Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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SOUTH AFRICA — Flattering fibs that paint ourselves in a positive light are par for the course in most conversations. It’s the principle behind responding to the question “How are you?” with a chipper “Fine!” no matter how not-fine you are, and answering an invitation to work out with a strained “Maybe!” when maybe means no.
However, if you’re family is anything like mine, polite fibs are impossible because your family will laugh them out of the room. They will call you on your shenanigans, and there’s simply no avoiding it.
This principle guides the Influencer Challenge, a viral TikTok trend where people pretend to be influencers but flip their cameras to capture their family’s skeptical reactions to their bold, exaggerated claims of wearing expensive clothes, eating healthy or having perfect makeup.
South-African high schooler Nombulelo Patricia Sithole attempted the Influencer Challenge, and her family’s reactions in this 49-second video are priceless.
i did the Influencer Challenge on my family and maaaan😭 i couldn’t hold it in pic.twitter.com/De9Hv6iDOS
— ZIMBABWEAN LIVES MATTER🇿🇼 (@ugogowakho) August 9, 2020
It begins with her mom’s pointed look as Nombulelo starts her intro in that chipper influencer voice. Then comes the dubious head swivel from her brother when she claims to have a workout routine. The mom and brother then share a knowing look as she claims not to eat red or white meat.
Her mom is clearly attempting to hold back spewing her drink as Nombulelo rattles off a list of all the meat she “doesn’t” eat. But it’s the brother’s sign of the cross as he looks to heaven and prays for her lies that kills me every time.
It becomes increasingly clear that Nombulelo’s Mom can’t even look at her as she leans over the side of the couch and holds back laughter, and you can hear an audible “pffft!” as she claims to work out and wake up at 4 a.m. every day. Nombulelo herself can't even make it through the absurd claim without breaking down.
Nombulelo told Mashable that her family knew it was a prank when she broke down into laughter during her final sentence and she was simply happy to lighten her family’s mood.
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