A vibrant pink bikini and a cheeky attitude – that's how OnlyFans model Skyler Simpson found herself amidst a swirling storm of controversy. The influencer took to the flooded streets of Tampa in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, delivering a mock weather report that left many viewers less than impressed. As the storm wreaked havoc with over 160 casualties and historic flooding, Simpson's antics struck a nerve.
Skyler, clad in her eye-catching ensemble, attempted to bring levity to the dire situation. "Live, reporting from Tampa Bay," she began, only to be interrupted by ice cubes flung from off-camera. Despite the playful tone, her actions were not universally appreciated. "Hope a portion of the benefits you got through the likes on this reel you sent some help to the families in need," commented one Instagram user, capturing the sentiment shared by many.
“Plenty of people actually affected by this have commented and laughed. I had family affected," Simpson defended, asserting that her video was a humorous take on traditional news reporting.
As her video racked up over 1.8 million views on TikTok and thousands of likes across social media, the backlash was swift and fierce. Critics labeled her actions "disgusting," accusing her of trivializing a tragedy for clout. Others pointed out the potential health hazards of wading through floodwaters, prompting Simpson to assure followers that she immediately cleaned up with hydrogen peroxide.
Skyler, a graduate in communication sciences and a now-significant presence on social media, stood firm in her decision not to remove the video. "This is satire of news reporters. If you don’t get it feel free to unfollow," she stated, addressing her detractors.
Hurricane Helene, which landed as a Category 4 storm, left a trail of destruction, with Tampa Bay experiencing surges surpassing 6 feet. The storm's wrath resulted in at least 166 fatalities, ranking it as one of the deadliest in recent history. While Simpson's video may have been intended as a lighthearted jab at weather reporting, for many, it served as a stark reminder of the storm's very real devastation.