Who is Lauren Southern? Canadian ex-alt-right feminist accusing Andrew Tate of choking and sexual assault

Lauren Southern isn’t new to controversy, but her latest revelation has stunned even her fiercest critics. The Canadian ex-political YouTuber, once known for her controversial far-right commentary, is now the woman accusing Andrew Tate of sexual assault in a shocking new memoir.

The revelation, published Monday, has rocked both internet culture and conservative circles.

Who is Lauren Southern?

Lauren Southern, now 29, rose to prominence in the mid-2010s as a loud, unapologetic voice in right-wing politics. Known for her viral YouTube videos, Southern took on feminism, mass immigration, and “mainstream media lies” while amassing a loyal fanbase. In 2018, however, she abruptly stepped away from the public eye. Southern claimed burnout and ideological disillusionment—but now, her latest book This Is Not Real Life offers another reason: trauma.

A business trip that turned into a nightmare

According to Southern, the incident happened in 2018 when she was 22. She had traveled to Romania with British political figure Tommy Robinson to pitch a media project to Andrew and Tristan Tate. What began as a seemingly routine meeting at a Bucharest restaurant spiraled quickly.

Southern describes how, after dinner, the Tates suggested going back to their place for a work-related chat. Instead, they took her to a nightclub.

She recalls drinking a cocktail and a shot, then blacking out almost entirely.She says Tate carried her from the club, placed her into a car, and took her back to her hotel.

“He carried me out of the club”: A night Southern says she can’t forget

Southern alleges that Andrew Tate carried her out of the nightclub and back to her hotel room. What happened next, she says, was not just unwanted, but violent. “He asked me to sleep beside him. I said yes. I was incredibly intoxicated,” she said.

She recounts initially responding to a kiss before saying “no” multiple times when Tate tried to escalate things.

That’s when, according to Southern, he placed his arm around her neck and began strangling her unconscious, again and again. “I tried to fight back. He repeatedly strangled me every time I regained enough consciousness,” she continued in the memoir.

Silent for years, now ready to speak

Southern explains she didn’t come forward earlier out of fear. Her brand as an anti-feminist commentator, she admits, made her feel like admitting victimhood would destroy her credibility. She also says police in the UK redirected her to Romanian authorities, something she wasn’t prepared to face at the time. Andrew Tate has not responded to the claims as of now. His legal team remains silent. But with 10 ongoing criminal charges against him and mounting scrutiny, Lauren Southern’s voice has added a deeply personal, haunting layer to an already global story.