Who is YsabellaBrave?
On her profile at YouTube.com there are photos of a twenty-something woman with a full mouth, dark eyes, and in thumbnails from her videos, ever-changing hair. Now she is a dark-haired chanteuse such as might be found hanging with beatniks in a 50s-era coffee house, now she’s a blond siren, covering The Doors.
At the news aggregator, Digg.com, a link to YsabellaBrave’s standalone website has already been “dugg” (voted for) by Digg users nearly 2800 times — no small feat for any submission to that immensely popular site.
YsabellaBrave’s YouTube videos have been viewed more than 250,000 times and nearly 10,000 YouTube users have subscribed to her channel.
In 11 months, YsabellaBrave has posted at least 49 videos, about one a week. Mostly she sings the blues, but sometimes she rocks a little, other times she essays a little broadway. Occasionally, she just is silly.
In June of 2006, another young woman became an Internet phenomenon via YouTube.com. She called herself Bree and her screen name was lonelygirl15. Here the mystery was thick: Was Bree a real teen girl, home-schooled, video-blogging (vlogging) in an effort to reach outside her strange, dysfunctional home? Was Bree in need of saving from some kind of dark force?
Or was it all an act?
Websleuths took up the challenge, and the short story was this: Bree, her friend Daniel, and her life online and off was scripted. Lonelygirl15 was pure fiction.
Funny enough, the ploy worked, and now Bree’s short web episodes are a mainstay for the growing audience of viewers who like to put their own playlists together and get their TV online.
What about YsabellaBrave?
Is she a talented young woman who began making the videos of her singing blues, torch, and rock songs to karaoke accompaniment on a lark? Did she post her first videos only for her friends to see, and was she perhaps surprised when strangers began to watch, and marvel?
Because one thing is clear after viewing a number of YsabellaBrave’s performances — she’s talented, and she has charisma to spare. People do marvel:
Mary Anne, You are amazing. I’ve been having a VERY bad couple days, and you’ve brought both tears to my eyes and a smile to my face. You have no idea what impact you have had on me. I have a fun request for you, if someday you come around to filling more requests: Let’s Do It, by Cole Porter. Joan Jett did a fine cover of it as well. Fit it to your wonderful style. The people here would love it. Thank you for everything Ms. Mary Anne.
~ YouTube user “GaijinTenshi.”
“GaijinTenshi” is just one example of a fan who writes to YsabellaBrave in glowing, emotional terms.
YsabellaBrave gives her name as “MaryAnne” in her profile, and she says, simply, “I sing songs.”
Also posted in her profile is a reference to a passage from Psalm 6. This is the passage referenced:
I am weary with my sighing;
Every night I make my bed swim,
I dissolve my couch with my tears.My eye has wasted away with grief;
It has become old because of all my adversaries…
Other than that, not much insight past her song choices can be found into YsabellaBrave.
The same woman, using the name MaryAnne, was a finalist for the 2006 Miss Horrorfest Contest. The link goes to the video that presented her to voters. In the video she talks of her lifelong love of horror movies, mentions that she’s employed by a major Internet company, and she’s shown in alluring and forbidding goth getups and made up as a ghoul or vampire.
Competing for Miss Horrofest was something of a contrast with MaryAnne/Ysabella’s other online presence: CHURCH of the HOLY CROSS.
The CHURCH of the HOLY CROSS is a Livejournal kept by “Sister MaryAnne.” In her Livejournal user profile, she wrote the following:
They call me a prophet of the Lord Christ. If I am to be called, let it be known that I am His.
Sister MaryAnne continued:
… Being a prophet involves God speaking through you, which is heavy as it sounds. I’ll explain more in Gifts… below. There are a great many ‘magical’ things done, as one might call it, but I don’t ‘do’ any of it – it is completely the Father. I am blessed enough to be chosen and able to accomplish these things, as God chooses all His children to further the kingdom for Him, but the power is not my own. It is a gift from the Holy Spirit, and God be praised for bestowing upon His children these gifts which further the Kingdom…
Most of Sister MaryAnne’s blog entries are either words of Christian testimony or the blog surveys and tests many casual bloggers use to quickly convey info about themselves to readers. It becomes clear in her Livejournal that Sister MaryAnne has a sincere and long-lasting commitment to her faith.
But who is YsabellaBrave?
In a video where she answered questions she’d already received from fans, MaryAnne gave some background, but most of it was vague. She stated that she’d not been singing long, which is remarkable considering how much confidence and self-assurance she seems to have in most of her performances. Additionally, her vocal ability speaks at least of her having an unusually good ear — she is rarely out-of-tune and comfortable enough with the fixed beat of a karaoke track to play around with melodies and still not lose synch with the music.
Is YsabellaBrave an act, then, a character consciously created by the mysterious MaryAnne? Could it be that Sister MaryAnne is using YsabellaBrave and mostly secular songs to perform an online act of ministry, of evangelism?
In her very first Livejournal entry in 2004, MaryAnne answered a survey question asking about her favorite actor/actress with one compound word: “Myself!”
So one answer to the question about YsabellaBrave being an act is yes.
But is there really anything wrong with that?
There seem to be a lot of people online willing to let her “minister” to them, and she does it in an entertaining, sometimes riveting way. Her artifice is part of the entertainment. And 2 or 3 minutes with MaryAnne/YsabellaBrave leave one feeling a little better than 2 or 3 episodes of lonelygirl15.
Sometimes, the “play” really is “the thing.”
UPDATE, 1/31/07, 11:27 p.m. ET
MaryAnne would like you to know she is not another “lonelygirl15.”
In an e-mail she writes about the “actor/actress” thing: “The ‘acting’ thing is because I used to act as a younger person. Period. I’ve been accused of being a fake and a phony and acting since day one of this, and it couldn’t be further from the truth.”
In a separate message, a friend of MaryAnne’s, going by the name “Devin” also chimed in: “She’s the real deal. She’s really smart, quite modest, friendly, and to tell you the truth, the pictures on her site don’t do her beauty justice… I’ll be happy to answer any questions I can to vouch for her as being authentic and not a Lonelygirl15.”
MaryAnne also posted another video on YouTube Tuesday night, responding to the upswing in her popularity. Her shock and excitement at having so many new viewers and YouTube subscribers was palpable.
In the same e-mail, MaryAnne addressed cynicism expressed by this writer and others as to her authenticity:
I understand your cyncism as well as I can. I have never been cynical, I am more often foolishly innocent of heart, to a fault…
Sometimes there is a lot to be said for believing. Believing that a person can do something on a lark, like put a video on YouTube, and from that become a star.
Believing that some people really do just sing because they must.
(Steve Huff is the author of the popular True Crime Blog)
58 users commented in " Who is YsabellaBrave? "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackThink about it. Her last post was made two nights ago. It is now February, 2007. Last August would have been August, 2006. That’s only 5 months. Is she being vague at times to maintain some semblance of privacy? Pretty sure she is, and I don’t blame her. But my b.s. meter is pretty good, and the couple of times it clicked in researching this story and then communicating with MaryAnne, she ended up plausible.
But your math is off. “Last August” was 5 months ago. If she tried out in L.A., which is where the penultimate AI cattlecalls were done, then August, 2006 would be just right, time-wise.
[…] So, I’m really not into American Idol, I’ve never been transfixed by the abilities of a singer, always thought that the song-writer deserves more credit. Recently, however, another ‘vlogger‘ has been making waves that is pretty spectacular. All she does is sing, her lack of tech- savviness is almost endearing, she points out occasionally that she has ‘no editing’ software. Apparently her YouTube account was dugg and she now was over 10,000 subscribers. There was speculation that she is another lonelygirl15, but if that’s true then she’s got me fooled, her sincerity is palpable: […]
I for one enjoy MaryAnne’s videos immensely, but would be lying if I said I wasn’t taken back a little by this story. Yes, she seems very genuine and sincere, and I believe that she is, but to find out she had this whole separate identity as the Church of the Holy Cross going back almost three years was a bit disturbing. One of the things that her fans, like me, react to is her openness. When answering questions in her latest YouTube vlog to say simple “I am a Christian”, and leave it at that, seems like a glaring omission. So I will continue to enjoy her videos but perhaps with a bit of a jaundiced eye.
I got the impression from her that she didn’t really feel one was too connected to the other. But she’s obviously a pretty complicated young woman.
Why would anyone have a problem with Maryanne having a strong faith in her religion? Would you have felt better that she said she had no belief in God? Or would you have felt even better if instead of finding a religious blog that she has been dedicated to for several years you found that she posed nude or did shower scenes? Maryanne is the perfect example of how every human on earth should be. To be diverse, to be colorful, to not be afriad of who you are. She is saying yes I can be Miss Horrorfest, yes I can sing and yes I can be a prophet for the Lord. So she doesnt fall into a type of catagory, Marryanne is everywhere! I think its noble, couragous, and people like her are rare and far between. I’m so RELIEVED that a person like her actually exist! I was starting to think that amazing people was just a myth.
My problem with this phenomenon is the blatant attempt to use youtube as a money making scheme. Using an attractive girl who pouts and flirts with the camera (and by the way why is she against a backdrop rather than in her own home?) to entice gullable people to part with their hard earned cash is as cynical a ploy as I have ever heard of. The post above seems to confirm this – she has appeared on the net in several guises and works for an internet savvy company! If she is really genuine then all very well, but if not then how many people will be feeling a bit sheepish for falling for a scam?
I came across YsabellaBrave’s videos last night, and spent the ENTIRE evening listening to her songs. She is absolutely amazing!
I am more AMAZED After having read ALL the previouse comments, how seriousely people judge her what I label free fun entertainment. As far as her paypal-ing website, again whats the big deal? Ya go to a movie put down some cash for entertainment, maybe the movie was a waste, maybe it was great. I drive through Vegas, sometimes I put $20 bucks in the slots and skip the movies, for a couple weeks WHOOO, big deal!
I bought Tom Petty’s last CD, good to hear him again, but every song is not a winner!
I don’t care what she says. She is entertaining. Is she real? am I always real, company comes over and I am on my best behaviour.
How much is entertainment how much is real, that’s the fun of it like reading a mystery.
Getting to know anyone always starts out as a mystery.
Entertainment that is all it is. Does she ever take editorial liberties, who doesn’t, Oh and if you don’t I would Luv, to see your next Youtube video…
Now try and relax and enjoy the ride…
Don’t worry about who she is, or is she taking liberties,..
This is a media, moment unfolding, a day in a life of another person, chapter buy chapter, all stories end read slowly, and “if you don’t have a moving buddy, get one”.
I can be a very hard core cynical sceptic. But I believe she is for the most part real. Rare but real. I don’t care. She makes me feel good. I’m afraid she might go away. Or hit the big time and change. Oh well. Nothing lasts forever. Life.
I like her singing and her personality, as much as I can gather of either from the internet presentation. I am curious about her, because she is alluring and charming. I do not have a problem about her trying to get money from her singing, any more than I am offended by any performer or artist wanting to be paid for the performance or art produced. YouTube is a mix of things, including an alternative way for artists of all kinds to present their art and themselves to the public. We should be grateful that it can do this, because otherwise we would be totally in the grip of American Idol.
Doesn’t it strike anyone as odd that she is has almost no negatives comments? No video responses that might be perceived in any sort of negative way. To me that is a glaring red flag to her controlling how people see her. Misleading future subscribers. It seems to me that she works very hard to come off in the best possible light for her YouTube “fans”. She works diligently to protect her image. That is not sincerity. That is marketing. PR work. Undermining any real trust that one who looks closer would have. Her consistent effort to respond or delete comments she doesn’t deem worthy on her YouTube channel has further validated some of my thoughts of her being delusional, a phony and humorless.
It’s an impression that set poorly with me right off. I admit, at first, I was drawn in by her being attractive, her karaoke singing and her overt effort to come off as some sort of torch song diva. Tears appearing on cue. Like magic… It just all seemed TOO polished and phony. Ysabellabrave, or Mary Anne, or whatever, reminds me of the wizard of Oz. You’ll buy everything you see as long as you don’t dare look behind the current. Then it simply won’t be what you first thought it was.
If that is something you enjoy, I would never tell you to not watch her vids. She is attractive, good at presenting herself online, good at controlling how others perceive her, and the songs that she sings are pleasant enough. So if that thin layer of personality is all you need then you can have Ysabellabrave. At least the Ysabellabrave who is in front of the wizard’s curtain.
I have watched most of Maryanne’s singing videos, and all of her speaking ones and she seems to me to be very genuine. Someone mentioned before that she doesn’t record from her own home. In at least one Q and A video, she has said that when she sings, she puts desklamp behind the camera, which is set on top of her television, to illuminate her face and she leaves the rest of the room dark. There you have it, instant black backdrop.
As for the negative comments that some cynics have been looking for, of course she removes many of them. Most of them are rude. Why should she tolerate rude and negative behavior? Would you?
As for the requesting donations thing, she has said that she cannot fulfill subscriber requests unless she has the karaoke version of it. When you cater to a public who is demanding certain things of you, other things, like your own personal financial resources are called into play. You pay other entertainers for their time, and she most certainly does put her time into making videos, so why is this a big deal? She’s not coercing you into giving a “donation,” nor does she frequently mention donations, she puts her videos on YouTube to be accessed by all for FREE. This isn’t a very good scam, if you ask me.
I think way too many people are looking way too hard into something that is most likely legitimate. Should you trust everything you see/hear/read? Absolutely not, but if you’re going to question her, perhaps you should invest some time in her, watch her videos, or (dare I say it) contact her personally and see what she has to say. Or you could choose to remain ignorant and rude, while you merely speculate about the details of her life.
I think that Ysabellabrave supporters, fans, cult members, whatever don’t think and just make assumptions on several fronts. For example, there is the assumption that ALL comments she deletes are rude and inappropriate… Nope. She will delete any comments that might lead to questioning her, that indicate an opinion contrary to hers, or if you shine any light on the disingenuous approach that is Ysabellabrave or her supporters. It’s unfortunate that people are not able to see beyond the smiley, pseudo sweet character that has been created. Similar to dealing with a used car salesman. Do you think a used car salesman cares about you beyond getting you buy what he’s selling with that big grin? Ysabellabrave is selling a “perfect” identity and I’m not buying. It’s quite simple really, if you shelter yourself, building a universe that is only lolly pops and gum drops and work hard to spread only that message, it’s a LIE. Not the worst of lies, but a lie none the less. And what is lying? Lying is being insincere, disingenuous, and willing to filter information that doesn’t flatter the “product”. If you step back for a moment, you will see that is precisely how Ysabellabrave handles her image. She’s a character that won’t admit she that she is an attention seeking character, or maybe she is simply believing her own hype, which is horrific and potentially tragic. I have had limited contact with her. As expected, if you are person who doesn’t allow themselves to get sucked in and simply accept what is said as gospel, then she has no power over you and she moves on. Ending all contact, and only interacting with people who stroke her ego. Pathetic in my opinion.
Strange that Maggie would say “I think way too many people are looking way too hard into something that is most likely legitimate.” My response is why should I be forced to endure people dismissing my questions about Ysabellabrave as some sort of ghost hunt? I’m sharing my opinion, that is based on plenty years of experience and education. Also, I have never attacked her personally. My questions have to do with her approach and sincerity, but I don’t know HER. But come on… Do you really think that the character we see on YouTube is the same person you would see order a sandwich? Controlled performance. Wispy voice. Lips quivering with a spot light on her. As a single tear runs down her cheek when she says… “Can I have lemon in my iced tea?”… That’s not real. That’s an act.
Funny enough, I don’t have a problem with her making money on YouTube or her site. For that, I say, more power to her. We live in a capitalistic society and if she can make a buck doing what’s she’s doing, all the better for her. I have no issue with her providing a way for her friends, fans and/or supporters to spend their money on her for the things she does. Nothing about that bothers me at all. On that particular topic I’m a bit inspired myself to see what sort of things I could do for myself. I just wish she could fess up to it being a show…
The legacy of lonleygirl is legitimate YouTubers like ysabellabrave are subjected to a lot of cynicism. The lonleygirl prank damaged YouTube as a community.
She is an incredible deceiver and it’s all about the money. Hey, isn’t she married? Where’s the ring?; or is it easier to get Pay Pal money from elderly male doaners with names such as loadeddiaper while appearing alone, innocent, and lost in this world? Her live journal says she is a prophet; hey it’s between her and God; but her spin is to draw you in. She quotes the Apostle Paul at her site with a reference as to purity(and of course her purity!) which a lame and sick connection. She has some good spin doctors. Listen to her sing without watching her paw at her face and you will easily blow her off. Capitalism at it’s ugliest. She won’t be coming to an arena near you any time soon.
Hey Youtube skeptic, your requset of honesty from a self-proclaimed prophet of God is pretty simple.
I agree with YouTube Skeptic, all my comments of being a fraud have never shown up in her comment section!
On youtube there is a video about M- and digg.c
Someone is suggesting that there is a porn ingredient in the past.
The delusional aspect of her followers is the usual comment; ‘I am so glad she exists.” She portrays herself by saying ‘I am like ‘Bamboo’. Her role as a survivor (with a victim mentallity) who has climbed the mountain and found bravery is beyond superego (Daddy issues); and she spouts her wisdom on bravery as though her audience didn’t have a clue. She does it with the usual bright eyed, fingers fawning her face camio that to say the least is her trademark and also a bit overdone. She ‘feels’ your pain. She is all things to all people…yada yada yada. She is the queen of video capitalism and quite delusional. Problem is, when you claim you are a Prophet of God and you turn around and chase karaoke singing with the obvious level of zeal that she has exhibited; not much time left to be a Prophet and all of the other things she claims to be. She’s overpromoted herself and it will fall apart.
You either love her or you don’t… well more power to her. I say let her make it while she can bend the listener’s ears and capture the viewer’s eyes. Was it not Madonna who once said that any publicity good or bad is still…PUBLICITY?
Interesting picture of this “Prophet” called YS whatever; go to myspace*com/chieko13 (Horror Fest Pal) and scroll down for a picture that is captioned Marryanne with her husband. If she is married, I’d lie about it too. Heck, you can get more Pay Pal money from lonely men who think you are real, than if you told the truth. But come to think about it, does she really tell the truth. If you look at the picture referenced above, it is the first time I have seen a picture of a Prophet with her cleavage hanging out for all to see. Very inconsistent behavior to say the least.
I went to look at the picture and it wasn’t there. Obviously, it was taken down. My question then would be…. why? Did it get taken down simply because host of the myspace site wanted to take it off? Possible of course. Or was the picture removed because Ysabellabrave asked for it to be removed? Honestly, I don’t know. But it seems to follow the pattern of image control that Ysabellabrave has utilized continually. She has popped up and responded to blogs and articles, so it incredibly unlikely that this blog has slipped her gaze. (As she wisps her cheek oh so gracefully) So I don’t think it’s beyond her to see this dialog and follow up with a request for the removal of the picture. That is only a possible scenario, but this only further validates questions about her misrepresentation of not only her image, but who she is in general.
bloozplr, though Madonna may have said that any publicity is good publicity, but Madonna’s empire was built, at least in part, on a bad girl image. Ysabellabrave has worked incredibly hard to prove she is genuine, sweet, and sincere. My point being, that in the case of Ysabellabrave, bad publicity will probably only hurt her. It will plant a seed of contempt and distrust that will grow and grow within the dung she is shoveling.
Again, I don’t have issue with her making a buck. Whether it be from lonely, middle aged frumpy men, or not. I DO have a problem with making money by manipulating people. Presenting a sweet, “sincere” public face that is not her, is nothing more than disingenuous. I find that aspect of Ysabellabrave completely distasteful. And it is extraordinarily unethical for someone who is preaching Christian values, but can’t follow them herself. Not to mention that she pontificates on issues like some bad 50’s public service announcement. Now, I don’t know if she is delusional and living in her own little universe, or if she is maliciously manipulating people. I do have complete confidence that at some point people will take notice of this high profile snake oil salesman, and send her out of town tarred and feathered. At least figuratively speaking.
If you use the link you have to scroll down past a journal entry dated December 11, 2006. The picture of Marryanne and her (dare we say it?) significant other is right below this dated entry. Be patient. blog*myspace*com/chieko13
To say that she doesn’t dress like a Prophet of God is putting it mildly!
Skeptic, you are right; it’s gone (although I think I saved the entire blog somehow). But you know, I am sure that a few interested people saw it. I still have the picture pasted in a word document. I found it on digg as referenced by a lordcanyon. His post was dated January. Curious minds would have seen it. There is no doubt that she talked to Chieko (a Ms. Horror Fest finalist) and begged her to get rid of the picture which was buried amongst 40 other pictures taken in Las Vegas and at the Horror Fest. I would think that Chieko got to know YSabell pretty well at the contest, and for her to recite: “Marryanne with her husband” under the picture; you get the inpression that she was accurate in the caption. Like I said, I still have a copy of the picture. All of the other captioned pictures seem to be accurate as opposed to silly in nature.
What was really “revealing” was that M- (ysabell) was wearing a very low cut black leather outfit. I can’t imagine a self-proclaimed ‘Prophet’ of God presenting themself in such a way in public. I am not surprised that Chieko pulled the blog (picture). I have blasted the reference all over you tube and digg. Believe me, enough people saw it. The deception will start to unravel.
Sorry Marryanne, I found it. I am sure you will acept my apologies as you are quite the Christian.
FYI, to retrieve the treasure, you have to type blog* in front of the mysp*c followed by a / and then chieko13 Good hunting comrades.
I posted the link to the picture of Y. Bella (M-) at the available videos (tagged YS) on Ytube and her response was to the least trafficked video (3 hits as to comments) as follows:
Re: No Surprises (you tube)
Ys. Bella (15 hours ago) marked as spam
Dude – it’s a guy dressed as Charlie Chaplin, an actor who I adore. Me married to Charlie Chaplin? It’s wishful thinking, impossible (as he’s longn since dead), and just not true. lol
Is it just my imagination, or did she completely dodge the caption on the picture, which recited: “Marryanne with her husband”. I know Chaplin is dead and that she is not married to a dead guy.
Dudette, it’s a picture of a guy dressed as Chaplin, and recited as your husband. I have no doubt that the finalists in the infamous and glamorous ‘Ms. Horror Fest’ contest got to know each other fairly well. I checked the other pictures and Cheiko appeared to be factual. Not comical!
There are other instances of deceit, which I will chronicle in the future.
blog.myspace.com/chieko13
M- with her husband.
But as she jokingly answered, “I am not married to Chaplin because Chaplin is is dead”
Could be her sense of humor or it could be just a major dodge!
Could the photographer be implying that the pic was of maryanne and her “husband” as a sort of jest. I mean they’re at universal studios, there’s people in costumes everywhere and so she took a picture of a guy dressed as Charlie Chaplin with the caption as her “husband” as a joke implying that she loves Charlie Chaplin. I think some of you are looking way too much into this misleading factor.
I’m of the same thought that the photo was in jest. In my opinion, not a great example of the misleading that is common place with Ysabellabrave.
She seems to have taken notice of the conversations regarding her insecurity and has made a few mediocre attempts at deflecting that negative attention. However, beyond the confines of her channel and her website she has little pull. She does continue to delete comments, block “negative” people, and speak about the world as if it were a movie from the 40’s. I wonder if she might be simply delusional. So wrapped up in her own little universe that the realities of everyday life seem off in the distance to her. I would almost bet that in person she is impish and weird. Socially awkward. In fact, I almost hope that’s the case, because the alternative is a maniacal, hand wringing, manipulative evil bitch. That might be more interesting though.
Lord have mercy people! It’s like a damn witch hunt! I’m sure the picture was in jest. But who the hell cares!! Lots of people enjoy her. No one forces anyone to get on youtube and watch her video’s. She could be anyone from anywhere and it really wouldn’t matter. The fact is, it is free entertainment. Ya’ll need to stop taking it so seriously! It’s not as though she’s going around working insurance scams or something! She’s singing and sharing her views for Christ sake. If she were a singer in a night club, she would be getting paid, so what is the harm? If it makes people happy to give her money, I say you go girl! We pay for things that are of value to us, so that is really a personal decision. She is an artist, and if people out there want to support an artist they believe in, then what harm is it? Do we really know anything about performers we enjoy? Anything can be made up in a bio. But it doesn’t invalidate their work does it? I’m in it to enjoy her performances, not to get to know her personally. That would just make a creepy stalker type. If she’s manipulating people, then I still wouldn’t care. Everything we watch manipulates us in one way or another. Those little African children on American Idol singing with Josh Groban manipulated the hell out of me… It was still enjoyable to see.
Witch hunt? Why don’t actually read what was written here before you make some kind ignorant comment like that. And though you might not care that there’s a person on YouTube manipulating you for their own gain. Financial and otherwise. I know some people do. I, personally, have never said that people shouldn’t watch her. If they enjoy her shtick, then enjoy. But be aware what that means at the same time. Now it doesn’t matter whether it’s high level insurance scam or some Nigerian prince trying to give you money. A scam is a scam. Regardless of whether it impacts you or not. And to argue that it’s not as bad some other scams, doesn’t make it ok. If you are taking advantage of people, even if it’s not you, then it’s WRONG. It’s simply stupid to minimize or dismiss a person’s deception because it’s not as bad as some other deception. If it’s unethical, misrepresented or out right dishonest, it should be exposed. My biggest issue is that Ysabellabrave is delusional, dishonest, often humorless, and takes herself way to seriously for someone who it trying to present her image as completely the opposite. For those of you like to be manipulated, turn the channel, I’m sure there’s a Sally Strothers commercial on.
There was no ‘jest’ on the picture. If you carefully read each of the picture captions, there was an obvious attempt to be accurate as to people, places and such by Chieko on each of the pictures. Doesn’t anyone get it that if she is married, she denies it to pull in more lonely men (and their pay pal money) who basically worship and fantasize about her. I remember the days in early hollywood where certain female stars were secretly married because if the public knew, then the femme fatale would loose her followers. PS, a lie is a lie and for me art at it’s purist doesn’t involve lies by omission. YS. Bell postures herself as special, pure and childishly helpless; this is part of the farse.
As to my opinion, she is and has been married; but knowledge of that would invalidate certain of her messages. So, if she is married, this is the closest evidence for now. What a loser and user she is. It is sad that a “Prophet” would behave the way she does. Shame!
wow.
Not married, never have been. Wish I was, I’m 27.
I’m just what I say I am.
Believe what you want. In the end, the truth is between me and God, and we’re square.
you go MaryAnne!
I really liked the “did you know she’s married to the Charlie Chaplin character at Universal Studios”. That was just the best! LOL
Doesn’t it strike anyone as odd that she is has almost no negatives comments? No video responses that might be perceived in any sort of negative way. To me that is a glaring red flag to her controlling how people see her. Misleading future subscribers. It seems to me that she works very hard to come off in the best possible light for her YouTube “fans”. She works diligently to protect her image. That is not sincerity. That is marketing. PR work. Undermining any real trust that one who looks closer would have. Her consistent effort to respond or delete comments she doesn’t deem worthy on her YouTube channel has further validated some of my thoughts of her being delusional, a phony and humorless.
It’s an impression that set poorly with me right off. I admit, at first, I was drawn in by her being attractive, her karaoke singing and her overt effort to come off as some sort of torch song diva. Tears appearing on cue. Like magic… It just all seemed TOO polished and phony. Ysabellabrave, or Mary Anne, or whatever, reminds me of the wizard of Oz. You’ll buy everything you see as long as you don’t dare look behind the current. Then it simply won’t be what you first thought it was.
If that is something you enjoy, I would never tell you to not watch her vids. She is attractive, good at presenting herself online, good at controlling how others perceive her, and the songs that she sings are pleasant enough. So if that thin layer of personality is all you need then you can have Ysabellabrave. At least the Ysabellabrave who is in front of the wizard’s curtain.
What she is doing is charting a course that has really not been charted yet in the world of entertainment delivery. What does it really mean to be a YouTube star? Who has written the book of rules on how you become a Star via YouTube? No-one that I know of. So maybe she is making some blunders, but what do you expect, YouTube stars have no proven history or track record to look back on to see what works and what does not. I respect her for the craftiness in trying new things to see what sticks and what does not. Deleting negative comments might be a no-no for those coming behind her, but they’ll only know that because of what she and perhaps other successful YouTubers have done.
My personal feeling is that she probably is not exactly what she says she is. But, so what? We all know professional wrestling is fake yet millions of fans go to watch matches every year and the excitement is still the same. She has a ton of talent and my feeling is that she has the same around her either coaching her or assisting her in her compilations. As for her singing, she has a very nice versatile voice, but I wouldn’t say its anything out of the ordinary. But what makes her so intriguing is her presence in front of the camera which is anything but ordinary. If she was not trained on how to talk and act in front of a camera I would be shocked. Very few people are naturals in this respect.
What ever becomes of her, she can take pride in being one of the pioneers in YouTube stardom.
She is under no obligation to you youtubeskeptic, or anyone else to divulge any information about herself. Youtube is a free service, and when ysabellabrave starts selling cd’s, it will be your decision as to whether or not you dole out money to own her music. Obviously you won’t be doing that, so why the hell do you care so much? I think for someone who is so anti ysabella, you seem a little obsessed. What’s up with that?
She is very likely a fake. But why should that matter? She’s very cute to look at.
Maryanne just got signed, I’m so happy for her. Out of all the people on youtube she really deserved this great opportunity. LOVE YA MARYANNE!!
I think MaryAnne is a quirky, wonderful singer and she really knows how to work the camera and audience. She has a great voice but it’s her personality (style, music choice, showmanship, etc) is what makes her worth listening to for me. The exact same voice performing a top 40 song? Not really interested. More power to her for being a Stripper-Goth 40s-era Siren/Prophet.
That said, of course she’s “acting”. What public person doesn’t craft their image in some way? Amateur? I don’t think so. And I saw a photo of “Maryanne and her husband” as captioned by one of her HorrorFest friends on a blog. That photo has since been removed. I don’t blame her for wanting to keep her married life private.
I’m intrigued and will keep watching. But I don’t know if I would if I had to pay…
Well gang, it seems that ysabellabrave has done gone and done it! Or has she? The latest reports say she has been signed to a deal with warner. I have to admit that I’m a fan and found this blog interesting. Makes me wonder if infact she did get signed? Am I a victim of a clever marketing scheme? Whats going on? I’d ask Maryanne myself as iI have gotten many replies from her but I’m not sure I want to really find out. Someone should call the PR office at warner and find out what this is all about….
Wow, some of y’all need to get lives.
Once again: not married, wish I was.
I’m everything I say I am: no training, have actually been signed. If there’s a thing I can’t do, it’s lie.
Believe what you must. The truth is the truth, however odd it apparently seems to some folks.
You all sound like a bunch of dumb a*#es.. Lets all take a minute and grow up.———>OK, Who cares who or what she is, she is entertaining!!!! If you don’t like what she does then don’t watch… If she is married its really none of our business!!! So please everyone that is being judgemental just find something else to occupy you time……………..
I don’t care what MaryAnne does “in real life”, none of my business. I’m a 57 yr. old lady who loves her singing. She doesn’t dress like a skank, she doesn’t dance like a skank, she doesn’t sing like a skank in her videos like some young women who seem to be one face of the music business today. She’s fun. It’s refreshing to just enjoy this young woman’s singing. I suggest some of you need to just watch something else if she bothers you so much. YouTube is like the tv, it has controls to change what you’re watching if you don’t like what’s on. Sing on, MaryAnne, some of us are listening and loving it.
I don’t know if she’s married or not – but I’m 100% sure she is a fake.
People who are real, accept real comments. People who are putting on an act, behave the way this woman does – by going around the entire internet trying to keep her name clean. If there are no skeletons in Ms. Whorefest’s past – why keep the closets locked?
And more importantly, why take people’s money? If you’re a Christian, and better yet – if you’re a prophet of God, why take other people’s money when it’s the people that made you who you are today? Why not give back? Aren’t you suppose to be in the least bit charitable? Give back to those who have made you a YouTube star?
Instead this woman [who looks to be in her mid-30’s] dresses in low-cut blouses, dyes her hair blonde and paints her face up like a Monroe. This is a ploy. A ploy to take your money and to fool your viewers into mistaking sleaze for talent.
Well, Ysabella, I wonder what you consider yourself “brave” for? There is a very amusing (unintentionally) video put out by Ms Brave with sweeping Native American chants and a discussion of her nobility. I truly feel that she is isolated from others and needs someone to point out various things to her.
1) Deleting every critique, including very mild ones about your vocal range, only leads to people getting angry (see post above for example!) on a “community” site like youtube.
2) Stating your God has given you the gift of prophesy is strange; how does this mesh with your attempts to solicit money while shaking your stuff in the camera (also, Ms Brave is SO awkward about this tease/dance, so don’t expect Rita Hayworth or Marilyn Monroe….Ysabella, watch a movie from the era you claim to like!)?
3) A search on your name produces a video from a woman with a life threatening disease claiming that she tried to help you and you were exceptionally abusive to her. Is this “Christian”? Does it even understanding of basic manners? That video broke my heart. If you can’t rectify these situations, it is no wonder so many are furious with you. I was amazed at the outright rage people felt…..now I am beginning to see why.
4) Though again unitentionally funny, your “advice” station is strange. It is as if you want to read from a script but don’t have one.
It is obvious you are an actress, many have confirmed you are married, your statements about being a fundamentalist Christian are confusing when you attempt to show your cleavage in the camera (though I have no problem with that…..just wonder what a minister would say to you cooing a Marilyn song into the camera while trying to act like her. Be yourself. Marilyn is still an icon for a reason, dear.)
And my goodness, people have videos on youtube showing that the equipment you claim to use is obviously not what you are employing, since the clarity and sound couldn’t be produced with what you claim to be using, yet you chide others for “lies” and call them “wolves”. One person even went so far as to pick apart an entire video of yours to show the pricey cameras and tools you were using, and has a blog discussing this! Yet, instead of thinking about this, you have chosen to have an additional channel in which you distribute “advice” about topics like “envy”.
Good luck, dear heart. Maybe paying attention to your audience will give you some insight into why your “bravery” is suddenly getting a cold shoulder. God Bless You.
I used to see Ysabella’s videos and think, why isn’t she signed? She is an awesome talent. Then her mask slipped! Since then I’ve learned that she blocks viewers who offer even a HINT of criticism, that if she feels even MINUTELY unappreciated she will complain to YouTube and have accounts canceled, and that she encourages her minions to seek revenge against all who darken her door. What I really want to know is…is it true YouTube bows to her whims and will cancel people without an investigation? I tried to contact YouTube to ask but there’s no e-mail address I can find. Also, I’ve heard she creates “ghost” accounts to attack her “enemies” in secret. (Not what I would call “brave”.) If this is true, why doesn’t YouTube put a stop to this? Don’t they keep track of these things? You’d think they’d question why someone needs to open so many accounts. I’d REALLY love to chat about her with “YouTube”. Anyone know how I can reach them?
Whoa people…get a life! I agree with Linni that if you don’t like Maryanne, please change the channel. These investigations, analysis of cameras, spam emailing her subscribers, hate videos and the like is getting a bit out of hand. I am a 46 year old married woman who happens to enjoy her singing, her song selection and her online personality. If you don’t like it, hit the back button! Don’t try to ruin it for everyone else that enjoys her songs or talks. Is she real? Likely, but I would still watch if I found out otherwise.
I am amused that when Ms “Brave” is criticized, the only retort by her minions is “get a life”. Indeed I do have a very full one, but I am forced to see Ms Brave, say, when I look up something regarding art on youtube and see her contribution pop up (BTW….WHO has alot of time on their hands?): that she has made a portrait of herself as Joan of Arc! That will do wonders for French/American relations. She also depicts herself with a crown of thorns. This is growing scary.
Anyway, she would not be focused on if she did not insist she was “100% genuine” from the beginning yet it is obvious even the most basic things do not add up. In fact, I would be ignoring the belief system that Ms Brave gives lip service to and I try to espouse if I let such an obvious example of fraudulence go unchecked. Asking for money to sing tired songs, painting onself as Jeanne d’Arc, the Patron Saint of France yet at the same time publically mocking a woman with a serious medical condition who offered to help Ms Brave is unacceptable in my opinion. This shows a strange disconnect with reality.
I think it is sad, especially taking into consideration there are so many talented people on youtube who sing, that people (particularly women) say “well, I just like how she sings and acts.” Apparently you can’t see the forest for the trees. That woman (who could be your mother, sister, daughter or even YOU) she hassled before her hospitalization for medical reasons had every right to feel violated. Ms Brave fusing in her mind herself and a Saint is frightening. Anyone who perpetuates this with a shrug of their shoulders doesn’t care about their fellow man. And there is the whole problem.
Therefore, it is her fans who should desire that Ms Brave is true to her word just as much or more than her critics. She has claimed to be a prophet of God…..but she is brazenly lying to you with smiling eyes this very minute.
God Bless Us All.
Fake? What’s fake? You think it isn’t her voice in the videos? You think her name is fake? Well, my name is fake and I’m pretty sure most of the posters here are using fake names. You think her hair color is fake? Well duh. You think she’s a robot created by CBS records to take over iTunes? Wow, that’d be even cooler than a chick singing song on YouTube. You think she’s some kind of soldier of God sent to earth to convert mankind into some kind of worship? I’ve watch all her videos and I’m still an atheist so if she is a soldier of God she shouldn’t quit her day job. I’m secure enough in my non-belief to listen to a Christian sing non-christian songs. I’ve even listened to Jewish comedians without conversion.
Define fake. To some degree everything on the internet is fake some someone’s point of view. Duh.
Good luck in proving the obvious. What kind of prize to you get for something like that?
I’m looking forward to buying a CD from Maryanne’s or Ms Brave’s or YsabellaBrave’s or whatever name she and her marketing team decides will sell the most copies. I’m entertained. This site, which I found looking for her CD, is a bore.
If I find out later the shocking “truth” that she is a robot, or was married, or hair isn’t blonde, or once stuck gum to the bottom of her desk in grade school I will some how go on with my life.
Weird thing is I actually am a robot CBS sent from the future to convert YOU into cat worshipers, and I dye my hair. But then who gives a crap? I don’t have a CD coming out.
Why do her fans get so freaked out when anyone says anything that is less than positive? Her “talk” channel she explains …”tonight’s topic for discussion…”
there isn’t ever a discussion it is a monologue pretty much teling us how she has overcome all of life’s most negative character flaws and how superior she has become. On her “his prophet” site she explains how she has sved the lives of 100’s of people.
And for those of her fans who say well just don’t watch…should we just ignore everything we think is wrong in life? If I fell strongly about an issue whether it is good bad, if I disagree or agree I speak up. I don’t like to be lied to.
For the past several months, I’ve been visiting sites like this one, watching with amusement the “debate” raging between fans and foes of Ysabellabrave. “Does she dye her hair?” “Is she married?” “Is she using expensive gear to produce her videos?” “How can she call herself a Christian yet ‘seduce’ the camera as she does?”
So, to friends and foes alike, I now add my words to the chorus. To you all I say PUH-LEEZE! What is going on with you people? She’s a beautiful young woman with a lovely voice and she makes videos. That’s all there is to it. Does her hair color change that? No. Does her marital status change that? No. Do her religious beliefs change that? No. She sings songs. If you like what you hear, keep listening. If you don’t, go listen to someone else. You have that right and that freedom to do so.
Much is also written about how she accepts money from listeners. Hmm? Have none of you ever paid for a service? If you leave a tip for a waitress for good service, does that make you a lonely old man? Nonsense. I have sent her money and I may continue to do so in the future, because, frankly, I like what she does and I want to show my appreciation in some way other than with words alone. I suggest the rest of you do the same. And no, I’m not a lonely old man, in case you’re interested.
To conclude, I leave you with this: Let the girl sing! Stop digging and poking around, looking for dirt that’s simply not there. Just enjoy the ride. And, if you prefer, go elsewhere for your entertainment. There are so many tragic things in this world to get upset about. The hair color and marital status of a young woman on the Internet is just not one of them! So, to everyone on both side of the fence, although I’m not telling you to get a life, I am suggesting you focus more on reality and take all of this for what it is, pure entertainment. And, if you find that you can’t let this go, then, sadly, I suggest that you do in fact get yourself a life.
What does it matter? A pretty voice, a pretty face– and at least on YouTube, it’s all free.
Why do the people who support Ysabellabrave attack those who have a different outlook on her, then tell US to “Get a life”? And why do you tell us to shut up AFTER you tell us off? Funny how you get your say, THEN you take the high road and tell US to be quiet. And you always say the same thing, “Don’t watch her videos if it bothers you”. But if our comments bother you, then take your own advice and don’t read them! If we aren’t calling her foul names or making wild accusations, what difference is it to you if we question her true hair color or if she is married? That’s what sells magazines; gossip about stars. Of couse, Yszy is just a wannabe star at the moment. Being signed to a record label is not the same as having a CD on the market.
To Sandra: You are absolutely correct. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and opinions about Ysabellabrave are no exception. So, I’m sorry if you felt that I, as YB supporter, was trying to impose some kind of a gag order on you or her other detractors.
Actually, my comments were directed to her fans and foes alike. The point is that everyone should take a giant step back and simply enjoy her music, or don’t, without putting her under a microscope. I was just reading some of the comments made to her latest video and a couple stand out. One person made a comment about a show of emotion at an exact moment in the video, providing the specific time that tear seemed to leave her eye. Another commented on the tilt of her head while she sang. I find ‘positive’ comments like that to be just as troubling as those who obsess over her hair color or marital status.
To both sides I say WHO CARES. If you like her work and support her efforts, great. If you don’t, it’s a big world out there and I’m sure you’ll find someone you like, too. And, yes, everyone is entitled to express their own opinions about her or about anything else you like. All I’m saying is that there are so many more important things in life to get upset about.
Lastly, about her signing. It is an absolute fact that she has signed with a label. Of that I’m sure. As for there being no CD on the market yet, there’s no telling what medium will be used for her broader debut. It’s a brand new world out there and there are lots of media beyond the CD. So, to be fair, let’s not judge too quickly.
She’s a beautiful young woman, with a fine singing voice, and a charming screen presence. I don’t really care what she does or with whom she does it when her camera is turned off. What’s next? Someone will find a video of her having lunch with Stan Laurel? I watch her videos because they give me a smile then I click off and get on with my life.
So, to everyone with an opinion on this subject, I fully support your right to believe what you believe. I, for one, believe the girl is going to go places. If you disagree, that’s fine. But, please, base your opinion, as I do, exclusively on what’s on the screen and not on what may or may not be hiding in her closet. Her private life is her own business as your private life is your own business. As you want your privacy respected, please respect hers. And as for her professional future, I doubt that anyone of us(and I include myself)has been featured in a major newspaper or been written about in a book or been signed by a major label. She’s managed to do a lot in a very short time and, love her or hate her, you have to at least give her her props for that.
And there you have it. My two cents. You can keep the change.
a very interesting quote from “ysabella brave”:
ysabellabravetalk (1 day ago) Show Hide Marked as spam
(Reply) (Spam)
I delete: x rated comments, racism, hate speech, sexism, or spam.
Criticisms I allow; they are on every video.
another lie. in my former youtube account i comment 17 times to “ysabella”. all +s comments. all rejected. i expressed this opinion on 8.23.07 on her video “don’t know why” – comment: “you sang soulfully and beautifully, but i don’t think you carried it through the entire song, but i could be wrong, as it was hard at some points to hear you sing. good job, ysabella, just the same! -nn :)”
this comment was not approved.
this was the only slightly negative comment in a total of 18. none of my coments where ever posted and i was blocked after that particular comment from leaving her another message. i had also donated $59.00 dollars on 7.14.07. ysabella never acknowledged me (not that i expected her to, i donated out of desire to see her rise above and make more videos on youtube), but now i’ve been blocked from subscribing and commenting.
i’ve never felt more cheated, in a way. i didn’t do anything wrong, and now i can’t even subscribe to her videos or tell her how much i loved the new orginal song. i am a woman, i am married, i have children. i only wanted to give to her and all she did was take and cast me aside.
i feel this is wrong.