A report in The Guardian broke down how influencers, day traders, and Instagram models in Dubai reacted after Iranian missile and drone strikes targeted the United Arab Emirates.
Mike Babayan, a 23-year-old day trader and influencer originally from Los Angeles, moved to Dubai in 2020. Babayan said he was at a hookah lounge when he heard explosions Saturday night and emergency alerts lit up phones across the city.
“Everyone just went back to their hookah and food a minute later,” Babayan said, describing the response inside the lounge. After relocating from his apartment in the Burj Khalifa to another residence farther from the city center, he said he could hear blasts more clearly. “But everyone is just having coffees, walking around like there’s no care in the world. It’s pretty insane.”
Babayan began posting videos to his nearly 150,000 TikTok followers, including clips disputing viral AI-generated footage that appeared to show the Burj Khalifa burning.
In one video, he said Dubai remained safer than major American cities even amid the strikes. “I feel like that’s more important, not having to look over my shoulder every two seconds, compared to the chances of a drone hitting me, which I feel is not as likely,” he said, referring to wearing a $60,000 watch at night.
Iran launched missiles and drones at Gulf states in retaliation for US and Israeli strikes that Iranian state media say have killed hundreds, potentially thousands, inside Iran. The UAE has reported three deaths and 68 injuries since the war began. Authorities said most incoming projectiles were intercepted, though damage was reported at the Fairmont The Palm hotel and at airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. A drone also reportedly struck the parking lot of the US consulate in Dubai, causing a fire but no injuries.
Other influencers documented the attacks from beach clubs and yacht parties.
British travel influencer Will Bailey said he was at a beach club partying it up when missiles struck nearby and later defended his posts from critics. “All I’m doing is I’m documenting what’s happening,” Bailey said. “I’ve had thousands of messages from people who are grateful for the videos I’m putting out.”
Some creators faced backlash for appearing indifferent. One visiting British entrepreneur posted a since-deleted video complaining that the conflict disrupted her travel plans, calling it “really annoying actually because we have got events, we’ve got meetings.”
Babayan commented on the public reaction to the impact on influencers, saying, “Influencers give the impression that they are more douchey in the way they portray life,” he said. “That does piss people off, and now they’re saying that [the chaos] is well deserved.”
The article also cites Mia Plainer, a 23-year-old UK social media planner who was visiting Dubai when the strikes began: “There’s this narrative of ‘Oh look at all these influencers crying about how war’s going on and they’re not used to it,’” Plainer said. “But I think it opens your eyes to how anyone and everyone is in the same situation, no matter your status.”
“The plan is just, life goes on, and to enjoy ourselves as much as possible as we can while we’re here.”
Mike Babayan, a 23-year-old day trader and influencer originally from Los Angeles, moved to Dubai in 2020. Babayan said he was at a hookah lounge when he heard explosions Saturday night and emergency alerts lit up phones across the city.
“Everyone just went back to their hookah and food a minute later,” Babayan said, describing the response inside the lounge. After relocating from his apartment in the Burj Khalifa to another residence farther from the city center, he said he could hear blasts more clearly. “But everyone is just having coffees, walking around like there’s no care in the world. It’s pretty insane.”
Babayan began posting videos to his nearly 150,000 TikTok followers, including clips disputing viral AI-generated footage that appeared to show the Burj Khalifa burning.
In one video, he said Dubai remained safer than major American cities even amid the strikes. “I feel like that’s more important, not having to look over my shoulder every two seconds, compared to the chances of a drone hitting me, which I feel is not as likely,” he said, referring to wearing a $60,000 watch at night.
Iran launched missiles and drones at Gulf states in retaliation for US and Israeli strikes that Iranian state media say have killed hundreds, potentially thousands, inside Iran. The UAE has reported three deaths and 68 injuries since the war began. Authorities said most incoming projectiles were intercepted, though damage was reported at the Fairmont The Palm hotel and at airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. A drone also reportedly struck the parking lot of the US consulate in Dubai, causing a fire but no injuries.
Other influencers documented the attacks from beach clubs and yacht parties.
British travel influencer Will Bailey said he was at a beach club partying it up when missiles struck nearby and later defended his posts from critics. “All I’m doing is I’m documenting what’s happening,” Bailey said. “I’ve had thousands of messages from people who are grateful for the videos I’m putting out.”
Some creators faced backlash for appearing indifferent. One visiting British entrepreneur posted a since-deleted video complaining that the conflict disrupted her travel plans, calling it “really annoying actually because we have got events, we’ve got meetings.”
Babayan commented on the public reaction to the impact on influencers, saying, “Influencers give the impression that they are more douchey in the way they portray life,” he said. “That does piss people off, and now they’re saying that [the chaos] is well deserved.”
The article also cites Mia Plainer, a 23-year-old UK social media planner who was visiting Dubai when the strikes began: “There’s this narrative of ‘Oh look at all these influencers crying about how war’s going on and they’re not used to it,’” Plainer said. “But I think it opens your eyes to how anyone and everyone is in the same situation, no matter your status.”
“The plan is just, life goes on, and to enjoy ourselves as much as possible as we can while we’re here.”
