01-08-2025
Influencer under fire responds to viral Reddit post: 'I won't sacrifice family for content'
An Instagrammer collaborating with a toy store at Suntec City has come under criticism after a Reddit post accused her of treating her family like "props" during a content shoot.
In a post titled A Rant, Reddit user swagswagweout recounted their experience while shopping at Simply Toys.
"So I was at Simply Toys, just browsing around, when I noticed a lady filming content for what looked like Instagram/TikTok," the post began.
"She had her husband filming her at different angles, and her kids were kind of just playing around," said the Redditor.
"At first, I didn't think much of it-until the cameras stopped rolling. The whole vibe changed.
"She was snapping at her husband for not getting the 'right angles', scolding her kids for 'ruining shots', and even yelling at them for running around and having fun in a toy store. Like... it was so uncomfortable to watch.
The user also expressed concern about how the woman's children were being treated.
"It honestly made me feel so sad. Social media fame might look glamorous on screen, but behind the scenes, it really seemed like her husband and kids were being treated like props and a film crew, not like family," the post continued.
"I get that content creation is a hustle and can be a legit job, but it really puts into perspective how some people sacrifice their relationships for an aesthetic. Kids deserve to just be kids, not supporting actors in a feed."
The user went on to say that while likes and views are temporary, "the way we treat the people we love leaves a permanent impact".
They added: "Hope she can treat her family with more kindness and love."
Netizens divided over incident
The post has since drawn mixed reactions online.
Some Redditors criticised the Instagrammer's behaviour, calling it a symptom of performative consumerism.
"I think most of us know how social media works, show only the fake happy side but we won't know what's really happening behind the scenes," said a Redditor named jubiters.
Others, however, called out the original poster for being overly judgmental.
"Not everyone walks the same path and OP needs to be less judgemental," said Redditor Available-Log6733. "The few minutes of observation of the family by OP does not define them."
Another Redditor claiming to know the Instagrammer, user Happyandfab, said the post unfairly portrayed the mother.
"I understand everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I feel it's unfair to single out a mother like this, especially by posting her and her daughter's photos publicly just to shame her," they said.
"I know this family personally. They're genuinely loving and close, and the kids actually enjoy helping out and being part of her content. Like any mum, she sometimes needs to be firm or give directions, especially when filming in public with excited kids. That doesn't mean she doesn't love them or that they're unhappy."
Influencer responds to backlash
When contacted by The New Paper, 41-year-old Ezane Tan said she was grateful for the opportunity to clarify the situation.
"Family is everything to me, and every campaign I take on is filtered through that lens," said Ms Tan, a mother of two girls, aged 10 and 6.
She said her husband and children are actively involved in the planning process and know they're "valued collaborators, not props".
"Yes, I get serious on set because I want to model to my children what showing up fully and respecting commitments looks like - but off camera, it's all love, laughter and growth."
Ms Tan said she even showed the Reddit post to her 10-year-old daughter.
"My daughter... was upset; she wanted to fight back. This has actually become a teachable moment - about cyberbullying, about choosing which battles deserve your mental energy, and about holding on to self-worth even when things feel unfair," she said.
"My parenting style is to be very transparent," she explained. "When I fail, when I am down, I share with my family. I believe this will teach them to understand that parents are not unbeatable. This also lets her become very open with her own emotions to us. Which is what we want to achieve as parents."
She added: "Nothing is worth damaging our bond or letting negativity define us. Kids should absolutely be allowed to be kids, and I'd never sacrifice our bond for content."
Ms Tan said her work as a content creator is a side hustle, but declined to reveal her full-time profession.
Simply Toys also weighed in, commenting on Ezane's Instagram post to defend her.
"Staff on duty on that day of filming didn't think she was fierce to her family members. Perhaps because the way she spoke may have been a bit loud and fast with urgency as she didn't want to disturb the shop's operations. Hence, this act unknowingly might come across as being fierce and seen as scolding her family members," the store wrote.
"We speak for Ezane as a loving mum after working with her for the past 2 years."
Support also came from fellow Instagram user who, in response to a comment that Ms Tan was famous now, said: "Famous for being a loving mum, hardworking and positive. It's sad that someone would take a single moment, snap a photo without context and try to tear her down.
"If one really knew her, you'd see how much she cares for her family and how her kids genuinely love being part of what she does. Filming with kids isn't easy, and sometimes mums need to give directions. That doesn't make them bad parents."
Ms Tan said she plans to release a detailed post explaining her creative process and how her children are protected during collaborations.
