A video of Charli D’Amelio posing as a Walmart cashier has gone viral, prompting backlash from some social media users who accused the influencer of “cosplaying” a working-class life as a millionaire.
D’Amelio is recorded Wearing an employee vest and a name tag, she posed for photos at the checkout counter as she scanned bags of popcorn.
Walmart was tagged in a photo posted to her official Instagram account, and the visit to one of the chain’s stores was part of a promotion for the launch of her popcorn line, Be Happy Snacks. It seems so. The brand’s TikTok page also features a video of Walmart’s D’Amelio dressed as an employee as part of a brand-wide promotion, with the video’s text saying, “Check people out to find out if they have a new favorite snack. It says “I am doing it.”
The viral backlash is the latest example of fans accusing celebrities of being out of touch.
A spokeswoman for Ms. D’Amelio did not respond to requests for comment about the video or the online reaction. A spokesperson for the brand also did not respond to a request for comment.
D’Amelio was one of the first major creators to rise to fame on TikTok in 2019 with her viral dance videos. She quickly became the most followed creator on the platform. She held that title for her second year, and this year she was named one of Forbes Magazine’s Top 5 Creators. According to Forbes magazine, she earned $17.5 million.
Her sister Dixie, who also appears in some of Popcorn’s promotional videos, also made the list, raising $11.5 million, according to Forbes. Their family stars in the Hulu reality show, which debuted in 2021.
Mark D’Amelio, Charlie’s father and co-founder and CEO of D’Amelio Brands, mentioned the partnership with Walmart in a news release ahead of the popcorn’s release.
“Working with Walmart will allow us to offer our products to a community of food lovers across the country who enjoy trying new flavors and products,” he said.
Some of D’Amelio’s followers praised her for the new product launch in comments on her announcement on social media on Saturday. However, others were quick to criticize her and her sister.
In one video, Charlie and Dixie fill shelves and ride together in a shopping cart to the checkout counter.
“I wish I had enough money to cosplay as a retail worker. Being working class is so much fun,” one person commented.
“I’m barely making ends meet as a retail worker, but I’m glad you’re enjoying it lol,” another person wrote.
The backlash spilled over to X after an account called Pop Crave posted a video of Charlie at the cash register.
“I don’t even hate Charli D’Amelio, but there’s always something very disconnected and sinister about a literal millionaire cosplaying as a working class person who makes very little money. ” ben X users I have written.
“Being a millionaire and still cosplaying as a Walmart cashier is the most disturbing topic in the video, LOL. “Hello, I’m Charlie. Today I’m going to show you how ordinary people live their day. Let’s look at.”” Another X user wrote.
Other celebrities are facing similar headwinds.
In March 2022, a video clip of Kim Kardashian’s interview with Variety went viral after she shared her “best advice for women in business”: “Keep your head up and work.” .
“It seems like no one wants to work these days,” she added. Following her viral backlash, Kardashian said the comment was “taken out of context.”
Some celebrities seem to benefit more from their fans in such cases. Some online compared D’Amelio’s Walmart video to when Lana Del Rey was seen serving customers at a Waffle House in Alabama last month.
Reaction seemed to be mostly positive, with patrons taking selfies with Del Rey and sharing their excitement online.
Del Rey told The Hollywood Reporter that her viral moment began when she casually visited a chain diner in the morning. “At the third hour, the server asked, ‘Do you want a shirt?'” Del Rey said. “Yes! We were so excited.”