Reality television personality Louise Thompson has voiced criticism regarding the behavior of some influencers attending high-profile sporting events, suggesting they prioritize social media engagement over genuine appreciation for the sports themselves. Speaking on her podcast "He Said, She Said" with fiancé Ryan Libbey, Thompson highlighted a trend where influencers invited to events like Wimbledon and the Formula 1 Grand Prix are allegedly more focused on taking photographs than on the competitions.
Thompson, 36, noted that these influencers, often invited by brands, can detract from the experience for genuine fans who struggle to obtain tickets. "I think there has been some, some backlash now from the public," Thompson stated on the podcast. "I know that the tickets are so hard to come by people that are genuinely really invested in the sport aren't able to go. And it probably is very frustrating for them seeing lots of pictures of everybody that they follow online going for free."
Libbey, 35, shared a personal experience at the F1 race at Silverstone, where he felt distracted by attendees posing for photos in front of branding boards, diminishing the focus on the race itself. "It felt like no one was watching the fing race. Everyone was just like in their corners doing pretty little photos against branding," he said. Libbey questioned the authenticity of these attendees' presence, adding, "Because truthfully these people couldn't give two ss about the brand that they were with or the race that they were watching. They couldn't tell you any positioning on the grid. They can't tell you what's happening."
He suggested that many influencers attend primarily for exposure through their social media platforms, even though others might eagerly desire the opportunity to be present as genuine fans. "There are some people there who would give their left nut to be in this hospitality box. At least show some interest," Libbey commented.
Thompson, who attended Wimbledon with a brand but identifies as a tennis enthusiast, echoed concerns about the disruptive nature of constant photography. She specifically mentioned an incident at a Hurlingham tennis event where individuals stood up to take pictures during play, obstructing the view of others. "The people who go up to the middle channel and get these amazing photos. When it's everywhere, it does become distracting from the sport," she explained. Thompson acknowledged that this behavior is particularly disliked by older generations, a sentiment she understands.