TikTok star apologizes after dressing up as stingray that killed Steve Irwin

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By James Kay

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A TikToker has apologized after attending an Australian-themed party as the stingray which killed Steve Irwin - and wasn't expecting the backlash.

Irwin sadly lost his life in 2006 whilst filming for Oceans Deadliest. The beloved conservationist was pierced in the chest by a stingray, and despite paramedics doing their best, he passed away before reaching the hospital, per the Daily Mail.

The crocodile hunter was a big part of many people's childhoods, and his love for animals and the outdoors knew no bounds.

The Australian is still remembered fondly across the world so when somebody speaks ill of him or ridicules his death, the internet pounces.

A TikTok star found this out the hard way after she decided to dress up as a stingray after being invited to an Australian-themed party.

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Sopha Dopha deleted the video after receiving backlash. Credit: TikTok / @sophadophaa

Sopha Dopha told viewers that she was dressing up as a stingray while her friend was Steve Irwin in a video uploaded on Wednesday but which she has since taken down.

The 19-year-old was met with a large amount of backlash and posted an apology to her account - which she has also mysteriously taken down.

"Hi guys, I just wanted to jump on here to clear up some things," Sopha said, according to the Mirror. "I love Steve Irwin and would never want to cause disrespect to his family or legacy. He is an iconic Aussie and no offense was meant by my costume."

She continued: "I have thought about and reflected on my costume and I will not be wearing it and apologize wholeheartedly to anyone who was offended by it. That was definitely not my intention. I apologize sincerely."

Speaking of Steve Irwin, his son Robert recently recreated a picture from his childhood and it broke fan's hearts.

The 19-year-old posted on Instagram showing an image of himself and his late father in a car together, while adding a new picture of himself driving the same vehicle.

In the caption of the post, he penned: "My dad’s ute… it’s a special car. From early memories when Dad would park and let me pretend to drive, to more recently when I took my driver's test in it (and somehow managed not to stall it).

"I remember my first solo drive in this car after I got my license - it was to the hospital to meet my niece for the first time, right after she was born. And now, the ute still comes on road trips to this day…"

It seems almost impossible to not adore the Irwin family as they work tirelessly to love the animals under their care, as well as the natural environment.

But let this story be a warning to everyone - don't mock the Irwins!

Featured image credit: United Archives GmbH / Alamy