Top 10 Pranks Gone Wrong with YouTubers like JiDion and Other Pranksters
Prank videos have long been a huge staple of YouTube entertainment — blending humor, surprise, shock, and sometimes pure chaos. While many pranks bring a ton of laughs and viral fame, some take a dramatic turn for the worse, backfiring or causing controversy. From bans to backlash and even legal action, these pranks gone wrong serve as a powerful reminder that there’s a fine line between a funny joke and crossing the boundary.
In this article, we’re counting down the top 10 pranks gone wrong involving popular prank YouTubers like JiDion and more — highlighting the ridiculous, dramatic, and sometimes dangerous moments that made headlines.
1. JiDion’s Walmart Condom Return Prank
One of JiDion’s most infamous pranks took place inside a Walmart, where he attempted to return used condoms filled with hot sauce, complete with fake receipts to make the scenario seem legitimate. The prank was designed to shock and amuse by pushing the boundaries of social norms and customer service etiquette. However, what started as a bold stunt quickly spiraled out of control. A female customer nearby was so appalled and disturbed by the situation that she immediately called her husband for help, escalating the prank from a humorous setup to a tense confrontation.
The husband’s arrival added an unexpected layer of seriousness, turning what was meant to be a lighthearted joke into a stressful and uncomfortable encounter for everyone involved. Staff members also became unsettled by the prank, with some reportedly confronting JiDion about filming inside the store and the nature of the prank itself. The atmosphere shifted from laughter to discomfort as the prank’s shock value backfired, highlighting how public pranks involving sensitive or taboo subjects can quickly cross a line.
JiDion’s attempt to push the envelope with this prank demonstrated the risks pranksters face when blending outrageous humor with real-world settings. While the video gained significant attention and views online, it also served as a reminder that pranks involving other customers and public spaces can provoke strong, unpredictable reactions. The incident showed that not all pranks land as intended, especially when they involve topics that many find inappropriate or offensive in a public retail environment. This prank remains one of JiDion’s most talked-about moments, illustrating both the appeal and the pitfalls of extreme prank content.
2. JiDion Sleeping During WNBA Game — NBA Ban
In what began as a ridiculous yet seemingly harmless prank, JiDion took his antics to a WNBA game by bringing a pillow and blanket to the front row and pretending to fall asleep courtside. He even went so far as to ask a female referee if she could turn down the air conditioning because he needed to take a nap. This odd request was ignored, but it set the tone for a series of disruptive behaviors that quickly escalated tensions at the event.
The prank didn’t stop at just sleeping. During the game between the Minnesota Lynx and the Dallas Wings, a stray basketball bounced toward JiDion, and instead of handing it to the officials as expected, he took a jump shot at the hoop. This unauthorized move was seen as a serious breach of conduct, further aggravating the situation. Security promptly removed him from the arena, and the incident was widely shared on social media, sparking debates about the limits of prank culture in professional sports.
This was not JiDion’s first controversial stunt at sporting events; he had previously gotten a haircut courtside at an NBA game and even sneaked into a Harvard University lecture for a prank. However, the sleeping prank at the WNBA game was the last straw for the NBA, which responded by issuing a permanent ban on JiDion from all NBA-related events, including men’s games. Authorities also indicated plans to share reports of his disruptive behavior with other leagues, such as the NFL, to prevent similar incidents.
Fans and commentators were divided—some found the prank amusing and in line with JiDion’s brand of humor, while others criticized it as disrespectful and disruptive to the athletes and fans. The prank highlighted the fine line between entertainment and interference, showing how public stunts can quickly backfire when they disrupt professional events or disrespect participants. Ultimately, JiDion’s courtside nap prank serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of pushing boundaries too far in pursuit of viral content.
3. JiDion Crashing Harvard University Lecture
In March 2022, JiDion once again made headlines, this time by crashing a prestigious Harvard University lecture with a dramatic and noisy prank involving a vintage typewriter. Wearing a Harvard sweatshirt to blend in, he entered a life sciences class held at the Sanders Theatre and began loudly typing on the typewriter, disrupting the normally quiet academic environment. The prank was part of a popular video format where creators use typewriters to create humorous interruptions in quiet public spaces like libraries or classrooms.
Despite the lighthearted intent behind the prank, the reaction from the university community was far from amused. Professors present during the lecture quickly intervened, with one approaching JiDion and firmly telling him he was not a student and had to leave. JiDion’s repeated attempts to continue the prank, including returning after being asked to leave and shouting from the balcony, further aggravated the situation. The disruption interrupted the flow of the lecture attended by hundreds of students, drawing criticism from both faculty and students who felt their learning environment was disrespected.
The incident led to JiDion being banned from Harvard’s campuses, a serious real-world consequence that underscored the risks of pranking in academic settings. While some students found humor in the bizarre spectacle, many expressed frustration at the interruption of their education and the apparent disregard for university rules. The Harvard Crimson, the student newspaper, reported on the event and highlighted the tension between prank culture and academic decorum.
JiDion’s Harvard prank serves as a vivid example of how pranks that might seem funny online can carry significant repercussions when they disrupt real people’s lives and spaces. It also sparked conversations about the balance between humor and respect, especially in elite institutions where focus and order are highly valued. Despite the backlash, the video amassed millions of views, proving once again JiDion’s knack for creating viral content, albeit at the cost of crossing boundaries.
4. Reset’s Toothpaste Oreo Prank Gone Wrong
In 2017, Spanish YouTuber Reset sparked major controversy after filming a prank where he gave a homeless man Oreos filled with toothpaste instead of cream. The man, unaware of the switch, ate the cookies and soon became violently ill, vomiting shortly afterward. Reset’s video, which he posted online with an insensitive joke about the incident, quickly drew widespread condemnation for exploiting a vulnerable individual purely for entertainment. The backlash was so severe that Reset faced legal consequences, including a 15-month jail sentence (partially suspended) and a temporary shutdown of his YouTube channel. This incident remains a stark example of how pranks that target marginalized people can cross moral and legal boundaries, turning what might have been intended as humor into a serious ethical violation.
5. Roman Atwood’s Fake Snow Prank Turns Serious
Roman Atwood, a legendary prankster known for his family-friendly content, once pulled a seemingly harmless prank involving fake snow. Walking around with a cooler, Atwood pretended to dump snow on unsuspecting passersby. Most people took it in good humor, but one man was so shocked by the prank that he collapsed with chest pains. Atwood immediately called 911, turning a lighthearted joke into a medical emergency. The incident highlighted the unpredictable nature of pranks and underscored the importance of considering the health and safety of bystanders. Atwood’s quick response and concern for the man’s well-being showed a responsible side to prankster culture, even when things go wrong.
6. Prettyboyfredo’s Condom Return Prank Backlash
Prettyboyfredo, a popular YouTuber known for his prank and reaction videos, faced backlash after attempting a prank similar to JiDion’s infamous condom return stunt. He tried returning condoms filled with hot sauce to a retail store, confusing and offending employees and customers alike. The prank was criticized for being gross and disrespectful, especially in a public retail environment. While Prettyboyfredo’s channel continued to grow, this prank served as a reminder that pushing boundaries too far in public spaces can lead to negative reactions and damage a creator’s reputation.
7. D’Aydrian Harding’s Homeless Fight Prank Controversy
YouTuber D’Aydrian Harding generated significant controversy when he orchestrated a prank involving two homeless men encouraged to fight each other for cash. The video was met with widespread condemnation for exploiting vulnerable individuals for entertainment purposes. Critics argued that the prank crossed ethical lines by dehumanizing homeless people and trivializing their hardships. The backlash sparked conversations about the responsibility of content creators to treat all people with dignity and respect, regardless of their circumstances. Harding’s stunt is often cited as a cautionary example of how pranks can quickly become exploitative when they target marginalized groups.
8. Fred Beyer’s Legal Issues from Risky Pranks
Fred Beyer is known for his daring and high-risk prank videos, which often involve extreme stunts and confrontations. However, some of his pranks have landed him in legal trouble, illustrating the fine line between entertaining content and unlawful behavior. Beyer’s legal battles have included charges related to public disturbances and harassment, reflecting the dangers pranksters face when pushing limits for views. His experiences highlight the importance of understanding legal boundaries and the potential consequences of reckless pranking, especially when it involves unsuspecting members of the public.
9. Zople’s Unpredictable Pranks and Career Challenges
Zople rose to fame with bold and unpredictable pranks that kept viewers on the edge of their seats. His rapid growth was fueled by increasingly dramatic and sometimes controversial content. However, the pressure to constantly outdo himself led to questionable decisions and pranks that occasionally crossed ethical and legal boundaries. This unpredictability made it difficult for Zople to maintain a consistent upload schedule, and some of his videos sparked backlash from viewers and platforms alike. His career trajectory underscores the challenges prank creators face in balancing creativity, audience expectations, and responsible content creation.
10. JiDion’s Twitch Ban Following Harassment Campaign
One of the most dramatic controversies involving JiDion was his permanent ban from Twitch after orchestrating a harassment campaign against popular streamer Pokimane. JiDion encouraged his followers to spam her chat with derogatory messages, creating a toxic environment that violated Twitch’s community guidelines. The incident sparked widespread debate about the responsibilities of influencers and the consequences of using one’s platform to incite harassment. Although JiDion later apologized and reconciled with Pokimane, the ban remains in effect, serving as a cautionary tale about the limits of prank culture and the serious repercussions of crossing into harassment.
