TikTok Nail Drama Escalates as Ballpit Nails Creator Accuses Fellow Influencer of Years of Undermining Her Brand
After three years, Maddox says she finally felt ready to speak out.
What started as a friendship between two nail creators has turned into a public TikTok dispute, with Maddox (@ballpit_nails) sharing a multi-part video series alleging years of behind-the-scenes tension with Dev (@thenailaddict).
The video, which spans multiple incidents dating back to 2023, alleges that Dev repeatedly questioned Maddox’s product launches behind the scenes, promoted similar products during Maddox’s launch windows, and perceived Maddox as copying her work. Maddox says the allegations stem from her own experiences, screenshots she received from members of Dev’s team, and conversations with current and former brand ambassadors.
Maddox says she remained silent for years because she hoped the situation would resolve itself. She decided to speak publicly after what she describes as another incident surrounding a recent product launch.
Concerns Began Shortly After Launching Her Own Brand
According to Maddox, the relationship initially appeared positive after she reached out to Dev in 2023 to share that she planned to launch her own nail brand. However, she says concerns began shortly after, as the two creators had disagreements over product launches and alleged similarities between their releases.
One of the first disputes involved a set of nail brushes. Maddox says she contacted Dev after noticing similarities between a teaser image for Dev’s brushes and her own upcoming release, explaining that any resemblance was unintentional. She says Dev responded in a supportive manner in private messages, but later screenshots allegedly showed Dev telling an employee that Maddox planned to release brushes similar to hers.
Maddox also points to a disagreement over both creators using the holiday theme “Naughty and Nice” for separate Christmas collections. She argues the phrase is a common holiday concept, but claims screenshots from Dev’s team suggested employees believed she had copied the idea. Maddox says production records showed her own collection had already entered production before those conversations allegedly took place.
Similar Product Launches Became a Recurring Point of Tension
Much of Maddox’s video series focuses on what she describes as a repeated pattern of conflicts surrounding new product launches. She says the issue was not that both creators released similar products, but that the timing and promotion of those releases allegedly created the impression that she had copied Dev’s ideas.
One example Maddox discusses is her Rainbow Ice Bundle, which featured a custom iridescent shade called Strawberry Ice. She says the collection had already been developed and manufactured before Dev began promoting a similar line of color-shifting gels on social media. Maddox acknowledges that Dev later shared receipts showing she had possessed the chrome gel formulas before the Rainbow Ice launch but argues that the timing of the promotional campaign was what concerned her.
Maddox says the situation made it appear that her collection was inspired by Dev’s products, despite Dev’s collection not being released until months later. She also points to other launches, including a matte topcoat, a Lisa Frank-inspired collection, and a Mean Girls-themed polish, as additional examples of what she believes was a pattern that continued over nearly three years.
Screenshots and Messages Changed Maddox’s View of the Situation
Throughout the videos, Maddox shares screenshots and voice recordings that she says came from current and former members of Dev’s team. She says these conversations reinforced her belief that concerns about her business being discussed privately rather than addressed directly with her.
In one voice message, a person identified as a current brand ambassador criticizes what they describe as “mean girl” behavior and says they no longer want to be associated with the situation. Maddox says other people connected to Dev’s business also reached out privately over the years to apologize or express concerns about interactions they had witnessed.
Maddox also addresses anonymous social media accounts that posted negative comments about Dev. She denies any involvement and says she later heard allegations that people connected to Dev believed she was responsible. Maddox calls those claims false and says she has not seen evidence connecting her to the accounts.
Maddox Says Speaking Out Was About Ending the Cycle
After years of keeping the situation private, Maddox says she decided to share her experience because she no longer wanted to ignore what she describes as a repeated pattern of conflict. Near the end of the video, she addresses a message she says she received from Dev, who questioned the allegations and expressed a willingness to have a conversation. Maddox says she chose not to respond, explaining that she felt the opportunity for a private resolution had passed.
Maddox also says she declined to speak with people she describes as being part of Dev’s inner circle, even though she was curious about what they wanted to share. She says she made that decision because she wanted the video series to focus on her own experiences rather than information that could further escalate the situation.
The creator ended the series by thanking the people who supported her throughout the dispute and saying she wants to move forward. Maddox says she hopes the discussion puts an end to the conflict. Dev has not publicly responded to the specific allegations outlined in the videos, and no independent sources have verified Maddox’s claims.
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