Hermes Penelope, a three-year-old influencer, is off on a five-city meet-and-greet tour coordinated by her mother, Shawniece Shepherd and most folks are having none of it.
Hermes Penelope meet-and-greet gets backlash
Penelope, whose Instagram account has more than 229 000 followers, posted a flyer with confirmed dates for her meet-and-greet event, which her mother, who runs the page, claimed was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Everything was on hold ! Not anymore ! You get to finally meet Hermes Penélope in-person!” the mom wrote.
Fans of the three-year-old influencer can pay $30 (est. R547) for a chance to mingle with the toddler in the following cities:
- Atlanta – Friday, 3 March 2023
- Los Angeles – Saturday, 25 March 2023
- Chicago – Saturday, 22 April 2023
- New York – Saturday, 10 or 17 June 2023
- Dallas – TBA
According to our research, the Hermes Penelope meet-and-greet has little-to-no restrictions, which suggests that fans of all ages and backgrounds can get close to the toddler.
In fact, the only security protocol in place, from what we understand, is that event officials will be matching photo IDs with tickets to validate entry purchases.
The ticket price not only offers fans a chance to be within touching distance of the three-year-old, but ‘stans’ will also get the opportunity to take pictures with Penélope, a controversial incentive that drew ire from social media.
Concerned fans of the little internet star blasted the mom for ‘pimping’ her child out for a quick buck.
“There is a disturbed group of society that preys on these types of events with children. I would caution parents to be less public with their innocent kids for their own promotion. Truthfully concerned,” one user commented on the post.
Another fan added that hosting a meet-and-greet for a toddler was “very creepy.”
“COVID is still a thing. Exposing your child to god knows what for clout is disturbing. These people wanting to meet a child not even old enough to consent are also unwell. I really hope you reconsider this decision, she’s a baby, her only worry in life should be naps and snacks. I know this might make people upset but it’s the truth,” another commenter chimed in.
It seems the groans from some fans have been muted by the sound of money coming in, since Shawniece Shepherd made it abundantly clear in recent Instagram Story uploads that her toddler’s meet-and-greet is going ahead as planned.