Charli D’Amelio’s Biggest Online Controversies and Backlash

Charli D’Amelio, one of the biggest stars on TikTok, has faced several controversies and backlash over the past few years. These incidents have sparked strong reactions from fans and social media users, leading to heated debates online.

Dinner Drama Sparks Huge Backlash

The first major backlash happened in November 2020 after the premiere episode of Dinner with the D’Amelios was posted on the family’s YouTube channel.

In the episode, Charli, her sister Dixie, their family, and popular internet personality James Charles shared a paella dinner prepared by their chef, Aaron May. However, many viewers accused Charli and Dixie of being “rude” towards the chef.

Charli was seen making faces while describing the meal, and later asked for “dino nuggets,” which some found disrespectful. Additionally, Charli expressed a wish during the video: she wanted to have 100 million followers on the first anniversary of reaching one million. This comment sparked further criticism from viewers and even from James Charles himself. The backlash was so strong that Charli lost over one million TikTok followers in less than a day.

Charli’s Response to Backlash

In response, Charli addressed the situation during an Instagram Live video. She apologised and said, “You can hate on me for whatever I’ve done, but the fact that all of this is happening because of a misunderstanding… I just feel like that’s not okay.”

She also mentioned receiving violent threats, which worried many fans. Aaron May, the chef, defended the sisters in an interview, saying, “Those girls are the greatest, I love them. It was all fun and games.” James Charles also spoke out in their defense, comparing the controversy to a past conflict he had with another internet star.

Media writers like Rebecca Jennings of Vox called the backlash “cruel and unnecessary,” while others pointed out that misogyny might have played a role.

Vacation Controversy and Follower Accusations

Later, in December 2020, Charli faced more criticism after it was revealed she and several other social media personalities, including Hudson, vacationed at Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas.

This happened during the COVID-19 pandemic when cases were rising in Los Angeles, where Charli and her family live. The trip upset many people because Charli had previously said that not staying home during the pandemic was “inconsiderate.” This was seen as hypocritical by some fans.

Backlash Over Cosplaying As a Walmart Employee

In November 2023, TikTok star Charli D’Amelio and her sister Dixie, 22, were called “out of touch” after dressing in Walmart uniforms and pretending to work there while promoting a new popcorn brand, Be Happy Snacks.

After the video was posted, many viewers, especially workers, criticized Charli in the comments, calling the act tone-deaf and disrespectful.

One person wrote, “And you think it’s ok to act like a minimum wage employee as you market and advertise your new food product? … Let’s have more respect for those who work harder than content creators.”

Another said, “Just saw your ‘pretending to be a Walmart worker’ video. It honestly hurt my heart… It’s sad… your culture does not allow you to understand ‘normal’ people’s lives.”

Some comments were more direct, like, “Why [are] you pretending to be a minimum wage Walmart worker?” and “Yes, let’s cosplay as the working class.”

One user challenged her with, “I’d like to see you survive a 40-hour workweek.” Another added, “Either way you cut it, it’s gross… It’s demanding for those who are doing these jobs.”

Backlash For Buying followers on TikTok

Around the same time, Charli was also accused of buying followers on TikTok. Some users noticed that her name was not appearing on the following lists of some of her fans, which led to speculation about the authenticity of her follower count.

Despite all the controversies, Charli D’Amelio remains one of the most popular figures on social media, though these incidents have shown that even internet stars are not immune to criticism and scrutiny.