An influencer and swimwear company CEO has responded to backlash following a TikTok video she posted where she danced near her stepdad in a bikini.
The video in question shows Aussie influencer Karina Irby wearing one of her own bikinis and gyrating in the kitchen while her stepdad - who was sporting black Speedos - busied himself in the background with his back to the camera. Britney Spears' song 'Work B***h' plays throughout the clip.
So far, the TikTok has received 495,000 views and close to 18,000 likes.
Check out the widely talked about post below:Fortunately, many viewers saw the video for what it was - a bit of fun - and shared their reactions in the comments section.
"Asif, do that in front of your step Dad. REALLY [sic]," one person wrote.
"This is hilarious I love his reaction," someone else added.
"love your dad's reaction," a further user chimed in.
However, it would appear as if enough people had commented negatively about the video to prompt Karina to address it publicly on her Instagram.
Taking to the social media app, the swimwear entrepreneur reposted the TikTok and even included screenshots of comments from trolls and headlines from popular news outlets blasting her TikTok.
In the post's caption, she wrote: "When an innocent Tiktok divides the internet, goes viral makes news headlines… [...] Firstly, sorry to my step Dad Phil for all the unwanted attention LOL! [...] Secondly, let me educate the masses who saw this as 'disturbing' and 'inappropriate.'"
"Guys, it's a hot, Australian Christmas. Our family spent it by the pool, hence the swimwear," she added. "We both have a good sense of humour and always like to do stupid things to make others laugh and get a reaction [...] This is purely all this video is. A reaction [...] People SERIOUSLY need to lighten up, stop projecting their issues, educate themselves on what a typical Australian Christmas involves and stop creating a fake reality in their minds [...] What's your take?"
Irby also spoke to news.com.au about the backlash she had received, telling the outlet: "No matter what you do on social media these days, someone will always find a way to bring you down, or in this case, project their insecurities or issues upon you.
"But, in this case, the facts are pretty simple. My stepdad and I have a great, normal relationship.
"We both have a good sense of humor and like to do stupid things to make others laugh."
Hundreds of Instagram users also took to the comments to voice their support for Karina, with one person writing: "I don't understand why people think this is so weird or 'disturbing' It's not like your are grinding on him. I think this is hilarious. You are dancing… what's the big deal. If people think it's disturbing then that is their problem, every family has their own dynamic."
"Let's talk about the fact that for half of the dance, he isn't even paying attention. Also why are people acting as if she is grinding on him? Obviously at this point her family knows who she is and takes it in stride," another comment read.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments!
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