Why This “Racy” Snapchat Has Angered the Internet

Losing her innocence? Zoella’s “offending” Snapchat. (Photo: Screenshot)

Think of Zoella as the Bethany Mota of Europe. The young Brit is one of the continent’s biggest vloggers with more than 10 million YouTube subscribers, 4.4 million Twitter followers, and countless additional fans across various other social media networks. The 25-year-old streams her life — from applying her makeup in the morning to washing it off at night. And before going to bed on Wednesday, she shared a selfie on Snapchat wearing a white shirt and black Calvin Klein underwear. The photo is innocent enough, she’s flashing a little middriff and some of her thigh; but still she’s come under fire for “abandoning her morals” and being a poor influence on young fans.

Zoe Sugg, her real name, was bashed by The Sun andDaily Mail for ditching her “squeaky clean image” and therefore damaging her innocent image. One girl suggested that she doesn’t know Suggs anymore and seeing her in her underwear has shifted the positive identity.

In response, the influencer tweeted, “Bloody morons. Writing about my PJ’s when there are SERIOUS things happening all over the world. SMH.” She continued, "I hope one day we will live in a world where promoting self love & body confidence won’t be sexualised or shamed.“ Not only did she stand up for herself, but her legions of supporters stood by her by posting photos of themselves in similar positions with the hashtag #WeStandWithZoe.

It’s interesting that Zoella’s character was questioned in a scandal involving virtuosity. Compared with most of her peers — those in the United Kingdom and United States — she really is more righteous. If Kylie or Kendall Jenner, Bella or Gigi Hadid, or even Mota posed in that way, they’d probably be lauded for looking hot and taking a selfie sans makeup. And isn’t wearing a long-sleeved white shirt and thick-banded black underwear while obscured by a down comforter less revealing than being in a bikini? Celebrities and regular people alike show more skin than Zoella did on a regular basis and yet somehow evade international condemnation. Role models should probably be praised for inspiring legions of people — not dragged down for doing something totally commonplace.

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