OnlyFans model faces backlash for ‘disgusting’ Hurricane Helene weather report stunt
A bikini-clad OnlyFans model is being blasted for her “disgusting” mock weather report she conducted in a flooded Florida street as Hurricane Helene killed over 160 people and caused historic flooding throughout the Southeast.
Influencer Skyler Simpson bore a vibrant pink string bikini and held an umbrella as she waded through the shin-high floods in Tampa, where wind speeds reached 67 mph.
“Live, reporting from Tampa Bay, on Bayshore Boulevard, I think everybody’s been a little…,” Simpson began to say before she was pelted in the face with ice cubes, which were thrown at her from off-camera.
“I like to go for a walk with my family,” she said, according to the video posted to her social media channels, as she was again hit with an ice cube, this time in her right eye.
The laughing model had difficulties with the umbrella she was holding as the storm’s winds continuously caused it to turn inside out.
Simpson stood at an intersection of the causeway overlooking Hillsborough Bay holding a bedazzled wireless microphone during the newscast.
“As you can see, I think people got a little dramatic with how the weather was gonna be here, the storm obviously passed and went up to Tallahassee. I think it’s a beautiful night out here on Bayshore.
“Perfect for strolling with your family, and having a nice nighttime walk,” she added as the person behind the camera splashed water into her face.
“I feel great, Tampa Bay feels great,” Simpson added.
“Be safe. Skyler Simpson. Back to you, Chris,” she concluded.
Simpson earned her associate degree in education from Hillsborough Community College in 2018 before attending the University of South Florida, where she graduated with her bachelor’s in communication science and disorders in 2020, according to her LinkedIn profile.
She went on to sign with two different model agencies in 2020 before launching her OnlyFans venture.
The improv stunt garnered over 1.8 million views on TikTok and amassed over 23,000 likes combined on X and Instagram as she noted, “jokes aside hope everyone is okay and my heart goes out to all affected by the storm.”
Some viewers weren’t amused with the video, calling Simpson out for making fun of a tragedy.
“Hope a portion of the benefits you got through the likes on this reel you sent some help to the families in need,” one commenter wrote on Instagram.
“All for the clout… Good for you – bet dad is proud,” another said.
“Hilarious. People died so let’s make jokes.”
“Disgusting. Selling content while others are suffering. Karma will get you.”
Simpson defended the video, claiming, “plenty of people actually affected by this have commented and laughed. I had family affected. They know it’s humor of (news) reporters.”
“But yet you still posted it. Incredibly poor taste with this,” one Instagram user wrote, in reference to Simpson’s caption. “People have died. Or are seriously injured. Would you wanna be in their shoes? Just because you think you had a fun drunk moment doesn’t mean this post should stay on your account. So if you’ve got tact you’ll delete it.”
Helene's path of destruction
- Helene slammed into Florida’s Big Bend coastline Thursday night as a Category 4 hurricane, pounding the state with 155-mph gusts and killing at least 13.
- Helene moved northeast into Georgia, where it was downgraded to a tropical storm by Friday morning, but winds and floods left 25 dead in the state.
- By Friday afternoon, Helene had moved over parts of Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina, where at least 29 died.
- Relentless rain drenched Appalachia Friday night, sending floodwaters and mudslides crashing through mountain towns.
- In North Carolina, at least 35 people died in the Asheville area, and a tornado injured 15 in Rocky Mount.
- Over the weekend, rescuers struggled to clear roads and recover bodies. The death toll is 192 and counting.
Simpson managed to ignore most of the negative comments directed at her, but responded to the last one, explaining her decision to keep the video.
“This is satire of news reporters. If you don’t get it feel free to unfollow,” the model replied.
“Plenty of people actually affected by this have commented and laughed,” Simpson replied to another critic. “I had family affected. They know it’s humor of new reporters.”
Other commenters noted the potential safety hazard of the water Simpson was standing in.
“Willing to bet there is definitely sewage in that standing water,” one Instagram comment read.
Simpson assured the user that she washed off “immediately” before lathering herself in hydrogen peroxide.
Helene, which made landfall as a Category 4 storm just after 11 p.m. Sept. 26, caused record flooding in the Tampa Bay area as several neighborhoods saw water levels from the storm surge surpassing 6 feet, with the East Bay hitting 7.19 feet.
At least 166 people were killed as a result of the storm, making Helene the second-deadliest storm in the past 20 years.
Hurricane Katrina left at least 1,392 dead in August 2005 after the New Orleans levees failed.
