Latest news with #Elphick
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Real story behind the ‘Victoria's Secret Karen' video: Who is Abigail Elphick and what really happened
A video which had gone viral a few years back seems to have resurfaced. Abigail Elphick's very public meltdown was captured on camera by another woman, leading to her online moniker of 'Victoria's Secret Karen'. Abigail Elphick, the woman in the video, and Ijeoma Ukenta, the person who recorded it, also filed lawsuits against each other. (X/@krassenstein) However, the clip didn't show the full story then, and neither does it tell the entire tale now. So, who is Abigail Elphick and what really happened? What happens in the 'Victoria's Secret Karen' video? The video shows a woman having a meltdown in a Victoria's Secret store and then chase around the person recording it. It was taken in a New Jersey mall during Covid-era social distancing. Ijeoma Ukenta, the woman recording the video, had gone to the store to use a coupon for a pair of free underwear. Elphick, who was also shopping there, got too close, leading to Ukenta asking her move 6 feet away. Elphick then complained to the cashier, and lunged at Ukenta as she began to record the incident. Elphick then fell to the floor, sobbing and begging that the other person stop recording her 'mental breakdown'. Also Read | Did a man die performing TikTok water tank challenge? Truth behind viral video The woman recording the video called security, while Elphick called the cops. The recording went on for 15 minutes. After the clips went viral some years back, Elphick earned the nickname 'Victoria's Secret Karen'. However, court filings would go to show that not only did the clip not present the full picture, but also reduced a complex situation to a seemingly two-dimensional aspect. What happened after the 'Victoria's Secret Karen' video? After the cops and mall security arrived, Ukenta checked in, saying that the police report was 'somewhat true'. She also said that cops took Elphick's statement first and she 'completely lied'. 'She's trying to say I started videotaping her causing her to have a panic attack, at which time, she followed me to try to get me to stop recording,' Ukenta added, as per TheGrio. She also said she'd be filing a complaint against the two officers who responded. 'I didn't feel protected,' she said, adding that she would also be filing a complaint against mall security. She also filed a civil lawsuit against Elphick. Legal filings shed light on true nature of encounter Elphick, who was 27 at the time, was found to live in a complex for residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As per the complaint filed by her lawyers, her behavior did not stem from 'race based' issues, but rather from fear that being filmed in such a state would leader her to lose her job and apartment. Ukenta, however, in her lawsuit stated that she was motivated by fear, and added that she was 'keenly aware that if the police were called, she, a Black woman, may not be believed.' Later, Elphick countersued Ukenta, saying her right to privacy was violated when the latter shared personal information on her. Meanwhile, Tom Toronto, – president of Bergen County's United Way which ran the residential complex where Elphick lived – said 'I was horrified.' 'She has a disorder. She has anxiety. She had a meltdown. Then the world we live in took over, and it became something entirely different than what it actually was,' The New York Times reported him say.
Perth Now
07-07-2025
- Perth Now
Ice rink returns to Mandurah foreshore for school holidays
Mandurah foreshore's beloved winter ice rink has returned in time for the mid-year school holidays, with ice skating and a range of other activities available until July 20. Alongside the ice rink, the eastern foreshore also has twilight markets, live music and entertainment, and free kid's activities to encourage people to rug up and step out this winter. Local mum Jessica Elphick said the Winter in Mandurah festival was magic and made her proud of her hometown. Ms Elphick brought her two daughters to the rink's opening for their first ice skating experience. Alongside the rink are markets and kids activities. Credit: Apertunity 'Just seeing their smiles, they had the best time,' she said. 'We've already booked our tickets next week for ice skating so we'll definitely be back again.' City of Mandurah mayor Caroline Knight said the Winter in Mandurah program was just one of the ways the city was supporting local businesses and extending the hospitality trading season. Sessions run every hour from 9am to 9pm. Credit: Apertunity 'By activating our refreshed foreshore areas over winter, we hope people will come to enjoy everything on offer in our city centre,' she said. 'Typically our local businesses are quieter during the winter months, so the Winter in Mandurah program is the perfect opportunity to get outdoors, explore what's on offer and keep supporting our local cafes, restaurants, bars and tour operators.' The skating rink is beginner friendly and wheelchair accessible, with sessions running every hour from 9am to 9pm daily. Tickets are available through the City of Mandurah website.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ex-dancer settles with Royal Ballet School over 'body-shaming'
The Royal Ballet School (RBS) has reached a financial settlement with a former student, who said the body-shaming she experienced while at the elite institution has left her with lifelong psychological damage. Ellen Elphick, 31, had claimed the London-based school breached its duty of care when she attended between 2009 and 2012. The school said it accepted no liability for the former dancer's case and has not issued an apology. "We are pleased that both parties were able to reach a mutually acceptable agreement in this way and we wish Ellen and her family well for the future," said an RBS spokesperson - adding that the school "continues to take the welfare of its students very seriously". Last year, when Ellen spoke to the BBC she described how, as a 16-year-old, just two weeks into her training, a teacher publicly humiliated her by tracing a line around her body in front of a mirror. "If I had a knife, this is what I would cut off," Ellen says the teacher said. The comment plunged Ellen into shame, she says, and exacerbated her struggles with disordered eating. She later received a diagnosis of atypical anorexia and body dysmorphia She said there was a pattern of similar comments from multiple teachers at the school, that further eroded her confidence and intensified her eating disorder. "This settlement highlights the abuse dancers have suffered and the need for change," said Dino Nocivelli of Leigh Day solicitors - who has been representing Ellen. "We continue to demand a government inquiry into body-shaming in ballet." More dancers allege body-shaming and bullying at UK ballet schools Ex-dancers describe body-shaming at top ballet schools Ellen was among more than 50 ex-dancers who told the BBC there was a long-running "toxic" culture of body-shaming and bullying within some of the UK's leading ballet schools. She said she had pursued legal action to bring attention to the harm caused by body-shaming in ballet. The financial terms of her settlement have not been publicly disclosed. "It wasn't about the money," she said. "It was about making people aware of what being a ballerina is really like and showing that what happened to me was unacceptable." Although she says she feels some validation from the settlement, Ellen expressed disappointment at the lack of an apology from RBS. "That they couldn't even say 'sorry' shows there is so much more to do," she said. Now a mother, she said she wanted to shield her daughter from the ballet world and would "never" send her to ballet classes. However, she hopes her case could lead to meaningful reform and that ballet schools will prioritise students' mental health and train teachers to understand the impact of their words. "RBS needs to lead the way and show that health and wellbeing matter more than just dancing," she said. "Children should be able to go into dance and not leave it feeling damaged." If you're affected by the issues in this piece, you can find support from BBC Action Line
BBC News
30-01-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Ex-dancer settles with Royal Ballet School over 'body-shaming'
The Royal Ballet School (RBS) has reached a financial settlement with a former student, who said the body-shaming she experienced while at the elite institution has left her with lifelong psychological Elphick, 31, had claimed the London-based school breached its duty of care when she attended between 2009 and school said it accepted no liability for the former dancer's case and has not issued an apology."We are pleased that both parties were able to reach a mutually acceptable agreement in this way and we wish Ellen and her family well for the future," said an RBS spokesperson - adding that the school "continues to take the welfare of its students very seriously". Last year, when Ellen spoke to the BBC she described how, as a 16-year-old, just two weeks into her training, a teacher publicly humiliated her by tracing a line around her body in front of a mirror."If I had a knife, this is what I would cut off," Ellen says the teacher comment plunged Ellen into shame, she says, and exacerbated her struggles with disordered eating. She later received a diagnosis of atypical anorexia and body dysmorphiaShe said there was a pattern of similar comments from multiple teachers at the school, that further eroded her confidence and intensified her eating disorder."This settlement highlights the abuse dancers have suffered and the need for change," said Dino Nocivelli of Leigh Day solicitors - who has been representing Ellen."We continue to demand a government inquiry into body-shaming in ballet." More dancers allege body-shaming and bullying at UK ballet schoolsEx-dancers describe body-shaming at top ballet schools Ellen was among more than 50 ex-dancers who told the BBC there was a long-running "toxic" culture of body-shaming and bullying within some of the UK's leading ballet said she had pursued legal action to bring attention to the harm caused by body-shaming in ballet. The financial terms of her settlement have not been publicly disclosed."It wasn't about the money," she said."It was about making people aware of what being a ballerina is really like and showing that what happened to me was unacceptable."Although she says she feels some validation from the settlement, Ellen expressed disappointment at the lack of an apology from RBS. "That they couldn't even say 'sorry' shows there is so much more to do," she a mother, she said she wanted to shield her daughter from the ballet world and would "never" send her to ballet she hopes her case could lead to meaningful reform and that ballet schools will prioritise students' mental health and train teachers to understand the impact of their words."RBS needs to lead the way and show that health and wellbeing matter more than just dancing," she said."Children should be able to go into dance and not leave it feeling damaged." If you're affected by the issues in this piece, you can find support from BBC Action Line
