At first glance, it might not seem like it, but being an influencer can be hard. In such a competitive and fast-paced industry, a social media person must have a great brand strategy, be consistent, create original content, and be on top of every trend to keep their audience coming back for more. All while trying to maintain their shiny image so they would receive brand deals and earn a living.
However, to attract viewers, get clicks, and gain followers, some influencers go too far without realizing that what they’re doing is ignorant and sometimes even downright wrong. Unfortunately for them, their wrongdoings usually don’t go unnoticed and end up on the news for everyone to see and shame. And Instagram account Influencers In The Wild has done a great job at gathering some of the most shocking ones. Keep scrolling to find them, and don’t forget to let us know your thoughts down below.
Table of Contents
1: ‘SALT BAE’ GRABBED THE WORLD CUP TROPHY AND ‘SPRINKLED SALT’ ON IT
‘SALT BAE’ GRABBED THE WORLD CUP TROPHY AND ‘SPRINKLED SALT’ ON IT
2: SOCIAL MEDIA STREAMER NATALIE REYNOLDS PAID A WOMEN WHO CAN’T SWIM $20 TO JUMP INTO A LAKE DURING A LIVE STREAM, THEN SHE WALKED AWAY.
Social media influencer Natalie Reynolds is accused of coaxing a non-swimmer into jumping into Lady Bird Lake in Austin, Texas, during a live stream, then abandoning the scene when the woman cried for help. Reynolds paid the woman $20 as part of a scavenger hunt challenge.
The woman, who expressed her inability to swim, dove into the lake and struggled in the water. Reynolds panicked and fled the scene, leaving the woman to struggle. Emergency responders were dispatched to the lake, and the woman was rescued. Reynolds defended her actions in a subsequent live stream, claiming she left at the behest of her team.
3: A TEENAGE YOUTUBER FACES FELONY CHARGES FOR DERAILING A TRAIN IN NEBRASKA TO CREATE CONTENT FOR HIS CHANNEL
At this point, you should have to fill out a permit to open a social media account
“A 17-year-old YouTuber from Bennet, Nebraska has been charged with two felony counts for allegedly causing a train derailment to create content for his YouTube channel. The incident occurred on April 21, 2024, resulting in over $350,000 in damages. The teen reportedly tampered with a switch, causing a BNSF train to collide with a damaged coal car on a repair track.”
4: A GEORGIA MOTORCYCLIST WAS ARRESTED AFTER HE POSTED HIMSELF FLEEING POLICE ON TIKTOK
There’s stupid. And then there’s STUPID.
“A 19-year-old Georgia motorcyclist who fled police posted footage of the chase on TikTok. The content was discovered by law enforcement and a warrant was issued for his arrest.”
5: A YOUTUBE INFLUENCER FACES UP TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON FOR INTENTIONALLY CRASHING HIS AIRPLANE FOR VIEWS, THE DOJ SAID
In November of 2021, YouTuber Trevor Jacob jumped out of a plane, allowing it to crash. He uploaded footage of the crash in a video titled “I Crashed My Plane.”
According to the Department of Justice, Jacob recently pleaded guilty to one count of destruction and concealment with the intent to obstruct a federal investigation, a charge that could carry a sentence of 20 years in prison.
“21-year-old Tanner Cook, who runs the YouTube channel Classified Goons, was shot while filming a prank video at Dulles Town Center mall in Virginia on Sunday
The prank reportedly involved the use of Google Translate. When a 31-year-old man named Alan Colie became offended by the joke, he shot Cook in the abdomen inside the mall’s food court.
