Filipina TikToker Zoe Gabriel, who made headlines for calling a $60 purse from Charles & Keith a luxury item, is now being accused of pretending to be poor.
Netizens Call Out "Charles & Keith Girl" Zoe Gabriel for Pretending to Be Poor
Zoe, who has over 257,000 followers on TikTok as of writing, gained attention in late March after posting a video of her unboxing a bag from Charles & Keith. In the video, the 17-year-old content creator described the purse as her first "luxury" bag, which led to her being mocked by netizens arguing that Charles & Keith is not a luxury brand.
Despite being ridiculed online, Zoe defended her statement, saying that luxury is subjective. She added that for her, Charles & Keith is a luxury brand because it's not something she can afford on a regular basis. This won her the internet's favor, eventually resulting in Zoe becoming a brand ambassador for the Singapore fashion brand and even being featured in a series of promotional social media content for Air Asia, a Malaysian budget airline.
However, the situation took a turn when Zoe was accused of pretending to be poor.
Netizens have been criticizing the TikToker for allegedly pretending to be underprivileged for clout and to gain sympathy from her followers. Some have pointed out that her father is actually a mechanical engineer in Singapore and earns more than the average Singaporean, as reported by The Straits Times. This led to accusations that she was not being truthful about her financial situation and that she was merely presenting herself as a disadvantaged individual despite her family's financial stability.
One Facebook user wrote: "Appears that the Charles and Keith Pinoy girl is not as poor as she makes herself out to be. Her dad probably earns more than most Singaporeans. How many of us can afford to homeschool our kids? Don’t be hoodwinked by her." The said post, which has since garnered over 2K shares, even included a screenshot of Zoe's father's LinkedIn page.
Zoe Gabriel and Her Father Responds to Allegations That She's Pretending to Be Poor
Responding to the backlash, Zoe and her dad took to TikTok to "address what's been happening and to sort of clear the air" last Sunday, April 16.
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The video clip featured a written statement that read: "The truth has always been out from the beginning—there were never any 'dirty little secrets.' While we are offended, deeply hurt and affected from all these wrongful and false accusations, we choose to stay true to who we are. We choose to understand others and be kind."
"We are not rich but we definitely have enough for our needs. For everything else, we prepare for it, we work hard for it, and we save up for it," Zoe's father adds.
The issue has sparked discussions on social media about the impact of influencers and their perceived authenticity. It also raises questions about the definition of "luxury" and how it varies depending on an individual's background and perspective.
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