What was supposed to be a dreamy anniversary getaway turned into a public relations disaster for influencer Zoe Rae, sister of Molly-Mae Hague.
After spending just 48 hours in Bali, Zoe posted a vlog that has now triggered an online firestorm, with locals furious over her harsh comments about the island.
Now, Bali residents are calling for her to be blacklisted from re-entering Indonesia, accusing her of being both disrespectful and possibly in violation of immigration laws.
A Two-Night Stay, a Viral Video, and a Whole Lot of Trouble
Zoe and her husband Danny had checked into the luxurious Radisson Blu in Uluwatu to celebrate their first wedding anniversary.
But their experience didn’t match the Bali of Instagram dreams.
Zoe shared in her YouTube vlog (with over 144,000 subscribers) that the reality of Bali didn’t live up to the hype.
“Something didn’t feel quite right,” she said, explaining that their expectations had been shaped by social media posts showing beautiful cafes, beaches, and gyms.
She went on to say Bali seemed different from her past experiences in Southeast Asia and hinted that Uluwatu, often praised as a top destination, didn’t impress her.
Locals Hit Back and Accuse Her of Damaging Bali’s Image
Bali, where tourism makes up 80% of the local economy, didn’t take kindly to the criticism.
Many residents took Zoe’s comments personally, accusing her of disrespecting the island and even using it for content-driven gain.
A travel agent, Yuli Budi Santoso, slammed the video, saying it unfairly portrayed Bali in a negative light. “They don’t understand Bali,” she said.
“They made it look bad for views.” Others have started urging people to report the video and even get Zoe’s account suspended.
Accusations of Visa Violations and a Call for Blacklisting
But the criticism didn’t stop at the vlog’s content. I Made Somya Putra, a local activist and lawyer, questioned whether Zoe was working illegally while in Indonesia.
In Indonesia, creating monetized content without the proper visa can be considered working—and it’s a serious offense that can result in fines, deportation, or even permanent bans from re-entry.
He added that Zoe’s video seemed more like “sponsored content” aimed at stirring controversy for clicks, rather than a genuine travel review.
“It’s like tasting a drop of water and assuming you’ve experienced the whole ocean,” he said.
Defending Themselves and Jetting Off to Dubai
After facing mounting backlash, Zoe and Danny packed up and headed to Dubai, where they stayed at the ultra-luxurious Atlantis The Royal hotel.
Zoe shared Instagram updates about the surprise anniversary treat from Danny, calling it the perfect destination for relaxation.
Defending their decision to leave Bali so quickly, Danny chimed in: “You either go on holiday to explore or to relax.
We just wanted to relax.” Zoe admitted they might’ve “missed the mark” with Bali, saying, “Maybe it’s on us. Maybe it’s just personal preference.”
Cultural Clash or Social Media Misstep?
What started as a simple vacation vlog has now raised bigger conversations about tourism, privilege, and respect.
Bali residents feel that visitors—especially influencers with large platforms—should be more thoughtful when sharing their experiences, especially when they impact a destination’s global reputation.
Entrepreneur Nayaka Pidada put it bluntly: “If someone isn’t satisfied with their visit, it means Bali has rejected them.”
Still, he added, locals are typically welcoming and open to guests—but respect goes both ways.