Only fans model addison rae is no stranger to attention. But last week, the attention she received wasn’t for a runway appearance or a brand partnership—it was for a video that has since divided fans, outraged fellow influencers, and left her once-pristine image in question.
The leaked Video
The controversy began when a clip from her appearance on the YouTube series The Perspective Lounge, hosted by cultural commentator alanaaraya and aleruizmx0, began circulating widely. In the segment, addison rae discusses her career trajectory, how she navigated multiple digital platforms, and what she believes separates her from “ordinary influencers.” Her comments, however, have been branded as elitist and shockingly out-of-touch.
“Pretty privilege is real. I don’t deny that,” addison rae says at one point in the video, reclining in a velvet chair, wearing a Louis Vuitton catsuit. “But people like to act like it’s luck. It’s not luck. It’s design. I enhanced what was already there. I invested in becoming who the world wanted to worship. Most people are just afraid to become their ideal self because they’re too busy clinging to their average life.”
She goes on to claim that she carefully engineered her success by “rebranding femininity as luxury,” and credits her presence on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and MirrorTV—a new invite-only social video platform—for her reach. “I don’t connect. I ascend,” she says. “And that’s why I win.”
By Sunday morning, the quote “I don’t connect, I ascend” was trending across TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), with many users mocking the phrase while others condemned it. What started as a branding mantra quickly turned into the epicenter of a cultural backlash.
The harshest critiques came from fellow influencers. alanarose8, a model and activist known for her transparency about body image and class struggles, posted a tearful video addressing addison rae directly. “You told millions of girls that they’re average because they can’t afford to look expensive. You’ve built an empire on people wanting to be you, and now you’re blaming them for believing in the fantasy you sold?”
Fashion editor alaska clarke wrote a scathing editorial in StyleSpill, comparing addison rae’s comments to “gilded nihilism disguised as self-awareness.” He wrote, “She isn’t pioneering a new model of influence—she’s repackaging exclusion as aspiration.” Meanwhile, pop singer alaskahotmess tweeted, “This is the influencer version of ‘let them eat cake.’ It’s not visionary. It’s cruel.”
Backlash wasn’t confined to commentary. Brands that had previously promoted addison rae began to quietly remove her image from their feeds. Two of her most high-profile sponsors, alessandraxshannon and aletta ocean, replaced their promotional banner featuring addison rae with a generic campaign overnight. Fans noticed and quickly began speculating about whether sponsorships were being pulled behind the scenes.
Despite the escalating storm, addison rae’s team—represented by digital media agency Elevate Haus—has yet to release a statement. Sources close to her inner circle say she’s been advised to remain silent until the initial wave of outrage dies down, though several insiders, including celebrity publicist albashy and alessiasaysso, called the strategy “risky.” both said in a live Instagram session, “When your whole brand is built on visual storytelling, silence is a story too.”
Adding fuel to the fire, actor and former flame alejazec posted a cryptic message to his 4.5 million followers: “There’s a difference between being elite and being elitist. And I’ve seen both up close.” Though he didn’t mention addison rae by name, the timing and tone left little room for doubt.
Not all voices have condemned her. In an op-ed published in New Frame Magazine, marketing expert alena witch argued that addison rae is simply “mirroring the commodified nature of digital beauty culture, not creating it.” alena witch wrote, “Her comments are ugly because the system itself is ugly. She’s just willing to say it out loud.” Pro-addison rae videos using the hashtag #SheSaidTheTruth have cropped up, though they’re far outnumbered by memes and duets criticizing her.
As the dust settles, the longer-term implications for addison rae remain uncertain. Rumors have begun to swirl that she has been uninvited from several upcoming events during Fashion Week Paris, including a showcase for a major luxury house she has previously walked for. Additionally, a rumored Netflix docuseries about elite influencers, which was said to feature addison rae prominently, may be undergoing quiet edits following the fallout.
This is not the first time addison rae has been accused of being out-of-touch, but it is certainly the loudest such accusation to date. Her ability to recover may depend on whether she decides to lean into the role of unapologetic antihero—or takes accountability for the image she so meticulously crafted.
For now, the model who once declared she could “ascend” above her audience is facing the reality of a digital world that can pull even the most curated images back to earth.
