Jenna Marbles Explained

Jenna Marbles
Birth Name:Jenna Nicole Mourey
Birth Date:15 September 1986
Birth Place:Rochester, New York, U.S.
Occupation:YouTuber
Years Active:2010–2020 (on hiatus)
Module:
Embed:yes
Channel Direct Url:user/JennaMarbles
Channel Display Name:JennaMarbles
Subscribers:19.7 million
Views:1.8 billion
Silver Button:yes
Silver Year:2012
Gold Button:yes
Gold Year:2012
Diamond Button:yes
Diamond Year:2013
Stats Update:September 17, 2023

Jenna Nicole Mourey (born September 15, 1986), better known as Jenna Marbles, is an American YouTuber. Over the span of ten years, her YouTube channel has accumulated approximately 1.8 billion video views and, at its peak, over 20 million subscribers. After apologizing for a series of accusations involving offensive content in her older videos, Marbles announced her indefinite hiatus from the platform in 2020.

Early life and career

Jenna Nicole Mourey[1] was born on September 15, 1986[2] in Rochester, New York,[3] where she was also raised. Marbles attended Brighton High School in the Rochester suburb of Brighton, New York, and graduated in 2004.[4] She then moved to Boston, Massachusetts, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology at Suffolk University and Master of Education in sport psychology and counseling at Boston University.[5]

In the summer of 2010, Marbles was sharing a three-bedroom apartment in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She supported herself by bartending, working at a tanning salon, vlogging, and go-go dancing at nightclubs.[6] That year, Marbles started her career with Barstool Sports, where she wrote for their female-oriented site StoolLaLa. She left the publication in 2011.[7]

YouTube career

Among the first of Marbles's videos to gain traction on the platform, "How to Trick People into Thinking You're Good Looking", released in 2010, was viewed around 5.3 million times in its first week.[6] [8] As of 2024, the video has over 70 million views.[9] Her video "How to Avoid Talking to People You Don't Want to Talk To" was featured in The New York Times and ABC News in August 2011. In the video, she said, "I'm sick and tired of guys thinking that just because I showed up at a club or a dance or a bar that I want to have their genitalia touching my backside."[10] [11]

Marbles adopted the pseudonym Jenna Marbles after her mother complained the search term "Mourey" resulted only in Jenna's videos on Google. Jenna's mother was unemployed when Jenna's first video went viral and was concerned that the content might put off potential employers. The name "Marbles" stems from her dog's name, Mr. Marbles.

Marbles portrayed Eve in the Epic Rap Battles of History episode "Adam vs. Eve",[12] and she made appearances in Annoying Orange, Ridiculousness,[13] and .[14] Marbles was featured in the rapper Pitbull's "Fireball" music video alongside fellow YouTubers Bart Baker and Brittany Furlan.[15]

Alongside the creators of the YouTube channel Smosh, Marbles became the first YouTube personality to have her likeness appear as a wax figure displayed at Madame Tussauds New York, which she unveiled in 2015.[16]

Controversy and indefinite hiatus

On June 25, 2020, Marbles uploaded an apology video to her YouTube channel following accusations of blackface and racism.[17] In the video, she addressed offensive content in her early YouTube videos. This included an impersonation and portrayal of Nicki Minaj, using offensive language and costuming towards Asians, and using derogatory language towards women she assumed to be sexually promiscuous at the time.[18] Marbles stated it was never her intent to hurt or offend anyone, acknowledging that these actions were "shameful" and "awful", wishing "it wasn't part of [her] past".[19] She followed up these remarks by announcing her indefinite hiatus from YouTube.[20] [21]

On June 26, Marbles's then-boyfriend, Julien Solomita, announced on Twitter that the couple's joint podcast and Twitch streams would also be put on indefinite hiatus.[22] Public reaction to Marbles's apology was largely positive; The Berkeley Beacon noted that Marbles "was not the first to use the term 'accountability' in a YouTube apology, but she may have been the first one to actually mean it".[23] [24] [17]

Other ventures

Marbles released a brand of dog toys called Kermie Worm & Mr. Marbles. The toys are modeled after her dogs' likenesses.[5] She also created items with some of her most popular phrases printed on them, including "What are this?" and "Team legs!"[25] Marbles previously hosted a weekly pop countdown on SiriusXM Hits 1 named YouTube 15.[26] In 2016, Marbles became an executive producer for Maximum Ride, a film based on James Patterson's series of novels of the same name.[27]

Personal life

In April 2021, Marbles became engaged to long-time partner and fellow YouTuber Julien Solomita.[28] They married in November 2022.[29] [30] In January 2023, Marbles and Solomita had an incident at their home where an intruder broke in, was subdued with pepper spray, and arrested.[31]

Marbles is a vegan.[32] [33]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Result Notes
2014Young Hollywood AwardViral Superstar[34]
2015Streamy AwardBest Comedy Series[35]
2017Streamy AwardBest First-Person Series[36]
Audience Choice Creator of the Year
Shorty AwardYouTube EnsembleWith Julien Solomita[37]
2018Shorty AwardCreator of the Decade[38]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Liza Koshy, Shane Dawson, Jenna Marbles and More YouTubers Apologize for Past Racist Content. Sarah. Hearon. Us Weekly. June 30, 2020. June 21, 2021. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20210124034258/https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/pictures/youtubers-apologize-for-racist-videos-liza-koshy-jenna-marbles-more/. January 24, 2021. live.
  2. Web site: MILESTONES: September 15 birthdays for Prince Harry, Dan Marino, Tom Hardy. Brooklyn Daily Eagle. September 15, 2020. June 21, 2021. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20201004192604/https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2020/09/15/milestones-september-15-birthdays-for-prince-harry-dan-marino-tom-hardy/. October 4, 2020. live.
  3. Web site: Devanshu . 2022-12-23 . Who is Jenna Marbles? . 2023-06-28 . Opoyi . July 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230717193600/https://opoyi.com/entertainment/who-is-jenna-marbles-827788/ . live .
  4. Web site: Congrats to a BHS alum!. July 24, 2015. Democrat and Chronicle. Thaler-Carter. Ruth.
  5. News: YouTube Star Jenna Marbles: 5 Facts About Her Rise to Internet Fame. Todd. Spangler. Variety. July 18, 2013. January 16, 2015. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20200820232806/https://variety.com/2013/digital/news/youtube-star-jenna-marbles-5-facts-about-her-rise-to-internet-fame-1200564607/. August 20, 2020. live.
  6. News: O'Leary . Amy . April 14, 2013 . The Woman With 1 Billion Clicks: Jenna Marbles . en . . live . March 25, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201123190246/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/14/fashion/jenna-marbles.html . November 23, 2020.
  7. News: Ankeny . Jason . December 13, 2013 . The Man Behind the 'Bible of Bro Culture' . en . . dead . March 24, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190918164245/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/53821689/ns/business-small_business/t/man-behind-bible-bro-culture/ . September 18, 2019.
  8. Web site: Jenna Marbles on 1 Billion Views, Set to Overtake Ray William Johnson?. Jeff. Klima. New Media Rockstars. April 22, 2013. October 10, 2014. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20201124071441/https://newmediarockstars.com/2013/04/jenna-marbles-on-1-billion-views-set-to-overtake-ray-william-johnson-video/. November 24, 2020. live.
  9. How to trick people into thinking you're good looking . 2010-07-09 . JennaMarbles . 2024-06-25 . YouTube.
  10. News: Rendering Grinders Toothless. Conlin. Jennifer. The New York Times. August 12, 2011. October 4, 2011. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20210309150651/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/14/fashion/with-grinding-an-unwanted-advance-at-the-dance.html. March 9, 2021. live. subscription.
  11. News: 'Jenna Marbles' Anti-Dirty Dance': Teens Say No to Grinding. Canning. Andrea. Marx. Tracey. Orso. Alberto. Singh. Natasha. ABC News. August 16, 2011. October 4, 2011. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20201201155455/https://abcnews.go.com/US/jenna-marbles-anti-dirty-dance-teens-grinding/story?id=14314828. December 1, 2020. live.
  12. Web site: Epic Rap Battles of History Pits Man Against Woman With Jenna Marbles. Gutelle. Sam. Tubefilter. February 11, 2013. February 25, 2013. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20200604031522/https://www.tubefilter.com/2013/02/11/epic-rap-battles-of-history-jenna-marbles/. June 4, 2020. live.
  13. YouTube Star Jenna Marbles Apologizes Over Past Offensive Videos in Emotional Message to Fans. Levine. Daniel S.. popculture.com. June 26, 2020. May 14, 2021. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20210228032215/https://popculture.com/celebrity/news/youtube-jenna-marbles-apology-video-offensive-past-quits-channel-final-message/. February 28, 2021. live.
  14. 'SMOSH: The Movie' Premiere Set For July 23 Next To VidCon. Bloom. David. Deadline Hollywood. April 15, 2015. February 22, 2019. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20210211171145/https://deadline.com/2015/04/smosh-the-movie-premiere-vidcon-1201410628/. February 11, 2021. live.
  15. Web site: Spangler. Todd. 2014-08-17. Pitbull 'Fireball' Official Video to Feature Jenna Marbles, Other Digital Stars (Exclusive). 2021-12-02. Variety. en-US. June 14, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200614164402/https://variety.com/2014/digital/news/pitbull-fireball-official-video-to-feature-jenna-marbles-other-digital-stars-exclusive-1201284816/. live.
  16. Web site: July 23, 2015. Price. Lydia. Jenna Marbles Gets Madame Tussauds Wax Figure. February 6, 2022. People. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20220206190043/https://people.com/celebrity/jenna-marbles-gets-madame-tussauds-wax-figure/. February 6, 2022. live.
  17. Web site: Fehr. Kaitlyn. September 24, 2021. A year without Jenna Marbles. October 25, 2021. The Berkeley Beacon. https://web.archive.org/web/20211010162144/https://berkeleybeacon.com/a-year-without-jenna-marbles/. October 10, 2021. live.
  18. Web site: Zornosa. Laura. June 26, 2020. Longtime YouTuber Jenna Marbles leaves her channel after apologizing for blackface. October 25, 2021. Los Angeles Times. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20200828195339/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2020-06-26/jenna-marbles-leaves-youtube-channel-after-apologizing-for-blackface. August 28, 2020. live.
  19. News: June 26, 2020. YouTuber Jenna Marbles quits over blackface. en-GB. BBC News. October 27, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210717182011/https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-53192702. July 17, 2021. live.
  20. Web site: Jenna Marbles Leaving YouTube 'For Now,' Tearfully Apologizes for Past Racist and Other Offensive Videos. Spangler. Todd. Variety. June 25, 2020. June 25, 2020. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20210310232006/https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/jenna-marbles-leaving-youtube-racist-videos-1234690649/. March 10, 2021. live.
  21. Web site: Haring. Bruce. June 25, 2020. YouTube Star Jenna Marbles Leaving Her Channel, Apologizes For Blackface Video. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20201029021455/https://deadline.com/2020/06/youtube-star-jenna-marbles-leaving-blackface-video-apology-1202970520/. October 29, 2020. June 25, 2020. Deadline Hollywood. en.
  22. Web site: Jenna Marbles's boyfriend says he's suspending his YouTube channel, podcast, and Twitch stream. Tenbarge. Kat. Insider. June 27, 2020. July 5, 2020. en. June 27, 2020. https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20200627101207/https://www.insider.com/julien-solomita-jenna-marbles-channel-podcast-twitch-stream-on-hold-2020-6. live.
  23. Web site: Gordon . Jaime . Shane Dawson And Jenna Marbles Represent The End Of A YouTube Era . BuzzFeed News . 14 July 2020 . 3 January 2023 . January 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230103080459/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/jaimegordon/youtube-shane-dawson-jenna-marbles . live .
  24. Web site: Blondeau . Bella . By Stepping Away From YouTube, Jenna Marbles Sets An Example For Her Peers . TheGamer . 27 June 2020 . 3 January 2023 . January 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230103080505/https://www.thegamer.com/jenna-marbles-mourey-youtube-break-setting-example-for-platform/ . live .
  25. News: How YouTube turned 13 ordinary people (and 1 cat) into superstars. CBC News. April 23, 2015. July 16, 2020. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20190601024000/https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/how-youtube-turned-13-ordinary-people-and-1-cat-into-superstars-1.3045421. June 1, 2019. live.
  26. Web site: YouTube Pacts with SiriusXM for Weekly Music Radio Show with Jenna Marbles. Spangler. Todd. Variety. June 26, 2014. March 25, 2021. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20201111195636/https://variety.com/2014/digital/news/youtube-pacts-with-siriusxm-for-weekly-music-radio-show-with-jenna-marbles-1201251012/. November 11, 2020. live.
  27. 'Maximum Ride': Film Review. Scheck. Frank. The Hollywood Reporter. September 30, 2016. February 22, 2019. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20190504190735/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/maximum-ride-review-934238. May 4, 2019. live.
  28. Web site: April 16, 2021. Cydney. Contreras. YouTubers Jenna Marbles and Julien Solomita Are Engaged After 8 Years of Dating. April 16, 2021. E! Online. April 16, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210416012947/https://www.eonline.com/news/1259374/youtubers-jenna-marbles-and-julien-solomita-are-engaged-after-8-years-of-dating. live.
  29. Web site: Smith . Katie . Jenna Marbles and Julien Solomita are married after 9 years together . PopBuzz . 23 December 2022 . December 23, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221223014135/https://www.popbuzz.com/internet/youtubers/jenna-marbles-julien-solomita-married-wedding/ . live .
  30. News: Zhan . Jennifer . Jenna Marbles and Julien Solomita Are Officially 'Married Otters' . 23 December 2022 . Vulture . December 23, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221223014607/https://www.vulture.com/2022/12/jenna-marbles-julien-solomita-married-wedding-pictures.html . live .
  31. Web site: Jenna Marbles' home broken into by stalker after months of harassment . 2023-01-18 . Dexerto . January 3, 2023 . en . January 18, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230118052634/https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/jenna-marbles-home-broken-into-by-stalker-after-months-of-harassment-2022682/ . live .
  32. News: Starostinetskaya . Anna . YouTube Stars Share Ultimate Vegan Breakfast Sandwich with 20 Million Subscribers . 27 September 2023 . VegNews . 10 January 2019.
  33. Web site: Jenna Marbles is a vegan YouTube Vlogger . HappyCow . 27 September 2023.
  34. Web site: Young Hollywood Awards 2014: The FULL winners list. Leanne. Bailey. Glamour. July 28, 2014. March 25, 2021. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20210117004535/https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/young-hollywood-awards-2014-winners-list. January 17, 2021. live.
  35. Streamy Awards 2015: The full winners list. Blake. Emily. Clark. Noelene. Entertainment Weekly. September 17, 2015. March 25, 2021. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20160701212257/http://www.ew.com/article/2015/09/17/streamy-awards-2015-full-winners-list. July 1, 2016. live.
  36. Web site: Streamy Awards 2017: The Complete Winners List. Glazer. Mikey. TheWrap. September 26, 2017. March 25, 2021. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20200806105309/https://www.thewrap.com/streamy-awards-2017-complete-winners-list/. August 6, 2020. live.
  37. Web site: Shorty Awards 2017 Social-Media Finalists Announced. Spangler. Todd. Variety. March 2, 2017. March 25, 2021. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20210307223517/https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/shorty-awards-2017-finalists-1202000652/. March 7, 2021. live.
  38. Web site: Tiffany Haddish Among Nominees for 10th Annual SHORTY AWARDS; Full List Revealed!. BroadwayWorld. January 16, 2018. March 25, 2021. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20201003232952/https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Tiffany-Haddish-Among-Nominees-for-10th-Annual-SHORTY-AWARDS-Full-List-Revealed-20180116. October 3, 2020. live.