For Millennials. By Millennials.
The owner of the pioneering drama channel and tea account ‘Here For The Tea’, Samantha Rabinowitz, passed away this Saturday. The entire YouTube and influencer industry is mourning her death. Many are devastated at this unexpected loss because it happened all too suddenly.
Related: Top 5 Infamous YouTube Apologies
Her sister broke the news on Here For The Tea’s social media accounts.
“It is with a heavy heart and the most extreme sadness that I am sharing this news…my baby sister Sam @hereforthetea2 has passed away. She passed peacefully in her sleep yesterday.”
The tragic news of her death comes after Sam posted on social media that she would be taking some time off after getting to hear a piece of “devastating news”. This was on November 3rd. She passed away on 9th November on Saturday, peacefully in her sleep.
‘Here for the tea’ was one of the very first drama channels that trended on YouTube. Many consider her to be the pioneer for the drama and tea channels. Sam got a lot of praise for exposing a lot of questionable controversies around influencers. Whether it was their suspicious tactics in marketing and sales or some deeper drama going on between influencers, Sam was the first one to be there to report the news. She helped bring a lot of issues to light and set the blueprint for future tea channels and drama channels to follow. Sam made it important to make it clear that the influencers and YouTubers should be held accountable for their wrongdoings.
Plus, she did it at a time when exposing internet celebrities was not that mainstream. In many ways, Sam helped shape the online digital landscape of journalism and reporting. Especially when talking about influencer culture.
The YouTube and influencer community mourns her passing!
Everyone in the influencer and YouTuber industry was pretty shaken up with the news. They all had kind words to say and gave their condolences to her family.
Beauty influencer Manny Mua shared:
i cant even begin to describe my feelings right now.. i cant process this, when sams sister called me earlier and told me the news my heart truly shattered. sam i love you so much and you will be so missed. thank you for being such an amazing friend to me @HereForTheTea2 RIP
Makeup influencer and businesswoman Tati Westbrook had also kind words to say:
I’m in total shock finding out about the loss of @HereForTheTea Praying for her family & loved ones. This doesn’t feel real at all…
Jackie Ainna was also devastated at hearing about her death:
Insider Reporter Kat Tenbarge reported the news and praised her work:
Leigh Bryan shared how he loved her work:
Peter Monn gave his condolences as well:
TruthSleuth revealed that despite a messy past, she was in shock about the news. She came to consider Sam a friend and was saddened by her death:
Eden the Doll thanked Sam for always being there for her:
RIP Angel. Thank you for the laughs and phone calls and uplifting me when I was at my lowest. Thank you for always having my back. I’ll always remember you ❤️
Poetic Drugs, a makeup influencer applauded Sam for showing black men in makeup, something we didn’t see much of:
Omg 😢 thank you so much for all the support ❤️ and thank you so much for showing black men in makeup SO MUCH LOVE YOULL BE MISS ❤️
Vladda Haggerty added the world won’t be the same without her:
I can’t believe this.. rest in peace, Sam. The world won’t be the same without you 💔 how devastating
Glamzilla added saying:
I am so devastated to hear about the sudden and unexpected passing of Sam! Rest In Peace angel!
Jake Warden also paid his respects:
rest in peace. love you so much ❤️
Kirbie Johnson couldn’t believe the news:
Sam, I can’t believe this. I hope you’re at peace. Sending your family so much love.
Nicol Concilia said she’s going to miss Sam so much:
Sam 😢 I love you. I’m gonna miss you so much. I can’t believe this. Rest peacefully. Sending your fam, loved ones and friends sooo many prayers and love.
Rest in Peace, Sam. You were truly a light in this influencer community.