Instagram/@chrissyteigen
The Cravings brand by Chrissy Teigen has thrown a cheerful Friendsgiving party as a gathering but the event’s sponsorships have become a major source of controversy so that the discussion on social media is both critical and praiseworthy. The model and author of cookbooks revealed the details of the party that was made possible by the support of Amazon, Amazon Books, and Michael’s Stores, which were then followed by both applause and murmurs of discontent among the followers.
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Party throwing is a Chrissy Teigen’s skill, and this is the most obvious fact. Her latest big Friendsgiving party was a great success which was nothing short of a huge success and came with fantastic food and a wonderful setup. However, the online users who envisioned the event could not just admire the beautiful pictures. They delved into the issue behind the scenes, and one specific issue provoked a very lively discussion.
The Cravings founder expressed her gratitude in the words “delicious food and cookbook inspiration from Amazon, beautiful decor from Michael’s and most importantly great conversation” making the gathering of loved ones nothing else but a sumptuous feast of priceless gifts. Moreover, she pointed out that it is super simple to host your own Friendsgiving with the same corporate partners as they have done. The sight on the table was indeed wonderful, but then Amazon as a partner? That was just the point where the discussions got more animated in the comments section.
Some of the users were able to see the full picture and the whole splendor of the event. One of them even went to the extent of calling the celebration of life very beautiful and added heart and brimming emojis to his comment. Another commenter, on the other hand, used the drooling emoji for emphasis and simply stated that they were “CRAVING this whole meal.” One such mention was the scalloped potatoes, as they were considered by many as an irresistible delight.
Gradually, but inevitably, the other side of the coin surfaced, and people’s opinions regarding the Amazon collaboration were still quite surprising. “I love you guys but advertising about Amazon?” was the question from a user who seemed to be gaining the majority support when replying to her statement. Another one was much more blunt: “I steer clear of these corporate robber barons!” Ouch.
In some instances, the criticism was pretty indirect especially in the case of the remarks coming from some quarters. “You would find it easier to change the small business sector than to do so with Amazon. Buy local!! Shop small,” came in one comment. The particular comment even had the follow-up “she’s friends with bezos” arguing that the relationship might have a more personal than purely business nature.
In some cases, the reactions were simply pitying even during the debate about the corporates involved. Someone told from his hospital room that Teigen’s work has been “one of the few bright spots on the hardest days” and was hoping that the message could somehow reach her. Moments like this one do remind that behind the social media accounts there are people with true problems and real connections to public figures.
The perplexing reactions kept on coming. “Love this family too, but lost me at Amazon 😮” was the next follower, who expressed the disconnect with the surprised emoji. Another person called it “Corporate Thanksgiving at its best,” which really? That’s being honest.
The continuous debate over the commercial sponsorship did not stop many people who just wanted to have fun. “Can I be your friend???” a user joked, while another one asked “Can I be next year’s guest??” followed by the exhaling smoke emoji. The outfit that Teigen wore also attracted attention, with one person playfully asking about it and saying “maybe” offering it back.
The comparison to Martha Stewart that really hurt Chrissy was also there. “Martha Stewart doesn’t even charge for recipes,” one comment read, “There comes a time when it is just tacky af.” That is a definite ow! This pain is going to hang around.
Now and then, amidst the back-and-forth, there were always loyal supporters. “What an incredible time ❤️❤️❤️” one guest wrote, while others called it their “most favorite celebration of the year” and “what a terrific event” along with the ubiquitous heart eyes emojis.
The division of viewpoints mirrors the complex relationship among influencers, corporate partnerships, and audience expectations that is typical of today’s digital landscape. Some people will consider the deal-making as clever commerce while others will label it as a betrayal. However, the aspect of a beautiful celebration will attract one group of people while another group will turn away from what they will consider as excessive commercialization.
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Teigen’s Friendsgiving was eventually more than just a holiday feast; instead, it was a society mirror that showed us the current viewpoint regarding celebrity endorsements and corporate collaborations in the era of influencers. The discussion will continue and I guess celebrity partnerships will never cease to produce heated debates and this case won’t be the last. The event also featured adorable family moments that were shared with followers.
