TikToker and influencer Charli D'Ameloi has brought one of her oldest controversies back into the limelight lately, and it's got some of her fans feeling a little embarrassed.

The controversy comes from 2020, and it's all about a debate over whether Charli was caught vaping or using an anxiety pen in a series of viral videos that seem to catch her in the act.

But what even is an anxiety pen and why is this such a big deal? Here's what you need to know.

Charli D’Amelio seen vaping in a leaked video. Charli’s fans are divided over whether it’s appropriate for a 16-year-old to vape. Some claim it’s an anxiety pen, others say it’s a Juul. Legal age to purchase vapes is 21 in California. More in thread. What are your thoughts?

— Nick (@nickiswashed) August 24, 2020

What Is An Anxiety Pen?

An anxiety pen is a nickname given to a specific type of vaporizer used to purportedly help calm symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety pens are very similar in appearance and function to other vaporizers, like Juuls. However, instead of letting the user vaporize THC or nicotine products, they are used to vaporize calming substances like chamomile, lavender and sometimes CBD.

While the pens are meant to be used to help quell the effects of anxiety, the actual efficacy of anxiety pens is still up in the air. Alternatively, some people refer to a certain type of fidget toy that resembles a pen as an anxiety pen, however, in the case of Charli D'Amelio, we're talking about the former type of anxiety pen.

@user202092263581 😭 #roblox #charliedamelio #anxietypen #larray #charlievape #2020 #covid19 #caronavirus #covid #quarantine ♬ оригинальный звук – .

What Is The Charli D'Amelio Anxiety Pen Controversy?

Back in 2020, several videos that appeared to show Charli D'Amelio vaping or blowing vapor out of her mouth went viral online. These videos sparked a lot of backlash because Charli was 16 at the time, making it illegal for her to purchase and use a vape. Some also saw it as Charli setting a bad example for her followers, due to the potential health risks of vaping.

Charli's defenders, including influencer Larray, pushed back against the controversy by claiming she wasn't vaping but using an anxiety pen. Charli never defended these claims herself, but she also never denied them, letting a large selection of people believe it was just an anxiety pen.

Then, five years later in January 2025, right before TikTok was supposed to be banned in the U.S., Charlie admitted that she was actually vaping in the videos.

In her video, which now has over 50 million views, she claims she doesn't know who started the anxiety pen defense, but confirms that it was untrue, apologizing to her fans in a tongue-in-cheek manner.

The video has inspired renewed interest in the drama, with Charli's defenders feeling a little bit silly about blindly defending her back then. Others are sharing a video clip of Larray making the anxiety pen claim, suggesting he started the rumor, although it's unclear if he's just repeating the rumor or if he actually started it.

@user4350486101678910

♬ original sound – :)

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For the full history of the Charli D'Amelio anxiety pen controversy, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry for more information.