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YouTubers' major losses after 'rehoming' adopted son

US YouTuber’s Myka and James Stauffer have lost major business deals after their shock announcement that they had decided to give their adopted son Huxley away to another family in a move they described as ‘rehoming’.

The pair hit headline last week after uploading a video described by several fans as ‘deeply upsetting’ in which they tearfully shared the news that four-year-old Huxley, who was diagnosed with autism after being adopted from China, had been ‘rehomed’ after the pair struggled to cope with his special needs.

Myka and James were parents to five before their decision in February. Photo: instagram/ mykastauffer
Myka and James were parents to five before their decision in February. Photo: instagram/ mykastauffer

Now companies who have previously collaborated with the family, who have 203,000 followers on Instagram and over 700k subscribers on YouTube, have confirmed they are no longer working with the family.

In response, companies including Mattell, Fabletics, TJ Maxx and Playtex Baby all confirmed on social media that they would not be working with the family going forward.

Myka and James Stauffer shocked their fans when they announced that they had given up adopted son Huxley. photo: YouTube/Myka Stauffer
Myka and James Stauffer shocked their fans when they announced that they had given up adopted son Huxley. photo: YouTube/Myka Stauffer

Playtex Bay responded to several social media comments asking after their relationship with the family, confirming they were no longer tied to Myka.

“Hi, we wanted to share with you that her last Instagram post for Playtex Baby was back in February,” they wrote. “We are not partnering with her moving forward.”

“We are not currently working with the Stauffer family, and do not have plans to partner with them in the future,” the Instagram page for Mattell’s Barbie wrote in response.

Screenshot of Mattel's Barbie confirming cut ties with Myka Stauffer
Barbie confirmed via social media that ties with the family have been cut. Photo: Instagram/barbie

Kate Hudson, who is behind Fabletics, also confirmed to a concerned fan that she would no longer be working with Myka.

“... she was terminated,” the actress responded. “Thank you for your awareness and care.”

People Magazine reports several other brands have similarly distanced from the controversial pair over the move.

Myka and James Stauffer announce decision to give up Huxley three years after adoption

Myka introduced Huxley in a YouTube video in December 2017. Photo: YouTube/ Myka Stauffer
Myka introduced Huxley in a YouTube video in December 2017. Photo: YouTube/ Myka Stauffer

The controversy started after fans noticed Huxlet’s absence from the family Instagram page from March, and it was confirmed by the parents in a YouTube video last week.

"Do I feel like a failure as a mom? Like, 500 per cent," Myka said in the video, sayingHuxley had found a new ‘forever home’.

Husband James revealed the pair were unaware of the extent of Huxley’s special needs when they adopted him as a baby, and that the past 12 months had seen issues escalate to the point where the pair say they could no longer meet his needs.

"There's not an ounce of our body that doesn't love Huxley with all of our being," Myka added, in tears.

"There wasn't a minute that I didn't try our hardest and I think what Jim is trying to say is that after multiple assessments, after multiple evaluations, numerous medical professionals have felt that he needed a different fit and that his medical needs, he needed more."

The pair have four biological children, and have been sharing their family’s progress with their 715,000 YouTube subscribers for years.

Following the video, Myka updated her social media bio’s from ‘mum of five’, to ‘mum of four’.

The wording of the announcement has since been slammed by fans and professionals alike, who point out ‘rehoming’ is traditionally used for shelter animals.

The pair have since disabled comments on recent posts, after old photos with Huxley attracted furious comments from irate fans.

Fans are also calling for the pair to delete sponsored ads on the page which include images of Huxley, arguing his privacy should be extended to old social media posts.

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