Actress and TikTok influencer Daphne Blunt created quite a media storm for the well-known Hotel Bel-Air in California. In a sequence of posts, the 28-year-old creator accused the hotel staff of denying her service for “racially motivated” reasons.
Blunt’s account of the events was laid out in great detail on TikTok. She said she first arrived at the highly regarded establishment with two white friends in late July. They then ordered drinks, and the waiter promptly asked to see their identification.
@daphneblunt_ I really expect better after countless birthdays, holidays and everything in between over the past 15+ years patroning the hotel bel air
♬ original sound – Daphne Blunt
Blunt says she was initially unable to find her physical ID and asked whether she could instead use a digital ID stored in her Apple Wallet. The restaurant rejected the request.
The hotel’s instagram is filled with angry comments
Shortly after the request was denied, Blunt checked inside her designer Hermès Birkin bag and was finally able to locate her credit cards and driver’s license. She thought she had found the solution just in time. Surely now, the ID issue could be put to rest.
Blunt then claims that she presented the waiter with her physical ID, but the waiter still refused to serve her. At the same time, she says, the waiter accepted her white friends’ IDs. Blunt stated, “I just had no other way to feel about this than to know that it was racially motivated.”
As the videos started gaining attention on social media, the backlash against the Hotel Bel-Air was immediate. Its polished Instagram page, known for showcasing its 12 acres of secluded, lush gardens and resident swans, was soon filled with angry comments from users. Their demands were clear: the immediate termination of the manager involved.
One user wrote, “Please treat all consumers of all hues with kindness.” Another added, “When you post alcoholic drinks and you card brown women, is it only brown women you card or do you card everyone? Do you accept digital IDs from everyone or just the white patrons? Asking for @daphneblunt. Do you do background checks on your employees?”
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According to the California Post, the hotel responded with a statement saying, “While we respect the right of individuals to voice their concerns, we are troubled by the online personal attacks directed at our team member, who carried out her responsibilities both in a professional and appropriate manner.”
“At the heart of our Hotel is a commitment to making every guest and employee feel valued, respected, and safe — we do not tolerate prejudice of any kind. Out of respect for the privacy of our guests, we do not publicly comment on the details of private matters.”
The hotel continued, “We can confirm the concerns were acted upon immediately, and a comprehensive internal investigation concluded that our employee acted in accordance with California law.”
She wants to hear from the hotel
Blunt later followed up on the commotion surrounding the allegations of racism and said she still had not heard back from the hotel. She thanked her fans for standing by her and encouraged them to continue their boycott of the institution.
@daphneblunt_ Disgraceful behavior at hotel bel air
♬ original sound – Daphne Blunt
She said she won’t go silent until she hears from the hotel personally.
