Draya Michele crticised for selling air air purifier amid LA fireplace
Draya Michele appears to have promoted the incorrect product on the incorrect time.
The actress is dealing with backlash after selling air purifiers amid the continued wildfires in Los Angeles.
The Basketball Wives LA star, 39, shared a video on Instagram on Saturday, January 11, showcasing a Sereniby air air purifier whereas the town battles the devastating fires.
The publish, which featured Michele unboxing and establishing the air purifier along with her 8-year-old son, Jru Scandrick, within the background, drew combined reactions from her followers.
“While the unimaginable is happening with the fires in LA … air quality is so poor, toxic even,” Michele wrote within the caption.
“There’s no price on peace of mind but having it is more valuable than most worldly things,” Michele added.
The publish garnered criticism, main Michele to restrict the feedback on her publish.
In response to the controversy, Sereniby informed PEOPLE that Michele was “not compensated for her post.”
“She and her team contacted us because she genuinely uses the product and believed it could help others dealing with the severe air quality in Los Angeles,” the corporate defined.
“Together, we explored ways to make our purifier as affordable as possible during this difficult time. We’re a small, family-run startup that only launched a few months ago, and we’re incredibly grateful for her genuine support.”
Sereniby additional acknowledged, “Like so many others, we feel powerless against the devastation caused by the L.A. fires, but we want to help in whatever small way we can.”
“We’re donating 10% of our January profits to the American Red Cross, and we recognize there are countless urgent needs in this crisis. If financial assistance affording an air purifier can help lighten someone’s burden, we encourage those in L.A. to reach out to us directly — we’ll continue doing everything we can to support the community during this difficult time.”
Regardless of the corporate’s clarification, some followers criticized Michele’s timing and method.
One consumer commented, “Draya using the L.A. fires to promote an air purifier on her Instagram. Like she never does anything right. Tone deaf.”
One other remarked, “At the least she could be giving them away. But selling a product at a time like this is sure proof of creamed corn for brains.”