Influencers: It’s Not as Easy as It Looks
Just a few years ago, the word “influencer” didn’t really mean anything, but today, being an online influencer is a full-time job for some people.
Source: @turnttoni/TikTok
However, while the life of an influencer may look glamorous on social media, these people have to field comments from the public day in and day out about their bodies, fashion, and their choices.
Getting the Perfect Photo
But according to @turntonni, that’s not even the worst part of the job—it’s getting a great photo while others ignore your work that is the most infuriating.
Source: @turnttoni/TikTok
She complained that “Taking an aesthetic video in London Underground be like.” And for those of us who don’t speak influencer, that means taking an aesthetic video in the subway is quite a challenge.
People Wouldn’t Wait for Antonia to Take Her Photo
In the video, Antonia is clearly trying to get the perfect glamor shot as the train moves quickly behind her.
Source: @turnttoni/TikTok
However, there are people using the subway station and walking directly in between her and the camera, making it quite difficult to get the photo just right. Antonia captioned her video, “Like can you wait just one sec, sir.”
The Comments Started Flooding In
After posting her video, Antonia’s 143,000 followers began commenting on it almost immediately.
Source: @turnttoni/TikTok
And though there are a wide variety of comments, some supporting the influencer or offering sympathies for her struggles, most people were not so kind. One TikToker even said, “Who do you think you are.”, a comment that got 2,776 likes.
The Negative Comments Continue
Another person wrote, “GIRL IT’S A TRAIN STATION.” while one said what many people were thinking, “Some people actually use the station to get to places instead of taking insta photos crazy right?!?”
Source: @turnttoni/TikTok
“If you were in a wide open space this would make sense but… in a TRAIN STATION?!” said another TikTok subscriber. Another user even said, “You know people have to go to work and they’re not going to stop their lives for you. Don’t want people around, go someplace private.”
Influencers Come to Antonia’s Defense
Antonia’s video has been reposted by several other TikTokers, many in support of the struggles of being an influencer.
Source: @schizarella/X
@schizerella told the world, “when you see someone recording, just walk behind the camera or wait literally ten seconds, if you can’t do this then you don’t deserve to be a part of a civilized society.”
The Debate Continues
In the comments section of @schizarella’s video, the ever-growing debate as to whether or not people should stop in their tracks for those taking photos continued.
Source: @schizarella/X
While some claim it’s a simple act of kindness to wait for someone to take a photo, others disagree. One commenter explained, “Imagine the accrued delay of waiting 10 seconds for every narcissist to finish filming their TikTok & pretending to be a model.”
London Underground One of the Busiest Places on Earth
It’s important to understand that one of the most talked about factors within this conversation is that the London Underground is not a tourist attraction or even a sidewalk where people can walk around or wait for someone to snap a pic.
Source: Ollie Millington/Getty Images
The train system in downtown London is one of the busiest places on Earth, serving five million people every day. If they all stopped to show “kindness” to an influencer, there would be complete chaos.
Should the Public Be More Considerate of People Taking Photos?
Overall, the TikTok video has sparked an interesting conversation as to whether or not people should be more considerate of others taking photos in public.
Source: Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images
However, while there are some who say yes, most agree that the new wave of influencers trying to get the perfect shot has made them less likely to stop and wait.
There’s No Such Thing as Bad Publicity
With thousands of people around the world publicly insulting Antonia for her video, one might think that the influencer is disappointed. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Source: @turnttoni/TikTok
While most of Antonia’s videos receive anywhere between 4,000 and 20,000 views, her London Underground clip has an almost unbelievable 8.9 million views and thousands of comments.
Antonia Is Still Posting, and She’s More Popular Than Ever
Although Antonia hasn’t commented publicly on the situation, it’s clear by her continued online presence that it hasn’t brought her down at all.
Source: @turnttoni/TikTok
In fact, Anotinia has gained many new followers since the video went viral, which is every influencer’s dream. Now with over 143,000 followers, Antonia is living her dream of influencing the world and will continue to work to get the perfect photo wherever she is.