H3 Podcast Goes on Indefinite Hiatus as Crew Cuts Ties With Ethan Klein

The "H3 Podcast," the long-running YouTube show co-hosted by married creators Ethan and Hila Klein, is on indefinite hiatus after Hila Klein said on Instagram late Thursday, Oct. 22, that her husband had been having an affair and that the couple has separated. The show's production crew said it would no longer work with Ethan Klein, Variety reported. On Friday, Oct. 23, Ethan Klein said he is working to give up his ownership and financial stakes in the couple's podcasts and businesses.

Hila Klein's statement

In her Instagram post, Hila Klein wrote that she had sensed something was wrong and had raised concerns with her husband. "Eventually, he was caught in a lie, and I knew I was done," she wrote, according to Variety. She said that he "finally admitted he'd been in an affair for over 6 months, the extent of which I'm sure I still don't know."

"The betrayal I feel is immeasurable. The person I loved and trusted for 20 years evaporated overnight," she wrote, as quoted by the Los Angeles Times. She added that she did not know what would come next. "I am in survival mode, trying to navigate separation, co-parenting, and unthinkable heartbreak," she wrote, according to Variety. "All I can do right now is focus on taking care of myself and my children, one day at a time."

The Los Angeles Times reported that the couple have been together for 20 years and married for 14, and that they share three sons, ages 7, 4 and 2. According to the Times, they met while Ethan Klein was on a Birthright trip to Israel, where Hila was doing her mandatory military service, and she later moved to his college town of Santa Cruz, California.

The crew's response

The "H3 Podcast" production crew posted its own statement on Instagram late Thursday evening, the Los Angeles Times reported. "We stand with Hila and will support her every step of the way," the crew wrote. "We are all shocked, angry, and heartbroken to learn about Ethan's ongoing affair," the statement said, according to Variety. "As soon as we found out, we all agreed: we would not continue working with Ethan involved or profiting in any way. We don't yet know what that means for the future."

Variety reported that the crew agreed unanimously not to continue working with Ethan Klein. The statement ended with a message to viewers: "Please know that we're safe, we're sticking together, and we're looking after each other."

Ethan Klein's response

In an Instagram Story on Friday, Ethan Klein asked for privacy for his relatives. "I know a lot of people are understandably looking for a comment from me, but I ask that you please respect my family's privacy and do not contact them looking for me or asking for their comments," he wrote, as quoted by Variety. "They have nothing to do with this and share in your outrage and disappointment. Thank you."

In another Instagram Story, also posted Friday, he said he would remove himself from the couple's businesses. "I am working with Hila to urgently remove my ownership and financial stakes in any podcasts, Teddy Fresh, Teddy Glow or any joint venture that I would profit from," he wrote, according to Rolling Stone, which identified Teddy Fresh and Teddy Glow as Hila Klein's fashion and beauty brands. "All of your support will go directly to Hila and the crew," he wrote. He added, "I know the crew will make an awesome show, they are packed to the brim with the most talented, creative, hilarious and all around great people."

Rolling Stone reported that Ethan Klein did not comment on the affair accusation itself. Variety and the Los Angeles Times both said they had asked him for comment.

A creator business built since 2011

The Kleins met in Israel in 2007, launched their YouTube channel h3h3Productions in 2011 and married in 2012, Tubefilter reported. The Los Angeles Times reported that the channel grew around 2013, when the couple began posting reaction videos to viral social media clips, and that the couple have built a following of more than 5 million.

Variety and Tubefilter both date the podcast's launch to 2016. Variety reported that the podcast's YouTube channel has 2.5 million subscribers. Tubefilter reported that the show runs every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and draws about 12.5 million views a month on YouTube. Tubefilter also reported that after Ethan Klein's Oct. 23 statement, it is possible that Hila Klein and the staff will continue the show without him.

Ethan Klein has co-hosted other podcasts in the past, including shows with Trisha Paytas and Hasan Piker, according to Rolling Stone. The Los Angeles Times reported that "Frenemies," his podcast with Paytas, ended in 2021 over revenue disputes.

In the statements quoted by Variety, Rolling Stone and Tubefilter, neither the crew nor Ethan Klein gave a return date for the "H3 Podcast" or a timeline for the ownership changes he described.