Sopha Dopha has been criticised by fans after she became embroiled in a dispute with Sydney Airport over its lack of gluten-free food options despite appearing in McDonald’s advertising campaigns.
The influencer, 22, whose real name is Sophia Begg, made headlines last month when Sydney Airport’s social media account responded to her complaints about its limited gluten-free food options.
While followers were largely on Sophia’s side during the dispute, some appear to have turned on her after she featured in an advertisement for McDonald’s, which does not offer gluten-free menu items.
Things kicked off in August when Sophia shared a video while at Sydney Airport, saying: ‘Literally every single place, they don’t have gluten-free.’
‘Sydney Airport, you need to get your s*** together… tell me why I’m walking around to every single food place in the airport and no one does gluten-free,’ she said, adding that she was specifically looking for gluten-free bread.
Sydney Airport later uploaded a response reel featuring photos of seven restaurants across three terminals that offer gluten-free or gluten-friendly food options.
Sopha Dopha, 22, has been slammed by fans after she got into a feud with Sydney Airport over their lack of gluten-free food options, despite starring in McDonald’s adverts
The company used Sophia’s video as a voiceover for the clip, and captioned it: ‘Hope that helps.’
The airport account also liked comments criticising Sophia and responded to some users who defended her.
Sophia hit back at the response in the comments, writing: ‘Ah yes, seven options across three terminals and most of them are sold out or not available when you go.’
Her followers also criticised Sydney Airport, describing the video as ‘crazy’ and calling for a boycott of the airport.
However, some social media users have since questioned Sophia’s position after she appeared in an advertisement for McDonald’s over the weekend promoting the new McGold Card, which offers free McDonald’s for life.
Some pointed out the hypocrisy of complaining about Sydney Airport not offering enough gluten-free options while promoting a company which doesn’t offer any gluten-free foods.
The influencer, real name Sophia Begg, made headlines last month when the airport’s social media page called her out for complaining about their limited gluten-free choices
Sophia even hit back at Sydney Airport’s snarky video sharing seven restaurants across three terminals that do sell gluten-free food
‘Unfortunately, McDonald’s can’t guarantee any food items are free from nuts or gluten,’ the company’s website reads.
‘There is always a risk that allergens may be transferred to our ingredients during transportation, storage or preparation in our kitchens.’
One social media user wrote: ‘For someone who kicked up such a stink with Sydney Airport for not having gluten-free, diva Sopha seems to be in a lot of McDonald’s ads with their new Gold Card.
‘Who famously don’t do gluten-free? I’ve got whiplash lol.’
Others commented on a recent McDonald’s ad featuring Sophia, which was posted to TikTok over the weekend.
‘Girl, Maccas isn’t gluten-free,’ one person wrote. Another replied: ‘Picks and chooses, I’m assuming.’
But while followers were largely on Sophia’s side in the feud, it seems they have now turned on her after she appeared in an advertisement for McDonald’s, a fast food company that does not offer gluten-free food
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Sophia for comment.
Sophia is a fashion and lifestyle influencer who rose to fame on TikTok after she started sharing outfit inspirations and shopping hauls on her account.
She now boasts more than 1.5million followers on the platform.
The online star has a longstanding association with Ronald McDonald House and has also featured in McDonald’s-related coverage over the years after first making headlines in 2015 when she shaved her head for charity at age 11.
She went on to donate her hair to make wigs for young cancer patients at Ronald McDonald House, after shearing off her long blonde hair on live TV.
Since then, she has occasionally shared her McDonald’s orders online, including in 2021 when she spent $322.50 on 50 Big Macs for a homeless shelter.
