From YouTube Fame to Private Pain: McKinley Richardson’s Journey After Leaving Jack Doherty

In a candid and emotional two-part podcast hosted by her close friend Camilla Araujo, 22-year-old OnlyFans model McKinley Richardson has finally broken her silence about her tumultuous relationship with YouTube prankster Jack Doherty. Their whirlwind romance, which began in early 2023 and ended in May 2025, culminated in an impulsive Las Vegas wedding that was, like most aspects of Doherty’s life, livestreamed to his 15.3 million followers. Richardson described how what started as an “amazing” relationship with a partner who was initially “respectful and protective” quickly deteriorated into something far more troubling. The podcast revelations painted a picture of a young woman trying to reclaim her narrative and rebuild her life after escaping what her friend described as not just a bad breakup, but “emotional abuse.”

The wedding ceremony itself became an early red flag in their relationship, with Doherty making humiliating public declarations that seemed more like threats than vows. While livestreaming to his massive audience, he announced, “shawty gets absolutely nothing when I divorce her, even if I cheat,” and added that if she were unfaithful, “she automatically owes me $10 million. I’ll also receive 100 percent of her OF revenue moving forward, even if we divorce.” Though many viewers couldn’t determine whether these statements were part of his notorious pranking persona or genuine sentiments, Richardson confirmed they were real demands. These public declarations were particularly painful as Richardson revealed that Doherty had allegedly pressured and manipulated her into joining OnlyFans in the first place, suggesting a pattern of control over her financial independence and career choices.

Perhaps the most heartbreaking revelation came when Richardson discussed her pregnancy during their relationship. Rather than viewing this life-changing event through the lens of parenthood and family, Doherty reportedly saw it primarily as a content opportunity, telling her “the whole family’s YouTube channel would go wild.” Richardson emotionally recalled, “It had nothing to do with the family. It had to do with control.” She made the difficult decision to terminate the pregnancy, unwilling to bring a child into what she recognized as a toxic environment. The young model described how Doherty reinforced her decision with manipulative statements like, “He said I was trapped. He mentioned no one would be with me if I were pregnant with his child.” These words revealed a disturbing dynamic where major life decisions were influenced by content creation potential and psychological manipulation rather than mutual support.

Richardson also shared a particularly traumatic incident involving one of Doherty’s close friends. After a night of drinking, this friend allegedly attacked Richardson while she was asleep. When informed about the assault, Doherty reportedly made his friend apologize and subsequently ended their friendship, but for Richardson, this response fell far short of what she needed in such a vulnerable moment. “I couldn’t believe he did that to me, and I couldn’t believe he did that to Jack, knowing we were together in bed,” she shared during the podcast, highlighting the profound breach of trust she experienced not just from the friend, but from a relationship that failed to provide the safety and protection she deserved. The incident stands as one of many painful experiences that ultimately contributed to her decision to leave.

By May 2025, Richardson had reached her breaking point and moved out of the $3.5 million waterfront mansion the couple had purchased together in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The physical separation marked the beginning of a more profound emotional journey toward healing and reclaiming her sense of self. Her friend Araujo, who hosted the podcast, expressed shock at learning the full extent of what Richardson had endured privately during the relationship. “When she started describing what she went through, I felt sick,” Araujo told Where Is The Buzz. “She didn’t just go through a bad breakup. She went through emotional abuse. Hearing her recount it in real time brought a new level of urgency to what had once been private conversations.” These comments underscore how effectively Richardson had hidden her suffering, even from those closest to her, as she navigated the complexities of a relationship playing out partly in the public eye.

Richardson’s decision to speak out represents an important step in her personal healing journey, but it also highlights the often unseen dark side of internet fame and relationships conducted under the constant scrutiny of online audiences. While Doherty built his career on pranks and shocking content, Richardson’s account suggests that the line between performance and reality became dangerously blurred, with real emotional consequences. Now attempting to move forward with her life, Richardson’s bravery in sharing her experience offers an important counternarrative to the carefully curated content that initially defined their public relationship. Her story serves as a sobering reminder that behind the glamorous social media posts and livestreamed moments of influencer relationships, there can exist complex dynamics of power, control, and emotional harm that remain invisible to followers and fans.