A British influencer has left Australia after facing backlash over a TikTok video deemed insensitive to Anzac Day. Allegra Phipps, who has 51,000 followers, posted a now-deleted video of herself dancing and enjoying drinks at 7am on April 25, the day Australia and New Zealand commemorate their war dead.
Video Sparks Outrage
The light-hearted clip, which showed Phipps celebrating the public holiday, was criticized for trivializing the solemn occasion. Anzac Day is similar to Remembrance Day in the UK, marked by services, marches, and wreath-laying ceremonies to honor soldiers killed in wars, particularly World War I and II.
Phipps, who was on a 12-week trip to Australia, initially did not understand the significance of the day. After the backlash, she issued an apology, stating she had not grasped the full weight of Anzac Day. She said she removed the video as soon as she realized the upset it caused.
Apology and Reaction
In her apology, Phipps said: 'I was trying to express an appreciation for the sense of unity that the day can bring. I did not mean to celebrate the day in a way that overlooks its true significance or the sacrifices it represents.' She added that once she understood the day's importance, she knew the right thing was to take the post down.
Social media users speculated that Phipps may have confused Anzac Day with Australia Day. One commentator wrote: 'Surely, they’re mixing it up with Australia Day? That’s all I can fathom.'
What is Anzac Day?
Anzac Day marks the start of the Gallipoli Campaign in 1915, the first major battle for Australian and New Zealand troops in World War I. The word Anzac stands for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. Around 416,000 Australians and 220,000 New Zealanders served in WWI, while in WWII, a million Australians enlisted—about 10% of the population. The day remains a subject of debate, with some questioning whether it glorifies violence or serves as a time for reflection.
