Kat Tenbarge is an independent American journalist. She previously worked as a senior reporter atInsider and later as a tech and culture reporter forNBC News.[1] She specializes in reporting on internet culture andinfluencers, including her own views and commentary. Tenbarge has reported on several cases of sexual assault allegations against Internet personalities,[2] and her work and views concerning internet culture are frequently cited in other publications.[3][4][5]
Tenbarge studied journalism atOhio University, where she was also the editor-in-chief of one of the school's student publications,The New Political.[6] While at Ohio University she majored in environmental studies and journalism, winning regional first place in news reporting from the Society of Professional Journalists in 2017, and received a $4,000 grant from theWhite House Correspondents' Association the same year.[7]
In October 2020, Tenbarge reported on sexual assault allegations againstJeffree Star, after she was approached with the allegations by the accuser unprompted.[8] In January 2021, she reported on allegations ofgrooming againstYouTuber CallMeCarson.[9]
On March 26, 2021, Tenbarge reported on the alleged rape of a woman in 2018 during the filming of a video byDavid Dobrik.[10][11] The incident was reported to have taken place while the woman was inebriated, and was allegedly committed by Dom Zeglaitis, who was at the time a member of Dobrik's Vlog Squad.[12] The woman had agreed to work with Tenbarge, who said that she had been waiting for an outlet that would allow her anonymity.[10] This report resulted in widespread backlash against Dobrik, including the withdrawal of support from several sponsors of hisYouTube channel, and ultimately resulted in him stepping down from his position atDispo.[10][5][13]
Tenbarge also runs a newsletter calledThe Kids Aren't Alright, published throughSubstack.[17][4] Kat Tenbarge is also a regular contributor onMatt Bernstein's podcastA Bit Fruity.
In 2025, Tenbarge revealed she was one of 40 people to be laid off by NBC News. She currently runs an independent newsletter called Spitfire News.[18]
