Brazilian Influencer Quits Social Media After Massive Backlash Over BTS Remarks

Brazilian influencer and conservative commentator Pietra Bertolazzi has stepped away from social media after facing widespread backlash over remarks she made about BTS following the group's performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show.

According to Brazilian media reports, Bertolazzi criticized BTS in a social media post published on July 19, shortly after the halftime show. Her remarks drew criticism for relying on gender-based stereotypes about the members' appearance and for disparaging K-pop and Korean artists.

The comments quickly circulated online, prompting backlash from BTS' global fanbase, ARMY, as well as Brazilian social media users. Critics argued that the remarks reinforced outdated ideas of masculinity and contained homophobic and xenophobic undertones.

As the backlash intensified, Bertolazzi deleted the original post and made her Instagram account private. She later announced that she would take a break from social media.

In a statement released on July 24, Bertolazzi said her comments had been intended as criticism of what she described as "certain aesthetics" in the modern entertainment industry, rather than as an expression of xenophobia. She also said she planned to take legal action over online attacks allegedly directed at both her and members of her family.

Her explanation, however, did little to quell the criticism. Many Brazilian users continued to argue that the original remarks relied on derogatory stereotypes involving appearance, sexuality and traditional notions of masculinity.

Brazilian entertainment journalist Gabriel Perline also addressed the controversy, drawing attention to the scale and speed of the online response. He remarked that the level of organization and mobilization displayed by BTS' fandom was something that "even many political parties would envy."

The controversy has since attracted attention both in Brazil and overseas. It is also the latest instance of BTS' global fandom mobilizing rapidly in response to remarks viewed as discriminatory or insulting toward the group.

BTS performed at the first FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show on July 19 alongside a lineup of international artists. The group has since resumed its "ARIRANG" world tour after completing two concerts at Stade de France in Paris on July 17 and 18. BTS is scheduled to perform next at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Aug. 1 and 2.