3rd November 2017

Ali Michael has released a statement to apologise for her joke. She told Teen Vogue:

On October 30th, I posted an Instagram Story with a photo of Finn Wolfhard who plays 'Mike' in Stranger Things asking him to, 'call me in four years.'

The general nature of my social media platforms is often one of humour, sarcasm and playful self-deprecation. I often quote, post and publicly respond to music videos, films, documentaries and television shows in a frank and candid manner. The nature of my posts in response to television and media are always tongue-in-cheek and never intended to mislead or upset anyone. In the past, I have asked fictitious characters of films to call me (namely Edward Scissorhands and Simba from the Lion King). In this instance, it has become clear to me that asking a character 'to call in four years' and inappropriately tagging the underage actor who plays the character (Mike) was upsetting, suggestive and concerning for my audience.

It was never my intention (nor has it ever been) to sexualise a minor in any way shape or form. To those I offended or misled, I apologise for a post made in haste and lacking in sensitivity, particularly considering the landscape of the present culture.

2nd November 2017

Model Ali Michael is under fire after sharing a photo of Finn Wolfhard on her Instagram story alongside the caption 'not to be weird but hit me up in four years'.

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The 27 year-old uploaded a snap of the 14 year-old child star onto her Instagram stories. The time-restricted post was screenshot and put on Twitter, where it was not taken too well.

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People said that it was 'disgusting', saying that the message is 'sexualising' a child.

Michael herself responded to the criticism, again on Insta-stories, saying:

Hi, Yesterday I posted a picture of Mike from Stranger Things and wrote 'Call me in 4 years.' It was completely and absolutely a joke but I understand that people have been offended by it. It was wrong to joke about and I apologise. I do not want Mike from Stranger Things to call me. I hope this clears things up.

Plenty of people defended the Texan's joke, saying that there were much more serious issues of sexual harassment to deal with.

However, others noted that, considering the current climate we should be vigilant, and not excuse the behaviour, just because the younger of the two is a young boy, not a girl.

It should be also noted that Wolfhard recently fired his own agent, amid sexual assault claims, showing predatory behaviour occurs towards men, and boys in particular, not just women.

Michael came to prominence in 2008 when she was allegedly sent home from Paris Fashion Week for being too large, explained an article in the Wall Street Journal.

Since then she has been vocal about suffering from eating disorders and the modelling industries pressure to be extremely thin.

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Daisy Murray
Digital Fashion Editor

Daisy Murray is the Digital Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, spotlighting emerging designers, sustainable shopping, and celebrity style. Since joining in 2016 as an editorial intern, Daisy has run the gamut of fashion journalism - interviewing Molly Goddard backstage at London Fashion Week, investigating the power of androgynous dressing and celebrating the joys of vintage shopping.