‘Embarrassing': U.S. restaurant co-owner loses job after humiliating influencer and refusing to give her free meal
Karla, known online as @itskarlabb, had organized a collaboration with Kis Café in which she would make a video and the restaurant would give her a free dinner.
Karla said she was left in tears following the exchange with co-owner Luke Sung. Picture: supplied.
However, the evening took a sudden turn when co-owner Luke Sung demanded the restaurant host show him Karla's TikTok account, according to a video posted to the site by the influencer.
Karla, who had 15k followers at the time, said the man was questioning why Karla was chosen for a collaboration.
'[Sung] was saying that I have too little followers and that this was a mistake,' she said.
'This is all happening in front of me, and they know that I can hear them.
'At this point I am turning red because I am so embarrassed and I feel really disrespected.'
@itskarlabb
its a long video and not something i would normally upload but i feel like i had to talk about this experience. i basically ran out of there but i wish i would've stood up for myself. if you are a micro influencer i know it's easy to feel discouraged at times but don't let anyone make you feel small or unimportant!! ♬ original sound - itskarlabb
Karla said Sung approached her soon after, and she was left 'shaking' and in tears following the exchange.
'He says to me that he doesn't think my videos are at the level at which he wants his restaurant to be represented,' she said.
'He goes on to say that my audience and my followers are not the kind of people that are going to be at his restaurant.'
Karla left the restaurant crying and didn't wish to continue the collaboration, saying she felt 'disrespected.'
Her video has been viewed more than 20 million times, and in a statement to social media, the restaurant announced Sung would not be continuing at the company.
The restaurant announced in a social media statement Luke Sung had been let go from the position. Picture: supplied
'He is no longer part of the team as a co-owner, a chef or in any other way,' it read.
'That behaviour does not reflect the remainder of our team. We want to create a space that's welcoming and respectful to everyone.
'In this instance, we failed to do so.'
Another co-owner of Sung's, who chose to remain anonymous, said the restaurant is figuring out its next steps.
'When we're ready, we will restart differently, separate from chef,' they told NBC Bay Area.
Karla has gained more than 100k followers since her video went viral. Picture: TikTok
'This way my staff can also continue their livelihoods.'
Since Karla's video was posted, she has amassed more than 373k followers on TikTok - and said she will continue to be a voice for 'micro' influencers.
'You don't need to have a million followers to be respected or feel like you're making a difference,' she said.
'I love spotlighting small businesses and I want to continue to do that and have fun.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Perth Now
Golden Globes host's epic tribute to Perth after live show
Comedian Nikki Glaser is known for her devastating roasts on Hollywood's elite, but the touring star had only kind words to say about Perth as she departed the State following her Friday night show at Perth HPC. Gaining a new legion of fans after hosting the Golden Globes in January, the 41-year-old American brought her popular Alive & Unwell tour to Australia earlier this month. Sharing her favourite moments to Instagram from the back end of her tour, Glaser celebrated her brief WA stay by rocking a 'Perth' embossed red T-shirt and cork hat as she embraced Aussie culture. 'Brisbane! Adelaide! Perth! You gave me the biggest crowds and some of the very best shows of my life. I don't know what I'm going to do with these Vegemite and mushroom lady jokes now,' she told fans. 'Thank you for making me feel so welcome in your incredible country. And turns out, I look stunning in a cork hat? I'm already figuring out when I can come back. I love you!' Nikki Glaser enjoyed her time in Perth as she toured Australia. Credit: Nikki Glaser/IG / IG Glaser has made a habit of donning merch emblazoned with her local crowd's location, as seen in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide. However, the comic's deviation from her signature low-cut dresses was not Glaser's only attempt to ingratiate herself with locals. Audiences expressed their appreciation at hearing Daryl Braithwaite's iconic Horses anthem ringing out at her shows. 'Nikki Glaser becoming a Braithmate was not on my 2025 bingo card!' one fan said. Another declared, 'it was the most fun show ever!' after seeing the sharp-witted comic in Perth. If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. Glaser has enjoyed a near 20-year stand-up career, but arguably broke into the upper echelon of TV comics in 2024 following her viral Tom Brady Roast performance. The crowd-pleaser followed that up with her HBO comedy special Someday You'll Die later in the year, earning her first Emmy nomination. And the star's rise and rise has not yet reached its ceiling, with Glaser confirmed to be reprising her role as host of the Golden Globes in 2026.
Sky News AU
5 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Tom Cruise's rumoured new girlfriend Ana de Armas takes aim at his ex Nicole Kidman by liking post mocking Aussie film star's appearance
Tom Cruise's rumoured new girlfriend has taken aim at his ex-wife Nicole Kidman by liking a post mocking the Australian film star. Cuban-American actress Ana de Armas, 37, and 63-year-old Cruise are thought to be in a relationship after they were recently spotted together numerous times at different romantic locations across the globe. De Armas took to Instagram to heart Celeb Mess' post of Kidman, which showed her face up close with the caption: "When you keep it real". The photo was reposted on Reddit, where fans of Kidman, 58, took to the comments to lash out at the War Dogs actress for shading their idol. "Lol let's see what she looks like at almost 60," one person said of her. Another person said it fascinates them when "people in their 20s and 30s are rude about people aging." "Like, where do you think you're headed? And do you know what the alternative to aging is?" they said. A third person hit out at de Armas for dating a "senior Tom Cruise", adding, "but sure Ana, you're the winner here lmao." "Having a one-sided internet beef with your boyfriend's wife from 20 years ago, this openly is just absurd lol," another person said. One more Nicole fan championed the Aussie's decades-long acting career, which has endured throughout her youth and more recently. "Looks fade, talent doesn't. Nicole's had a 40-year career. Let's see where Ana's is in 10," the Reddit user said. "Nicole Kidman has more talent, beauty, and grace than she ever will have." The furore comes after de Armas and Cruise touched down in London together on Friday after being spotted enjoying a leisurely escape aboard a yacht docked off the Spanish island of Menorca in June. Both stars cut a casual figure as they disembarked a helicopter, with Cruise wearing a T-shirt and jeans while his rumoured beau donned leggings and a sweatshirt with her dogs Elvis and Sasha in tow. The two appear to have been getting cosy, spending the days leading up to Valentine's Day and the actress's birthday in April together. Cruise and de Armas ignited romance rumours in February, when they were spotted strolling together in London. The actress subsequently said it occurred as the two were engaged in business talks with filmmakers Christopher McQuarrie and Doug Liman. And they are set to star in Liman's upcoming film Deeper, which sees Cruise star as a disgraced astronaut on a perilous deep-sea mission. Nevertheless, they are yet to confirm anything more than a friendship. In June, Ana said she was "really happy and proud" to have Cruise championing her film, Ballerina, after he paid her a compliment. The Chruch of Scientology believer said the John Wick spin-off "kicked ass." 'There's an actress that has dramatic chops, someone who's comedic, very, very talented," he said in May, adding: "Just a great actress."
Sky News AU
6 hours ago
- Sky News AU
‘Embarrassing': U.S. restaurant co-owner loses job after humiliating influencer and refusing to give her free meal
An American chef has been fired from a recently opened San Francisco restaurant after refusing to give an influencer a free meal and 'embarrassing' her. Karla, known online as @itskarlabb, had organized a collaboration with Kis Café in which she would make a video and the restaurant would give her a free dinner. Karla said she was left in tears following the exchange with co-owner Luke Sung. Picture: supplied. However, the evening took a sudden turn when co-owner Luke Sung demanded the restaurant host show him Karla's TikTok account, according to a video posted to the site by the influencer. Karla, who had 15k followers at the time, said the man was questioning why Karla was chosen for a collaboration. '[Sung] was saying that I have too little followers and that this was a mistake,' she said. 'This is all happening in front of me, and they know that I can hear them. 'At this point I am turning red because I am so embarrassed and I feel really disrespected.' @itskarlabb its a long video and not something i would normally upload but i feel like i had to talk about this experience. i basically ran out of there but i wish i would've stood up for myself. if you are a micro influencer i know it's easy to feel discouraged at times but don't let anyone make you feel small or unimportant!! ♬ original sound - itskarlabb Karla said Sung approached her soon after, and she was left 'shaking' and in tears following the exchange. 'He says to me that he doesn't think my videos are at the level at which he wants his restaurant to be represented,' she said. 'He goes on to say that my audience and my followers are not the kind of people that are going to be at his restaurant.' Karla left the restaurant crying and didn't wish to continue the collaboration, saying she felt 'disrespected.' Her video has been viewed more than 20 million times, and in a statement to social media, the restaurant announced Sung would not be continuing at the company. The restaurant announced in a social media statement Luke Sung had been let go from the position. Picture: supplied 'He is no longer part of the team as a co-owner, a chef or in any other way,' it read. 'That behaviour does not reflect the remainder of our team. We want to create a space that's welcoming and respectful to everyone. 'In this instance, we failed to do so.' Another co-owner of Sung's, who chose to remain anonymous, said the restaurant is figuring out its next steps. 'When we're ready, we will restart differently, separate from chef,' they told NBC Bay Area. Karla has gained more than 100k followers since her video went viral. Picture: TikTok 'This way my staff can also continue their livelihoods.' Since Karla's video was posted, she has amassed more than 373k followers on TikTok - and said she will continue to be a voice for 'micro' influencers. 'You don't need to have a million followers to be respected or feel like you're making a difference,' she said. 'I love spotlighting small businesses and I want to continue to do that and have fun.'
