List of All Articles with Tag 'viral'

An Airbnb host has faced huge criticism after being accused of attempting to triple the price of a person’s stay in New Orleans when they learned they were going to see Taylor Swift. The home-hosting website Airbnb can be a great alternative for cheap accommodation on short stays, but it is not without its faults, as some guests have been left horrified by finding hidden cameras and tunnels within the house. One woman has opened up about her bad experience, revealing that a host attempted to triple the price she paid for a stay after finding out Taylor Swift was in town. TikToker Ariel Stewart shared screenshots of the messages she claims were between herself and the host in a viral clip, which has been viewed 3.4 million times. In the post caption, Stewart explained: “An Airbnb host tried to not only get me to pay triple after accepting my reservation for the nightly rate as posted but wanted me to cancel after it was their own fault for not paying attention to dates.” Pictures shared by Stewart appear to show she had booked a stay between 24 October and 26 October and had told the host, Heather, that she was attending a nearby Taylor Swift concert with her stepdaughter. The host replied, explaining that the price had not been “properly set” and that they would have to “collect additional funds”. When Stewart asked how much the price would now be, Heather informed her it would now cost $2,400 plus taxes and fees. Stewart explained in the messages that she had been in touch with Airbnb support who advised her not to cancel. She also said she would be unwilling to pay the upped charge. The host offered another house that was further away from the concert venue, despite appearing to have no right to make Stewart pay more for the property she had already booked. Stewart explained in her message: “I am sorry but the request will stay as it is because I know that the other location is definitely further and we did not want to be too far from the Superdome. “I decline changing the rate to a more expensive rate and decline to have my reservation moved to another location. After speaking with Airbnb, you can choose to cancel me but it will penalize you and block those dates from being booked in the future.” When Stewart would not cancel her original booking, the host threatened that they would not give her the entry codes to access the property. In another update, Stewart shared screenshots of the message she exchanged with Airbnb Support which appeared to corroborate her claims that it was the host’s fault and she did not have to cancel. @arielnicolestewart Replying to @Tuna i had sent this lady on airbnb support all the message thread, and now it has been escalated to higher ups. #airbnb @airbnb Despite the host claiming she was stealing from a “small business”, most on TikTok were firmly on Stewart’s side. “She only wanted to change the price because you mentioned Taylor Swift and realized she messed up. Good for you!” one person said. Another joked: “How dare you not help them price gouge.” Someone else said: “Did they really just call property hoarding a ‘small business’? I die.” How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Sign up to our free indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Concerns were raised after a now-deleted video resurfaced on TikTok that shows a woman on a flight claiming she was being human trafficked. In the initial clip, posted by user @phillypolish and now reshared by viewers who managed to save the footage, the woman can be seen standing in the middle of the plane aisle repeatedly saying she is being trafficked. "'They're trying to put stuff on me. Get off. Get the f*** off. Get off please," she shouts, as staff members try to calm her down. "'This is going to go on TikTok so I look crazy, but I am being human trafficked," she alleged once more. "'If they have your family hostage don't believe it, they use f***ing emotional manipulation, this is not REAL," the woman says before screaming "No!" The original account has since been deleted from TikTok, but worried users have since shared their concerns. "Where is this we need more info if this is true she needs help," one person said, while another added: "I have so many questions." The incident was rumoured to have been on a Southwest flight. Indy100 has reached out for comment. @spam39231 deleted post from 11/13 phillypolish It comes after Tiffany Gomas revealed what she really saw onboard a flight earlier this year when she claimed "that motherf***er is not real." In a recent podcast appearance, she underwhelmingly confessed she saw "nothing". "It was not my best moment … it was actually a horrible moment. Absolutely mortifying. How horribly mortifying," she said. When asked who, or what, she saw on that flight, she underwhelmingly told the hosts, she saw nothing. "I literally did not see anything," she said. "It was an expression of speech." "They’re making me look bat s***. And given, I did, I did look absolutely crazy but, no — I was in my feels, needed to get that off that, I was highly distressed. Not a good look," she continued. How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Osama bin Laden’s full “Letter to America” has gone viral on TikTok amid the Israel-Gaza conflict, sparking online debate. Bin Laden was a Saudi-born militant and the founder of the Al-Qaeda terror group that orchestrated the 9/11 attacks in 2001. He was killed by the US Navy SEALs in 2011. The infamous letter was written in 2002 and was shared and reported on at the time. But, since going viral on TikTok recently, the transcript was removed from The Guardian’s website on 15 November. Why has the "Letter to America" gone viral on TikTok? The letter gained notoriety once again after content creator Lynette Adkins urged other TikTokers to read it, explaining that she felt like she was having an “existential crisis”. While the content wasn’t elaborated upon, others in the comments admitted to feeling the same way, with one person writing: “I am a politics student and I am so stunned! I feel numb.” But, as the letter went viral, some hoping to read it were left stumped after it began to disappear from the internet. Those trying to access the letter on The Guardian website have been met with a message that reads, “This page previously displayed a document containing, in translation, the full text of Osama’s “letter to the American people”, as reported in the Observer on Sunday 24 November 2002. “The document, which was published here on the same day, was removed on 15 November 2023.” In a statement to The Wrap, a spokesperson for the newspaper explained: “The transcript published on our website 20 years ago has been widely shared on social media without the full context. Therefore we have decided to take it down and direct readers to the news article that originally contextualized it instead.” The full letter also appears to have been taken down from Reddit, though some on TikTok have pointed to ways users can still find it online. Some have suggested the letter has gained more prominence amid America’s decision to support Israel in the ongoing war against Hamas in Palestine which is causing thousands of civilian deaths. How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Sign up to our free indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

IKEA had the most hilarious response to the luxury designer brand Balenciaga selling a towel skirt for $925. Spanish brand Balenciaga turned heads recently when it revealed a new product release, which is essentially a wrapped-around bath towel, for almost $1000 (£695). On the Balenciaga website, the model wore the towel skirt over the top of some beige cargo trousers and wore a black hoodie and a pair of black sunglasses. The beige terry cotton “skirt” features aspects such as an adjustable belt on the inside, buttons at the waistline and the Balenciaga logo embroidered on the front. But, despite being marketed as clothing, it is essentially an overpriced bath towel. Responding in the most hilarious way possible, IKEA revealed its very own “dupe” using one of its own VINARN towels to recreate the look for £16 (approximately $17). In a post shared on the company’s UK Instagram, they wrote: “Introducing the new VINARN Towel Skirt. A 2024 Spring fashion essential.” The model wore similar clothing and held the same pose as the Balenciaga model, except the beige towel “skirt” he wore cost several hundred pounds less. Almost 4,000 people have liked the post from the famous Swedish homeware company and many commended them for their expert trolling. “Serving BALENCIKEA,” one tickled Instagram user wrote. Another called it “Genius” adding, “Well played IKEA”. Someone else commented: “Take that Balenciaga!” It’s not the first time the two giant brands have gone head-to-head. In 2017, IKEA responded equally brilliantly to Balenciaga’s £1,670 blue bag, which closely resembled their iconic shopping tote bag. How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Sign up to our free indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

A new wholesome Instagram Story trend is circulating online, bringing some much-needed light to social media feeds. It involves sharing a random photo of a sky or sunset from your photo gallery, and it's already proving popular online. "Absolutely loving this trend of 'a sky in your gallery' on Instagram because everyone is posting stories with beautiful skies," one wrote, while another added: "The ''sky in your gallery'' thing on Instagram is the only one that I won't mind seeing an influx of. Show me the pretty sunsets!!!!" It's incredibly simple to take part, all you need to do is: Find a user who has shared the 'A sky in your gallery' sticker Click it Upload your own photo and share to Instagram Story It comes after Instagram Wrapped made rounds online, a third-party app that reportedly rounds up users' activity on the app. Wrapped alleges that some of the data it will present you with includes how many people screenshot your posts, how many users have blocked you, and who you interacted the most with. Despite these claims, there is increasing scepticism that the results given to users are accurate. Meta - Instagram's parent company - has a strict policy against revealing any details regarding its users. And Instagram doesn't show who visited your profile. How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

A funeral has gone viral for its unique twist that involved a catwalk and a model strutting her stuff the casket and responded to some of the criticism she has faced. In the footage shared online, American model Erica L Carrington can be seen gracefully walking down the red carpet as guests applaud and watch in awe. As she reaches the end of the catwalk, there is an open casket with a man lying inside. In what some viewers initially assumed to be a skit, it actually turned out to be the funeral of fashion designer Vernest Moore, hosted at the Newark Museum of Art. The style of the funeral is said to be one of Moore's final wishes before his death. Model Carrington later shared the footage to her personal Instagram page, where she described the day as "one of THEE MOST CHALLENGING things I have had to do." "CAN’T BELIEVE this would be my final walk for you, so I WON’T," she continued. "From now on…even if I’m not walking FOR YOU, I’ll be walking WITH YOU, because I know you’ll ALWAYS be with me." The clip soon surfaced on X/Twitter, with many (unaware of the context) having a lot to say. "Even with the disclaimer, I was not prepared," one person wrote, while another added: "Now hold up I know this ain’t a funeral." A third commented on the model's work, writing: "Didn’t matter that walk is gracious." "Honestly better than some of these other send-offs I’ve seen," one person added. Another surprised viewer wrote: "I thought she was going to fall down the stairs.....didn't expect the ending at all." In response to going viral and some of the criticism Carrington told TMZ that it's what Moore would have wanted and that everyone at the funeral was onboard with it. How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

A mother was left furious after being made to clean up her son’s sick after he vomited in a supermarket. There are many instances discussed online that divide the internet, such as this supermarket etiquette, and one woman has continued the conversation after revealing a horrible moment she experienced. The anonymous woman shared on social media that she was in a Woolworths supermarket chain in Australia with her five-year-old and two-year-old when her youngest son vomited while they were at the self-checkout. She tended to her son and apologised to staff for what had happened but was shocked when they told her she'd have to clean the mess up herself. She explained: “Then I started to get really frustrated and flustered (I wasn't rude or anything like that), after I settled my son I apologised to staff for having to get someone to clean up, and the worker turned to me and said ‘no, you have to clean it up’.” The woman explained she started clearing up her son’s vomit while trying to manage her two children who were getting fussy. The mother continued: “My son was being a real handful the whole time, and we were so close to the front entrance that opened up to a busy road. “I started to clean, and the employee told a worker to stand over me to make sure I cleaned it up, meanwhile my son was trying so hard to run out to see cars.” The woman posted the story, asking other users if she should consider complaining to the supermarket and it’s fair to say the responses were split. One person wrote: “'As someone who worked in retail, they should have assisted her by at least scanning her groceries while she tended to the kids. Or offered to watch them while she was cleaning up so that the kid didn't run out.” Another said: “I’ve worked in retail for over 20 years and seen so many sick kids/grandparents. Never have I seen someone clean up their mess.” But, others believe the responsibility for the mess lies with her and she should have cleaned it up. “It would be lovely if the shop staff offered, however, they’re not obliged to and it’s 100 per cent your responsibility to clean up bodily fluids,” someone argued. Another claimed: “That's so gross, you should never expect workers to do your job for you.” How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Sign up to our free indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

A woman was mortified to learn her cocktail cost a staggering £2,000 in a London hotel bar, forcing her husband to walk out. Lynsey took to TikTok to recall the "cringe" encounter saying she ordered a cocktail called the '18 90'. The woman assumed the cost was £18.90 due to the design of the menu, not £1,890. "When I discovered the cocktail I had ordered was £2,000, I showed my husband the receipt and he was furious at me," she said. "So he left the bar. Left me on my own to deal with it. And I said to the young guy behind the bar, ‘look I’m so sorry, I had no idea it was £1,890." She later confirmed in the comments that the cocktail contained Cristal Champagne, a sprinkled gold leaf and 30-year-old whisky. "A similar thing happened to us. My dad thought he was being funny and ordered the iron bru 1901 the waitress had no idea what that was and assumed it was 1 whiskey. This was a top-shelf whiskey that cost £££. My dad doesn’t even like whiskey," one person wrote. Another said: "The issue is with the menu, the design and the print. If it’s not clear then you could contest it." Meanwhile, a third added: "What scares me more than this situation is the behaviour of your husband, who left you alone in such a situation. I’m so sorry for You…" After being inundated with questions from fellow TikTokers, Lynsey returned with a follow-up video. She explained that the manager told her not to worry about it, as Lynsey tried to enjoy the remaining four days of her trip. "My nerves were absolutely wrecked – if they asked me to pay for this cocktail, which I didn’t even enjoy because it was whisky based and I don’t like whisky – so I avoided the bar like the plague," she said. @lynsey_36 Replying to @Caroline? One night she decided to revisit the bar where she saw the manager once again. He told her the bartender had been sacked, to which Lynsey broke down and offered to pay the bill as it wasn't worth firing someone over. Luckily, it turned out he was joking, but did say he gave him further training as staff are required to tell people the cost to avoid such misunderstandings. How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

A university student was allegedly expelled after taking part in the now viral “Ceiling Challenge” on TikTok. TikTok has become a platform known for its ever-changing viral trends that capture the imagination of its mostly Gen Z users, with recent trends including the Beckham dance test and the girlfriend affect trend. The “Ceiling Challenge” is the latest trend to take over the platform and it may have even got one student expelled from university for taking part in it. What is the viral “Ceiling Challenge” on TikTok? The viral ceiling challenge involves TikTokers taping their mobile phone to a ceiling and filming themselves alone, or with their friends, dancing from a bird’s eye view. The challenge is set to the song “Surround Sound” by the American rapper and singer J.I.D. One of the earliest instances was a video shared by TikToker @michaelfirshort on 6 October which has been viewed 3.6 million times. @michaelfirshort #LearnItOnTikTok #CapCut #phoneonceiling #funny #foryoupage #teacherday #fypシ゚viral Since then, the challenge has gone viral with hundreds of videos of other people emulating it, including one filmed by some rowdy retirement home residents. @retirementhouse GANGGGG But, while the challenge may seem like a harmless bit of fun, one university student in Nigeria was allegedly expelled from the institution for doing the challenge. The student was reportedly attending Madonna University in Okija, Nigeria when a video of her twerking to the song went viral and led to her expulsion when university staff saw it. indy100 has contacted Madonna University for comment. How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Sign up to our free indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

iShowSpeed has attracted controversy after attempting a dangerous “coke and condom challenge” on his live stream. The streamer, real name Darren Jason Watkins Jr., shocked viewers by putting a blown-up condom over his head on camera. He then attempted to drink a bottle of Coca-Cola after adding Mentos to it, creating a “soda geyser” and causing the drink to fizz up. The challenge is, of course, very dangerous – but it didn’t stop iShowSpeed attempting and ultimately failing to complete it. "I didn't do it! I didn't do it! I didn't do it!” he said, speaking to his viewers. “Chat, that wasn't the one! No, that wasn't the one! I know how to do it now!” He then exclaimed: “Let's f*** ourselves up! Let's f*** ourselves up!" The challenge attracted plenty of negative comments, with one pointing out that he was setting a bad example for his younger fans. "He's doing it for clout now, not (the) happiness of his viewers. He forgot that most of his audience are children,” one wrote. Another said: "This the kinda stuff a 7 year old would do unattended." One more added: "No on over the age of 12 finds this remotely funny or entertaining. Can we stop giving him a platform?" A user wrote: "Bro losing it fr." iShowSpeed has put his health at risk with challenges on his stream before. He previously required urgent medical attention after one of his stunts went wrong. On 3 October, the 18-year-old went live to showcase a science experiment in which he made "devils' toothpaste." The ingredients consisted of Hydrogen Peroxide, yeast and dish soap to create a chemical reaction, which soon backfired when smoke filled up the room and he was seen struggling to breathe Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings

A strange naked creature with long, floppy arms has been spotted on Google Street View. The bizarre figure appears to be running across a field with its elongated limbs flailing behind it. The nude creature was spotted on a desolate road. It was seen near the Bears Ears Visitor Center in the town of Buff, southeast of Salt Lake City, Utah, US. Online sleuths have been baffled about what it could be. However, the truth behind the creepy creature was disappointing to many. The naked figure is actually a farm scarecrow used to deter unwanted animals and curious visitors. Wacky scarecrows are quite common in the remote town. Earlier this year, a ‘radioactive mutant’ was spotted at an abandoned fairground in Chernobyl on Google Street View. The Chernobyl nuclear disaster took place in April 1986 when tens of thousands of people were evacuated, mainly from the city of Pripyat in northern Ukraine. Today, Pripyat remains an abandoned ‘ghost town’ within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. TikTok user ‘Arianleonel’ posted a clip of him perusing areas of Pripyat on Google Maps. The video shows him searching around the fairground before spotting something unusual near the decrepit Ferris wheel. He zooms in to reveal a person in a purple jacket lurking behind a tree. Sign up to our new free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

TikTok influencer Elphaba has confirmed that she is alive after unconfirmed reports of her death began to emerge. Social media today allows us to feel closer to celebrities than at any other time in history. So, when false rumours occur, they can spread rapidly and cause panic amongst fans. With the help of social media, death hoaxes are becoming increasingly common, with influencer Joe Bartolozzi and the singer Tom Jones being two recent targets. Elphaba Orino Doherty is a transgender woman and an influencer in the musical theatre space. The TikToker has racked up hundreds of thousands of followers on social media, posting content about performing arts as well as her daily life. Recently, she found herself on the receiving end of a death hoax and was forced to confirm that she is alive after news reports began to suggest that she had passed away. Doherty took to her Instagram stories, confirming that she is very much alive. She wrote: “I AM NOT DEAD. The effing news are posting now. I’m trying to heal and people making this up makes me feel sick that people are fantasising over this like it’s a trend…” In another story, she shared a screenshot of an online article that appeared to claim she had died. Over the top, she wrote the words “I’m not dead”, confirming that the reports are false. How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Sign up to our free indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.