via Instagram/@jeffreestarBeautyBeauty newsBeauty / Beauty newsJeffree Star is accused of ‘animal exploitation’ for posing with monkeysJames Charles and other influencers have also been criticised for ‘exploiting’ a baboon and capuchin monkey to promote a clothing brandShareLink copied ✔️November 12, 2020November 12, 2020TextDazed Digital Beauty influencers Jeffree Star and James Charles – among other influencers – are facing allegations of animal exploitation after photos and videos of them posing with monkeys have been circulated on social media. Reportedly, the baboon and capuchin monkey were sent to the homes of various social media stars and celebrities – also including Rae Sremmurd’s Swae Lee and TikToker Daisy Keech – to promote a new clothing brand, Bananas Monkey, that sells hoodies, sweatpants, and t-shirts. The videos show the animals (particularly the baboon, which is also seemingly pictured on a leash) on the shoulders of the influencers while they pose for photos. Under a compilation of the various influencers’ interactions with the animals, shared by journalist Yashar Ali, critics claim that they’re engaging in animal cruelty and encouraging or perpetuating the private ownership of wild animals. It’s also worth noting that some of the influencers, including Star, widely promote the fact that their own products are cruelty-free. Jeffree Star: My makeup brand is vegan and cruelty free!!! ⛔️JEFFREE STAR ALSO: possing with aligator on brand launch, possing with monkeys for fun 👀😭#jeffreestar#bloodmoney#jeffreestarcosmetics#hypocritepic.twitter.com/8wKTYG1p31— Lucinda van 't Hull (@LucindavantHul1) November 10, 2020 While it’s not currently 100% clear who’s behind Bananas Monkey, the brand launched its Instagram on November 9 and already has over 174,000 followers, presumably helped by the fact it had such high-profile names on hand for promotion. Jeffree Star has also drawn criticism for featuring a live alligator on a chain in a recent make-up campaign, while last month former associates of the controversial (and massively popular) influencer stepped forward to accuse him of sexual assault, physical assult, including with weapons, and offering hush money to his victims in the late 2000s. Watch Ali’s compilation featuring Star, James Charles, and more posing with the monkeys below. 1. A company called Bananas Monkey sent around a baboon & another monkey with PR boxes for its launch to influencersUsing primates like this is not only abusive, but also ends up encouraging private ownership of primates.@JeffreeStar@jamescharles@michaeleyerger@DaisyKeechpic.twitter.com/Up0D5Goz3a— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) November 11, 2020Expand your creative community and connect with 15,000 creatives from around the world.READ MORE27 beauty creatives to follow for bold, boundary-pushing inspirationThese photos document the evolution of ageing tattoosVCARBMeet the young creatives VCARB is getting into F1Contorted photos of men’s feet in archive Prada heelsSelf-care or self-erasure? Welcome to the age of bio-optimisationCan Ozempic ‘heal’ ADHD and alcoholism? The alt-wellness community think soChappell Roan is MAC’s new global ambassador: ‘It feels full circle’Beauty gift guide 2025: Dazed editors share their wishlistsThe sweat-drenched world of Sukeban wrestling takes Miami Jean Paul GaultierJean Paul Gaultier’s iconic Le Male is the gift that keeps on givingMeet the braider behind the Afro-textured hairstyles at PFW SS26‘Accept your ugly’: I tried ‘beauty shadow work’ to help my self-esteem