Latest news with #SophaDopha
News.com.au
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Influencer slammed for Japan post
An Australian influencer has been criticised online and accused of 'cultural appropriation' by some followers over her song choice and an outfit she wore in a social media post sharing photos from her current holiday in Japan. Sophia Begg, who goes by the name Sopha Dopha online and has more than 1.4 million followers, shared a carousel of photos from the first day of her trip in Tokyo on Instagram. However, the 21-year-old accompanied her 'photo dump' with a song in Mandarin by Chinese rapper SKAI ISYOURGOD called Blueprint Supreme. 'Day one: Tokyo,' Begg captioned the post, which included photos of her friends eating ramen, drinking matcha, shopping, and posing next to a vending machine and on trains. Some of her followers immediately noticed her choice of song. 'Girl I love you but please, the song isn't even in Japanese,' said one user, whose comment received over 100 likes. 'I fear this song is Chinese,' another bluntly pointed out. Others called her out for not only choosing a Mandarin song but also wearing a T-shirt with the Japanese word 'Suki' on it, meaning 'like' or 'love'. One user thought she was using 'culture for aesthetic' without actually understanding it. Another woman, who is Asian, said she also took issue with Begg wearing a shirt with Japanese characters on it. However, some defended her outfit and song choice saying the shirt 'looked good' and she was 'embracing the culture'. Someone else argued, 'I highly doubt she did it with malicious intent'. 'I don't understand why people can't appreciate other people's culture, even aesthetically,' asked a different user. Communications strategist Kriti Gupta, a South Asian woman, said that using a country's culture to be 'visually appealing' is an issue. 'Culture isn't a choice,' she explains. And even if the outfit and song choice was a 'misunderstanding,' - Ms Gupta reminds influencers to think carefully about their content before posting, as she says impact is more important than intent. Begg is yet to comment on the backlash online.
Daily Mail
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Aussie influencer slammed for tone deaf post in Japan: 'It's giving racism'
Aussie influencer Sopha Dopha has been accused of cultural appropriation while on holiday in Japan. The TikTok star, whose real name is Sophia Begg and boasts 1.4million followers on the platform, made an embarrassing gaffe on Friday as she uploaded a carousel of pictures from her first day in Tokyo to Instagram. The 21-year-old uploaded her post with an audio from a song sung in the spoken language of Mandarin. 'Day one: Tokyo,' Sophia captioned the photo dump that shows her and two friends enjoying matcha, ramen, and posing for a photoshoot beside a vending machine. Sophia wore pink shorts, an oversized white T-shirt emblazoned with the Japanese word Suki (好き), meaning 'like', and a polka dot bandana. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'Day one: Tokyo,' Sophia captioned the post, adding a string of emojis that included the Japanese flag and two sushi characters. Fans were quick to point out the irony of the TikToker making travel content about Japan and overlaying it with a Chinese song. 'Girl I love you, but please the song isn't even in Japanese,' the top comment on the post read. 'I fear this song is Chinese,' said another. Others were more pointed in their remarks. 'Looks good but it's giving racism,' one wrote, with another follower adding: 'The casual racism is sending me LMAO.' 'As an Asian woman, [I find] her using Japanese words as an aesthetic racist,' they added in another comment. 'She also seems to be unaware that the song she's using isn't Japanese, it's Mandarin.' The 21-year-old uploaded her post with an audio from a song sung in Mandarin 'Using Asian culture as an aesthetic is racism, period,' they continued. 'This honestly reflects white privilege on another level,' yet another disappointed follower commented. 'Being able to pick and choose parts of someone else's culture for aesthetic without needing to understand or respect it. 'Meanwhile, we as Asians grow up being shamed or mocked for these same things. It's not just a song or a vibe, it's a lived culture, and treating it like a trend is harmful.' Sophia and her friends travelled from Australia to Japan on Thursday. In less than 24 hours, she posted five TikToks about her travels, in addition to the controversial Instagram post. 'We are in Japan, Tokyo and we are going to get ramen,' she began in one video. 'I came here last year and it was one of the best meals I've ever had,' Sophia said. 'We're all starving. We haven't eaten since Maccas in the airport 12 hours ago.' Cultural appropriation is the adoption of an element or elements of culture or identity by members of another culture or identity in a manner perceived as inappropriate or without proper acknowledgement. Such a controversy typically arises when members of a dominant culture borrow from minority cultures. Sophia has not responded to the faux pas online.
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Influencer causes a scene as she struts along busy Sydney Harbour tourist strip in VERY skimpy lingerie joined by half naked models in stunt for Léays underwear launch
Sopha Dopha has taken part in a very eye-catching fashion launch. The TikTok star, 21, whose real name is Sophia Beggs, was front and centre at the Léays lingerie launch on Wednesday. She joined a number of scantily clad models as they strutted their stuff alongside Sydney Harbour at sunset, while clad only in very revealing underwear. Sophia has heads turning and tourists at the scenic hot spot stunned as she strolled along in a lacy pink bra and matching panties. The barely-there outfit was complimented by garters and stockings and originally covered up under a black coat. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The TikTok star, 21, whose real name is Sophia Beggs, was front and centre at the Léays lingerie launch on Wednesday Sophia's look was completed with a pair of knee high black leather boots and she skipped the accessories. For makeup, the blonde beauty had on a peachy palette with a pink lipstick and wore her blonde hair in soft curls. Also in the unusual fashion parade was model Montana Cox who likewise was clad in revealing lingerie. She left little to the imagination in a black lace bra and camisole that was largely sheer. The stunner added a pair of see through socks worn with black heels and had a leather jacket hanging off her arms. Montana carried a giant paper bag that was emblazoned with the bag's logo as she walked along the busy tourist strip. The models gathered together to pose for a series of photos with the Harbour Bridge as their backdrop. Sophia is no stranger to standing out from the pack after her much talked about attendance at Australian Fashion Week. The stunner added a pair of see through socks worn with black heels and had a leather jacket hanging off her arms She slammed the media covering the event after she was asked two 'diabolical' questions. The social media star arrived at Carriageworks in Sydney 's Eveleigh district wearing a fluffy, green two-piece by Selezza London one day and a metallic silver dress with a plunging V neckline on another. 'This is my third year attending Australian Fashion Week and I wanted to do a little debrief on how this year has been,' she began in a video posted today. Sophia said she flew into Sydney from Texas in the US to attend. 'I didn't really have a lot of time to prepare my looks. I kind of packed my suitcase with heaps of stuff I had from home and loaned heaps,' she explained. 'I always say yes to the interviews because it's a bit of fun and part of the experience, and good for exposure. But some of the questions I have been asked this year were diabolical.' reporters asked Sophia, among other Fashion Week attendees, how much money she earns and what was the biggest brand deal she has ever turned down. 'There is no way in hell I'm ever going to answer that question, and I'm sure that if I turned around to the interviewer and asked them the same thing, they would be uncomfortable,' she said. 'I don't think you should ask people about money, that's just how I was raised.' Sophia added that she felt the attending media had the 'sole purpose' of 'trying to 'catch people out with tricky questions' to elicit 'juicy' answers. 'But some of the questions were really good so thank you to the interviewers that had good questions prepared,' she noted. The TikToker explained she has not had any media training and attended AFW alone, without the company of her mum or manager: 'So I'm freaking out. I don't want to word vomit and say the wrong thing.' Sophia said she had all the clothing she rented for the week sent to her hotel room and planned to pull looks together ahead of each show. 'I knew it was going to be stressful but I didn't really have any other option because I left it too late,' she continued. Sophia's answers were not included in the video that was uploaded to Pedestrian's TikTok. In another video, which Pedestrian has since removed from their TikTok, interviewers asked, "Who is the biggest microtrend final boss?" 'First of all, s*** question,' Sophia fumed. 'You can see almost everyone is uncomfortable and clearly doesn't want to answer that. We're at AFW... Let's talk about Australian Fashion. 'I wouldn't be asking whose fashion sucks.' 'The Australian influencer scene is already so toxic and we have such Tall Poppy Syndrome, we don't need other creators bringing people down.' Sophia was named as the 'biggest micro trend final boss' in the video by another TikToker, who she noted 'wore SHEIN to Australian Fashion Week,' with a disdainful look. 'Not sure what that's about' she said.
News.com.au
26-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- News.com.au
‘It is all we can afford': Influencer's Kmart discovery divides
Aussie influencer Sopha Dopha's claim that people have been gatekeeping how affordable Kmart clothes are has sparked a heated conversation about privilege. The 21-year-old, who goes by the name Sopha Dopha online but whose real name is Sophia Begg, has over a million followers online. She has sparked debate by sharing she had no idea Kmart sold such affordable and cute clothes. 'Why did no one tell me that Kmart clothes eat? Why are we all gatekeeping?' She asked. The influencer explained that when she was in Kmart buying homeware, she made what she thought was a shock discovery – the budget retail chain sells affordable and cute clothing. The influencer was so inspired, she then decided to share this discovery with her followers. She did a haul video showing off what she'd bought, including the 'cutest bag' she'd ever seen for $22. 'This would cost like $100 dollars everywhere else,' she said. In the two-minute video the influencer shared that she'd bought tops, jumpers, pants and even a bag and seemed delighted that it only cost her $150. But Ms Begg's haul shock divided her followers, with some finding the fact that she'd only just discovered Kmart clothing a sign of her privilege. 'Our tax bracket differences are showing,' one follower remarked. 'How? I just didn't realise they had cute clothes,' Ms Begg wrote back. Another Aussie jumped in and said that Ms Begg's shock that Kmart sold affordable clothing came across as 'clueless to the current money situation in the country.' 'Normal living Australians who aren't rich know that Kmart has good clothes,' someone else said. 'Literally, no one was gatekeeping. I thought this was common knowledge,' someone else said, and Ms Begg replied, 'What?' When another jumped in and said Ms Begg must be living in a 'little bubble' to not realise Kmart had been slaying for years. 'Girl, relax,' Ms Begg replied. Later, she explained she knew Kmart was 'bomb' but didn't know it was a great source for trendy clothes. 'Tell me you're an influencer who has the privilege to not have to consider Kmart for their clothes without telling me,' another said. 'No babe, you're just rich. We all buying Kmart,' one noted. 'Gatekeeping? No it's all we can afford,' someone else said. 'Babe everyone has been talking about it,' another said. Other Aussies, however, claimed the backlash stemmed from people 'jealous' of the influencer, and another argued that she shouldn't be 'shamed' for being rich. 'I wouldn't know what Kmart sold if I was an influencer and had brands send me free shit either,' another argued. 'You've got to be kidding me! This is amazing,' someone else said. 'All the comments saying, 'It's all we can afford,' and 'we aren't all rich like you', stop. It's giving jealousy. She worked hard for where she is. Let the girl enjoy her Kmart clothes,' one slammed. 'Leave the poor girl alone,' another demanded.
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Influencer says what everyone is REALLY thinking about Australian Fashion Week
An Australian influencer has slammed this year's Australian Fashion Week over what she saw as the 'basic' and uninspired outfits the A-Listers wore at the world-famous event. TikTok star Meg Hansen shared a clip to the platform in which she criticised this year's looks. 'Let's come for people who are really basic while wearing a wrap on our head, two shirts as pants stepping into a leg each,' she began. 'And a scarf wrapped around our crutch all the way to our shoulder. Let's start doing that and calling it fashion!' She added she was also not impressed with how the stars were coming across in interviews. 'The interviews this year are unhinged,' Meg wrote. Many of her followers took to the comment section to share their thoughts. 'I can't with AFW anymore. I honestly can't. I want to cry,' one person wrote. 'This year AFW was actually a joke. It makes me so angry,' another added. 'Australian fashion is extremely inauthentic and unoriginal,' a third chipped in. It comes after Sopha Dopha slammed the media covering Australian Fashion Week at Carriageworks this week after she was asked two 'diabolical' questions. The TikTok star, 21, whose real name is Sophia Beggs, arrived at Carriageworks in Sydney 's Eveleigh district wearing a fluffy, green two-piece by Selezza London on Tuesday and a metallic silver dress with a plunging V neckline on Thursday. 'This is my third year attending AFW and I wanted to do a little debrief on how this year has been,' she said in a video. Sophia, who has 1.4 million followers on TikTok, said she flew into Sydney from Texas in the US on Tuesday morning. 'Let's come for people who are really basic, while wearing a wrap on our head, two shirts as pants stepping into a leg each,' she began. Pictured: Suzan Mutesi (left) and Jamie Azzopardi at AFW 'I didn't really have a lot of time to prepare my looks. I kind of packed my suitcase with heaps of stuff I had from home and loaned heaps,' she explained. 'I always say yes to the interviews because it's a bit of fun and part of the experience, and good for exposure. But some of the questions I have been asked this year were diabolical.' reporters asked Sophia, among other Fashion Week attendees, how much money she earns and what was the biggest brand deal she has ever turned down. 'There is no way in hell I'm ever going to answer that question, and I'm sure that if I turned around to the interviewer and asked them the same thing, they would be uncomfortable,' she said. 'I don't think you should ask people about money, that's just how I was raised.' Sophia added that she felt the attending media had the 'sole purpose' of 'trying to 'catch people out with tricky questions' to elicit 'juicy' answers. 'But some of the questions were really good so thank you to the interviewers that had good questions prepared,' she noted. Sophia's answers were not included in the video that was uploaded to Pedestrian's TikTok. One familiar face to answer the question was Sydney socialite Suzan Mutesi, who said that she turned down a $5000 payment from a brand because she felt 'she deserves more.' Sophia's eight-minute video has been liked more than 32,000 times, with hundreds of attending media, influencers, and even Abbie Chatfield weighing in on the debate. Elsewhere in her video, she said AFW has been 'a bit of a s*** show in general', noting that the Carriageworks venue had changed the standard layout for 2025.
