Alix Earle Addresses Controversy Over Offensive Comments and Trademark Claims
In a recent wave of scrutiny, Alix Earle, a celebrated TikTok sensation, has been thrust into the spotlight following revelations about her past use of offensive language on Askfm. The 23-year-old influencer has issued a public apology, acknowledging her regrettable actions and addressing claims about her attempts to trademark these controversial remarks.
According to Variety, Earle took to Instagram Stories to confront the resurfaced issue. She expressed her remorse for employing a racial slur on the question-and-answer platform back in the summer of 2014. “Several weeks ago, screenshots emerged from my old Askfm account, depicting me using a derogatory term during that period,” Earle disclosed. “I accept full accountability for these actions and want to stress that at that time, I was merely 13 years old and lacked a full understanding of the term’s deep-seated offensiveness. Nonetheless, there is no excuse for the use of such a word in any context, at any age. This is completely contrary to who I am and what I stand for.”
Earle further conveyed her profound regret, stating, “I am deeply sorry for the harm my words have caused and for creating any impression that I possess prejudiced views. Nothing could be further from the truth.”
The offensive posts, which were brought back into the public eye in December 2022 by the Alix Earle Snark Reddit community, have since been widely circulated across platforms including TikTok and various subreddits. The posts showed Earle using a racial slur under the username ‘Alixxxxxx’ while interacting with users on Askfm, a platform that allows for both public and anonymous questions.
The situation intensified when a subreddit named after the “Do We Know Them?” podcast, hosted by Jessi Smiles and Lily Marston, reshared the screenshots. This prompted alleged legal action, with Earle’s legal team reportedly reaching out to the podcast hosts.
On August 12, Smiles discussed the legal threat on an episode of their podcast, stating, “Her lawyer contacted us, asserting that we had violated their copyright.” Smiles clarified, “The screenshots in question were shared within our subreddit, and her lawyer claimed ownership of a trademark related to this content.” She emphasized that their team does not manage or control the subreddit.
In response to these claims, Earle dismissed them as “utterly absurd and unfounded.” She reflected, “My failure to address this matter allowed false narratives to take root. I regret not speaking out sooner and acknowledging the situation more promptly. The advice I received, although well-meaning, was misguided. I alone am responsible for not trusting my instincts and addressing the issue head-on.”
In an update on Monday evening, Smiles and Marston issued a statement to Variety, addressing the broader implications of the situation. “While we cannot verify the validity or existence of any trademarks or copyrights, we did receive correspondence from an entity identifying itself as WEB SHERIFF. This entity claimed to represent Alix Earle’s rights and alerted us to 11 alleged infringements. The email was signed by John E. Henehan LL.B., who stated under penalty of perjury that he is ‘either the intellectual property rights owner or authorized to act on behalf of the rights holders.’”
They also provided insight into the trademark claims, noting, “Based on Alix’s statement, it appears this email might have been sent without her explicit knowledge or authorization. If this is indeed the case, it would be unfortunate and beyond her control, but it is crucial for her to clarify the situation to dispel any misunderstandings.”
As of today, Alix Earle has yet to offer any additional commentary or updates on the ongoing situation. The unfolding saga continues to capture public attention as discussions about accountability and the implications of past actions persist.
