Brazilian conservative influencer Pietra Bertolazzi, 35, criticized BTS on July 19 following the group’s performance during the FIFA World Cup final halftime show. She described the members as “effeminate and vain men” and argued that it was concerning that BTS had become a cultural standard for the younger generation.
Her comments quickly drew widespread criticism from Brazilian internet users, who argued that the remarks were rooted in gender stereotypes and reflected prejudice toward Korean artists and K-pop culture. As the controversy intensified, Bertolazzi deleted the original post, switched her Instagram account to private, and announced that she would be stepping away from social media.
The scale of the backlash was reflected in the numbers. According to Brazilian data analytics firm Nexus, more than one million online interactions—including likes, comments, and shares—were recorded across X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook within 24 hours between July 22 and 23.
On X alone, approximately 23,000 users posted about the controversy, generating around 33,000 mentions that accumulated roughly 11.4 million views. The discussion also produced approximately 432,000 engagements, including likes and comments. Meanwhile, Google searches for Bertolazzi’s name exceeded 20,000 within a 20-hour period, representing a 2,100% increase compared to the previous 24 hours.
In a statement released on July 24, Bertolazzi denied that her comments were motivated by xenophobia. She claimed that her criticism was aimed at “a particular aesthetic within the modern entertainment industry” rather than at Korean artists themselves. She also announced plans to pursue legal action against those responsible for what she described as online harassment directed toward her. Despite her explanation, many Brazilian commentators continue to argue that her remarks unfairly judged men’s appearance and behavior based on rigid standards of masculinity.
Sources: Daum
You must be logged in to post a comment.