The “Hazbin Hotel Verbalase Leak” refers to a controversy surrounding YouTuber Adym Steven Evans, known as Verbalase, and a viral animated music video (AMV) titled “Hide Away,” featuring characters from the adult animated series Hazbin Hotel. The video, allegedly commissioned by Verbalase for a rumored $50,000, depicts an animated version of himself being chased and seduced by Charlie Morningstar, the show’s protagonist, in explicit and nonconsensual scenarios. The controversy erupted in January 2024 after the video was reuploaded without his consent, sparking widespread discourse, memes, and speculation about its cost and impact on Verbalase’s reputation.

Verbalase, a YouTuber renowned for his Cartoon Beatbox Battles series, reportedly commissioned the AMV, directed by Steven Chase, in 2021 for a separate, mature-audience YouTube channel. The video, set to the song “Hide Away” by Synapson, was initially uploaded in 2022 and marked for 18+ viewers but was later deleted by Verbalase as he shifted focus to other content. On September 6, 2023, the video was reuploaded to YouTube by an account called HydroHater99, believed to be linked to Steven Chase, gaining 62,000 views before being removed for copyright reasons in January 2024. The leak gained traction on January 11, 2024, when X user @thestartofluck shared details about its creation, followed by a repost by @OOCWesternR34, amplifying its viral spread.

The AMV features Charlie Morningstar performing an occult spell to draw Verbalase into the “Happy Hotel,” where she pursues him romantically. The video escalates with Charlie tying Verbalase to a bed, stripping him to his briefs, and engaging in suggestive acts, ending with her lying on top of him in lingerie.

The explicit nature, including themes of nonconsensual pursuit, sparked significant backlash for its provocative content and raised questions about its production, with unverified claims suggesting a 15-year-old may have been involved in its creation.

On January 20, 2024, Verbalase addressed the controversy in a YouTube video titled “Addressing Things,” which garnered over 152,000 views. He thanked fans for their support, apologized for any harm caused, and clarified that the AMV was a personal project from 2021, uploaded to a private channel before being leaked without his consent on January 11, 2024. He did not confirm the rumored $50,000 cost, which remains unverified, and emphasized his commitment to continuing his main content, like Cartoon Beatbox Battles. Verbalase also disabled comments on his YouTube channel due to the intense backlash.

The situation was further complicated by leaked Discord screenshots, allegedly showing Verbalase making queerphobic comments about gender and identity politics, which clashed with Hazbin Hotel’s inclusive fanbase, fostered by creator Vivienne Medrano. These remarks intensified criticism, as fans felt they contradicted the show’s values. Prominent streamer Asmongold also commented, calling the alleged $50,000 expenditure “nuts” and suggesting Verbalase may have been scammed, adding to the public discourse.

The leak inspired numerous memes, including a trend on Reddit’s /r/GrimDark comparing the $50,000 cost to other purchasable items. Reactions varied: some fans supported Verbalase’s explanation, while others questioned the need for an apology or demanded clarity on the video’s cost.

The controversy highlighted issues of consent in content distribution, financial transparency, and the impact of explicit fan works on creators’ reputations. Social media platforms like X saw posts like @twispxrkle’s meme referencing Verbalase’s earlier Thanos Rap as foreshadowing the drama, and @NoContextSpongy’s “Run Verbalase run” meme, reflecting the humorous yet critical online sentiment.

The Hazbin Hotel Verbalase leak underscores the challenges of digital privacy and unauthorized content distribution, particularly for public figures engaging in fan-driven projects. The unverified $50,000 price tag and allegations of inappropriate comments fueled debates about accountability and the ethics of explicit fan content. The incident also highlighted the passionate Hazbin Hotel fanbase’s sensitivity to perceived missteps, given the show’s inclusive ethos. As of September 2025, the controversy remains a notable case study in the intersection of fandom, privacy, and online virality.