I'm surprised this thread doesn't have more action. The one on the other site had lots more comments.
Whilst I agree with the Sophie love to some degree- certainly in comparison to other influencers in the same category- she is not without problems.
For one thing, she's never been upfront about the fact that she came from money and married into money. She has a lot of clickbait-y videos about getting out of debt, but the truth is, whatever incremental debt she accrued in her early twenties was easily wiped off by the rich husband and/or family.
Not to mention, her videos about going from 'receptionist to director' are pure b.s. She started as an advertising executive on a good wage and even says so in most of her videos. She was never anything beneath that level and to exaggerate her "humble" beginnings just to draw more views is unnecessary. She would seem just as successful if she didn't try to make her present day success sound extreme, because it wasn't.
There is also the issue with her constant consumerism and reselling mentality. In itself, the pattern is not
that bad (apart from the fact that it contradicts her advice videos on not getting into debt and it really is excessive which is
crappy for the environment), but I take real issue when she sells on her PR gifts at near retail price (such as the red Gucci belt bag she sold last year or the year before). That's when you begin to see that her ethics are a bit questionable. It leaves a particularly bad taste that she resells gifted products (at near retail, especially) when she's already well off and doesn't need to be so greedy. She could use those gifts to raise money for a cause but has never done so.
Normally I wouldn't touch on how nouveau riche her over-the-top her style is, but it's in particularly bad taste that she's indulging in, promoting and recommending really expensive designer goods via her hauls during the pandemic. Most people were on furlough or just lost their jobs, many were ill with covid or lost family to covid, so for her to flaunt Chanel, Dior, Fendi, etc. during these rough times was a bit tactless. She could have put out more helpful content about dealing with anxiety during these times, ways she's filling her days, or even advice on how to start your own business for those who recently became unemployed. Instead it was Harrods every time she left the house or a massive online haul, when most of her viewers would have been wondering how to feed their families or whether they'd be unemployed the next week.
I understand escapism and light content to distract viewers from these stressful times, but she really has been laying it on thick!
Finally, her mail times once felt charming but now I can see that it's a very clever marketing tactic. She gets people feeling invested in her and her channel, guarantees they will return and watch in order to see their name shouted out and get their 15 seconds of 'fame' (and some use it to promote their personal business). Those who don't get their letters in this time will keep trying to get her attention, thereby keep watching to hear until they get their shout out, and often buy her gifts to ensure they get featured. <- Speaking of which, I feel SO uncomfortable with the fact that she accepts gifts from subscribers (in spite of half-heartedly claiming she doesn't want gifts). She can afford to purchase her own *everything* yet she slyly encourages people to send her things by showcasing them in her videos. It's a bit off.
Having said all of that, she regularly does giveaways (to increase her engagement, but nonetheless) which are greatly appreciated by her followers, I'm sure.
She also clearly discloses all adverts and always has done (she'd have to or her own private company would appear shady to potential and existing clients).
Also, unlike many others, she's very upfront about her botox and fillers. I personally thought she looked stunning before she started injecting, but to each their own.
And I think she has a very healthy balance in her life; her relationship with her husband appears sincerely loving and respectful, she has a life outside of YT/work but keeps her friends and family out of her channel out of respect, she has other hobbies (jewelry making) and she seems to have built some real rapport with her longstanding subscribers which is endearing.
I also loved her honesty around her cancer and anorexia. I really commend her for that because it's brave to be that open about those topics.
elderly lady who also appreciates comfort but not on a young gorgeous lady like you.
