Influencer Clavicular pleads not guilty to rape charge

An online personality known as Clavicular, whose surname is Peters, pleaded not guilty to a rape charge at a hearing on Thursday. He is a prominent figure in "looksmaxxing", an internet trend in which people go to great lengths to improve their physical appearance, and he has more than a million followers on TikTok and Instagram. At the next hearing, on 24 November, a judge will decide whether there is enough evidence for the case to move forward.

The allegation

According to CBS News, the BBC's US partner, a woman told police that on 23 May 2025 Peters ordered her an Uber to his family's house in Chatham. The two were drinking alcohol while filming a livestream, and he allegedly raped her afterwards. The police officer who took the report said he believed she was unable to consent because of her age and the level of intoxication she showed in the livestream.

Earlier incidents

Clavicular has drawn media attention for the extreme measures he has taken in the name of "looksmaxxing". He has admitted to hitting his face and jawline with a hammer and to taking steroids, injections and other drugs in pursuit of bodily perfection. He also gives advice on appearing masculine and performs stunts to shock his followers.

Earlier this year in Florida he was charged after filming himself shooting at what appeared to be a dead alligator, and he pleaded no contest to unlawfully discharging a firearm in public. In March he was arrested on suspicion of battery after authorities suspected him of instigating a fight between two women. In July, authorities said they did not intend to file charges over that incident.

After Thursday's hearing, Peters posted a photo of himself in the black suit and tie he wore to court, holding his dog, which he had also brought with him.