Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh and other Malaysian public figures have appeared on a “blockout” list for allegedly remaining silent about the ongoing crisis in Gaza or continuing to support brands affiliated to Israel.
Yeoh and her fellow actresses Anna Jobling and Neelofa were included in a list of around 30 names titled “Malaysian Celebrity and Influencer Block List”. A user named Liena Bunkerz posted it on Facebook on May 13 and it has been shared 6,000 times as of Thursday.
The ‘Blockout 2024’ movement
The “blocking” list, aimed at Malaysian celebrities, follows an online movement called “Blockout 2024” in which social media users boycott celebrities and influencers by “blocking” their accounts on platforms like Instagram, TikTok and X (formerly known as Twitter).
Associated Press reported that participants say the movement is a protest because celebrities have not spoken out or have not said enough against Israel’s actions in Gaza during its war with Hamas.
Blocking these public figures’ accounts means they will not see any content they produce on social networks: no posts, photos or videos, or even no collaboration with sponsors.
The blocks also affect celebrities’ views, engagement and ultimately revenue, because the number of people interacting with the content makes money, the AP reported.
Yeoh has not opened up about the war, although she spoke to the AP on March 10 and said protests calling for a ceasefire in Gaza in connection with the Oscars was “worrying.”
She received the Presidential Medal of Honor from US President Joe Biden on May 3. This American accolade is awarded to those who have contributed to the security and civilian life of the United States.
The United States has provided aid to Israel throughout the Gaza war. Reuters reported on May 15 that the US State Department was submitting $1 billion in weapons aid to Israel for Congress to review, according to US officials.
The original poster on the list of blocked Malaysian personalities on Facebook read: “Even though I am a huge fan of some of them, I am forced to block them. I can’t compromise with people who don’t have common sense about our brothers in G4z4 (Gaza)”
According to American media, the Blockout 2024 movement began on May 6 during the Met Gala in New York. This was prompted by angry reactions to a video by TikTok influencer Haley Kalil in which she lip-syncs the words “Let them eat cake” outside the event.
These words are often attributed to the Queen of France during the French Revolution, Marie Antoinette. They refer to leaders who are so removed from the daily struggles of the people that they suggest that people eat cake when they don’t even have bread.
Several media outlets reported that celebrities such as Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez and Billie Eilish had lost from hundreds of thousands to around a million followers on their Instagram and TikTok accounts due to the Blockout movement.
The event’s “sheer visual spectacle” contrasted with images from news reports the day before covering Israel’s attack on Gaza’s Rafah, said Ms Chloe Lim, an account director at integrated creative agency DSTNCT.
