Reason to Unfollow? More like Reason to Facepalm
Ah, the sweet, sweet taste of social media backlash. You’ve got to love it when influencers think they’re above the law, or in this case, above parking tickets. Jessica Haller, a "celebrity" with over 956,000 followers (yes, you read that right, 956,000 people are actually interested in her life), decided to post a video that was meant to be inspirational, but ended up being, well, a right old kerfuffle.
The Infamous Parking Ticket Video
In the video, Haller is seen walking up to a Porsche (because, of course, it’s a Porsche), picking up a parking ticket from the windshield, and getting into the car with a dog. The caption reads, "You don’t let anything bother you. On that note: Happy Monday." Ah, the eternal wisdom of a parking ticket recipient. It’s like she’s saying, "Hey, folks, even when life gives you lemons, just shrug it off and get in your Porsche."
The Backlash
Needless to say, her followers weren’t impressed. Comments started pouring in, with people calling her out for parking on the sidewalk (who needs rules, right?) and being a bit, well, selfish. One user wrote, "Rules have to be followed! Driving schools learn this… luckily there is no celebrity bonus!" Another user chimed in with, "Unfortunately I wouldn’t have thought of you that way – that you have to put something like that on display." And my personal favorite, "Reason to unfollow." Well, I think that’s a bit harsh, but I suppose it’s a decent reason to reassess your life choices.
Damage Control
After the negative feedback, Haller took to her Instagram story to defend herself. She claimed the Porsche wasn’t even hers (so, a friend’s, then?) and that she only parked on the sidewalk for 10 minutes (because that makes it okay?). She also mentioned it was her first parking ticket of the year (a badge of honor, really). She ended her damage control tour by saying she’d delete the reel because she didn’t want to "trigger anyone." Ah, how thoughtful of her. I’m sure her followers were just, like, Totally. Triggered.
Who is Jessica Haller, Anyway?
For those of you who don’t know, Haller is a "celebrity" who rose to fame after appearing on "The Bachelor" in 2014. She’s since done various reality TV shows, because, well, that’s what one does when they’re a D-list celeb. She’s been married, had a kid, and shares her fabulous life with her followers. Yay, fame!
The Moral of the Story
There are a few lessons to be learned here. Firstly, if you’re going to park on a sidewalk, don’t post about it on social media. Secondly, if you’re going to post about parking on a sidewalk, don’t try to spin it as some sort of inspirational message. And lastly, if you’re going to be a social media influencer, don’t pretend to be above the law. Or, you know, just don’t be a social media influencer. That’s probably the safest bet.
Well, that’s all for today, folks. Thanks for joining me on this wild ride of influencer drama. Remember, if you ever find yourself in a situation where you’re thinking, "Should I post this on social media?", just take a step back and ask yourself, "Would Jimmy Carr, Rowan Atkinson, Ricky Gervais, or Lee Evans laugh at this?" If the answer is yes, then maybe, just maybe, you shouldn’t post it.
“Reason to Unfollow: Influencer’s Blunder Sparks Outrage”
November 26th, 2024 – 3:13 p.m. Reading time: 2 min.
Jessica Haller, a renowned influencer with over 956,000 followers, sparked a massive controversy with a seemingly innocuous video on Instagram. (Source: Gartner/imago-images-bilder)
Social Media Firestorm: Jessica Haller’s Parking Ticket Video Backfires
On Monday, Jessica Haller posted an Instagram reel that showed her walking up to a white Porsche, picking up a parking ticket from the windshield, and nonchalantly getting into the car with a dog by her side. The video, captioned “You don’t let anything bother you. On that note: Happy Monday,” was meant to convey a carefree attitude, but it ended up having the opposite effect.
The 34-year-old influencer appeared to have parked her vehicle on the sidewalk, which irked many of her followers. The backlash was swift, with numerous negative comments flooding the post. Critics pointed out the importance of following rules and regulations, with one user remarking, “Rules have to be followed! Driving schools learn this… luckily there is no celebrity bonus!” Another follower expressed disappointment, saying, “Unfortunately I wouldn’t have thought of you that way – that you have to put something like that on display.”
Many of her followers were turned off by the video, with some even labeling it as a “Reason to unfollow.” Others felt that the post came across as “selfish” and tone-deaf. The widespread criticism prompted Jessica Haller to respond to the controversy in her Instagram story.
In her response, Haller clarified that neither the car nor the dog belonged to her. She also revealed that she had only parked in the wrong spot for ten minutes and that the ticket was her first of the year. Although she acknowledged that the video may have been misinterpreted, she didn’t elaborate on her original intent behind the post. Instead, she apologized for any offense caused and announced that she would be deleting the reel to avoid “triggering” anyone further.
Jessica Haller first gained fame after appearing on “The Bachelor” in 2014, where she finished in fifth place. She went on to participate in various reality TV shows, including “The Perfect Celebrity Dinner” and “Let’s Dance.” Her personal life has also been subject to media attention, particularly her relationships and her role as a mother.
After a brief relationship with her “Bachelorette” winner David Friedrich, Haller found love again with Johannes Haller, the runner-up from her season. The couple tied the knot in 2021, a year after welcoming their daughter. Haller frequently shares glimpses into her life, including her relationships, wedding, and motherhood, with her large following.
