Mandi Vakili, the sister of Love Island star Anna Vakili, has issued an apology for her recent comments regarding women breastfeeding in public, which she stated made her feel 'uncomfortable.' The apology follows a viral clip from their podcast, Sisters In The City, that led to an outpouring of abuse and outrage, including death threats.
Mandi, 34, took to Instagram to address the controversy, urging critics to direct their anger towards her and not her reality star sister, Anna. She stated her intention to 'educate herself and take accountability.' Mandi revealed the severity of the threats she received, including being told to 'kill myself,' receiving death threats against herself and her family, and being called derogatory names like 'paedophile.' She also mentioned that some acquaintances threatened to physically attack her.
In her apology video, Mandi clarified her original statement, emphasizing that she never said women should not be able to breastfeed wherever they choose. Instead, she explained that she becomes 'awkward and uncomfortable' when women breastfeed in public without a cover, exposing their entire breast. She expressed remorse for the distress her comments caused and acknowledged a lack of understanding regarding the existing stigma and challenges mothers face concerning breastfeeding.
She attributed her initial discomfort to her upbringing, environment, and social circle, suggesting she had not been exposed to many women confidently breastfeeding in public. Mandi also noted that her communication style on the podcast is often exaggerated and comedic, which may have made her sensitive topic seem even more insensitive. She extended thanks to those who offered constructive criticism and advice.
In the initial clip, Mandi had said: "I'm going to be the first one to say it. I don't like it when I see women breastfeeding in public. It makes me uncomfortable... If I'm just in a restaurant and the woman is next to me with a human sucking on her and her breast is moving, I just get a bit uncomfortable." She also described her father becoming awkward in such situations.
The backlash was significant, with social media users calling her comments 'embarrassing,' 'rooted in misogyny,' and tone-deaf, particularly given that many mothers already feel pressured to hide while breastfeeding. Viewers criticized her for mocking breastfeeding mothers and potentially undoing efforts to normalize the act.
Mandi initially responded to the criticism by telling people to 'toughen up,' stating that while she respected differing opinions, she believed people were becoming too sensitive. She differentiated her discomfort from the need for a baby to be fed, asserting that it was a personal feeling that did not negate a mother's right to breastfeed.
Comedian Katherine Ryan, who has openly discussed her own breastfeeding experiences, was asked about the debate. While she supports breastfeeding mothers, she indicated her support comes through action, such as breastfeeding publicly with "BOTH boobs out in support," rather than commenting on individual situations like Mandi's.