Kayla Malec’s fight for justice reached a pivotal moment on May 7, 2025, when the 20-year-old influencer, boasting over 14 million TikTok followers, won her case against ex-boyfriend Evan Johnson in a Sumner County, Tennessee courtroom. Malec, who publicly exposed the physical and emotional abuse she endured during their nine-month relationship, became a beacon of resilience for domestic violence survivors. Her story, amplified by viral videos and heartfelt testimonies, galvanized millions across social media platforms.
The court’s ruling delivered relief to Malec and her supporters, who closely followed the high-profile case. The legal battle began after Malec posted a two-hour YouTube video on April 4, 2025, titled “He Doesn’t Love You,” detailing the harrowing abuse she suffered. She recounted incidents of physical violence, including punches and choking attempts, alongside verbal humiliation. The video’s impact was swift, leading to Johnson’s arrest three days later on April 7 for domestic violence and violating parole conditions.
Though released on bail, public pressure and Malec’s compelling evidence culminated in his conviction, marking a significant victory for the influencer. The case extended beyond Malec’s allegations. Another young woman, Teaghan Campbell, came forward with claims of similar abuse by Johnson in 2022, reinforcing a pattern of behavior. Social media erupted in solidarity, with online petitions and hashtags demanding justice for Malec.
On May 7, Malec announced her victory in a TikTok video, stating, “And just like that, justice was served.” She expressed her happiness, saying, “I’m, like, really happy right now. I’ll probably start sobbing.” The news spread rapidly across social media, with users like @savvystarz_ expressing excitement, stating the conviction was “obvious” given the evidence. The hashtag #JusticeForKayla surged, amassing thousands of mentions within hours.
Malec's journey began in August 2024, when she visited Johnson in Nashville, where the first reported physical incident occurred. She described Johnson, under the influence of alcohol, assaulting her, leaving visible marks and intense pain. The abuse escalated, with Malec later reporting choking attempts and assaults that temporarily incapacitated her. By January 2025, after ending the relationship, Malec strategized how to share her story publicly.
Her April 4 video triggered a groundswell of support but also challenges, as Johnson countered with videos denying the allegations and accusing Malec of exaggeration. His arrest on April 7 shifted the narrative, with confirmation of Malec as the victim. A second arrest on April 17, though not publicly detailed, intensified scrutiny on the influencer.
Malec approached the trial with a mix of anxiety and resolve. On April 25, she shared her anticipation for the May 7 hearing on TikTok, noting the emotional toll of returning to Nashville. The courtroom victory, announced by Malec and echoed in X posts, cemented a favorable outcome for the young influencer.
Beyond Malec, Teaghan Campbell accused Johnson of abusing her during a five-month relationship in 2022. In a TikTok video posted on April 11, 2025, Campbell praised Malec’s courage and revealed her own experiences, including being slapped during arguments. Her allegations bolstered the narrative of Johnson’s recurring behavior, amplifying calls for severe consequences.
Malec’s use of digital evidence to substantiate her claims was a defining feature of the case. She shared videos and photos documenting the abuse, including images of bruises, cuts, and moments of verbal aggression. The final minutes of her YouTube video featured disturbing recordings, with audio of Johnson yelling and sounds suggestive of physical violence. These materials were instrumental in his arrest and conviction.
Experts cited by outlets like People noted that authenticated videos and photos can significantly strengthen domestic violence cases, especially when supported by witnesses or police reports. In Malec’s case, images of her injured face and audio of heated arguments left little doubt about the severity of her allegations. Her approach inspired other survivors to document abuse.
Malec’s story sparked a wave of online activism, with fans and advocates rallying to support her and demand justice. A Change.org petition, launched by Gabi Galvan, called for Johnson’s imprisonment without bail, amassing over 1,500 signatures by mid-April. Hashtags like #JusticeForKayla and #KaylaMalec went viral, with thousands of TikTok and X posts amplifying the cause. Supportive videos included testimonies from domestic violence survivors who saw their experiences reflected in Malec’s story.
The mobilization also sparked criticism of the judicial system’s perceived leniency and Johnson’s ability to secure bail. The public response also targeted influencers who maintained ties with Johnson post-allegations, notably James Charles, who faced a wave of “unfollows” over rumored connections. This scrutiny highlighted the expectation for public figures to be accountable for their associations.
On May 6, 2025, Charles addressed the accusations via his TikTok story, denying support for Johnson and stating he had promised Malec to remain silent until the trial’s conclusion. Despite his clarification, public pressure persisted. Influencers like Mikaela Testa and Zach Sellers criticized Charles, arguing his association with Johnson betrayed Malec’s trust.
Malec’s emotional challenges throughout the ordeal were evident. She was candid about the emotional toll of confronting Johnson in court. TikTok videos detailed her struggles with anxiety and the difficulty of reliving the abuse while speaking to detectives and preparing testimony. She described returning to Nashville for the May 7 hearing as particularly triggering, given the city’s association with her worst experiences.
Throughout this process, Malec drew strength from her online community’s response, which fueled her perseverance. Her videos often ended with messages of encouragement for other survivors, reinforcing her mission to turn her trauma into a tool for support. Her openness about mental health resonated with followers, who shared their own recovery stories.
The Malec-Johnson case highlighted the judicial system’s handling of domestic violence cases. Johnson’s quick release on bail after his April 7 arrest drew criticism from activists, who argued the system often fails to protect victims. However, Johnson’s conviction was a win for reform advocates, emphasizing the need for stricter laws to protect victims and limit aggressors’ conditional release.
Malec urged her followers to seek help if facing abuse, frequently citing the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233) as a vital resource. She emphasized recognizing warning signs, such as excessive control, verbal degradation, and physical violence, which she initially overlooked in her relationship with Johnson. Her story inspired survivors to report abuse, with many finding courage through her example.
Following his conviction, Evan Johnson faces an uncertain future. While sentencing details remain undisclosed, social media speculation suggests he will serve prison time, with users hoping for a stringent penalty. Johnson’s influencer reputation is in tatters, with many followers abandoning his accounts post-allegations. His silence after the trial contrasted with earlier videos denying the accusations and blaming Malec for exaggeration.
The case reinforced the importance of holding influencers accountable, both on and off social media. Malec’s courtroom win was hailed as progress but also a reminder that the influencer community must evolve to consistently support survivors.
