A TikTok personality has faced criticism for posing an “immature and distasteful” question to celebrities during the People’s Choice Awards. Harry Daniels, boasting nearly half a million TikTok followers, interviewed notable figures such as America Ferrera, Billie Eilish, Coi Leray, Darren Barnet, James Charles, and Halle Bailey, sparking a significant online debate.
This incident is reminiscent of a recent controversy involving a BBC presenter who asked Andrew Scott “uncomfortable” and “inappropriate” questions about Barry Keoghan’s “naked dance scene” in Saltburn at the Baftas red carpet.
While Oppenheimer dominated the winners’ list at the Baftas, the 38th People’s Choice Awards in Los Angeles saw Barbie having a successful night. As celebrities arrived at the ceremony, the 20-year-old Daniels raised eyebrows by asking whether they would prefer a “gay son or thot daughter.”
The viral question elicited varied reactions from the celebrities. America Ferrera, fresh from her Oscar nomination for Barbie, seemed shocked, responding with, “Oh my god. Both? I don’t know.” Billie Eilish tried to escape the situation, shouting “not you!” before laughing and walking away, while Ariana Greenblatt suggested, “All of them? I don’t care. Whatever you wanna be.”
Criticism poured in on social media, with fans expressing dismay over the presenter’s choice of question. Some questioned the qualifications of TikTokers to cover high-profile events, emphasizing the lack of tact and media training. One frustrated user stated, “Journalists are out here in the trenches, battling layoffs, abysmal wages, and fighting disinformation. Now TikTokers with no tact or media training whatsoever are set free to harass celebrities with dumbass questions.”
@harry.daniels thank you #pcas/fanmade for having me 💙🙏 billie vid next up + more stuff for my side acc incoming :p #tanamongeau #hallebailey #neverhaveiever #coileray #alixearle #barbie ♬ original sound – harry daniels
“There’s some, like, TikTokers here,” Eilish said to Minogue, discreetly covering her mouth. The “Bad Guy” singer then pointed to the supposed TikTok creators nearby and shook her head.
Influencers like Tana Mongeau, Bobbi Althoff, Noah Miller, Drew Afualo, Alix Earle, and Brianna LaPaglia were among the many invited to the People’s Choice Awards at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California.