If you’ve spent any time online in the past couple of weeks, you’ve likely been inundated with posts about The Try Guys, a YouTube team whose expulsion of one of its four members for a workplace cheating scandal has made them a source of internet rumor and speculation.
The Try Guys were originally silent while social media was flooded with speculations about the 35-year-old Ned Fulmer’s expulsion, but they subsequently acknowledged their decision to expel him and released a video addressing the problem. Since then, a whole podcast episode has been devoted to the saga. Fulmer also released a statement claiming he “lost focus” and was “sorry for any sorrow” his actions caused the other members of the band, the band’s fans, and his wife, Ariel Fulmer.
Despite having a strong fan base, the group had dropped out of the public eye until the explosion. Uncertain is whether the surviving three members of the influencer group — Keith Habersberger, Zach Kornfeld, and Eugene Lee Yang — would profit on the scandal giving the organization renewed prominence or fade away after losing one of their primary members.
Insider spoke with a number of fans and crisis PR specialists to determine what the future holds for the Try Guys.
Fans and communications specialists are guardedly optimistic regarding the group’s future.
The Try Guys began in 2014 while the crew was employed at BuzzFeed. In 2018, the group became independent. The group is well-known for attempting new things, such as food challenges, beauty products, and diverse activities. They have eight million YouTube followers and more than two billion cumulative views, in addition to subsidiary media outlets.
On the YouTube group’s Reddit fanpage, there are dozens of posts and comments critical of Ned in response to the controversy surrounding The Try Guys. Casual observers and media critics ridiculed the Try Guys’ heavy-handed approach to the situation, but many fans praised their reaction video in which the three remaining members declared they “had no knowledge” the consensual professional relationship was occurring. The surviving members also indicated that they would remove Fulmer from all future videos.
Erik Bernstein, a crisis communications specialist, told Insider, “Their response video was great.” “Their tone and general demeanor were perfect for crisis management; they portrayed the exact picture their fans would anticipate.”
“Announcing that Fulmer is being altered is a clear demonstration of their commitment… You will be able to physically verify that they are telling the truth about his absence “Bernstein added.
Fulmer’s online persona, which is closely aligned with the “Wife Guy” cliche of a man who showers his partner with public expressions of reverence and dedication, contributed to the controversy’s virality. Fans were shocked and disappointed when Fulmer’s actual behavior did not match his influencer image. The story paralleled prior celebrity cheating scandals such as the suspected release of Adam Levine’s text messages, making it part of a larger dialogue on fandoms and adultery.
Sierra, a 24-year-old Ohioan and Try Guys fan, told Insider she was “extremely stunned” when the band announced Fulmer’s departure. Sierra stated that “only time will tell” how the group will recover, but that they believed Fulmer was the only member whose reputation was damaged by the episode.
Similarly, Bernstein stated that he believes the group will gain in the long run from the sudden, dramatic rush of attention, as the news has likely exposed them to a bigger audience.
Since mid-September, when reports about the group began to surface, the word “Try Guys” has increased in popularity on Google Trends, and the Try Guys-themed subreddit is one of the fastest-growing subreddits, according to Subreddit Stats, a website that measures Reddit page growth. Numerous internet admirers appear to be rallying around and showing support for the remaining members.
The group is still in the early phases of recovery. Since the conflict erupted, they have not released a new video, and fans are wondering what kind of content they will produce without Fulmer. On the group’s podcast TryPods, Habersberger, Kornfeld, and Yang discussed the subject in greater detail and stated that he would not be replaced.
Bernstein was cautiously optimistic, adding that if the group is found to be concealing “damaging details” or if the public perceives them to be “milking the situation for publicity,” public sentiment might shift against them.
Becca, a Texas-based fan who has followed the band since their early days at BuzzFeed, was also uncertain about the band’s future. She told Insider that the circumstances behind Fulmer’s departure may indicate that the other Try Guys members are not what they appear.
Becca stated, “Ned formed his identity around his love for his wife.” Since he cheated on her, it raises the question of whether the other men’s alter egos are inconsistent with their true selves.