Influencer Faces Backlash After Filming Himself ‘Surviving’ In So-Called ‘Deadliest Slum

One influencer may have taken things too far. After filming himself “surviving” in the so-called “deadliest slum” in India, this influencer has been accused of “poverty tourism.”

The Details: Australian influencer and content creator, Pete Z, has been facing backlash after sharing a video of himself “surviving” in the so-called “deadliest slum.”

• The slum is in a neighborhood called Dharavi in Mumbai.
• The NY Post shares that this slum was “prominently featured in Danny Boyle’s Oscar-winning 2008 film, ‘Slumdog Millionaire.'”
• The goal of the challenge was for Pete and his friend to survive three days in the slums.

Influencer Faces Backlash After ‘Surviving’ In So-Called ‘Deadliest Slum’

Pete and his friend Ayushi both decided to partake in the challenge. They shared a short clip of their challenge on Pete’s Instagram. Additionally, he shared a longer, 45-minute video on his YouTube channel. His Instagram video began by showing a woman getting robbed and mountains of trash. From there, he made the following claims.

• The influencer claimed this is the “world’s biggest slum in India.”
• “We are staying here for three days,” the YouTuber claimed at the beginning of his video.

From there, his footage highlighted the narrowness of the streets in the slums. Afterwards, he ventured into someone’s home to showcase how individuals in the area live. The home featured a very small living space with an even smaller kitchen. From there, a ladder led up to a cramped bed bunk.

The influencer and his friend, Ayushi, proceeded to laugh at the poor living situation that these people have to endure.

• “Oh my goodness, time for me to go to sleep now,” Pete jokes as he chuckles and lies down in the homeowner’s bed.

More Does Not Mean Better

In his YouTube video, the influencer shares even more footage of him “surviving” in the so-called “deadliest slum.” The 45-minute video features the same footage as his Instagram clip, as well as additional content. Here are some of the things it features.

• Many residents of Dharavi are warning the influencer about its dangers and advising him not to stay there.
• Someone is trying to steal the influencer’s phone.
• His struggles to speak with people, once his friend and translator, Ayushi, decides the challenge is too much for her.

Not Well Received: I am not sure what the influencer’s intentions were with this video, but it was not well received. Many people felt that he was engaging in “poverty tourism” and making light of the struggles that these people endure every day. Here are some of the comments that were left on this Instagram video.

• “Okay, it’s not the deadliest slum, though. His filming angles are too close and not stabilised, which makes it worse.”
• “I think all mainstream media around the world exaggerate or add extra embellishments about the risky conditions prevailing on and off within any area of a place to sensationalize their broadcasting or publishing outlets.”
• “So it’s less dangerous than a random alley in New York?”
• “Hilarious, I have sent multiple rich YouTubers acting like they are spending a few days with “no money” while trying to get free food and a hotel from actual poor people. Then they say they have no money, when they do. It’s kinda disgusting. Just trying to get lots of views to make more money…”
• “Whoa, surviving in slums is really a difficult challenge.. I’m thinking how they lived for years there, they also deserve a better life.”

Although some people enjoyed his video, a majority of people felt that he was treating these people’s way of life as a joke or a means to make money.