‘Embarrassing': U.S. restaurant co-owner loses job after humiliating influencer and refusing to give her free meal
Karla, known online as @itskarlabb, had organized a collaboration with Kis Café in which she would make a video and the restaurant would give her a free dinner.
Karla said she was left in tears following the exchange with co-owner Luke Sung. Picture: supplied.
However, the evening took a sudden turn when co-owner Luke Sung demanded the restaurant host show him Karla's TikTok account, according to a video posted to the site by the influencer.
Karla, who had 15k followers at the time, said the man was questioning why Karla was chosen for a collaboration.
'[Sung] was saying that I have too little followers and that this was a mistake,' she said.
'This is all happening in front of me, and they know that I can hear them.
'At this point I am turning red because I am so embarrassed and I feel really disrespected.'
@itskarlabb
its a long video and not something i would normally upload but i feel like i had to talk about this experience. i basically ran out of there but i wish i would've stood up for myself. if you are a micro influencer i know it's easy to feel discouraged at times but don't let anyone make you feel small or unimportant!! ♬ original sound - itskarlabb
Karla said Sung approached her soon after, and she was left 'shaking' and in tears following the exchange.
'He says to me that he doesn't think my videos are at the level at which he wants his restaurant to be represented,' she said.
'He goes on to say that my audience and my followers are not the kind of people that are going to be at his restaurant.'
Karla left the restaurant crying and didn't wish to continue the collaboration, saying she felt 'disrespected.'
Her video has been viewed more than 20 million times, and in a statement to social media, the restaurant announced Sung would not be continuing at the company.
The restaurant announced in a social media statement Luke Sung had been let go from the position. Picture: supplied
'He is no longer part of the team as a co-owner, a chef or in any other way,' it read.
'That behaviour does not reflect the remainder of our team. We want to create a space that's welcoming and respectful to everyone.
'In this instance, we failed to do so.'
Another co-owner of Sung's, who chose to remain anonymous, said the restaurant is figuring out its next steps.
'When we're ready, we will restart differently, separate from chef,' they told NBC Bay Area.
Karla has gained more than 100k followers since her video went viral. Picture: TikTok
'This way my staff can also continue their livelihoods.'
Since Karla's video was posted, she has amassed more than 373k followers on TikTok - and said she will continue to be a voice for 'micro' influencers.
'You don't need to have a million followers to be respected or feel like you're making a difference,' she said.
'I love spotlighting small businesses and I want to continue to do that and have fun.'
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