'Victoria's Secret Karen' Freak-Out Goes Viral, 'Full Investigation' Underway
A Millburn, New Jersey woman has become the internet's punching bag after a video went viral showing her suddenly having a meltdown in a Victoria's Secret following an incident with another shopper, earning her the nickname "Victoria's Secret Karen."
The video was first uploaded to YouTube in four parts by Ijeoma Ukenta, the Black woman filming the incident, on July 10th, with the first video in the series being reposted numerous times across social media over the following days.
At the start of the video, a white woman, identified as Abigail Elphick, is seen approaching the camera. She then quickly turns away and breaks down on the floor, crying. The video continues in much the same manner as Elphick cries and screams for Ukenta to stop filming, and Ukenta repeatedly talks down at her, calling her a Karen. At various points throughout, Elphick can be seen lying on the ground in a heap as if passed out while shaking her legs violently.
The other parts of the video show the aftermath and Ukenta talking with security guards and police officers, who seem reluctant to do anything outright without knowing the full story. This has resulted in a lot of flack towards the officers on the scene, as well as false rumors that Elphick is the daughter of a police officer. In total, Ukenta has uploaded at least nine videos about the subject and raised over $85,000 in donations through a GoFundMe page, which she claims will be used to hire a lawyer.
Millburn police officer Justin Ford (left) and lieutenant Ronald T Guensch (right) were the responders to the 911 call the Victoria’s Secret Karen (Abigail Elphick) made. Officers failed to protect Ijeoma Ukenta. Watch full videos on Ukenta’s YouTube: Mama Africa Muslimah. #blm pic.twitter.com/wdxOy5cjfx
— Maddie Chang #vaccinessavelives (@foxdotsauce) July 13, 2021
Victoria's Secret Karen shouted “GET HER AWAY FROM ME” while chasing womanWhat is really disgusting is other people & police trying to shoo away lady of color for comfort of white ladyWhy? bcs Abigail Elphick appeared weak but Muslim Nigerian appeared as strong woman? #Karen pic.twitter.com/kznz3OAHm3
— Alicia Smith 💙🌊🌊 #FBR (@AliciaSmith987) July 13, 2021
Earlier today, TMZ broke an update to the story after speaking with Millburn police. According to the source, Elphick was the one who called the police on Ukenta, who she claimed had caused her a panic attack and wouldn't stop recording her. The source goes on to say they believe the officers "acted professionally to diffuse things" but that an investigation is underway. Notably, Ukenta was not happy with how TMZ chose to cover the story, posting a video to YouTube today criticizing them.
Victoria's Secret also responded to the incident on their Twitter account on Tuesday, claiming they're also investigating and that they are "committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment for all."
Associate and Customer safety is our top priority, and we are committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment for all. pic.twitter.com/vREtLvC2o0
— Victoria's Secret (@VictoriasSecret) July 13, 2021
The video is ultimately being highlighted as an example of white women using fake emotional displays to get out of incidents and frame POC for crimes they didn't commit. Interestingly, this same issue became the subject of controversy with the Turn It Off Challenge on TikTok in June, which saw mostly white female creators show off how fast they could turn on the waterworks.
It’s a fucking joke/trend that’s could get one of us killed…that’s on Emmett Till! pic.twitter.com/r5hlwzr5FN
— Says the Man who died 5x (@GallahWarrior) June 17, 2021
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Revic
Took a bit of hunting around (most news coverage just recaps the video itself), but apparently the alleged leadup to the event, at least according to the account on https://dailyvoice.com/new-jersey/essex/police-fire/nigerian-woman-raises-92k-after-confrontation-with-victorias-secret-karen-in-nj-mall/812693/, was that the woman filming told the other woman to back up after she got too close while browsing. The latter allegedly retaliated by telling security the former had "threatened" her, in response to which the filming began and the events we can see here played out. https://www.insider.com/victorias-secret-karen-viral-video-explained-woman-raises-85000-2021-7 agrees with this version of events and also states that store employees have also corroborated this account. Would've been some good context to have in this article.
ZiggyZig
If I understand your post well bc you did not mention the colors of the involved women, the black lady started it?
ScottyP
No, the white woman invaded the black woman's personal space then became belligerent when she was told to back away. The black woman then pulled out her phone just in time to catch the white one on film getting ready to smack her.
Chewybunny
Heard she was a teacher, any confirmation to that rumor?
Revic
Looking like maybe a no. According to the accounting of events at https://heavy.com/news/abigail-elphick-victoria-secret-karen/ she has worked as a teacher's assistant and attended Cedar Grove High School, but the Cedar Grove school district says she has never been employed by them. It mentions "No state professional license comes up for Elphick in the New Jersey state database." This is of course assuming the facts given here are accounted accurately. No easy method of confirming them was given (and I'm not THAT curious).
Chewybunny
Got it. Thank you, that's what I got confused by.
Revic
So what was going on before the filming started? It looked like she was coming in hard and fast until she saw the camera and abruptly changed course, but there's no indication here of what the story leading up to the video was.
Crystal Geyser
Exactly.
Since the way I see it, the black chick was harassing the other chick.
There's no point to sit there and antagonize someone after that, but she kept fucking at it.
Just call security, and wait without causing further incidents like a rational human being.
But nah, she had to sit there gloating milking the video for likes, and then 80 thousand fucking dollar.
It's not about color, this is just shitty behavior on both sides. Neither person should be praised.
ScottyP
No, the white chick was harassing the black one. She essentially pushed the black woman away from a display that she was browsing, then got nasty when she was asked to back off. That is when the black woman pulled out her phone just in time to catch the action that we see.
Crystal Geyser
Show me that instead of 20 mins of the black chick gloating, and maybe I'll believe you.