Kameron Lester, a micro-influencer who worked with Star on makeup campaigns for Jeffree Star Cosmetics, made an exposé that gained traction in the YouTube drama community and among fans of beauty YouTubers. In his video, Lester said that both Star and Dawson "manipulated" him and used him as a "token Black boy" on their social media profiles (and for Star, in his makeup advertisements) to appear more diverse.
Lester appeared in Star's "Magic Star" concealer and setting powder advertising campaign in April 2019, and he posted his Instagram Live exposé on June 10. Lester didn't respond to Insider's request for comment and no one else has verified his specific claims.
Lester also said that he overheard Dawson "curse out" Charles during a Facetime call between Star and Dawson. Lester said he knew that the two had drama with Charles during the lead-up to "Dramageddon 2.0," and he says he feels guilty for not warning Charles about what was coming.
Following Lester's video, Star left him a voicemail and denied Lester's allegations against him. The voicemail was leaked to drama channels and contributed to the negative wave that would soon erupt after Dawson acknowledged the rumors about his role in the feud between Charles, Westbrook, and Star.
The specific rumors about Dawson's involvement started with what Star said on the "Mom's Basement" podcast, although drama channels have long speculated — without providing evidence — that Star and Dawson manipulated the feud between Westbrook and Charles.
On "Mom's Basement," Star said that Charles mistakenly believes that Dawson and Star worked together to "ruin his life." Star denied it, but also stated that Charles apparently believes this "conspiracy" and has shared it with others.
"Everyone wants to make me out 'You ruined James Charles' career,'" Star said on the April 2020 podcast. "No, Tati did, and uploaded a 40-minute video about him and she should never have uploaded that. But she did, and for some reason, James thinks that me and Shane tried to ruin his life and orchestrated the whole thing like we f---ing care."
Star also said he would play the alleged voice memo on his phone for Charles if Charles ever wanted to meet privately and discuss "exactly what happened behind the scenes."
"But I'll be real, he messaged one of my close friends and basically said that he unfollowed that guy because my friend follows me and Shane who 'tried to ruin his life,'" Star said on the podcast. "So the fact that he still thinks that a few weeks ago is scary. Tati did that. We didn't."