‘I Wouldn’t Wish Tattle Life Trolling On My Worst Enemy’

Like most people, over lockdown, I turned to the internet. I started making fun, relatable videos on TikTok as a full-time job, and I’m so grateful for the opportunities social media has given me.

But just like anyone with a large following{ =nofollow}, when my videos started to take off, I did expect a little bit of backlash and a few mean-spirited comments. I knew that some people might not like me - and that’s fine.

However, nothing could prepare me for the nastiness ofTattle Life{ =nofollow}, a website in which (mostly) women share their ‘opinions’ about influencers. (Apart from the only opinions which seem to fly on Tattle are negative ones. And I’ve even had lovely followers of mine blocked for trying to stick up for me.) On Tattle, under pseudonyms, people will obsess over influencers, tearing apart everything from their personal lives to their choice of make-up. Some women have even reportedly had their personal details leaked on the forums.

Before I was an influencer, I didn't know Tattle existed. And it was only when I spoke out about the website - because a make-up artist I knew was being subject to abuse - that women started to target me. From then, it just went into attack mode. I didn't even have a thread on there, but the second I mentioned it, it sprialled. Now, I have nearly 12 pages.

I’ve had people 'critique' my videos - saying my voice is annoying, that people want to wipe the smug look off my face.

But it’s the lies about my friends and family which hurt the most. I’ve been very open on the internet that my wonderful mum is currently undergoing chemotherapy, and somebody wrote on Tattle that my ex-boyfriend left me because my mum has cancer. These people on these websites know the pain they cause, as I’ve seen people on my thread say that maybe they should leave me alone for a bit because it’s clear I’m going through a tough time, only for them to start commenting terrible things just days later.

It’s been horrible to see my mum stumble across Tattle when she Googles my account name, as she thinks she’s done something wrong, when she obviously hasn’t. No one wants to read that their daughter's a catfish{ =nofollow}, or looks dirty, or looks smug, or is annoying, on social media anyway - let alone read insensitive comments about her as well.

I’m very honest with my followers, and everyone knows that I’m still friends with my ex. But these commenters just can’t take that. As well as saying that my ex left me because of my mum’s health, I’ve also had people say that he was cheating on me - something which is not true, and nobody has any evidence of. My ex-boyfriend doesn’t really have much of a presence on social media, but still, even on his private Instagram account, some people from Tattle are following him - and we can’t work out who the accounts are.

Quite frankly, I’m frightened. And I’m tired. Nobody - whether they’re an influencer or not - should have to tolerate this level of abuse. I’m speaking out about it as I firmly believe these kind of gossip forums need to be banned. And more needs to be done to bring about awareness of these sites. I’m also aware that I’m not somebody with as big a platform as Mrs Hinch or Stacey Solomon{ =nofollow}, who are subject to the most horrendous abuse. But the more of us who speak up, the more powerful we’ll become. I wouldn’t wish Tattle Life trolling on my worst enemy.

Grazia has contacted Tattle Life for comment.

READ MORE: The Terror Of Being Torn Apart On Gossip Site Tattle Life