Olivia Jade Giannulli, College Admissions Scandal Figure, Faces Backlash For ‘White Privilege’ Comments

Critics have gone after Olivia Jade Giannulli for posting comments about white privilege and racism after the death of George Floyd and the on–going protests, saying that her involvement in her family’s recent college admission scandal is the epitome of “white privilege.”

Giannulli posted on her Instagram story over the weekend, “As a person who was born into privilege based on my skin color & financial situation, i was not always aware that these issues were still so present. And that makes me feel awful. But that also fuels me.” 

She went on to say, “It makes me want to learn more and do more and be better for all my beautiful black friends and any other person who faces discrimination.”

The influencer later added, “I’m not racist and i never have been but i need to speak up about this because just not being racist isn’t enough. It outrages me. It makes me feel sick. It brings me to tears. THERE SHOULD NOT BE SUCH A GAP BETWEEN PEOPLE LIKE THIS. We need to support and stand up and speak and use our WHITE PRIVILEGE TO STOP THIS.”

Giannulli’s comments quickly circulated on Twitter where she was widely mocked. Her parents Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli recently pleaded guilty to paying $500,000 to have Giannulli and her sister admitted into the University of Southern California as crew recruits, though they never participated in the sport.

Many believe that Giannulli did not suffer the proper consequences. One user commented and said, “Her white privileged got her out of trouble.” Another added, “The college admissions scandal contributes to the sense of outrage felt by many who take to the streets and violently protest systemic entitlement, privilege and discrimination, while sweet lil olivia jade drops make-up tutorials like nothing happened. dumb, clueless and tone deaf.”

Giannulli ended her five-month social media break on May 28 when she posted a video of a makeup tutorial for the first time since December 2019. 

On June 2 Giannulli participated in the Black Out Tuesday movement by posting a black screen to her Instagram with the caption, “black lives matter 🖤.”

Lori and Mossimo pleaded guilty to wire and mail fraud on May 22. They will each have to spend time in prison, complete community service hours and pay $250,000 and $150,000 respectively.