Brielle Biermann, daughter of reality television personality Kim Zolciak-Biermann, is facing online criticism after posting a video of herself trying on a wedding dress that bore a striking resemblance to one worn by influencer Brigette Pheloung during her wedding celebration over the weekend.
Pheloung, an influencer with the handle @Acquired.Style, legally married her partner Mitch McHale in June and held a larger celebration on Saturday. Shortly after images of Pheloung in her Vera Wang gown emerged, Biermann shared a clip on Instagram of herself in a nearly identical off-the-shoulder Vera Wang dress, which she described as "the dress I almost said yes to."
The timing of Biermann's post led many social media users to accuse her of attempting to gain attention from Pheloung's special day. Comments on Biermann's post included accusations of having "real mean girl energy" and seeking "clout from someone else’s special day."
Biermann, who is engaged to minor league baseball player Billy Seidl, addressed the controversy via her Instagram Stories, stating that the video was edited on Friday, prior to Pheloung's wedding. She explained that the post was prescheduled for Sunday for engagement purposes and that she was unaware of Pheloung's wedding or her choice of dress.
"My wedding is approaching, so my content strategist wanted me to start posting bridal content leading up to my date," Biermann wrote, adding that she had another video of a dress she "almost said yes to" scheduled to post the following day. She also extended well wishes to Pheloung for her wedding day.
Pheloung later shared images from her wedding celebration, describing her chosen gown as "the dress of my dreams."