‘Gets old real quick mate’: Spanian fans turn after ‘cringe’ Melton video

Fans of Notorious YouTuber Spanian appear to be turning after a “cringe” episode from a troubled Victorian town is accused of glorifying petty crime.

Controversial social media personality Spanian appears to be splitting his fans as his series “Into the Hood” is accused of glorifying petty crime.

Anthony Lees, better known by his social media moniker Spanian, has built up a vast online following with his documentary-style vlogs in struggling suburbs around the world.

Hailing from Sydney, Spanian spent over a decade behind bars for offences including drug dealing, assault, and robbery, and recently made headlines after attending a “hooning event” while filming an Into the Hood episode in Logan, Queensland.

Social media personality Spanian faces controversy over his ‘Into the Hood’ series, accused of glorifying petty crime. Picture: YouTube

But the latest episode featuring Melton, a suburb 47 kilometres west of Melbourne, has drawn the ire of some followers after the visit appeared to turn into mass fanfare for the online celebrity.

A recent episode featuring Melton, a troubled Melbourne suburb, drew criticism for seemingly celebrating criminal behaviour. Picture: YouTube

In one interaction from the latest vlog, a Melton resident who turned out to greet the social media star detailed the precarious legal position he finds himself in after an alleged home invasion.

The man, who claimed to have been recently released from remand after an alleged shooting, explained he had also just been to jail for six years on an attempted murder charge.

“No way, he’s fresh out lad,” Spanian laughed.

The man went on to explain the situation.

“(I was) done for a shooting, home invasion,” the man, who added he had just spent 14 months in a watch-house before charges were dropped due to a key witness not testifying, gleefully explained.

Spanian, hailing from Sydney and with a criminal past, has amassed a large online following with his documentary-style vlogs. Picture: YouTube

“Bless lad,” Spanian said after hearing the man would not face trial.

“I was just about to take the deal; it was for eight years,” the man added.

The man added he had thoughts of seeking retribution on “the dogs that talk s**t” when he drinks.

In another instance, a young man who spoke to Spanian praised the YouTuber for turning his life around.

“You got me off drugs,” the man told him.

“I’m from Melton, I’ve been through it all here.

“I’m a big fan of yours bro you got me off drugs, you made me turn my live around – I’m Catholic now.”

Interactions in the vlog showcased praise for Spanian from individuals involved in criminal activities, sparking concern among followers. Picture: YouTube

Scenes in Melton also showed dozens, if not hundreds, gathered as cars and motorbikes performed burnouts on public roads.

High fives, fist bumps and fanfare greeted Spanian.

Fans online, however, noted a negative shift in the content.

One follower suggested visiting his subject localities unannounced, adding: “It’s becoming a fan meet-up, and they’re f***ing cringe to watch.”

Another said: “I’m not a fan of this type of hood videos with s**tloads of people following you around and showing off. Gets old real quick mate.”

Controversial social media personality Spanian visited Melton, Victoria, with his Into the Hood YouTube series. Picture: YouTube

“Spanian should advocate more about being a good person and not praise criminals, especially petty criminals,” said another.

One fan added: “These hood walk-throughs are just becoming a platform for gronks to play it up for the camera and glorify their crimes. Much love either way Spanian you’re an absolute legend.”

Others said the series, which has explored suburbs and regional Australia as well as the slums of Eastern Europe, appeared to be losing its authenticity.

“Your videos are great Spanian, but the hood tours are beginning to feel less authentic as more people come out and show up for you and act rowdy,” they said.

Fans expressed disappointment with the direction of the series, citing a perceived loss of authenticity and glorification of criminal behaviour. Picture: YouTube

“We liked hearing the stories about buildings and past incidents as well as yarns from random people on the street.

“Now the videos are majority walking around saying hello to people and them talking about their business or just trying to get on the channel. “Bring back the authentic hood tours.”

Another fan wrote: “Spanian, I think most people love the message you are delivering about life and crime, but this delivery really is not helping your cause. You are better than this and have the means and potential to really help a lot of people.”

The release of the Melton episode followed Spanian’s attendance at a ‘hooning event’ in Logan, Queensland, which also garnered negative attention.

Spanian responded defiantly to criticism, defending his focus on celebrating “hood culture” rather than addressing systemic issues. Picture: Spanian/ Instagram

Spanian lashed out at such comments following blowback from the weekend hooning incident he attended in Logan, where two people were charged.

An Aussie rapper issued a defiant message to his critics.

Praising the Logan crowd’s “celebration or hood culture”, Spanian said the Into the Hood series focused not on fixing “hoods” but rather on celebrating those who live there.

“This ain’t no f***ing politics … (I’m not) trying to change the system cause it’s a celebration or hood culture,” he said.

“I hope it keeps making you dirty, lad.

“I hope everywhere that I go, every time all those kids and all those f***ing adults are proud of who they are and where they’re from, and they scream it out and beat their chests and rev their cars and f***ing burn out their bikes, I love that and hope it makes you upset.

“I love the hood. I love the people from the hood. I love the stories from the hood.

“If you don’t like it, don’t f***ing watch it.”