In recent years, social media has become an increasingly influential platform in the Philippines, giving rise to a new breed of celebrity: the social media influencers or so-called content creators. These individuals have amassed large followings on social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, and have gained considerable influence over their followers.
However, with this influence comes great responsibility, and some social media influencers have courted controversy with their actions and words. In this article, we will take a look at the Top 5 Most Controversial Social Media Influencers in the Philippines today.
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1 Zeinab Harake
Via Zeinab Harake YouTube Channel
Zeinab Harake is a well-known social media influencer and YouTuber who rose to fame in 2019. Since then, she has gained a massive following on various social media platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Being an open book to her followers, Zeinab’s life has been surrounded by controversy because of her failed relationship with artist Skusta Clee.
She has recently been in another scandal involving several other celebrities and social media influencers because of her remarks that were made public when she and her then-friend, another content creator, Wilbert Tolentino, had an issue that became the talk of the town on social media.
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2 Whamos Cruz
Via @masterwhamos IG
Whamos Cruz is a talented content creator who has made a name for himself on social media because of his funny, engaging, and entertaining content. He is known for his comedic skits, hilarious lip-sync videos and dancing, and relatable content that resonates with his fans. He also joined several TV contests which made him known not only on social media but in the mainstream, too.
Whamos became a household name when he was dragged into a controversy after the mother of his fiancé Antonette Gail, complained about him for molestation on Raffy Tulfo in Action, which was later proven to be false by Antonette, herself, who was a minor at the time. Whamos won the hearts of his fans for not backing down and showing his authenticity and the fact that he is not afraid to be vulnerable and share his struggles. -
3 Will Dasovich
Via news.abs-cbn.com
Will Dasovich's popularity on YouTube began in 2016 when he started uploading videos that documented his travels around the Philippines. He quickly gained a massive following, with his subscribers appreciating his fun and adventurous personality, as well as his insightful and informative content about the local culture and people.
He inspired many people with his resilience when he publicly announced he was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer in 2017. He became more popular for his relationship with cosplayer and vlogger, Alodia Gosiengfiao which controversially ended in 2021.
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4 Donnalyn Bartolome
Via push.abs-cbn.com
Donnalyn Bartolome is a popular Filipino singer, actress, and social media influencer. She started her career on YouTube where she gained popularity for her comedic videos and catchy music covers. Donnalyn is also a vocal advocate for mental health awareness, sharing her own struggles with anxiety and depression with her followers. Her honesty and authenticity have earned her a loyal fan base, making her one of the most influential and inspiring young stars in the Philippines.
She has become one of the most controversial content creators because of her remarks on social issues, including posts and comments from followers and other influencers. She was also criticized for her baby-themed and what netizens dubbed as 'poverty porn' birthday photoshoots.
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5 Toni Fowler
Via nextbiography.com
Toni Fowler started her YouTube channel in 2015 and has since gained a significant following sharing her daily life experiences. She became popular for her openness and comedic content including her daughter, Tyronia. Toni rose to fame when she surprised her followers after introducing her mansion called ‘Toro de Palacio’ with Roman architectural design and golden furniture.
Toni has become a hot topic on social media because of her controversial body transformation and her reaction to several issues and other content creators like Zeinab Harake. Her music video ‘MPL’ has recently raised a lot of concerns online for its sexually suggestive content.
These are just some of the most controversial social media influencers and content creators in the Philippines today.
While social media has given many people the opportunity to share their experiences and showcase their talents, it has also become a platform that sparks outrage because of controversies and inappropriate behaviors. Whether you’re a team Zeinab, Whamos, Will, Donnalyn, or team Mommy Toni, it is our responsibility to always guide our kids when using social media and be mindful of the content they consume on a daily basis.