Pokimane addresses criticism following TikTok video with money bouquet

Twitch personality Pokimane has issued a response following criticism for sharing a TikTok video displaying a large bouquet made entirely of dollar bills, which she received as a birthday gift.

Imane Anys, also known as ‘Pokimane’, celebrated her 28th birthday on May 14, 2024. As a tribute to her special day, her assistant surprised her with a large bouquet made entirely of dollar bills. Pokimane proudly shared this unique gift in a brief video on her TikTok account.

Although numerous viewers were impressed with the extravagant gift and extended their birthday wishes, some were displeased with Pokimane’s display of a significant sum of money.

@poki
guess who got this for my birthday lol

♬ original sound – S A M

“One person expressed their exhaustion with seeing countless celebrities, streamers, and others being completely out of touch with reality and not understanding the current situation.”

Another writer expressed, “To you, 100% of that amount may seem like five dollars, but for us average people, it’s the equivalent of a small amount.”

In the comments section, a user expressed their frustration with the influencer by stating, “It’s probably not a wise decision to post this while people are blocking celebrities. I would hate to see the world also block you.”

Anys replied to their comment, expressing her understanding of their feelings and hoping that others can recognize that it was intended as a joke.

pokimane-responds-backlash-money-bouquet-birthday-tiktok — TikTok: poki

The viewer’s statement mentioned the ongoing “digital guillotine”movement, which originated following the 2024 Met Gala. This movement involves internet users blocking celebrities who have not addressed current social issues, as a form of protest against their perceived detachment from the general public.

The backlash against TikTok star Haleyy Baylee serves as a prime example of this movement, as she received criticism from the internet for a video in which she dressed up in floral attire at the Met Gala and lip synced to audio from Kirsten Dunst’s Marie Antoinette film, uttering the famous phrase, “let them eat cake.”

@noahglenncarter People are upset with tik toker Haleyy Baylee for saying “let them eat cake” #haleyybaylee #foryou #metgala ♬ forgot your name – c152

Baylee’s video received an influx of users who were appalled by her choice of audio during a highly regarded event, especially given the current state of global conflict.

Baylee eventually expressed regret for the incident, labeling herself as “foolish”for selecting the audio and “never imagining it could be perceived in that manner since I was not prestigious enough to receive an invitation to the Met Gala.”

Despite facing criticism, Pokimane has made a commitment to stand by her words and back them up with action. She clarifies that her controversial video was meant to be a playful way to commemorate her birthday.