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3 months ago
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A popular social media account has been accused of filming scripted videos while passing them off as real after a Target customer overheard two people going over their lines while recording multiple takes.
TikToker Steph (@stephs.studios) was shopping in Target when she stumbled upon a content creator staging a video for Paul and Friends where the footage later appeared, amid an array of clips 'blessing' strangers with money.
Suspecting something was not quite right, Steph noticed the man was filming the woman with a phone holder attached to his chest. Upon closer inspection, she realized the conversation appeared to be pre-planned, as the woman repeated lines multiple times and the man called for retakes.
'I started listening even more closely, to see what they were filming. That's when I realized that it was like a script,' said Steph.
She added that the woman repeatedly said that she had never received such a 'blessing' before.
An influencer has been outed for filming scripted videos of himself 'blessing' random Target shoppers with money after a customer caught them doing multiple takes
A TikToker named Steph (@stephs.studios) was shopping in Target when she walked into influencer Paul Vu, staging a video for his content
'I heard the girl say the same thing over and over again so many times,' she said.
To expose the duo, Steph discreetly recorded their interaction by placing her phone in a shopping cart cup holder.
Her footage showed the a part of the pair's performance with the man counting down with his fingers, signaling the woman to begin her lines.
At one point, the woman's facade cracks as she bursts into laughter, seemingly in response to Steph calling them out as 'liars.'
Despite the interruption, the couple quickly resumes their act as Steph walks away.
Steph's viral video has garnered over 841,200 views and 125,000 likes.
'It really upset me because I love that kind of content. And I'm not saying the content is always scripted, but these people were friends,' she said.
With the help of her followers, Steph was sent the video on TikTok account of Paul Vu and Friends - a platform is based on helping others in need and inspiring viewers to do charitable acts. It boasts 1.4 million followers and more than 14 million likes.
Viewers in the comments were disappointed, reminding others to be weary when choosing what to believe on social media.
I hope l’m wrong and it was genuine but from the way it seemed it was scripted and they were friends. I know its really not a big deal but why don’t people actually go help people instead of faking it for views? What do you guys think? Scripted or real?
♬ original sound - steph 🦋Suspecting something was not quite right, Steph noticed the man was filming the woman with a phone holder attached to his chest. Upon closer inspection, she realized the conversation was pre-written, as the woman repeated lines multiple times and the man called for retakes
One person said: 'Because they don't actually give away the money. I'm always suspicious of 'good deeds' done on film.'
Another added: 'Ok but this is some investigative journalism level documentation lol like the 'hidden' camera shots and everything lmao this was great.'
A third penned: 'The fact that they took so many takes just for it to still look scripted.'
A fourth wrote: 'Nothing is genuine anymore.'
Steph later posted an update saying she had identified the video posted on a creators account
Viewers have since flocked to the Paul and Friend's account, adding comments on the video posted and are sharing jokes about seeing the raw behind the scenes footage.
He captioned the clip: 'Kind stranger’s good deeds result in blessings.'
'It’s so weird after seeing them rehearse,' one person said.
'Can't trust nobody these days....' someone else penned.
'And cut!! That’s a wrap people,' said another.
English (US)