If you’re going to be mistaken for a celebrity, we can all agree that being a Taylor Swift lookalike isn’t the worst thing in the world.
That’s exactly what’s earned Ashley Leechin (@noitisashley13) a massive following on TikTok, where she regularly uploads videos to her 1.1 million followers showing her uncanny resemblance to the Midnights singer.
But despite her popularity online, Leechin recently found herself in hot water after claiming she had been invited to the Grammy Awards, only to be “uninvited” days later. Even after explaining what happened, people wonder if it was all an unfortunate scam or a content ploy.
The TikToker originally shared the news on January 31, expressing shock at receiving “surreal” news.
“What’s up guys, it’s just Ashley here,” she began, before saying that she and her cat Sloan had something they were “dying” to tell fans.
“Yes, it’s official, I’ve partnered with the Grammys – yes, the 2023 Grammys – [and] I’m going this Sunday,” she continued. “There are going to be so many amazing artists, it’s going to be an amazing night for music.”
Although Leechin didn’t say what she’d be doing at the Grammys besides attending, she did share what excites her the most: meeting the real Taylor Swift on the red carpet.
For days, Leechin created anticipation by showing a behind-the-scenes look at the dress she was planning to wear and sharing details of her LA trip.
But before the big night arrived, Leechin returned to TikTok to post a series of updates alluding to not being invited to the Grammys as her plane landed in Los Angeles.
While some thought it was a scam, others accused the super fan of being “delusional” and a “pathological liar”.
In a series of follow-up videos, Leechin attempted to respond directly to the critics and insisted she had proof she never lied.
“I’m ready to go ahead and show you the receipts, show you everything I’ve been through for the past two weeks,” Leechin said, before going into detail about what happened. ‘happened.
The content creator claims an entertainment company known as Sweety High reached out to her. The company has a verified account on TikTok with over 13 million followers. The contact person – later identified as a woman named Marion – claimed she was partnered with the Grammys and wanted to connect with Leechin about a potential opportunity.
After a brief business call, the contact told Leechin that she could get a ticket to the awards show if she was interested and that more information would be provided if she agreed. That said, Leechin was told she would have to foot the bill herself for things like flights, hotel accommodations and meals. Moreover, there would be no compensation.
At this point, Leechin admits that she and her husband (who acts as manager) began to question each other, and as the date for the awards show approached, she admits to having a “feeling” that something thing was wrong. .
But at the same time, her contact at Sweety High seemed to reassure her that things were legit and that she would walk the red carpet when she got there. The TikToker even received an official contract, which she reviewed with her publicist and requested changes before signing.
Although Leechin never received a final version of the contract, signed by all parties, she apparently felt confident enough to go ahead and fly to Los Angeles.
“I’m not here to speak ill of anyone,” Leechin said in one of his videos, “it’s just a learning experience.”
That said, her followers weren’t necessarily buying her.
“So we all agree that she never went, right?” It was either two things, neither of which is better. It’s either she never went, and it was a scam, or she went and Taylor Nation was like, ‘It’s okay,'” one user said.
In another follow-up video, Leechin insisted that she would never lie about something like this and that she would have kept quiet if she hadn’t been forced to make the initial announcement of her journey.
“I never would have announced that I was going to the Grammys when I didn’t know it and didn’t have a ticket, if I hadn’t been told that I had to do this video before midnight on January 31st” , she said. share.
Once Leechin found out she didn’t have a ticket to the awards show, she claims a representative from Sweety High offered to give her “lots of money” to settle any controversy. But according to the TikToker, “It wasn’t about money for me, it was more about experience.”
“And after she found out that I had contacted the CEO [of the Grammys] she got very, very angry and tried to offer more money to shut me up,” Leechin said of her contact with Sweety High.
In the days that followed, the Swiftie lookalike tried to answer more questions from fans and defend herself against any haters who still didn’t believe her. But despite her many recipes, skepticism still hangs over her. And the trolls certainly haven’t been nice.
“Oh girl, I’m sure you’ve been invited.” I’m sure you were,” one person wrote. “Taylor just found out and said no.”
“Why would anyone want to invite someone to the Grammys just because they look like someone else who is actually a musician?” another interviewee. “Make sense.”
Even so, Leechin still has a group of supporters in his corner, who have been quite vocal in their defense.
“Provides all the evidence, but people still think you’re lying,” one user commented. “Honestly, I believed you without all the evidence. I don’t know why people are so angry.
“I can’t believe the amount of hate you get,” another person told her. “The insane amount of work it would take for 1 person to make up all these ‘lies’. Don’t let them get to you.
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