Influencer Sophia Begg, who boasts an impressive 1.2 million followers on TikTok, has apologised for an “offensive” costume.
In a now-deleted TikTok, Sophia shared a video of herself in a stingray costume and in the comments section, she confirmed she was dressed as the stingray that killed Steve Irwin.
WATCH: Bindi Irwin speaks about dad Steve Irwin at his funeral in 2006
“I’m going to an Aussie dress up party in a duo costume. They’re going as Steve Irwin and I’m going as a stingray,” Sophia wrote.
However, after receiving copious amounts of backlash, Sophia deleted the video. She also posted an apology video with nothing but text on screen.
“Hi guys, I just wanted to jump on here to clear up some things. I love Steve Irwin and would never want to cause disrespect to his family or legacy. He is an iconic Aussie and no offence was meant by my costume,” the influencer wrote.
“I have thought about and reflected on my costume and I will not be wearing it, and apologise wholeheartedly to anyone who was offended by it. That was definitely not my intention. I apologise sincerely.”
Many TikTok users weren’t completely satisfied with Sophia’s apology and called her out in the comments section of her apology video.
One user wrote, “I feel like an appropriate duo would of been Steve and crocodile not a stingray I mean all I can say is imagine if Robert saw that!.😳 [sic],” while another said, “Yeah look, it’s offensive to his family. Dressing up and making fun of the way he was killed, idk if that was my Dad and I saw that I’d be upset [sic].”
However, some users came to Sophia’s defence; they even argued that Steve Irwin himself would’ve found the costume funny if he were still alive today.
WATCH: Steve Irwin’s funniest moments
“This is silly! I bet you Steve would have thought it was hilarious,” one user wrote.
“People wanna [sic] be offended to feel important, I’m sure Steve the legend would’ve thought it was funny,” another said.
Steve died on September 4, 2006. While filming a documentary at Queensland’s Batt Reef, the Crocodile Hunter was pierced in the chest by a stingray’s barb.
