Oli London, an influencer who’s made a number of headlines in recent days after being reported to have undergone multiple surgeries in an effort to look like Jimin from BTS, has the support of Rachel Dolezal.
The British influencer said last month that they “identify as Korean,” prompting swift backlash on social media. Speaking with TMZ on Thursday, Dolezal—who’s previously described herself as “trans-Black”—urged the public to instead focus on various “outrage issues” including police brutality and institutionalized racism.
“I don’t know Jimin personally, obviously, so they can speak for themselves in that regard but I do think that the broader issue here is compassion and kindness,” Dolezal said when asked about the recent news, which also included reports that London had changed their name. “Personal identity is not the big fish to fry. … I think that we need to focus on fighting the public outrage issues of police brutality, of deinstitutionalizing racism. Those are the issues that I think that we need to come together on to fight publicly.”
Dolezal then turned to the topic of cultural appropriation, sharing her opinion that “being authentically yourself” is not equatable.
“I think sometimes people are confusing those two,” Dolezal said. “You know, it gets caught up in the outrage online and I think sometimes we don’t take the time to actually listen to someone’s heart.”
Later in the interview, available in full up top, Dolezal advised the influencer and others to “do what feeds your soul” regardless of the reaction.
“My message is to be you, you know, and do what feeds your soul and makes you feel at home and at peace and that you know who you are,” she said. “Don’t afford anyone else the right to tell you who you are. Don’t let anybody steal your joy. Whether that’s social media, peers, or even your family.”
In a statement shared to their Instagram in June, London responded to the ongoing news coverage, saying they’ve long “struggled” with issues of identity.
“I took the difficult and brave decision to come out as Non-Binary and Korean to help millions of other LGBTQI+ young people around the world, K-pop fans, and the Korean people feel confident enough to be able to feel no fear to be able to express themselves and how they identify,” they said.
On Wednesday, London told TMZ they had been receiving death threats in recent days.
“Most people that are attacking me are actually white. … This week has been insane,” they said. “I’ve literally had thousands of death threats which is very scary, you know. People telling me to kill myself, people saying they’re gonna come and find me and shoot me.”
