Mandi Vakili, sister of Love Island star Anna Vakili, has apologized for comments she made about women breastfeeding in public, stating it made her feel uncomfortable. The influencer's remarks, shared in a now-deleted clip from their podcast 'Sisters In The City,' went viral and resulted in significant online abuse, including death threats and personal insults.
In an Instagram video addressing the controversy, Mandi urged critics to direct their anger solely at her and not at her sister, Anna, who she felt was suffering due to her comments. "She didn't say anything, I feel like she's just suffering because of the comments I made," Mandi stated. She clarified that her original comments did not suggest women should not be able to breastfeed wherever they wish, but rather expressed her personal feeling of awkwardness when a woman breastfeeding in public has her entire breast exposed.
Acknowledging the distress her comments caused, Mandi expressed regret, saying, "I am really sorry, this really should not have been shared on a public platform." She attributed her stance to a lack of education on the topic and the stigma surrounding it, vowing to "educate myself and take accountability." Mandi revealed the severity of the threats she received, including being told to commit suicide, threats of physical violence against her and her family, and being called derogatory names. She canceled plans due to fear of being attacked.
In the original clip, Mandi had stated, "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 further elaborated that her father also became awkward in such situations, suggesting a generational or cultural discomfort.
Mandi's initial remarks and subsequent defense, where she advised people to "toughen up" and stated her opinion was based on her upbringing and environment, further fueled the backlash. Critics argued that her comments were rooted in misogyny and contributed to the existing stigma faced by mothers who breastfeed publicly. Viewers expressed disappointment, noting that such statements undermined efforts to normalize public breastfeeding.
Comedian Katherine Ryan, who has been open about her own breastfeeding experiences, commented on the situation by stating her support for breastfeeding mothers involves feeding with "BOTH boobs out in support" rather than commenting on others' opinions.
Mandi concluded her apology by thanking those who offered constructive criticism and advice, while reiterating her intention to educate herself on the sensitivities surrounding public breastfeeding.