Amanda King's video complaining about strangers reacting to her while she filmed content in Venice, Italy, backfired.
The fashion entrepreneur, who was creating promotional material for her clothing brand, Nostalgia Label, suggested that locals were not used to "influencer tourists."
However, instead of receiving support, many viewers questioned whether strangers should become part of influencer content without their consent.
Highlights
- A content creator sparked backlash after accusing Venetians of taking "sly" photos of her while she filmed a video during her Italy trip.
- Amanda King expected viewers to sympathize with her experience, but her comments instead sparked widespread criticism online.
- The debate follows a string of recent influencer controversies, including a viral "No Influencers" sign outside a popular Nantucket shop.
One person reacted, "It's embarrassing when people are looking at her IRL, but it's totally fine for her dozens of online followers to see it? Make it make sense."
Amanda King shared a video from Venice claiming locals were taking “sly” photos of her while she filmed content
Amanda is the founder and creative director of Nostalgia Label, a clothing brand focused on sustainable apparel, natural fabrics, and vintage-inspired designs.
Much of her content follows the behind-the-scenes process of building the company, from designing pieces to filming campaigns.
During her Italian vacation in June 2026, King traveled to Venice as part of a summer trip and used the city's picturesque streets and canals as a backdrop for both travel content and a photoshoot for her brand.
In one now-viral clip, she filmed herself sitting on a window ledge with a book as part of a carefully staged aesthetic video.
Across from her, people working inside what appeared to be a restaurant kitchen could be seen watching the filming process.
Amanda said she smiled at one of the workers in an attempt to overcome her embarrassment, but claimed the woman then called over a male colleague.
According to King, the pair laughed before walking away, but moments later, the man returned with his phone to take a "sly" photo of her.
She captioned the video, "Glad I could provide them entertainment lol I thought with all the tourists they would be used to content creators..."
She captioned the clip, “I guess Venice isn’t used to influencer tourists,” further fueling the backlash
However, instead of sympathizing with Amanda, many commenters questioned why strangers looking at a person filming in public was surprising.
One viewer wrote, "So you thought everyone would be on your side..."
Another commented, "Why are we commenting on them 'making sly pictures' like you aren't filming them and posting it online to ridicule them?"
Others added, "It is so performative. By all means read in a window if that's what you want, but this is just play pretend and for a video?"
Another viewer argued, "This is what is so sad about social media. She's not living in the moment. She's not experiencing a vacation. She's working for the validation of strangers."
Others pointed out that Venice is one of the world's busiest tourist destinations, where locals have likely seen countless visitors filming similar content.
"I suspect not only is Venice used to influencer tourists, but those guys have probably seen countless Americans on their Euro Trip do that same pose in that Window."
Amanda's controversy comes on the heels of another influencer backlash over filming content in public in Rome
King's controversy comes shortly after fitness influencer Joey Swoll reignited debate over public filming etiquette by reposting a video of former cheerleader-turned-influencer Paige Lillian filming content in Rome.
Lillian, a former Miami Dolphins cheerleader and professional dancer, had filmed herself creating content at busy landmarks like the Spanish Steps and criticized strangers for looking at her while filming.
Joey and many social media users argued that public spaces are shared environments, where it's natural for people to notice and react to tripods, cameras, and staged content poses.
Both controversies highlighted a growing frustration among viewers; some believe influencers are not only filming public spaces but also expecting the public to behave like background extras.
In July 2026, a historic craft store in Nantucket, Massachusetts, went viral after placing a blunt sign in its front window reading, "No Influencers."
The owner explained that creators frequently entered the shop to film content, rearranged displays, blocked paying customers, and treated the store as a free photography studio without asking permission or making purchases.
A historic craft store in Nantucket responded to influencer culture with a blunt “No Influencers” sign
Several influencers criticized the sign, arguing that content creators help promote local businesses and tourism.
But much of the public sided with the shop, saying businesses should not have to sacrifice customers' experiences for someone else's content.
Similar frustrations have surfaced at major events, including Coachella, where multiple videos this year showed creators asking festival-goers to stop walking through their videos or waiting while they filmed repeated takes.
Those clips were widely mocked online, with many viewers branding the behavior another example of "main character syndrome."
The same concerns have also prompted practical changes.
A growing number of gyms, cafes, and restaurants have introduced no-filming policies after customers complained about appearing in influencers' videos without their knowledge.
Echoing the broader criticism, one commenter wrote, "This is what is so sad about social media. She's not living in the moment. She's working for the validation of strangers. She's performing, not living."
“I like how at no point in this interaction she ever considers that what she's doing is obnoxious and performative,” one critic wrote
