Roman Atwood is one of the YouTube content creators who has been on the platform for more than a decade.
His channel has grown tremendously over the years, and he has reaped the rewards of fame and money.
But, as always, there’s a flipside to the coin. Something happened a few years ago that made Roman and his family withdraw from YouTube and seek police protection.
In 2020, YouTube content creator Roman Atwood of the Roman Atwood Vlogs channel took an extended hiatus. On January 23, 2021, in the “Forced Off YouTube — Full FBI Story” video, he revealed that he and his family had been victims of relentless stalking, harassing phone calls, a bomb threat, etc. The FBI had to be called to put an end to this. Roman has never revealed the identities of the stalkers.
Why Did Roman Atwood Take A Break From YouTube?
Roman Atwood, the renowned YouTube content creator, embarked on a tumultuous and harrowing journey that took an unexpected turn in 2020.
From his early beginnings as a pioneer on YouTube to the shocking events that led to his extended hiatus from the platform, Atwood’s story is a testament to the challenges and dangers that online personalities can face.
In 2009, now 40-year-old Roman Atwood ventured into the world of YouTube, becoming one of the first creators to transform content creation into a full-time profession.
His channel, ‘Roman Atwood Vlogs,’ flourished over the years, amassing over five billion views and garnering a staggering 15 million subscribers at the time of writing.
Atwood’s infectious energy and penchant for pranks endeared him to a dedicated fan base.
For nearly a decade, Roman Atwood consistently shared his life through vlogs, providing viewers with glimpses into his family life alongside his online antics.
However, this routine took a dramatic shift in 2020, leaving his audience deeply concerned about his well-being.
In a surprising turn of events, Roman Atwood went silent on his social media accounts for an extended period.
Fans grew increasingly anxious as months passed without any updates from the charismatic YouTuber. Their worries were justified, as Atwood had been facing a relentless and terrifying ordeal.
On August 18, 2020, Roman Atwood made a long-awaited return to YouTube with a video titled “We Will Never Recover.”
While the video didn’t divulge many details, it marked the beginning of an intermittent series of vlogs in which Roman and his wife, Brittney, gradually revealed the unsettling events that had unfolded during their hiatus.
The birth of their son, Knox, in early January 2021 provided a glimmer of hope and normalcy amidst the chaos.
However, it wasn’t until January 23, 2021, that Roman Atwood and Brittney finally unveiled the chilling truth behind their absence in a video aptly titled “Forced Off YouTube — Full FBI Story.”
The couple disclosed that they had been victims of relentless stalking, which had pushed them to leave YouTube for the safety of their family.
Roman recounted the torment they endured, including incessant harassing phone calls, a bomb threat made during a family member’s funeral, and relentless intrusion into their lives.
The stalkers went so far as to manipulate their vehicles, alarm systems and even disrupted their home’s power supply during the winter.
Roman Atwood revealed that the stalkers had canceled his car insurance, putting his family at further risk.
The couple spent days rectifying the damage done by these unidentified individuals, who sent them disturbing photos of their family. Law enforcement was called in, and police surveillance was implemented outside their home due to death threats.
Through tears, Brittney emphasized the extent of the harassment, with stalkers always staying one step ahead despite attempts to change numbers and evade their relentless tormentors. Roman described their tactics as “hateful” and “demented.”
As the video came to a close, Roman expressed gratitude to the FBI for their assistance in the matter. While the identity and whereabouts of their stalkers remained undisclosed, Atwood assured viewers that future content would return to its lighthearted and fun nature.
Since then, he and his family have indeed begun posting more on YouTube. However, the pace of uploads has dramatically reduced.
The ordeal Roman Atwood and Brittney endured is another reminder of internet fame’s cruel and darker side.
Their story sheds light on the importance of online safety and the challenges content creators may face when navigating the digital landscape.
Do you think there’s a difference between the vlogs and content Roman Atwood makes now vs before the hiatus? Does he seem more cautious?
Let us know your perspective in the comments below.
Source: Roman Atwood Vlogs