Alix Earle sparked outrage among book lovers after glibly answering a question about reading in a recent interview.
The influencer
, who has over 14.6 million followers across TikTok and Instagram and stars in a new Netflix reality series, was asked by Interview Magazine editor-in-chief Mel Ottenberg, "What’s the last book you read?" She goes on to respond, "I’ve never read a book. Like maybe Dr. Seuss.”After that, the conversation quickly turned to asking Earle about her preferred hair color. The video was then shared across social media, and many tied her comments to the literacy crisis in the United States. According to the National Endowment for the Arts, less than half of U.S. adults read a book in 2021, and last year a study found that reading
for pleasure in the U.S. has declined by more than 40% over the last 20 years.
The Instagram reel showing the clip was immediately inundated with comments saying that Earle not having read a book since childhood is not exactly an achievement.
"Not having read a book since elementary school is not ditsy and cute, it's embarrassing," one person wrote. "PSA during this literacy crisis: READING MAKES YOU HOT AND COOL," someone else responded.
USA TODAY reached out to Earle's team for comment but did not immediately hear back.
Sarah Madaus, a librarian at a New York City high school, tells USA TODAY that she sees Earle's comments as "embarrassing." She goes on to say, "Given Earle’s platform, which consists largely of young women, regarding reading with such flippancy sends a dangerous message that you can amass wealth and fame without ever picking up one of those pesky books."
"While reading is important for everyone, it’s key for people like Earle in the entertainment industry. You need an extensive vocabulary, understanding of context and a knowledge of thematic elements to create engaging and intelligent content," she continues. "Alix, if you need book recommendations, I’ve got plenty, because Dr. Seuss isn’t even that good."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Influencer Alix Earle sparks backlash: 'I've never read a book'
