College scandal destroys teenage influencer’s reputation

The name Olivia Jade has popped up everywhere lately, from newspapers to magazines, in wake of her horrific involvement in the nationwide college cheating scandal. But what makes her one of the main faces of the scandal? Her previous accomplishments, internet-famous status, and her famous lineage made her one of the most shocking and well-known culprits of the case. So, who really is Olivia Jade and what has she been doing for the past 19 years of her life?

Olivia Jade Giannulli, the daughter of Full House star Lori Loughlin and Mossimo fashion designer, Mossimo Giannulli, was born on Sept. 28, 1999. Jade has an older sister, Isabella, who is also allegedly involved in the cheating scandal, and a half-brother, Gianni. She grew up in Los Angeles and attended the all-girl, catholic, private school Marymount High School, during which she began her social media influencing career while attending school. Then, she enrolled in the University of Southern California in the fall of 2018.

In July of 2013, Jade began her Instagram page (@oliviajade), which now has 1.4 million followers. Her Instagram page features lavish pictures of her L.A life, as well as paid partnerships and ads with various beauty and lifestyle companies. She began her lifestyle Youtube channel called “Olivia Jade” on June 19, 2014. This channel currently has around two million subscribers. Her videos focus on makeup, fashion, health, and lifestyle advice. Jade takes her followers into the behind-the-scenes of her life, including morning and nighttime routines, and clothing hauls. Later, in 2015, she began a second youtube account named “Olivia Jade Vlogs,” where she made everyday vlog-style videos. 

“As a fan of Olivia Jade for many years, I was surprised by the news of her family’s involvement in the college admission scandals. Olivia seemed to be a humble and kind high school student who was always spreading positivity through her various social media platforms. It was such a shame to hear the news about her and her family’s actions and I am extremely disappointed by the whole situation,” said sophomore Kristin Kalmus.

In addition to her influencer role on social media, Jade had many notable business partnerships. She had paid partnerships with Calvin Klein, Lulus, Tresemmé, Marc Jacobs Beauty, GlassesUSA, Dolce & Gabbana, and more. One of the most recent and highest celebrated partnerships was with Sephora. Jade collaborated with Sephora Collection to launch her own “Olivia Jade X Sephora Collection Bronze & Illuminate” makeup palette. On top of this impressive business deal, Jade partnered with Australian online clothing site Princess Polly to release her own clothing line. However, after news broke of her parents’ $500,000 bribery scandal to get their children into USC, along with creating fake athletic profiles for them, most of her partners dropped their business deals. 

“After careful review of recent developments, we have made the decision to end the Sephora Collection partnership with Olivia Jade, effective immediately,” said Sephora in a statement.

Jade created a strong name for herself through her many social media platforms prior to the college scandal breakthrough. However, her family’s illegal actions that enabled her wholly immoral acceptance to the University of Southern California has destroyed her previously spotless reputation. Many Jade fans are extremely disappointed and disturbed that one of their favorite lifestyle influencers is now associated with a hugely unsettling cheating and lying scandal and can no longer successfully continue her career path.