TikTok is big. We know that.
The controversies that come out of it, however, are even bigger.
Some of the most prominent controversies that threaten the credibility of influencers include makeup. Makeup TikTok is huge on the app, with influencers gaining millions of followers simply by posting their favourite makeup products and tutorials. Influencers also gain following and funds through paid reviews, makeup hauls, and brand-funded trips.
Amongst so many controversies, Stephanie Valentine aka @Glamzilla has been in hot water over the years. So to make this a little fun, I asked AI CHATGPT to tell me about a particular controversy Stephanie was involved in earlier this year in January. While discussing this controversy, I also wanted to test the AI’s accuracy, and see how much it can dig up in social media, and how it interprets data based on videos. Stephanie Valentine asked her followers whether they trust makeup influencers, in light of recent TikTokers lying about editing and paid reviews of products. She received some backlash for it, because someone called her out for her own videos, and she was not very nice to the small creator, and people called her out for it.
On the other hand, this is what CHATGPT said —”
In late 2021, TikTok user @glamzilla stirred up controversy when she posted a video asking her followers if they trusted makeup influencers. The responses to her question were mixed, with many people expressing skepticism about the beauty industry and the influencers who promote its products.
The video quickly went viral, sparking a debate about the role of influencers in the beauty industry and whether they can be trusted to provide honest recommendations to their followers. Some viewers argued that influencers are simply marketing tools for beauty brands, and that their opinions are biased and unreliable. Others pointed out that many influencers have partnerships with beauty companies and receive free products, which could influence their recommendations.
The controversy surrounding @glamzilla’s video highlighted the growing importance of authenticity and transparency in the beauty industry. Many consumers are becoming more skeptical of traditional advertising methods and are turning to influencers for advice and recommendations. However, this trust can quickly erode if influencers are seen as being dishonest or disingenuous.”
Interestingly, there are multiple things that CHATGPT got wrong. The article says the controversy took place in 2021, but it took place in January of 2023. While the AI is correct about the skepticism that surrounded @Glamzilla’s video, it did not mention anything about her calling a small creator “weird” for criticizing her video. The AI missed important details, and it’s interesting to note how it works in real-life scenarios that occurred recently.
So, back to trusting influencers. Considering the responses from Glamzilla’s videos, and the responses on Reddit, it seems like people are more skeptical of influencers than we realize. In the era of cancel culture, it’s easy to get caught up in controversies, which is why it’s important to own our mistakes and figure out where you went wrong.
Do you trust influencers? Why/Why not?