YouTube sensation Sam Rader, best known for the viral video announcing his wife’s pregnancy, and later her tragic miscarriage, confessed that he had an Ashley Madison account in an emotional video titled “FORGIVEN” posted on Aug. 21 with Nia by his side.
He says that he set up an account on the website two years ago before he started vlogging, with the intention of having an affair, but 'never came to close' to actually being with another woman.
He adds that both his spouse and God have forgiven him for his actions, which were driven by 'pure fleshly desire and sinful curiosity.'
“This is an issue that is in our past. This was before I got onto YouTube,” The Sam & Nia star said in the video. “This was brought to my wife’s attention. She has forgiven me for this mistake that I made in opening the account. I have sought forgiveness from God and he has forgiven me, so I have been completely cleansed of this sin.”
Rader allegedly made two $189 payments to the infidelity service in September 2013, according to stolen data shared by hackers.
This is the same month that his second child was born and he celebrated four years of marriage with his 26-year-old wife. Another four $14 payments were listed under his name on the database.
Sam made it clear that he “never had an affair” with anyone from the site. “This account was opened out of pure fleshly desire and just simple curiosity,” he admitted in the video. At the end of the video, Nia said, “I have forgiven Sam and I stand behind him. This is in our past and it’s unfortunate that it’s being dug up now but our marriage is worth fighting for.”
In his video confession, Sam acknowledges his name has been linked to an Ashley Madison account and says he wants to 'clarify' the claims because he 'owes it' to his YouTube followers.
The couple, who have more than 360,000 subscribers to their YouTube channel, have built an enormous fan base by documenting life with their two young daughters, aged four and two, in Terrell, Texas.
They became an internet sensation in August this year with two videos, one that showed Sam surprising Nia with the news that she was pregnant, another announcing she had miscarried.
Sam was revealed to be an Ashley Madison user after the site was hacked. 19 Kids & Counting star Josh Duggar was also a client of the website.
Watch Sam Rader's confession below.
