The social media influencer family known as ‘The Ldn’ has drawn criticism for repeatedly taking their children out of school for extensive international travel and brand obligations. James Collins and Holly Cooper, the parents behind the popular @theldnfamily account, have reportedly transitioned their daughters, Mimi and Pixi, to homeschooling following conflicts with their school over the children's absences.
The family, which boasts 1.7 million Instagram followers and 2.7 million on TikTok, has documented numerous trips to destinations including Switzerland, the Maldives, Dubai, and Mallorca. These excursions often serve as backdrops for their signature dance routines, which have garnered a significant online following.
Sources indicate that the school expressed frustration over the children's repeated absences, which led to fines for the parents. Following these issues, Collins and Cooper opted to educate their children at home. "These children appeared to spend a significant amount of time away from school because of the number of brand trips they were going on," one source told Molly Clayton of the Daily Mail. "It’s another example of an influencer family choosing to involve their children heavily in their online career, which inevitably raises questions about how that fits alongside their education."
The family's commercial partnerships include brands like Disney and Arsenal Football Club, alongside various luxury resorts where they have stayed. A recent promotional post for high street chain Next, featuring the daughters in back-to-school attire, drew particular online commentary regarding the apparent contradiction with their educational circumstances. The posts in question have since been removed.
Collins, 36, and Cooper, 37, met as teenagers and have a background in dance and choreography. They previously appeared on The X Factor as part of a vocal group and later founded a dance school and children's acting talent agency. Holly Cooper confirmed the children are now being homeschooled, stating there was "a little more" to the decision without further elaboration.
The reports emerged as other influencer-related news gained attention, including the poorly received reality show "Meet the Owens" starring Michael Owen's family and the rapid rise of 16-year-old TikTokker Ellie Ellis, who gained nearly 900,000 followers in a month. Additionally, food writer Meg Houghton-Gilmour's investigation exposed influencers offering paid positive reviews for meals, with some agreeing to post without disclosing the advertisements.