Pete Davidson has mocked influencers who earn millions filming themselves getting ready, saying the world is broken. A fair point, or hypocrisy from a TV star?
In a Variety interview, the comedian asked what "get ready with me" creators actually do. Creators including Hayley Kalil hit back that he does much the same thing for a TV camera, and some critics said his jibe singled out women.
What happened
In an Ask A Local interview with Variety, comedian Pete Davidson, 32, criticised social media influencers, singling out women who film "get ready with me" videos and asking what they actually do. He said some make $40 million a year and that the world is broken, and called TikTok dance trends insane and lame. Creators responded online, with Hayley Kalil saying he does the same thing for a TV camera instead of a phone camera, and more creators were still answering him at the weekend.
Why people disagree
Those who agree say huge earnings for simple videos show something odd about what society rewards, and that he is voicing a common frustration. Critics say influencing is a business that takes skill and work, that a TV star who is also paid to be watched is in no position to sneer, and that dismissing young women's content as doing nothing reflects a double standard.
What's still unclear
How many creators really earn sums like $40 million is unclear, as income figures are rarely published. It is also unclear how seriously Davidson meant the remarks, given his comic persona.
Sources
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