TAIPEI: An influencer in Taiwan has come under fire for posting a sponsored video in which she used a vacuum cleaner to suck up a fried egg heavily sprinkled with pepper, sparking online condemnation for “wasting food”.
On April 16, the 29-year-old influencer known as Sharonn.88, who has 114,000 followers online, posted a video to demonstrate the powerful suction of a vacuum cleaner in an endorsement deal with the company which makes it.
In her bio, the influencer, who used to teach English at a secondary school, says her primary focus is on women’s fashion and Korean product purchasing services.
She also frequently posts appealing snapshots of her daily life to boost followers and her business.
In the video, she places a fried egg on a table and sprinkles pepper over it.
She intentionally left the lid of the pepper container loose, causing an excessive amount of pepper to spill over the egg.
To address the mess, she introduced the product she was promoting, a portable, purple vacuum cleaner.
She then tried to use it to suck up the pepper but accidentally vacuumed the entire fried egg into the machine.
However, instead of seriously addressing the mishap, she laughed it off, attempting to turn it into a humorous moment, which caused dissatisfaction online.
The vacuum cleaner, which sells for NT$2,990 (US$92), was featured in a product link available in her online bio.
This link directs followers to an official website where they can buy many of the items she promotes, including cosmetics, clothing, and boots.
The video, originally intended as a marketing gimmick, sparked backlash on social media, with viewers denouncing her for wasting food.
One person said: “Trying to make topics does not justify wasting food. Watching her laugh while leaving the lid open made me want to smack her.”
Another person wrote: “It is honestly quite offensive. Unless she plans to retrieve and eat the egg, wasting food like this is really bad for her image and could cost her followers. She should be grateful she lives in a time when she does not have to struggle for food.”
“This is clearly imitating content from creators in other countries who perform similar food-wasting stunts for views,” a third person said.
The online backlash prompted the influencer to issue a public apology online.
“I just wanted to create unique content using trending online concepts but failed to consider the consequences of wasting food. I deeply regret my behaviour and will make amends,” she said.
The woman later deleted the video from her homepage, but it remains accessible in her highlights.
According to EBC News, the influencer bought a mansion at the age of 28 using her earnings from a Korean fashion selling business.
She has also attracted a significant following by sharing glimpses of her luxurious home and personal lifestyle. - South China Morning Post
