The resurgence of calls to cancel culture has been ignited once again after a recent incident involving Haley “Baylee” Kalil.
In a now deleted video, the model and influencer was seen lip-syncing an audio clip that utters the infamous phrase, “let them eat cake,” while dancing and flaunting her outfit just after the MET Gala.
Originating from a seemingly innocuous source, ‘Let Them Eat Cake’ draws its inspiration from a historical quote attributed to Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France during the 18th century. The phrase, “Let them eat cake,” allegedly uttered by the queen upon learning that the peasants had no bread to eat, has long been interpreted as a symbol of aristocratic indifference and detachment from the plight of the common people.
Considering the problematic implications of the phrase, people all over the internet cannot help but voice strong criticism against the content creator, citing her insensitive behavior, especially considering the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the persistent struggle with hunger and starvation faced by many.
@def2emo #metgala #fyp #engage #trending #community #fashiontiktok #dayinthelife ♬ original sound – def2emo
An influencer straight up making a “let them eat cake” video at the met gala last night. No self awareness at all. None. pic.twitter.com/39rYMZqzLe
— Read Let This Radicalize You (@JoshuaPHilll) May 7, 2024
Influencer Haley Baylee is underfire for her now deleted tiktok at the $75k a ticket, Met Gala.
Channeling her inner Marie-Antoinette to support the theme of her look, she dropped what had to be the most tone deaf video while attending what most people are calling the 2024… pic.twitter.com/WGALujDzYu
— Shipwreck (@shipwreckshow) May 8, 2024
After being called out online, Haley posted an 8-minute apology video that now has 30.3 million views. In this video, she started by clarifying that she did not really attend the MET nor paid the $75,000 ticket fee as she was only involved in it as a host. She then proceeded to apologize to those who were offended, acknowledging her obliviousness behind the historical significance of the phrase and expressing remorse for any unintentional harm caused by her video.
@haleyybaylee❤️♬ original sound – haleyybaylee
However, her explanation in the video doesn’t seem enough, as many people still left hateful comments.
As of this writing, Haley is still dealing with a drop in her followers because of the ongoing fallout from her actions. Many are still pushing for her account to be blocked, alongside other celebrities, which is causing her online following to slowly shrink. She used to have 10 million followers, but now she’s down to 9.9 million.
The controversial incident at the 2024 Met Gala has sparked a call for celebrity ‘takedown,’ which people are now referring to as the “Digital Guillotine” or “Digitine.” This newly coined term signifies an initiative where social media users ‘sentence’ influencers and celebrities, like Haley, by unfollowing and blocking for not speaking enough about people who are suffering, particularly during the Israel-Hamas war.
This has a significant implication for entertainment culture, indicating that people are not only interested in the ‘glitz and glamour’ of celebrities but also in their purpose and how they choose to wield their influence. It serves as a reminder for celebrities that having a prominent name in the industry carries weight and that their platforms are crucial for amplifying good causes.
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