Try Guys Ned Fulmer Scandal

One of YouTube’s most wholesome creative teams was rocked by controversy in late 2022 when Ned Fulmer, one-fourth of the popular comedy quartet The Try Guys, was ousted amid a cheating scandal involving a colleague. The incident stunned fans and quickly went viral, gaining mainstream media attention and even a parody on “Saturday Night Live.” This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the Ned Fulmer scandal – from who the Try Guys are, how the allegations came to light, the official statements and fallout, and what has happened since.

Who Are The Try Guys?

The Try Guys are a group of YouTube content creators known for their humorous videos in which they attempt a wide variety of activities, from trying drag to simulating labor pains. The group originally formed in 2014 while its four members were working for BuzzFeed. The quartet consists of:

• Keith Habersberger – known for his love of food and quirky humor.
• Ned Fulmer – often dubbed the “Wife Guy” of the group for frequently professing his love for his wife in videos.
• Zach Kornfeld – known for his witty personality and for being open about his struggle with chronic pain.
• Eugene Lee Yang – recognized for his bold personality and advocacy for LGBTQ+ representation.

In 2018, the foursome left BuzzFeed to form their own independent company, 2nd Try LLC. They expanded their brand with a podcast (“The TryPod”), a Food Network TV series, and a New York Times bestselling book, “The Hidden Power of F***ing Up”. By 2022, they had amassed nearly 8 million subscribers, building a wholesome brand on friendship and authenticity that made the subsequent scandal all the more shocking.

Ned Fulmer – The Original “Wife Guy”

Among the Try Guys, Ned Fulmer stood out for his on-screen persona as a devoted husband. In almost every video, Ned would mention his wife, Ariel Fulmer, earning him the nickname “Wife Guy” from fans. The couple collaborated on content, co-authoring “The Date Night Cookbook” and hosting a parenting podcast called “Baby Steps.” This carefully crafted family-man image was a key part of his brand and a major reason the revelation of his workplace affair drew such intense attention.

How the Scandal Unfolded

The controversy began with rumors on social media that quickly snowballed into a major story.

The Initial Rumors

During Labor Day weekend 2022, a Reddit user claimed to have seen Ned at a New York City bar kissing a woman who was not his wife. The woman was identified as Alexandria “Alex” Herring, a producer for the Try Guys-affiliated duo Food Babies. The user shared a blurry video as evidence, which spread rapidly across Twitter and TikTok, igniting widespread speculation.

Social Media Sleuthing

Fans quickly noticed that Ned had been mysteriously absent from several recent videos. Viewers pointed out that Ned, who had participated in filming a "Without A Recipe" episode, was almost entirely edited out of the final cut. This fueled rumors that something had gone wrong behind the scenes. As speculation mounted, the remaining members of The Try Guys initiated an internal review after being alerted to the situation by fans.

The Breaking Point: Official Announcements

On September 27, 2022, The Try Guys made it official. The group released a formal statement announcing Ned Fulmer’s departure.

“Ned Fulmer is no longer working with The Try Guys. As a result of a thorough internal review, we do not see a path forward together. We thank you for your support as we navigate this change.”

— The Try Guys, via Twitter

That same day, Ned posted a message on Instagram confirming the affair and issuing a public apology.

“Family should have always been my priority, but I lost focus and had a consensual workplace relationship. I’m sorry for any pain that my actions may have caused to the guys and the fans – but most of all to Ariel.”

Ned’s wife, Ariel Fulmer, also shared a brief message, thanking fans for their support and requesting privacy for her family.

The Try Guys’ On-Camera Explanation

On October 3, 2022, the three remaining Try Guys addressed their audience directly in a YouTube video titled “what happened.” The somber five-minute video quickly shot to #1 on YouTube’s trending page.

In the video, the group confirmed that Ned’s dismissal was due to a breach of trust from the workplace relationship. They explained that once their internal review confirmed the affair had occurred, Ned was removed from projects and ultimately released from the company. The trio’s emotions were palpable, with Eugene Lee Yang appearing visibly angry and Zach Kornfeld emphasizing the heartbreak and confusion they felt. They reiterated that workplace misconduct from a founding member could not be ignored.

Social Media Outrage and the “Wife Guy” Backlash

News of Ned’s infidelity went viral. On TikTok, the hashtag #NedFulmer racked up tens of millions of views, and the scandal trended worldwide on Twitter. Many fans voiced feelings of betrayal, noting the irony that the member who built his brand on loving his wife was caught cheating. The term "#WifeGuy" became a meme, referring to men whose public persona of spousal adoration is undermined by scandal.

Amid the backlash, support poured in for Ariel Fulmer. Fans and fellow influencers left encouraging comments on her social media, praising her grace. The other employee involved, Alexandria Herring, remained silent, and her fiancé reportedly ended their engagement.

Mainstream Media Spotlight & SNL Parody

The scandal marked one of the first times a YouTube drama broke into the mainstream news cycle in such a significant way. The story was covered by Variety, The New York Times, CNN, and the BBC.

On October 8, 2022, Saturday Night Live (SNL) aired a sketch parodying the scandal. The skit drew mixed reactions, with many fans and critics arguing that it misrepresented the situation by downplaying the seriousness of a workplace power imbalance and breach of professional ethics. Rolling Stone reported on the backlash, noting that fans felt the sketch was out of touch.

Life After the Scandal

In the wake of Fulmer’s exit, the remaining Try Guys reshaped their brand overnight. This involved costly re-edits of unreleased videos to remove Ned, restructuring their company, and updating their iconic logo from four figures to three.

Ned Fulmer stayed out of the public eye for over a year. In late 2023, he and Ariel re-launched their podcast, now titled “Baby Steps Recalibrated,” where they discuss their journey of repairing their marriage after the affair. The Try Guys have continued as a trio, successfully navigating the change and maintaining their popular channel with their values intact.