Social media star Keith Lee is attemptingĀ to clear the air.
Earlier this week, the TikTok food critic posted a video in which he addressed a potentially career-ending scandal. The Las Vegas resident, who is known for reviewing struggling restaurants in the city, was accused of stealing an idea from a TV producer who had pitched to him late last year.
The allegations began circulating after Emmy Award-winnerĀ Gyllian Carter criticized an unnamed content creator who ripped off her concept.Ā Though she declined to provide details, Carter claimed the individual was ābelovedā TikTok influencer who she believes would make āgreat TV.ā
āI didnāt know if I was gonna address this or not, but Iām just so disappointed and so frustrated about this situation, that I think Iām just gonna have to say something,ā she said in a TikTok, before breaking down her accolades and job description. āā¦Ā Recently, thereās a creator here, on TikTok, thatĀ is beloved by all. I even love them and still think they would make great TV. I pitched them an idea to take to networks, and they basically said no in a nice way, but then stole my fuckinā idea. They just stole it, and now theyāre doing it.ā
Many users quickly assumed Carter was referencing Lee, as she included the hashtags #foodcriticandthief in her caption. Lee caught wind of the drama and confirmed he had, in fact, communicated with Carter last monthĀ and heard her pitch. He provided screenshots of a Dec. 11Ā DM in which he told Carter he did not currently have a TV show, but was hearing pitches later that week.
Lee said Carter had pitched a show with a simple premise: He would dress in disguised, find a restaurant that was struggling, and review their food. He claimed he had spoke to Carter on Dec. 13, and that he had heard the āexact sameā pitchĀ in other meetings. Lee also pointed out that the has been doing disguises before Carter ever messaged him, as he didnāt want his online popularity to affect his treatment at restaurants.Ā
āI had anywhere between 2 million and 3 million followers at the time she reached out to me...āĀ he explained. āI personally was able to walk into restaurants and be treated the exact same, because not a lot of restaurants recognized me. Now, with 9.6 million followers itās almost impossible, thatās why I [started] going into disguise.ā
He also said he wanted to do the disguises to highlight his sisterās makeup and hairstyling skills.
āSo again, me going in disguise and me doing what Iāve been doing, is not because I got that email from you,Ā Gyllian,ā he continued. āAnd Iām saying that in the most honest and pure form. I donāt mean any harm, but I do not appreciate you putting labels on me like that ā¦Ā I have not once stolen anything or taken anything from anybody. Everything thatās given to me is from god.ā
Carter has since postedĀ another video, insisting Lee was not the subject of her initial claims. However, she made it clear she would not apologize for her previous statements.
āIām not gonna apologize for being frustrated about someone stealing an idea from me,ā she began. āā¦ Keith, this is for you: That video was not about you. And I did not think you would think that video was about you, because our interactions were very minimal.ā
She went on to say that her pitch was essentially taking his online content and ideas and put it into ābroadcast or online streaming format.ā
āSo again, Keith, there was nothing for you to steal,ā she said. āI would not accuse you of stealing something that didnāt really exist ā¦ I didnāt pitch you an idea that was original, I didnāt pitch you an idea that was even mine.ā
Lee has yet to respond to Carterās second video.