Photo courtesy: Instagram @tammyprice_
Stormy Wellington, aka Coach Stormy, was the target of considerable online hate after a short clip went viral. It showed her reprimanding her friend, Tammy Price, for accepting a messy plate at a barbeque held at a women’s retreat hosted by Wellington. The video shows Wellington describing Price’s plate as low vibrational, a “hood rat” plate, then compares the plates side by side saying her own was the plate of a queen.
In following Instagram posts, Wellington says that she was teaching her not to accept whatever other people give her. Price voiced her perspective as well, saying people are misinterpreting the message of the situation, although most say it is very clear.
Social media exploded with memes and jokes depicting the incident. Many people proclaimed themselves “hood rats” and “low vibrational,’” saying they would happily take Price’s plate, also inserting that she embarrassed Price by publicly criticizing her for only accepting a plate of food.
Social media users quickly turned their attention to Wellington and her multiple business ventures, calling her a scammer. Coach Stormy is just one of her social media brands; she claims many titles, including wealth coach, network marketer, life coach and investor. Wellington uses her platforms to promote her many products and services, including her weekend workshop, where attendees paid up to $10,000, where the viral video took place.
Social media users called out Wellington for using her friend as a prop to try to further her business ventures that mostly target women in vulnerable positions. Wellington preaches that her products, exclusive communities, and services can solve and help purchasers overcome complex problems like weight loss, self-esteem, financial stability and more, and for an extra fee, she can teach you how to do the same and become a millionaire.
This situation has brought to light a dark practice of social media personalities taking advantage of vulnerable audiences for profit. Creators use their large social followings, seemingly vibrant lifestyles, and impactful rags-to-riches stories to market themselves as a successful brand or business owners with no real merit.
Individuals build or embed themselves within trusting communities where audiences get caught in the glitz and glam of the potential life they are marketed and end up shelling out thousands of dollars for absurd products and services. The concept of “snake oil salesmen” is not new, but it reaches new heights and lows on social media. The vastness of the internet allows for a broad reach with little to no effort. Additionally, there is not much accountability to be had.