TikTok star Chris Olsen has recently revealed that he is a victim of intimate image abuse, also known as “revenge porn.” In an emotional video posted on July 25, 2024, Olsen, who boasts over 13 million followers on TikTok, disclosed that sexually explicit images of him were circulated on social media without his consent. The revelation comes four years after Olsen first learned of the images’ circulation, which he initially chose not to address publicly.
In the video, Olsen explained that the private photos were first shared on X (formerly Twitter), where he did not have an account at the time. Despite X’s prohibition of nonconsensual sexually explicit content, Olsen claimed that when he attempted to request the removal of the images, he was blocked by the user and advised their followers to save the content before it was deleted. “I knew after that I was, like, basically done for,” Olsen said tearfully. “It’s nonconsensual. It’s violating. It’s fully abuse and illegal.”
Olsen’s decision to speak out followed a surge of messages and comments about the images, leading him to address the issue publicly. His video has since been viewed nearly 4 million times. Despite his appeal, it remains unclear whether the images have been removed from X or any other social media platforms.
Olsen’s case highlights a growing issue of nonconsensual pornography and image-based sexual abuse, which is becoming increasingly prevalent with the rise of AI technology that can create realistic deepfakes. Recent incidents have included the leakage of explicit content from Twitch streamer Sketch’s OnlyFans account, which garnered widespread attention and support from his fanbase.
Current U.S. laws regarding nonconsensual pornography vary by state. As of October 2023, every state except Massachusetts and South Carolina had enacted some form of legislation against revenge porn. The Cyber Civil Rights Initiative reports that approximately one in eight Americans using social media have been targeted by nonconsensual pornography, with women disproportionately affected.
The response to Olsen’s video has been overwhelmingly supportive, with many in the content creation community expressing their solidarity. Singer Jax commented, “CHRIS. I am speechless. This is so violating and cruel.” Olsen used his platform to urge his followers to refrain from sharing sexually explicit images without consent, emphasizing that such actions contribute to a harmful culture of abuse.
In his message, Olsen also expressed frustration with the way some people choose to express their dislike for him. “If you’re contributing to this, you’re contributing to a culture of abuse,” he said. “I know people don’t like me. I know that. But can you please find a more creative way to hate on me than committing a crime? This sucks.”
Chris Olsen’s presence on social media extends beyond TikTok, as he is also active on Instagram, where he shares a variety of content, including photos from his daily life and updates on his professional endeavors. His popularity on Instagram, combined with his large TikTok following, underscores the widespread support and empathy from his fans across multiple platforms. Chris Olsen’s photos often showcase his vibrant personality, but this incident has cast a shadow on his usually upbeat presence online.
