Kallmekris Issues Apology Following BookTok Backlash Over Mocking “Romantasy” Genre

KallmeKris Faces Backlash Over BookTok Video

Popular TikTok personality KallmeKris, known for her humorous skits and diverse characters, has stirred controversy following her recent YouTube video critique of the ‘romantasy’ genre, which is especially loved by the BookTok community.

With a staggering following of over 50 million on TikTok, the Canadian creator has successfully transitioned to YouTube, garnering more than 11 million subscribers. Her content focuses on reactions to a varied array of topics, including bizarre TikToks and viral fads.

Controversial Remarks on Romance Novels

In a YouTube video posted on January 11, Kris shared her views on popular romantasy novels highlighted by BookTok influencers. While discussing the widely discussed Fifty Shades of Grey, she characterized the genre as “poorly written” and suggested that such works often fail to portray healthy relationships among characters. Furthermore, her comments about the cover design of the book Ice Breaker also raised eyebrows.

She remarked, “What is the hype about? This cover looks like a kid’s book. I was confused, to say the least. It’s just lacking overall in plot for me, and the amount of spice in this book is considerable. I was shocked.”

Almost immediately, her opinions drew criticism, with many viewers expressing discontent in the comments section. One user wrote, “Women should be able to read whatever they want to without being shamed for it,” while another added, “Caring this much about what other people like to read is wild.” This feedback triggered BookTok creators to respond in kind, echoing their discontent across the platform.

Apology Issued Following Backlash

In response to the growing negativity, KallmeKris chose to unlist her original video and issued a heartfelt apology on January 14. In her five-minute apology on TikTok, Kris sought to clarify her intentions for the original video.

@kallmekris
♬ original sound – Kris HC

She expressed, “I meant for it to be a fun, lighthearted video. It didn’t go as I thought it would. I really did upset people, and that was not my intention at all. I tried to make jokes that some liked, while others found offensive, which is completely valid.”

Kris further commented, “I aimed to create something amusing, but I have no excuse for why it was interpreted so negatively by many. I appreciate your feedback and intend to use it to improve my future content. I never want to upset anyone, and I hope that resonates with you.”

Broader Context of Controversy

The timing of this incident is significant as it occurs just days ahead of the impending ban of TikTok in the United States, set for January 19, 2025. The platform has announced plans to cease operations on this date, adding an element of urgency to the unfolding situation.

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