'We Did What We Had To Do': Charli D’Amelio’s Dad Marc Takes Blame For Highly Criticized New Year's Bahamas Vacation — Watch
Taking the heat! Charli D’Amelio’s dad Marc D’Amelio defended his daughter after she was heavily criticized for going on a New Year’s Eve trip to the Bahamas in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
"First of all, to blame Charli — it was a family vacation," Marc told YouTuber Kevin Wong. "She’s 16 so she has no say in where we’re going. So, you guys can put it on me, but we did what we had to do, you know, we went away."
Marc said that they heard the complaints from fans loud and clear.
"Corona is real and people have to take it seriously," Marc explained. "We left a hotbed and went to a place where there was very little corona, but we do take it seriously and we want to protect other people and we don’t take it lightly. It’s a real virus and many people have gotten killed and died from it."
Charli was joined on the vacay by her parents, sister Dixie D'Amelio, Noah Beck, Chase Hudson and Madi Monroe. Although the group didn’t post about the trip on social media, they were photographed.
Despite the apology, many fans were left unsatisfied by Marc’s response.
"Family vacation? for what? from your million dollar house? you say to take it seriously and you want to protect but you still chose to travel!! if you guys can take a break to disconnect from what’s going on in this world then why don’t you think about front line workers who are risking their lives, working at the hospital trying to provide the best quality of care for covid patients when they are always understaffed!!!??" one commented.
"They clearly aren’t taking it seriously considering how many collabs they’ve done in 2020 and travelling to The Bahamas! What’s Dixie’s excuse? She’s 19, a full grown adult and still chose to go. Charli can’t use her age as an excuse for everything, it’s time to start holding these so called 'influencers' accountable," another user wrote under the video.
- Queen Elizabeth II Contracting COVID-19 Is A 'Hugely Worrisome Scenario' For The Royals: 'Everyone Is Holding Their Breath That She'll Come Through This Safely'
- Queen Elizabeth II Has 'Mild Cold-Like Symptoms' After Testing Positive For Coronavirus As Rumors Swirl Prince Andrew Has Been Visiting Daily
- Justin Bieber Postpones Tour After Testing Positive For COVID-19
Want OK! each day? Sign up here!
"Why would any of us be jealous of a family going on vacation during a pandemic??? They won’t truly understand the seriousness of COVID until they see it hit close to home. You can’t save yourself from it. Some of us haven’t seen our families in a year cause we know it’s not safe to travel and wouldn’t want to put anyone at risk," another said in response to Wong's suggestion that fans were envious of the trip.
Charli previously slammed others for being "inconsiderate" and partying during the pandemic.
"You may think, 'Oh, this isn’t going to affect me, it’s not that bad.' You’re thinking you’re a teenager, you’re immune," the teen said in an Instagram Live before the getaway. "You’re putting other people at risk to get hurt and to be in pain."
For his part, Beck who is dating Dixie, defended the trip and said they were "very cautious."
"I think, especially the business we’re in, it’s, like, you need some time to kind of disconnect for a little. That’s what that was meant for. It was just a little trip to getaway. … No matter what we do in life, people are going to say things. I always say, 'Do what makes you happy,'" he told Pop Galore.
Charli has not commented on the backlash from the vacation, but the influencer quashed the "hurtful" rumors that her parents make her post online.
