Yaneisy, known on TikTok as @yaneisycanta_98 for her singing videos and glimpses into her everyday life, has firmly addressed the backlash she faced after posting a video about "a luxury that even Paris can't offer." The video, which quickly went viral, featured the young woman enjoying a snack with her son in a park in her hometown in eastern Cuba.
Rather than showcasing material wealth, Yaneisy highlighted a moment of peace and family connection: a cold drink, some snacks, and her son's laughter under the shade of a tree. However, many viewers—particularly Cubans living abroad—interpreted her message as an attempt to gloss over the harsh realities of life on the island.
In response to the flood of negative comments, Yaneisy released a follow-up video defending her right to share her reality without judgment. "I live in Cuba, and for some of my compatriots abroad, providing for my child makes me a freeloader," she stated emphatically. "I can't go out and have a drink without feeling guilty because others can't, as if it's my fault," she added.
The content creator rejected accusations of "romanticizing poverty" and emphasized that she is simply showing her daily life. "I can't share what I do in my town because they say I'm romanticizing communist Cuba, when all I show is my reality," she asserted. She also pointed out the classism often faced by those in Cuba who manage to enjoy even simple pleasures.
"If I get my nails done or wear a piece of jewelry, I'm no longer an ordinary Cuban," she commented, highlighting that the hardships she faces don't disappear just because she looks good or smiles for a moment. Yaneisy also questioned why some choose to harshly criticize those who manage to get by in Cuba rather than celebrate their resilience.
Despite her defensive stance, Yaneisy expressed no resentment toward Cubans who have emigrated. On the contrary, she offered them a message of respect: "I am here, and I truly celebrate every Cuban who has left because that, too, is being Cuban," she concluded.
The initial video was seen by many as a poetic form of resistance, finding beauty in the little things. But her subsequent response makes one thing clear: showcasing a moment of happiness in Cuba doesn't mean denying the crisis; it's simply her way of surviving it.
Understanding the Controversy Around Yaneisy's Viral Video
Why did Yaneisy's video receive criticism?
Yaneisy's video was criticized by many, particularly Cubans living abroad, who felt it was an attempt to downplay the harsh realities of life in Cuba by portraying a simple moment of happiness as a form of "luxury."
How did Yaneisy defend herself against the accusations?
In a follow-up video, Yaneisy defended her right to share her reality without being judged, rejecting claims that she was romanticizing poverty and emphasizing that she was simply showing her daily life in Cuba.