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Zoe Gabriel, TikToker turn Charles & Keith ambassador, has responded to allegations that her family's poor financial circumstances were exaggerated.
No "dirty little secrets"
On Apr. 16, Zoe posted a TikTok video to "clear the air".
She was joined by her dad, Donny Matthew Gabriel.
@zohtaco💗♬ original sound - zoe 🦋
Issuing a statement which was included in the video, the family said that they never attempted to hide their financial status.
"The truth has always been out from the beginning — there were never any 'dirty little secrets'."
They stated that they were greatly "offended" by "wrongful and false accusations" (which they did not specify), but emphasised that they were going to take the higher ground.
"We choose to understand others and be kind. We choose to be peacemakers and avoid contention."
Later in the video, Zoe's dad said that they were not rich, but had enough to support their needs.
He said that they not only worked hard, but made a conscientious effort to save as well.
Zoe added that they have come a long way from when they first arrived in Singapore 13 years ago.
"And it's all thanks to dad and his hard work," she said.
"And mum!" her dad chimed in.
Po-zoe-tive reactions
Majority of the public still appear to be firmly on Zoe's side.
A couple of commenters suggested that people made their own assumptions about the extent of Zoe's "poverty".
They pointed out that wealth could be subjective.
Too real.
Most advised Zoe not to pay attention to negativity and to adopt the old adage of "haters gon' hate".
Allegations
The story of the content creator's rise to fame inevitably set Zoe up as an icon of humility.
The 17-year-old rose to fame in January 2023 after she was mocked for labelling Charles & Keith "luxury".
She went on to secure deals with said brand and later on, AirAsia.
Her Cinderella tale was heartwarming — a humble girl who rose above those out to condemn her, eventually finding success.
Zoe also appeared to confirm assumptions about her family being less privileged in a follow-up video.
"Growing up, I didn't have a lot, my family didn't have a lot. We couldn't buy new things as simple as bread from BreadTalk...That kind of thing was a luxury to us."
Eyebrows were thus raised when speculations surrounding the "truth" of Zoe's financial background begin surfacing on social media.
Sceptics combed through details of Zoe's family history and held them up as evidence for prosecution, saying that the extent of her family's financial hardship was exaggerated.
Mothership has reached out to Zoe for comment.
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Top images via TikTok zohtaco