Los Angeles, California – Bestselling author Rachel Hollis faced backlash after making controversial comments about her privileged lifestyle on social media. The incident unfolded when a video resurfaced showing Hollis discussing her house cleaner during a livestream event in April 2021. In the since-deleted post, Hollis mentioned a woman who cleans her toilets and defended her privilege by stating she worked hard to afford the luxury of having someone clean her home twice a week.
The response from the author came after a viewer criticized her for being “unrelatable.” Hollis pushed back, stating she had no interest in being relatable and cited iconic figures like Harriet Tubman, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Marie Curie, and Oprah Winfrey as examples of successful yet unrelatable individuals. Despite her success in publishing, Hollis was called out for comparing herself to revered historical figures and abolitionists.
After facing mounting backlash, Hollis issued an apology on Instagram, acknowledging the pain caused by her remarks about prominent women, especially those of color, whose struggles she cannot fully comprehend. She recognized the privilege that allowed her to achieve financial security and recognized systemic inequalities that prevent many from attaining the same level of success. The author of “Girl, Stop Apologizing” emphasized the need to listen and learn from those whose experiences differ from her own.
Hollis’ comments sparked a larger conversation about privilege, relatability, and the responsibility of public figures to acknowledge their advantages while showing empathy and understanding towards those less fortunate. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of considering the implications of one’s words, especially in the age of social media where messages can quickly spread and impact a wide audience. As the author faces criticism and reflects on her missteps, her followers and the public at large are left to consider the deeper issues of inequality and privilege present in society.