Staging a photo for social media is nothing new. It’s pretty common. Even if you’re just moving your dishes around a table and adding some pretty garnish to your food for the perfect #foodie “gram,” it’s still manipulated. But an influencer in London is catching some serious heat for posting a photo that some say goes beyond staged.
Scarlett London found out that blatantly deceiving your followers is probably not a good idea when she posted this sponsored pic of her enjoying a morning of pancakes and tea in bed. Problem is, that cup has no tea in it — and those pancakes look an awful lot like tortillas.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BnIlqUShl31
Someone else pointed out that the blanket at the end of London’s bed had a photo of her on it. And even though this post was paid for by Listerine, some thought the product placement of the mouthwash on the nightstand was obnoxious.
Related Story: Social Media Pro Tips: How To Get Instagram Verified
London said it didn’t take long for the criticism to turn into bullying and even death threats.
Many to the effect of that I’m a danger to young women and should suffer, I should be stopped, I should suffocate on the balloons, I should kill myself because of how pathetic I am. But if I’m totally honest, those were the more tame of the bunch.
Some of the nearly two-thousand comments the photo has received thus far include things like:
Sorry but those are not pancakes those are tortillas!??♀️?? social media is really getting out of hand.
All this frenzy over a picture that is like every other staged picture on Instagram (my pictures included) ?
imma spill the tea since you obviously don’t have any in that cup; fake pancakes ? really ?
But generally, London seems to have attracted more supporters than haters at this point.
Others think London is blowing this whole scenario out of proportion to get attention.
I don't think you can do a paid advert for mouthwash and get away with it.
I didn't see a single death threat on the thread, just plenty of people moaning about what social media has become.
However you've got yourself and a company a lot of exposure, fair play
— Simon Davidson (@siddles1984) September 1, 2018
Said London, “In the last 48 hours, grown men & women, MPs, women’s equality representatives, journalists, actresses and broadcasters have discovered my Instagram feed and decided to pick it apart online, in front of thousands.
“I implore those mindlessly sharing this content to research who I am as a person, before they further drag my name and image through the mud. Yes, I do adverts on here, but only with brands I genuinely use and would spend money on myself. My feed isn’t a place of reality.
Related: You’ll Need To Be Social Media Famous To Snap Selfies At This LA Mural
“I am a strong 24-year-old woman who has experienced bullying in the past. I am and will be okay after this hideous experience. But another young girl or guy as the subject of a targeted hate campaign might not be okay. Please remember at the centre of of every viral storm is a human being.”
