⚖️ Cease and Desist Ignites Debate on TikTok

CREATOR ECONOMY NEWSLETTER


Days after Real Housewives of New York star Bethenny Frankel made headlines for suing TikTok for allowing the use of her image in counterfeit ads, Frankel went viral on the platform for going to greater lengths to protect her image. The reality television star sent cease and desists to creators she believed were misrepresenting her non-profit and businesses in their content, including smaller pop culture TikToker Meredith Lynch. 

Numerous creators came to Lynch’s defense as a result, criticizing Frankel for trying to “silence” smaller creators who are critical of her and have fewer resources to defend themselves in a court of law. Defamation suits have been increasingly used to combat disinformation coming out of inflammatory online gossip and commentary channels, such as in the case of the blogger Tasha K and Cardi B. However, independent pop culture commentators on platforms like TikTok have expressed concerns that celebrities will utilize lawsuits to come after creators who have negative opinions about them. In the case of Frankel and Lynch, Passionfruit reporter Grace Stanley unpacked the discourse that unfolded on TikTok—and shared what creators thought about the cease and desist.


TOKWATCH

Bethenny Frankel sends TikTok creator Meredith Lynch a cease and desist, sparking debate

woman with caption "well that's a wrap on this former housewife!" (l) "apparently you can't express your opinion on this app" (c) "How wealthy people bully small creators" (r)

ONE GREAT TIP


TIPS & TRICKS

jack wright

TikToker Jack Wright shares what he learned from the Hype House, online toxicity, and acting

“I think fan bases can see right through the screen.”

By Grace Stanley, Passionfruit Reporter


TOOLS REVIEW

Girl with pink hair sitting cross-legged in front of her closet and filming an unboxing video on her iphone, held up by a tripod

Everything you need to make unboxing videos or product reviews on YouTube

Viewers are counting on leaving with a realistic takeaway of your featured product.

By Rachel Kiley, Passionfruit Contributor


IN THE BIZ


TIKTOK MADE ME DO IT

Content for Creators.

News, tips, and tricks delivered to your inbox twice a week.

Newsletter Signup

Latest Newsletters

  • It’s The White House Creators’ Dinner

    It’s The White House Creators’ Dinner

    CREATOR NEWSLETTER Issue #336 | April 29, 2025 – Liz Plank, Passionfruit Contributor PLATFORMS Spotify Pays Out $100 Million to Creators Money isn’t the only way creators have benefitted. By Charlotte Colombo, Passionfruit Contributor → READ THE FULL STORY SPONSORED These cannabis gummies keep selling out Just 1 can get you feeling right within 5 minutes! Get 20% off your order with code…

  • “Google Doesn’t Consider You Worthy”

    “Google Doesn’t Consider You Worthy”

    CREATOR NEWSLETTER Issue #335 | April 24, 2025 – Taylor Lorenz, Passionfruit Contributor  PLATFORMS Linktree Has Introduced New Ways for Creators To Monetize Their Content The news was first announced on April 23. By Charlotte Colombo, Passionfruit Contributor → READ THE FULL STORY SPONSORED Runners, join the 2025 RunDot Project and receive 2 free months of training. The RunDot Project is an annual research initiative…

  • Rise of the Slang Coin

    Rise of the Slang Coin

    CREATOR NEWSLETTER Issue #334 | April 22, 2025 – Taylor Lorenz, Passionfruit Contributor CULTURE The Hidden Crypto Market Behind Gen Z Slang Words can be as good as gold. By Taylor Lorenz, Passionfruit Contributor → READ THE FULL STORY SPONSORED What’s one of the best things you can do for your small business in just 10 minutes? How about protecting it from a…