I’m angry this morning. I’m angry because the Twitter mob and the self-righteous assholes on Facebook got their way again. 17-year-old World Cup fan Axelle Despiegelaere lost her modeling contract with L’Oreal because she said something stupid on social media. A teenager saying something dumb on social media you say? Why I never.
By now you’ve seen pics of Belgium superfan Axelle Despiegelaere. Cameras cut to her several times during World Cup games as networks perfected their “honey shot” technique. Several major websites posted pics of her. We didn’t, mostly because she’s still a kid. A kid who probably says stupid stuff to her friends. A kid who probably doesn’t use social media wisely. Because again, she’s a kid. Here’s what everybody is up in arms about.
I’m not going to defend her comments (or the pic). They’re dumb. They’re stupid. But seriously, do you guys know any teenagers? Because I do and I don’t understand 90% of the things they say. And I’m supposed to be hip and stuff because I work on the internet and use the words, “dude” and “bro” with regularity.
Here’s an example of the faux outrage, courtesy of Donna Johnston-Bultrago. A woman who has clearly never said or done anything dumb in her life. Except, you know, marrying someone with a horrible last name.
Man, poor Axelle tried to apologize there and it was largely ignored.
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So now L’Oreal is playing the “her contract is completed” card. How convenient.
L’Oréal Professionnel Belgium collaborated with her on an ad hoc basis to produce a video for social media use in Belgium. The contract has now been completed.”
The spokesperson said that, although the brand was aware of the photograph, it would not comment on whether this was behind the decision to terminate Ms Despiegelaere’s contract. However, they were keen to stress that L’Oréal “no longer tests on animals, anywhere in the world, and does not delegate this task to others.”
So there you have it. In summary…
-teenager goes to World Cup game
-adults use her as sex symbol for “honey shot”
-teenager later says something stupid on Facebook
-adults get mad
-teenager apologizes
-adults attack her on Facebook
-teenager deletes her Facebook
-adults tattle to company that employs her
-company, comprised of adults, fires teenager
That’s peak social media mob right there. You’ve done it again everyone. Congrats!
Thanks to Joe Giordano and Mentality Mag for sharing