Former Child YouTuber Alleges Abuse and Exploitation by Her Mom
JESSALYN GRACE PHANOUVONG – The former child YouTuber accused her mother, Kelly Anne, of years of physical, verbal, and financial abuse in a viral video.
Jessalyn, who began her YouTube career as a child with her mother helping produce fashion, beauty, and back-to-school content, claimed that her mother controlled what she posted, managed her earnings, and pressured her to make videos even when it caused burnout. She said most of her early earnings were spent by her mother on personal items, while only a small portion went toward her college savings.
Now 18 and studying film and media at the University of California, Berkeley, Jessalyn said she has cut ties with her family, manages her own money, and runs a new YouTube channel independently. She detailed incidents of conflict, including physical punishments and restrictions on her personal freedom, which eventually led her to leave home without notice.
Jessalyn also shared screenshots in her video to support her claims, emphasizing that her goal was to reveal the truth about her experiences rather than attack her mother personally. She explained that her difficult relationship began during childhood, worsened over the years, and that she now seeks financial independence and acknowledgment of her efforts.
In response, Kelly Anne posted on Facebook, denying the allegations and stating that she acted to protect Jessalyn and maintain her public image as a child content creator. She denied controlling her daughter’s earnings, said that Jessalyn’s stories misrepresented events, and highlighted examples of her support, including college recommendation letters and oversight of Jessalyn’s Coogan trust fund. Kelly Anne expressed frustration over being publicly labeled an abuser and stressed that the situation has caused emotional distress for her and the family.
The dispute has gone viral across social media, drawing sympathy for Jessalyn while also gaining support for Kelly Anne from friends and family who say the claims are exaggerated.