Editor’s Note: Initially we had edited this article as we felt perhaps we were becoming too involved in this ongoing issue, even while many of us at NMR stand by it. Upon further reflection, we feel that this is a conversation that we as a community should be having, and we do not want to give the impression that we are walking back our feelings on the subject matter. We have restored the article in full, and apologize for the confusion.
In case you missed it, there’s been bizarre YouTube drama going on between Matthew Santoro and Gunnarolla, with special guest appearances by Matthew’s girlfriend, Nicole Arbour, and Gunnarolla’s friend, Meghan Tonjes. We wrote about it here.
Today there was a new development in the form of an even more bizarre video by the Santoro/Arbour camp, upset about being “bullied” by Gunnarolla’s fans, and claiming that he and Tonjes have been doing all of this for publicity.
Unfortunately, the video was made private almost immediately after being posted, but we were already in the midst of going through the video and pointing out quote-by-quote just how bizarre it actually is, so feel free to read. You are in for some entertainment, friends.
00:37 — “…and it was myself, and a few other people, and a YouTuber named Gunnarolla, who was a friend of mine.” (Matthew)
Here we start off with Matthew saying he and Gunnarolla used to be friends, but now no longer are, insinuating it’s because of this situation.
Which seems like it’s probably an accurate take on things, though one might also understand the position that Gunnarolla thought the friendship ended when Matthew refused to acknowledge that he (inadvertently or not) gave his fans a reason to go after Gunnarolla, and wouldn’t call them off when asked.
Regardless, this is a solid technique used to invoke sympathy. I lost something, someone, and this all could have been avoided if only they had been different.
01:14 — “…those vlogs are now private, and I just want to get out of the way why we did that. We did that because we don’t want to give these people anymore fuel than they already have and I don’t want them to twist our words out of context.” (Matthew)
This is in reference to the original vlogs Matthew and Nicole posted about the event.
Unfortunately, the logic here doesn’t quite track, seeing as how if you leave things up and allow for context, it becomes more difficult to “twist…words out of context.” On the flip side, if you take something down, you can claim people completely took everything out of context or straight up lied, and then it becomes a case of nothing more than he said/she said.
I hate to say it, but, you know, that’s usually something that benefits the person who has something to hide. (Let’s be honest, we’ve all done it. But you learn the hard way that the internet isn’t a place where things can be easily hidden, and I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the case here.)
02:11 — “The person you heard talking ended up that he was one of the organizers, or he worked for the event, so for him to vote for Gunnarolla and furthermore not tell us–” “–that there was even voting going on…” (Matthew / Nicole)
This is about how “sketchy” things at the awards event were. Even if this is the case, it sounds like something that Gunnarolla would not be to blame for, considering it wasn’t, you know, him.
03:06 — “At no point [in our vlogs] was Andrew — Gunnarolla — called a cheater.” (Matthew)
I mean, you didn’t straight up say it, sure, but it’s weird how your fans totally picked up the inference that he was, though, right?
It would be awesome if we could source this, but, you know, they privated their videos.
03:17 — “Nor did we ever engage our fans to attack you.” (Nicole)
This, as far as I’m aware, is completely true. But that was never Gunnarolla’s issue with what happened. His intent has always just been to have the misunderstanding that he cheated cleared up so strangers would stop attacking him over it online.
Seems reasonable?
03:31 — “I believe I’m the only YouTuber that I’ve heard of that uses their fans as an army of volunteers for charity events that I show up to for free, and bring my arm of fans to help people.” (Nicole)
Oh, boy. Well. Nicole, I’m not convinced you’ve ever met another YouTuber, then. We could talk about Hank & John Green, or Hannah Hart, or Tyler Oakley, or literally dozens upon dozens of other YouTubers who strive to use their audiences for good and to raise awareness and money for charities. This statement is just…beyond insulated.’
But more than that, it’s incredibly unnecessary and irrelevant. What’s happening here is a distraction technique. I’m going to point you to the good things myself and people I’m associated with do so that you are distracted from any potential not good things.
Also, you damn well better be going to charity events for free, what the f**k? Do you know what charity is?
03:50 — “And you’re accusing my nice fans who help people…of coming after you, who they haven’t heard of–” “For what reason?” (Nicole / Matthew)
As anyone who has ever engaged with the internet knows, every person or thing has fans of a wide variety. You can have “nice” fans and also have “mean” fans. More likely, sometimes people are nice and sometimes they are not. Sometimes they are passionate and use that passion for positivity, and sometimes they use it for negativity. One does not cancel out the other.
This also sparks a strange point Nicole seems to make at random throughout the video, which is along the lines of “you are not famous.” It’s a belittling tactic, though I’m not entirely sure to what end, in this case. Possibly to support their upcoming repetitive assertation that this is all for publicity on the part of Gunnarolla and Meghan Tonjes. Mostly, though, it seems to be for her own amusement. Ooh, I wish you guys could see how mocking and taunting she gets whenever she talks about them. Though I’m sure they’ll tell you I’m making that up since the video is now private. Convenient!
04:37 — “My audience, the Santoro army, anyone watching this right now, we stand for nothing but positivity.” (Matthew)
Same point as above. People can be and do more than one thing. And just because you preach positivity (though, this and the original vlog having been the only Santoro videos I’ve seen, I personally find that very difficult to believe) doesn’t mean your fans will only go out and do positive things. That’s not how life and words work, unless you’re living in that episode of Misfits where the Virtue organization brings in followers with the power of suggestion. But that got canceled in 2013 and it’s from the UK, not Canada, so I digress.
04:48 — “Now the truth is that, in my video, I mentioned in passing, I mentioned Gunnarolla’s name. And there were a few people who went on his channel and they left negative comments and said ‘I’m disliking this video,’ and there was such a small percentage of people.” (Matthew)
Ohhhhhh, okay, so you did mention Gunnarolla when you were talking about cheating and underhandedness and your positive fans did leave negative comments.
But let’s minimize that the best we can. Wouldn’t want anyone to…notice it…
thank you for writing this!!!
Well, Santoro just lost a subscriber. I had no idea this was going on. He should loose that girlfriend of his, she seems like bad news.
Oh, but you will stop updating with the apologies and all that?
You are just attentionseeking idiots who want to pretend like you are real journalists…
Idiots…
The Santoro Army is about positivity and Matt promotes learning and positivity in all his videos. I lets my kids watch all his videos and the teachers promote his videos at school
Matt is the best and it’s sad when you see these guys just trying to get attention it’s not going to get you 5 million subscribers like Matt. Hard work and time you too can be like Matt not cheap ways like this. Shame on Megan and Andrew
WOW i’ve not read such a biased “article” in a long time. No matter who is right, this “article” is nothing but bashing Matthew and is (Now) ex.
This article is wonderfully sassy while still pointing out the holes in Santoro’s argument. I don’t even get why him and Nicole needed to make it into this big deal. I get it — you were upset when you thought that he cheated, but once it was revealed that he didn’t, why not just say you were wrong, clear the air and move on? I literally don’t understand why this has become such a big deal for them.
Thank you for restoring the article, I felt the reasoning you gave for changing it was weak so I’m glad to see you upfront about it now. Rachel Kiley does an amazing job analyzing the video and I’m glad we get to see it fully instead of a short article that doesn’t really explore the issue as much as it should be.
Agreed.
That video is so desperate and sad.
This is really heart-breaking. Their viewers admire them and yet they took advantage of those impressionable viewers and used them as a weapon by involving them in an issue that doesn’t even involve them. Both sides made a big mistake by bringing their audiences into this because now countless people from both sides, who may only be partially informed depending on who they’re more biased towards in this argument, are taking sides when they don’t even know what’s going on. They should have handled this matter privately among themselves and not have made this a public discussion.
and if u keep reporting on your just as guilty.
Nicole dumbs this down. He needed to do this alone. She is sucking him right down.
Is it any coincidence that Matt has hot bitch tits in his face on the regular for (presumably) the first time in his life, and now his life a mess of drama and name-calling?
This, all day.
I’m a fanarolla, but I’ve seen both sides of this and I really can’t see how Matt and Nicole feel attacked.
I’ve watched a few of Matt’s videos and was going to subscribe, but now I just have a sour taste in my mouth. Why do they feel so threatened?? Is this small time Canadian award that big of a deal?
If you search her name on Tumblr, you can see that her ex boyfriend was in a band and she said HORRIBLE things to his fans, like calling 15 year old cunts, saying self harm is cool and basically being a horrible role model. I feel so horrible for that community, for young girls to hear that, and feel really shitty that this new community she decided to step into has to deal with her. She seems like a horrible person masked with this “positivity” bullshit. Also, the fact that she associates creators as “celebrities” really tells you the mentality that she wants to have, fame. FFS, why do we have to deal with shitty people, WHY US. p.s like at 9:20 the (lauren) mistake. very funny
edit, not that self harm is cool, but that self harm and depression is just something one overcomes with positivity. Implying that depression is self taught.
She lashes out at ” fans” all the time. Nicole it a like a teenager. I’ve seen her call people”cunt” “bitch”. She also is notorious for deleting what she types the next day. ” I’m going to make a video address you”. Is she a pothead?! Toxic woman! Matt hasnt been himself since they stared dating. She’s a shit disturber that uses her boobs to get attention. She’s pretty but far from sexy! Rant done, thank you.
They implied, not inferred. The Santoro Army inferred what Santoro was implying. Also it’s affect, not effect. Otherwise, this article is spot on!
Santoro and Arbor inferred from the limited information that they had that Gunnarolla was cheating and that the event/voting was rigged. As for affect/effect… both exist, but without proper context it is hard to tell what exactly you’re referring to. Regardless, I doubt it affects the syntax of the article and the effects on the overall goal of the article are likely minimal.
Oh good lord yes. YES. This needs to be shared by everyone and their 3rd cousin twice removed. GOO!! SHARE THIS EVERYONE!!!
This is amazing. Thanks for writing this. I’m sure they’ll ignore it, though.
I’m so glad you are reporting on this Rachel, you write very intelligent and informative articles.