Influencer Skinni Societe Faces Backlash for Prank Targeting Heavier Tourists
Online personality Liv Schmidt — who goes by Skinni Societe — is facing criticism for disclosing a prank she pulls on individuals she perceives as heavier tourists in New York City.
"True solidarity among women involves providing incorrect directions to larger individuals so they get more exercise," Schmidt, 23, stated to her audience in a TikTok video posted on Thursday, November 13, which has since been removed, as reported by The Daily Mail.
The footage immediately ignited a storm of internet condemnation, prompting numerous users to flock to the NYCinfluencersnark Reddit forum to debate the content and Schmidt's motives. "What exactly is she attempting to convey? Why do influencers struggle so much with proper syntax…," one commenter queried.
A different user added: "She's so pathetic I almost pity her. Envision dedicating your entire existence to obsessing over thinness. It's regrettable that she's propagating her unhealthy obsession."
Health Guru Discusses Her 'Devastating' Battle with an Eating Disorder
"I share that sentiment; can she even engage in a regular dialogue with anyone?" a third individual concurred. "Her entire focus is fixated on nutrition and physiques. If I encountered her in real life, I'd maintain my distance, considering she ruthlessly critiques everyone she encounters. Picture working alongside her, it'd be a nightmare."
Schmidt seemed undisturbed by the public outcry, uploading a subsequent video on Instagram on Friday, November 14, which alluded to her preferred body type.
"It's the optimal time to achieve a lean physique Because I'd prefer to shed tears over logging my daily steps than Over a romantic partner," the online personality wrote in the caption for the video, showing her strolling along a New York street after dark.
Schmidt, formerly employed in a corporate role in New York City before transitioning into a full-time online personality, is accustomed to generating disputes. Her critics frequently accuse her of "rage-baiting," meaning she publishes material purely to provoke anger or discomfort. Additionally, some have voiced apprehension that her posts, which detail her strategies for maintaining a slender figure, might encourage or endorse unhealthy eating patterns.
During a September 2024 discussion with The Wall Street Journal, she maintained that her material caters to "what the audience desires."
"Many individuals are curious about what others consume," she informed the publication then. "I am transparent about the effort involved. Everyone has the choice to subscribe to or block any content they wish."
Schmidt's profile was subsequently deactivated "due to infractions of community standards." She then launched a new profile featuring a biography that previously stated, "Desiring to be slender is not a transgression. Rescuing America from excessive weight one individual at a time," according to the Journal.
Schmidt persisted in defending her material and digital footprint in a subsequent interview with Cosmopolitan the next month.
"My consumption is for bodily energy, not emotional comfort," Schmidt elucidated regarding her philosophy. "That embodies a lean woman's perspective."
Amy Schumer Believes She Understands Why the Internet Consistently 'Criticizes' Her
Schmidt additionally contested some of the criticism her content has garnered.
"Individuals advocate for body positivity only until you are more slender or less corpulent than them. Many of those who criticize me have experienced eating disorders," she asserted. "As I have never suffered from one, I cannot comprehend their struggles."
Should you or a loved one be contending with an eating disorder, please consult the National Eating Disorders (NEDA) website or contact their helpline at (800) 931-2237 for assistance.
