Charli D’Amelio has reignited her 2020 ‘anxiety pen’ controversy involving a device many believed to be a vape. At the time, fans and influencers claimed it was an anxiety pen, a narrative D’Amelio neither confirmed nor denied. However, in January 2025, amid the brief TikTok ban, D’Amelio finally addressed the speculation. Now, many are curious about what the TikTok star said.
Here is what Charli D’Amelio has to say about her 2020 ‘anxiety pen’ controversy.
Did Charli D’Amelio admit to not using ‘anxiety pen’?
Charli D’Amelio, the TikTok sensation with over 152 million followers, has stirred up a past controversy that once divided her fanbase. The issue dates back to 2020 when videos surfaced of a then-16-year-old influencer seemingly vaping during a time when it was illegal for her age. Critics condemned Charli D’Amelio for setting a bad example for her young audience, while supporters insisted the device was an “anxiety pen,” a nicotine-free tool for stress relief. D’Amelio stayed silent, neither confirming nor denying the claim, leaving fans to speculate.
In January 2025, just as TikTok faced a brief 14-hour ban, D’Amelio surprised fans by addressing the long-standing rumors. In a candid TikTok video, she admitted that the device in question was, in fact, a vape, not an anxiety pen. She acknowledged she had no idea how the anxiety pen rumor started and apologized for the misunderstanding, using humor to diffuse the situation. The confession reignited discussions, with many fans expressing embarrassment over defending her at the time. Some also pointed to influencer Larray, who supported the anxiety pen claim in 2020, questioning whether he started the rumor or simply repeated it.
Following the platform’s restoration, she posted a playful follow-up video on her main account, captioned, “Well this is awkward.” The clip quickly garnered over 68 million views.
