Gabbie Hanna Returns After Hiatus, Opens Up About Mental Health and Apologizes in Emotional Video
4 min read
Image via IG@gabbiehanna
After disappearing from social media for nearly a year, 33-year-old influencer Gabbie Hanna has resurfaced, much to the surprise and concern of her fans. Known for her success on Vine, YouTube, and TikTok, Hanna has amassed millions of followers over the past decade. However, her sudden departure from all platforms in early 2023 left her followers wondering what had happened, particularly after a series of troubling events in 2022.
The 2022 “Manic” Episode and Controversies
In August 2022, Gabbie alarmed her fanbase by posting over 100 TikTok videos in a single day, during which she discussed a wide range of subjects, including religion and death. Many found the content disturbing, with some viewers accusing her of making racist remarks. Days later, Gabbie explained that the videos were the result of a manic episode, as she has been open about her bipolar disorder diagnosis.
Despite her explanation, fans remained worried about her mental health, especially when she disappeared from social media for an extended period in 2023. Gabbie has been no stranger to controversy throughout her career, including high-profile feuds like the one with YouTuber Angelika Oles. However, she typically returned to her platforms after brief breaks. This time, though, her absence stretched to nearly a year, fueling speculation about her well-being.
Gabbie’s New Role as a Fitness Instructor
In December 2023, Gabbie Hanna was spotted for the first time in months when the YMCA in her hometown of New Castle, Pennsylvania, posted on Instagram, announcing that Gabbie had been hired as their newest fitness instructor. According to the post, she was set to teach classes like Zumba, Ballet Body, and Stretch and Breath.
Fans who saw the post were quick to praise Gabbie’s new direction, commenting that she looked “great” and seemed to have “the light in her eyes again.” This glimpse into her life showed that Gabbie had been focusing on her health and fitness during her hiatus.
Gabbie’s Thoughts on Social Media
In July 2023, Gabbie appeared on Prince Ea’s podcast Sauna Sessions, where she opened up about her relationship with social media and why she had been largely absent from it. She revealed that she had deleted the apps from her phone and was even contemplating permanently removing her accounts.
“I’m trying to work up the strength to actually delete,” Gabbie shared. “But I can’t figure out if that’s what I’m supposed to do or not. Specifically TikTok. Because I feel like TikTok is just like the cesspool of the worst of the worst.”
She also discussed how social media fame had taken a toll on her mental health, saying that people were never meant to be “famous” or to “idolize ourselves.” Gabbie expressed a desire for more privacy in her life, stating that she had come to realize that the attention she received online was not something she truly wanted anymore.
Return to Social Media and New Music
Despite her conflicted feelings about social media, Gabbie made her official return on February 29, 2024, releasing a music video titled Where Did I Go? on her YouTube channel. Alongside the video, she shared posts on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, marking her full comeback. She also began posting vlogs again, discussing her journey away from social media and her decision to quit smoking weed.
Gabbie’s followers flooded her comment sections with support, expressing how much they missed her and praising her new music. She also did an interview at Oxford University Union, where she reflected on her experience of leaving the spotlight, drawing comparisons between her own situation and Britney Spears’ during the #FreeBritney movement. Gabbie explained how she was labeled “crazy” by fans and said people were calling for her to be “taken back” and “treated.”
Gabbie Hanna’s Apology and Reflection
Most recently, on September 12, 2024, Gabbie uploaded a 17-minute apology video to YouTube, where she addressed her past behavior and issued apologies to friends, former collaborators, and her fans. Although she didn’t mention specific names, she explained that the 10th anniversary of her first YouTube video prompted her to reflect and make amends. She also expressed that much of her old content no longer reflects who she is today and that she plans to delete many of her past videos.
The video was well-received, with commenters praising her for her honesty, though some fans are still calling for an apology to Jessi Smiles, with whom Gabbie had a falling out in 2019-2020.
As Gabbie Hanna continues her journey of personal growth and recovery, her return to social media marks a new chapter in her career—one where she seems determined to set healthier boundaries while reconnecting with her audience. Whether she will remain active or eventually leave the spotlight for good remains to be seen, but for now, her fans are welcoming her back with open arms.
Shivam Kumar
Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....
