A former Cinnabon employee at the center of a viral racist video in Wisconsin has denied being prejudiced, pointing to her “colored” son as evidence. Crystal Wilsey, 43, who has a criminal history spanning more than two decades, became widely known after footage of her abusive, hate-filled tirade toward a Somali couple in Ashwaubenon went viral on TikTok.
In the video, Wilsey repeatedly used racial slurs against the Somali pair and openly declared herself a racist, according to the Daily Mail. She was quickly fired from her job, prompting both media coverage and a fundraising campaign on her behalf, which has now raised over $110,000.
Wilsey's Criminal Background
Wilsey’s legal record includes charges ranging from child endangerment and drug possession to disorderly conduct and multiple traffic offenses. Court records indicate she has faced more than a dozen criminal charges in the Midwest over nearly 25 years, per the New York Post.
Some notable incidents include:
- 2001: Arrested for disorderly conduct and domestic abuse in Wisconsin; sentenced to 12 months probation.
- 2002-2003: Charged with marijuana offenses and additional disorderly conduct cases.
- 2009: Arrested for disorderly conduct in Brown County, Wisc., sentenced to three days in jail.
- 2015: Pleaded guilty to DUI in Hobart, Wisc., serving 20 days in jail.
- 2016: Multiple arrests for resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and driving with a revoked license.
Her extensive criminal history has only worsened the public scrutiny and debate surrounding her social media claims and public statements.
Controversial Social Media Defense
In a TikTok posted Monday, Wilsey attempted to justify her actions, saying her family includes a “colored” son. She later referenced Addison’s disease, a rare adrenal disorder, suggesting the condition darkened her son’s skin, and implying this somehow proves she is not prejudiced. “Addison’s disease, and he was discriminated called chocolate because he had brown skin – explanation of racism,” she wrote in a comment.
Her statements have been widely criticized for misusing outdated terminology and deflecting from the widely condemned nature of her viral outburst.
Supporters Fundraise Amid Backlash
Following her firing, supporters launched a GoFundMe campaign, claiming Wilsey was unfairly targeted. The fundraiser describes her as a “hardworking White mom” and asserts that the Somali customers instigated the confrontation, Newsweek reports. The page states: “No White person should lose their job for refusing to be harassed by Somalians.” Donations have surpassed $110,000.
Wilsey has continued to defend herself on social media, claiming the video only shows a portion of events and that she was “standing up for myself” rather than being racist. She asserted, “The initial word could be referenced to a racial slur, except he called me racist and I returned the comment.”
While her supporters continue to fundraise, the broader public and media remain focused on the incident as an example of how quickly private confrontations can become national controversies in the age of viral video.