The live performance of The Chunkz and Filly Show podcast, featuring YouTuber Yung Filly and internet personality Chunkz, has been cancelled following serious allegations against Yung Filly, whose real name is Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos.
The 29-year-old British rapper and online personality was arrested in Brisbane, Australia, and subsequently extradited to Perth to face legal proceedings over rape allegations. Barrientos was formally charged with multiple offenses on Thursday, and while his bail application was approved, the case has had significant consequences for his professional engagements.
The first live event for the popular podcast was scheduled to occur on October 18 in east London at the Troxy venue. However, in light of the charges against Barrientos, the event was removed from the venue’s website, and all ticket holders were informed of the cancellation, with automatic refunds being processed.
The Chunkz and Filly Show podcast, which launched last year, features the duo interviewing various rappers and influencers, and has grown a substantial following. The cancellation marks a significant setback for the show as it navigates the fallout from the allegations against one of its hosts.
Upload Productions, the company behind the podcast, has paused all collaborations with Yung Filly in response to the charges. The production company stated that it was aware of the legal proceedings in Western Australia and took the decision to suspend business activities associated with the influencer pending further developments.
As the legal case unfolds, this pause represents an effort to distance the podcast and its associated entities from the controversy surrounding Barrientos.
The allegations have also impacted other projects associated with Yung Filly. The Football Association (FA) cancelled an online cookery series in which Barrientos was set to appear alongside England footballers Bukayo Saka and Ezri Konsa.
Although M&S Food, a partner in the cookery series, does not have a direct relationship with Yung Filly, the collaboration was affected due to his involvement in filming. The FA has not provided further comments on the matter, and the future of the series remains uncertain.
In addition to the podcast and FA series, FootAsylum, a UK-based retailer, has also taken action by suspending its contract with Yung Filly. Barrientos frequently appeared in the company’s popular YouTube series, Does the Shoe Fit?, but given the gravity of the charges against him, FootAsylum announced an immediate suspension of their partnership with the influencer.
This swift action underscores the widespread professional consequences Barrientos faces as a result of the serious legal allegations.
The charges against Yung Filly include four counts of sexual penetration without consent, three counts of assault occasioning bodily harm, and one count of impeding a person’s normal breathing or circulation by applying pressure on or to their neck.
The alleged incident occurred on September 28, following a performance at the Bar1 nightclub in Perth, where Barrientos is accused of bringing a woman in her 20s back to his hotel room and assaulting her. These charges have cast a shadow over his career and resulted in multiple professional setbacks.
Barrientos, who boasts a significant following with over three million Instagram followers and nearly two million YouTube subscribers, had been in Australia touring his music at the time of his arrest. His career extends beyond online content creation; he has appeared on various UK television programs, such as BBC Three shows, ITV’s Soccer Aid, and Channel 4’s The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer.
He was also recognized for his work in the entertainment industry, winning a MOBO Award for Best Media Personality in 2021, reflecting his prominence as a public figure.
As the legal process continues, the allegations against Yung Filly not only threaten his career but also raise broader issues about accountability and conduct in the entertainment industry. The charges have prompted swift and decisive action from business partners and collaborators, signaling the potential for lasting damage to his reputation and professional relationships.
The outcome of the legal case will likely play a critical role in determining his future in the public eye and within the entertainment industry.
