YouTuber defends interview agreement as precautionary measure to protect against legal repercussions.
Dee Kosh, the 34-year-old YouTuber, has been navigating a turbulent comeback since his release from prison in March following sexual offence charges involving teenage boys. In a bid to rebuild his public image, Dee has been appearing on various platforms managed by his industry friends, including podcasts like Plan B, The Daily Ketchup, and Xiaxue’s YouTube channel. Through these appearances, Dee has reiterated his desire to share his side of the story, focusing on explaining his actions and defending his reputation.
One key moment in his attempt at a public return was the release of a 51-minute video on Rumble, where Dee addressed the allegations surrounding his case, denied being a paedophile, and clarified the nature of his interactions with minors. He attributed his behaviour to his sugar-daddy lifestyle and claimed he was unaware that engaging in commercial sex with individuals under 18 was illegal. The video also served as a promotional tool for his new Spotify podcast, The Deetails.
However, Dee’s efforts to re-enter the public spotlight have sparked mixed reactions, with some supporting his return, while others find his approach problematic. A recent controversy arose when an ‘Interview Agreement’ was leaked, which Dee Kosh’s team had sent to various podcasters and talk show hosts, outlining specific conditions for any potential interviews. The document, which was anonymously received by RICE, outlined 10 requirements, including editorial oversight, a token fee, and up to two weeks of approval before publishing.
Dee’s request raised eyebrows, with some interpreting the agreement as an attempt to control the narrative. In response to this criticism, Dee took to Instagram to explain the purpose behind the agreement. In a five-minute video, he clarified that the agreement was only sent to media outlets and interviewers he didn’t have a personal relationship with, such as those he hadn’t worked with before.
“I have a relationship with these three people,” Dee explained, referring to the interviews with Plan B, The Daily Ketchup, and Xiaxue. “So when the interview happened, I was like, you know what, no holds barred. You can ask me anything, I will do whatever you want to do.”
Dee explained that friends had advised him to implement a formal agreement for new, unfamiliar interviewers to “safeguard himself,” as he is under intense scrutiny from both the public and the law. He emphasized that the terms were intended as precautionary measures to prevent legal complications and ensure clarity about the interview’s content.
“The reason for the agreement is to make sure everyone knows what is going to happen. When you do the interview, at least nothing can backfire in a sense of the law, or anything more serious,” Dee said, defending the decision. He also stated that the requirement for interviewers to submit questions in advance was a necessary step for sensitive interviews, particularly if topics such as his criminal case or time in prison were brought up.
On the issue of the token fee, Dee clarified that it was a small sum, intended merely to cover basic expenses like transportation for the interview, not to control the conversation or the content.
Despite the backlash, Dee Kosh remains firm in his belief that the interview conditions were reasonable. He stressed that the intention was never to dominate the narrative or restrict content creators but to ensure interviews were conducted safely and respectfully.
“Now I’m just a bit more scarred. And I will not be doing any more interviews from now on,” Dee concluded, acknowledging the impact of the leaked document and signaling the end of his interview series for the foreseeable future.
