The past weekend, a social media celebrity and product endorser allegedly decided to hit back at her critics. Almost immediately, however, her actions boomeranged on her.
Beauty influencer Michelle Dy is in the center of a controversy once again after netizens accused her of skin-shaming. On Saturday, Dy posted on her Instagram Story that critics should focus on their “pimples and blackheads” and not on her photos.
Dy’s post, which was a mix of English and Filipino, read: “Even the filter, lighting, camera, editing, whatever, you have a problem with my photos! It’s crazy, hahahah!”
Known as an ambassador for a chain of dermatological clinics, Dy added: “You should focus on your blackheads and pimples, best[friends], not my photos. Everything! It’s crazy!”
“But anyway, you should just watch my video so you can look fresh. Okay?”
Dy’s post is no longer available but London-based vlogger Em Ford tweeted a copy of Dy’s original Instagram as well as its English translation on Saturday.
In her caption, Ford, an advocate of “skin positivity,” wrote: “I am disappointed and saddened that someone would use their social platforms to skin shame *their own audience*.”
This is everything that’s wrong with social media.
I am disappointed and saddened that someone would use their social platforms to skin shame *their own audience*. @michelle_dy, you’re in a position of privilege, with an impressionable audience… this is not okay. pic.twitter.com/2XS9YAYEKT
— Em Ford (@mypaleskinblog) August 18, 2018
She then posted a bare-faced photo of hers with the caption: “Your skin does not define you.”
She also added the Filipino sentence: “Ang ganda mo,” which means “you are beautiful.”
— Em Ford (@mypaleskinblog) August 18, 2018
Meanwhile, American YouTuber Jeffree Star tweeted the hashtag “#karma” when one netizen slammed Dy for not having a “decent attitude.”
Hahaha #karma
— Jeffree Star (@JeffreeStar) August 18, 2018
Late last month, Star posted a video rant on his social media channel that a certain YouTuber tried to “steal” his “Jeffree Star Approved” series.
Star didn’t identify who the vlogger was, but Dy posted an apology on Twitter and Instagram on the same day. She wrote that her “Michelle Dy Approved” series was inspired by Star, as described in the video’s description box.
Dy also wrote that she was not aware that the “Jeffree Star Approved” series was copyrighted in the United States. Her “Michelle Dy Approved” videos are no longer available on her YouTube channel.
Other netizens also slammed Dy for her post. Wrote @MamshiMary: “You’re beautiful no matter what. Don’t listen to Michelle Dy. She’s an attention-seeker.”
You’re beautiful no matter what. Wag ka makinig kay Michelle Dy, pampam yan.
— Mama Mary (@MamshiMary) August 18, 2018
Twitter user @kheshisantos wrote a lengthy post addressed to Dy about how her skin problems affected her self-esteem. Her post read: “Physical appearance matters because it can dictate how someone can feel on the inside. Why am I saying this? Because there are people like you who would shame our insecurities.”
MICHELLE DY, I HOPE THIS REACHES YOU ‼️‼️‼️ pic.twitter.com/JQPiuuncZY
— Khesh Santos (@kheshisantos) August 18, 2018
Meanwhile, @zayyira wrote: “[P]imples and blackheads are way better than having an attitude like [M]ichelle [D]y’s.”
pimples and blackheads are way better than having an attitude like michelle dy’s
— zayi (@zayyira) August 18, 2018
A certain @supelnellax asked celebrity doctor Vicky Belo to cancel their contract with Dy, one of their endorsers.
Belo owns a chain of dermatological clinics in the country.
I hope @VickiBelo cancels @michelle_dy ‘s Belo sponsorship.
Who would want to come to your clinic knowing you support someone who bullies people you help/cure though? Cancel her.
— #StandWithWorkersFuckPrivilege (@supelnellax) August 17, 2018
However, Dy also has her share of supporters. Commenting on an article that appeared on fashion website Preview.ph about the controversy, Nancy Encinares wrote: “People nowadays are overly sensitive and opinionated.”
Irish Evangelio, who said she gets pimples and blackheads all the time, was not hurt by what Dy wrote. She explained: “From what I understand, [she meant] ‘mind your own business, stop bullying her (sic) face, mind your own face.'” She then added a hashtag “#imnotherfanduh.”
Asne Marohombsar defended Dy as well.
She wrote: “You didn’t get it, people. I think what she meant is that mind your own businesses and stop noticing things about her. Like why don’t you use your time making things that are worthy? Like cleansing your face to prevent acnes (sic) and pimples but not totally shaming people with acnes (sic)? You just have to understand what’s the inner message of the post, stop judging someone just because she mentioned something about pimples.”
Coconuts Manila has reached out to Dy but she has not responded as of writing.
