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TikTok star Addison Rae's face shield ridiculed: 'Chosen vanity'
TikTok star Addison Rae has sparked controversy for using a handheld face shield instead of a face mask while posing with fans during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in the US.
The influencer and singer, who recently appeared on the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, has faced backlash from fans online after she was spotted meeting fans after the show.
In America, the CDC recommends wearing a mask that has “two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric” and that “fits snugly against the sides of your face.”
The organisation also explicitly notes that it does not endorse the use of face shields, as their effectiveness against COVID-19 is still unknown.
"This is not a mask," one person wrote, sharing a clip of the star on Twitter. "Might as well just drop the whole thing and go without it."
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And plenty of others agreed.
"Addison Rae forgot how to use a mask," was another reaction.
"No, it's not a mask. She's using it as a shield so she can take those pictures. She's clearly chosen vanity and fame over public safety," another person said.
This is not a mask LOL.
Might as well just drop the whole thing and go without it. https://t.co/HCiYrKKTth pic.twitter.com/AJ0BjoJL1v— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) March 30, 2021
A few of her fans however defended her, pointing out that some of the other people present weren't wearing anything at all.
"It's a face shield. She obviously didn't have a mask to quickly through on. I don't understand why people hate on her for every single thing when you all gave her the career," one person said.
"Pretty sure her mouth and nose are covered here so what’s your deal?" another said.
Addison also faced backlash for her segment on Jimmy Fallon, which saw her perform TikTok dances, after they failed to credit any of the original content creators, many of whom are Black.
“I think [the creators] were all credited in the original YouTube posting, but it’s kinda hard to credit during the show," she addressed the criticism to TMZ.
"But they all know that I love them so much and I mean, I support all of them so much. And hopefully one day we can all meet up and dance together.”
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