “Tyler Oakley” was the top-trending term worldwide on Twitter.

There were a number of profanity-laced tweets sent to Oakley.

“I’m sorry but if anyone still has any respect for Tyler Oakley then I don’t like you,” one user wrote

“Liam called out tyler ... 4/5 unfollowed tyler ... Liams kicked tyler oakley out this fandom,” added another.

But some users defended him.

“@tyleroakley I know that you’re getting so much hate. I know that you absolutely love onedirection. I know it was just a misunderstanding,” said another. 

Jack Phillips is a breaking news reporter with 15 years experience who started as a local New York City reporter. Having joined The Epoch Times' news team in 2009, Jack was born and raised near Modesto in California's Central Valley. Follow him on X: https://twitter.com/jackphillips5
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