Meri Banovac apologizes after controversial wildfire post: 'I did not intend to mock the tragedy'

Influencer Meri Banovac has issued an apology for a video she posted on social media that sparked widespread criticism during the recent devastating wildfires in Dalmatia. The video, shared on TikTok, featured a sound clip that many users found highly inappropriate given the tragic circumstances affecting numerous people.

Banovac acknowledged the video was "completely thoughtless and inappropriate" and stated she removed it shortly after posting upon realizing its insensitivity. "It was not my intention to mock the tragedy or the people affected by it, but intention does not change the fact that I made a mistake. I am sorry. I should have thought before I hit 'post,'" she said in an apology posted to her Instagram story.

The controversial sound clip was reportedly part of a TikTok trend used for humor in situations where someone talks excessively without saying anything substantial. Banovac explained that she did not initially connect the trend to the gravity of the real-world event from which the sound was originally taken. She emphasized that she does not wish to justify or diminish her responsibility for the post.

Public reaction was swift, with Reddit users initiating calls for a mass boycott of the influencer and any brands collaborating with her. Banovac, who first gained public recognition on the reality cooking show "Masterchef," has since built a following on social media by sharing aspects of her daily life, recipes, and discussions about cosmetic procedures.