A TikToker who recently started creating content was so excited when she ran into one of the influencers she really admired and looked up to out in public. But her opinion of the influencer quickly changed after she actually interacted with her. Unfortunately, their brief conversation was super uncomfortable—but somehow, the disappointing encounter has helped the newer TikToker grow her following.
The TikToker, Caraline Catlett, just started uploading videos last month, but her following has grown dramatically after she opened up about the unpleasant interaction online.
She felt like the other influencer was implying that she didn’t have what it takes.
Naturally, when Caraline saw the influencer out in public, she wanted to ask for some advice since she’s a content creator herself now. But this influencer, who Caraline did not name in the video, was the opposite of encouraging. Caraline felt like she was telling her that she wasn’t attractive enough to gain a following online, which is obviously quite hurtful. Even if that’s not what she meant, her comments did not come across well. She essentially told the inspiring influencer that not everyone can be an influencer.
“She’s like, ‘I’m attractive. People follow me because I’m attractive,'” Caraline recalled in her viral video about what happened. Later, she added, “It kind of felt like she was saying that I am not attractive enough to have a TikTok following.”
The influencer also acted like Caraline was trying to use her face to build a following.
Caraline simply wanted to take a photo with the influencer she admires, and she quickly found out that doing so would cost her. Apparently, the influencer told her that she doesn’t take photos with people for free, because people might then use the photo to try to get more attention online.
“She was like, ‘If I take a picture with you, you can’t post it without paying me. I don’t like people capitalizing off my face or [growing their platform] off my face, there’s not enough room in this industry for everyone,'” Caraline claimed. She thought this sounded pretty “entitled.” Besides, she was obviously excited to talk to the influencer, so it’s pretty disappointing that she came across as so unkind.
But this approach has backfired.
@caralinecatlett Like ok
♬ original sound – Caraline Catlett
Because, according to Caraline, this influencer was worried that a photo of them together would be used to gain more followers. And yet, in a way, this influencer has helped Caraline gain a ton of followers. Her video about this particular interaction has gotten a lot of attention, including from other influencers who seem more encouraging and supportive. When Caraline said she wanted to grow her following “out of spite,” people were quick to help her out.
Influencer Haley Kalil was among the people who commented on the video. Haley wrote that the unnamed influencer exhibited “such weird behavior,” given that “there is enough room in this industry for everyone.” She also suggested that influencers should be supporting other women, who are the people who have helped them be successful in the first place.
Unlike the other influencer, she didn’t seem to have an issue helping Caraline out. “If you’re ever in nyc, hit me up queen,” she wrote. “Let’s collab.”
