Richtok Star's Daily Gifts: Romance or Retail Script?

Influencer Leonora Smee's extravagant daily gift reveals, marketed as romantic gestures, have been exposed as a calculated social media strategy. Her team devised the concept, transforming a Christmas advent calendar and a Valentine's Day present series into highly produced content designed for maximum viewer engagement.

These meticulously filmed installments, featuring Leonora's surprised reactions to luxury items, quickly propelled her into the 'Richtok' subculture. However, critical viewers have pointed out that many gifted items are promoted via affiliate links on her shopping pages, raising questions about the sincerity of the displays.

Smee, who describes her online persona as showcasing 'luxury lifestyle in the English countryside,' has leveraged her affluent background and equestrian past to build her brand. Her father is a prominent property tycoon, and she herself has curated a sophisticated online image.

While the Christmas series reportedly totalled over £10,000 in gifts, the Valentine's Day repeat has drawn accusations of being 'vulgar' and 'out of touch.' The true product, critics argue, is not the romance but the performance for commercial gain.