A travel influencer had some nice words for those who leveled the accusation that “daddy’s money” is funding her jet-setting lifestyle.
The initial backlash against creator Kat Crittenden came after a clip of the California native basking in the sun while immersed in clear, turquoise water at a swimming spot in Thailand.
‘What are you all still doing in America? If you just book a crazy flight, it could be 4:30 on a Thursday night,” Kat said in the seven-second clip posted to TikTok in mid-August.
‘Come to Thailand, for example. You should fucking sell this. Get your a** here,” she concluded.
Creator Kat Crittenden angered viewers after she suggested everyone should leave America and come to Thailand
The seemingly outrageous comments rubbed many the wrong way, with the main comment being: ‘I don’t have rich parents’
The top comment on the video, which racked up nearly 40,000 likes, bluntly rebuked that idea, saying, “I don’t have rich parents.”
To this, Kat responded in her own comment: “I only have one parent and she’s not rich lol.”
Kat then wrote a longer, sharper response to that comment — also addressing others in the same way — in a 27-second video filmed from the same swimming spot and posted the next day.
“Dude, my favorite thing is when I post TikToks in places like this” — she gestured to a screenshot of the “rich parents” comment — “and all the comments are like “daddy’s money,” “it’s her parents’ money ‘”‘ she started.
‘Is the? Is that why my only vacation and travel growing up was going to Wisconsin in the summer to visit my family?” she smoked.
‘Is that why? Yes, I traveled with my father’s money. That’s why I spent my entire summers hopping around corn fields in Wisconsin until I was 18,” she continued.
Kat went on to say that she hadn’t even left the United States and had “barely” left her home state of California until she “started traveling alone when I was 18.”
“So if you comment on that…” she finished the sentence by pointing her middle finger at the camera.
The comment that really irritated Kat earned almost 40,000 likes
A day later, Kat posted a caustic response to the comment, clarifying that she did not in fact have “rich parents” and had not left the United States until she turned 18.
The content creator concluded her response by raising her middle finger to the camera
The caption emphasized, “I am endlessly grateful to have had the opportunity to visit my family and this video doesn’t complain about that at all, it emphasizes that I travel with my money and I have worked and saved for years to achieve this.”
But that wasn’t Kat’s last word on the matter.
Earlier this week, she posted a new video in which her tone became decidedly more empathetic as she announced a raffle for a $500 flight voucher to an airline of the winner’s choice.
“After seeing all the comments on my recent viral video and seeing how many people wouldn’t be able to pay for a flight, I decided I was going to help you guys with that,” she said of the giveaway.
“Anyway, good luck to everyone who comes in.” I really just want to help someone get out and explore the world.’
Kat’s representatives further shared a statement with DailyMail.com on the matter: ‘First and foremost, Kat would like to acknowledge and deeply apologize for the insensitivity conveyed in her recent video encouraging travel.
In a TikTok from earlier this week, Kat declared she would be giving away a $500 flight voucher to a lucky winner, saying, “I’ve decided I’m going to help you guys out” with airfare costs
“While her intention was purely positive, she recognizes the concerns of many, especially in light of the current economic challenges.
‘Kat’s passion has always been to inspire others through her travel experiences. Her goal with the video was to motivate others to explore and step outside their comfort zone. However, she understands that the timing and delivery may not have been right.”
The statement went on to say that the creator “never intended to dismiss the genuine struggles that people face every day.”
“She greatly appreciates the feedback and perspectives shared and views them as reminders of the significant responsibility her public platform entails,” it added.
“Although Kat has worked diligently since the age of 15 and held various jobs to finance her travels, she recognizes the privileges she now experiences as a successful content creator.”
The statement concluded: ‘Going forward, Kathryn wants to be more aware and considerate of the wider context in which her content is presented. We remain grateful for the continued support and understanding of her audiences and promise to learn and grow from this experience.”