In a noteworthy similarity to the French Revolution, during which the populace revolted against the monarchy and aristocracy due to their perceived disconnect and oppressive actions, a growing online movement known as Blockout 2024 has targeted celebrities who are viewed as insensitive or supportive of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The ongoing digital boycott, which has gained traction following the Met Gala on May 6, calls on social media users to unfollow prominent individuals on platforms like Instagram, X, and TikTok. The primary goal is to reduce these celebrities’ advertising revenue and impact by diminishing their online following.
According to the Egyptian Streets website, the inspiration behind Blockout 2024 was the Met Gala, a prestigious event renowned for its opulence and A-list attendees.
This year’s gala, graced by celebrities like Rihanna, Gigi Hadid, and Nicole Kidman adorned in lavish ensembles, sparked controversy due to its stark contrast with the dire situation in Gaza. The juxtaposition of images from the gala alongside reports of ongoing bombings in Gaza, resulting in a devastating toll of over 35,000 lives lost, predominantly among women and children, ignited a strong response across social media platforms.
On 7 May, a video featuring TikTok influencer Haley Kalil surfaced, capturing her lip-syncing the phrase “let them eat cake” at the Met Gala event. With nearly 10 million followers, Kalil’s actions drew attention due to the historical association of the phrase with Marie Antoinette and its relevance to Gaza’s food crisis during the French Revolution.
On 3 May, Cindy McCain from the United Nations World Food Program drew attention to the famine affecting northern Gaza, stating, “Famine is now spreading south in Gaza.”
Kalil’s video was widely criticized as a clear display of celebrity indifference, which sparked the Blockout movement. Despite issuing a subsequent apology, in which she claimed she had been unaware of the situation in Gaza and had used a trending audio clip, the damage had already been done. Her apology omitted any reference to Gaza, Palestine, or Israel, intensifying public outrage.
