Is this job easy? Aussie content creator's statement about working sparks outrage
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In the age of social media, the role of an influencer has become a legitimate career path for many, with followers in the millions and brand deals worth significant sums. However, the perception of this line of work is often met with scepticism and sometimes outright disdain. This was the case for Australian influencer Veronica B, who found herself at the centre of a heated debate after describing her job as 'hard work' during an interview at Sydney's TikTok Awards.
Veronica B, who arrived at the event in a Rolls Royce, was candid about the challenges of her profession. 'I know it looks fun but it's hard work,' she stated. 'You have to think of content, you have to edit it, you have to film it, you have to be constantly relevant and that is not easy.' Her comments, however, were not well-received by the public, with many criticising her for being 'out of touch' with the realities of more physically demanding jobs.
The backlash was swift and fierce, with comments flooding in from individuals who shared their own gruelling work experiences. 'I'm just coming home from a 13-hour shift, on my feet for 11 of those 13, but this must have been hard! Praying for you,' one person commented sarcastically. Another pointed out the difference between a job being 'hard' and 'taking time', suggesting that while content creation might be time-consuming, it doesn't necessarily equate to the physical toll of other professions.
Veronica's initial response to the criticism was to mock her detractors, replying to one comment with, 'Oops you have lots of spare time to be commenting on my TikTok. Your job must not be too hard.' However, as the negative reactions continued to pour in, Veronica issued an apology that began sincerely but quickly turned sarcastic. 'I'm sorry for being honest and sharing my honest experience - I forgot it's 2024 and if your opinion doesn't align with the loud minority, then your opinion is wrong,' she said, before poking fun at the suggestion to 'touch grass' by filming herself sitting in a field.
While Veronica faced criticism, other Australian influencers on the red carpet, such as Anna Paul and Brittney Saunders, were praised for acknowledging that their jobs were easier than most. 'Other people wake up and they work 10 hours straight on their feet. You're laying in bed, you post a little video and you're complaining? Get a different job,' Paul said bluntly.
Despite the backlash, Veronica stood by her statement, elaborating on the behind-the-scenes work that goes into maintaining her online presence. She highlighted the hours spent on administrative tasks, editing, and content creation, all without the help of a manager. 'It's not easy, okay? All the organising and back and forth emailing that a manager would usually do, I also do that,' she explained.
Watch Veronica B's apology here:
Source: @veronicab_/Instagram
Veronica eventually conceded that while she may not have 'the hardest job', the mental and administrative effort required should not be underestimated. Some of her supporters chimed in, empathising with the mental exhaustion that comes with content creation and the constant pressure to stay relevant.
The controversy surrounding Veronica B's comments opens up a broader conversation about the nature of work in the digital age. It raises questions about the value and recognition of different types of labour, the pressures of maintaining a public persona, and the often invisible workload that goes into producing the content consumed by millions daily.
Members of the Seniors Discount Club, we'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Do you think the role of an influencer is misunderstood, or do you believe it's a cushy job compared to more traditional roles? Share your insights and experiences in the comments below!
Veronica B, who arrived at the event in a Rolls Royce, was candid about the challenges of her profession. 'I know it looks fun but it's hard work,' she stated. 'You have to think of content, you have to edit it, you have to film it, you have to be constantly relevant and that is not easy.' Her comments, however, were not well-received by the public, with many criticising her for being 'out of touch' with the realities of more physically demanding jobs.
The backlash was swift and fierce, with comments flooding in from individuals who shared their own gruelling work experiences. 'I'm just coming home from a 13-hour shift, on my feet for 11 of those 13, but this must have been hard! Praying for you,' one person commented sarcastically. Another pointed out the difference between a job being 'hard' and 'taking time', suggesting that while content creation might be time-consuming, it doesn't necessarily equate to the physical toll of other professions.
Veronica B is the content creator behind 'Aunty Salma', which talks about common Middle Eastern stereotypes and experiences. Image Credit: Instagram/Veronica B
Veronica's initial response to the criticism was to mock her detractors, replying to one comment with, 'Oops you have lots of spare time to be commenting on my TikTok. Your job must not be too hard.' However, as the negative reactions continued to pour in, Veronica issued an apology that began sincerely but quickly turned sarcastic. 'I'm sorry for being honest and sharing my honest experience - I forgot it's 2024 and if your opinion doesn't align with the loud minority, then your opinion is wrong,' she said, before poking fun at the suggestion to 'touch grass' by filming herself sitting in a field.
While Veronica faced criticism, other Australian influencers on the red carpet, such as Anna Paul and Brittney Saunders, were praised for acknowledging that their jobs were easier than most. 'Other people wake up and they work 10 hours straight on their feet. You're laying in bed, you post a little video and you're complaining? Get a different job,' Paul said bluntly.
Despite the backlash, Veronica stood by her statement, elaborating on the behind-the-scenes work that goes into maintaining her online presence. She highlighted the hours spent on administrative tasks, editing, and content creation, all without the help of a manager. 'It's not easy, okay? All the organising and back and forth emailing that a manager would usually do, I also do that,' she explained.
Watch Veronica B's apology here:
Source: @veronicab_/Instagram
Veronica eventually conceded that while she may not have 'the hardest job', the mental and administrative effort required should not be underestimated. Some of her supporters chimed in, empathising with the mental exhaustion that comes with content creation and the constant pressure to stay relevant.
The controversy surrounding Veronica B's comments opens up a broader conversation about the nature of work in the digital age. It raises questions about the value and recognition of different types of labour, the pressures of maintaining a public persona, and the often invisible workload that goes into producing the content consumed by millions daily.
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