Influencer Criticized for Mandarin Song in Tokyo Post

Australian influencer Sophia Begg, known as Sopha Dopha, faced widespread backlash after posting Instagram photos from her Tokyo trip set to a Mandarin-language rap song, which critics said conflated Chinese and Japanese cultures. The use of a Chinese song in a Japanese context, along with her T-shirt featuring Japanese writing, led to accusations of cultural appropriation, casual racism, and white privilege. Some followers defended Begg, arguing she intended to appreciate Asian cultures, but communications strategists stressed that the impact of such posts is more significant than intent. Begg has not directly addressed the criticism but has made vague references to her trip in later posts. The controversy has fueled broader conversations about cultural sensitivity and the responsibilities of influencers in online representation. The incident highlights ongoing debates about how social media figures engage with and portray cultures outside their own.