'I don't do first dates at Lau Pa Sat': Influencer launches merch amid backlash after rejecting date
One of the T-shirt designs read: 'I can smell a brokie from afar'.
The Singapore influencer who went viral for saying Lau Pa Sat was a "plain rude" venue for a first date is standing by her stance, launching her own merchandise despite rising criticism.
'I don't do first dates at Lau Pa Sat'
On her Instagram account, @naomiblackk, she unveiled five plain white T-shirt designs, including one sporting a screenshot of her rejecting Lau Pa Sat as a first date venue, another reading "I can smell a brokie from afar", one labelled "Lau Pa Sat Debate 2.0", and one with the words "I don't do first dates at Lau Pa Sat".
"From viral headlines to wearable punchlines," she wrote in the caption, saying the designs were made with "love and a little sass".
In her Instagram Story, she shared that she had received an email from someone interested in collaborating on the merchandise. "Shoutout to the business-minded ones who can spot the gold in every opportunity," she wrote.
'It's not about money'
The saga began when her TikTok video rejecting Lau Pa Sat as a first date venue sparked a heated debate online.
The influencer went on to share her thoughts following the attention it received.
"It's wild to me that my dating standards became a national debate," she wrote, adding that "knowing what you want and sticking to it isn't arrogance, it's clarity".
She added that her stance was "not about money, or looking down on anyone", but noted that "most women want to feel like there's effort on a first date".
While surprised at how far the story spread, she said it was her personal preference, and not advice for everyone.
"Do whatever works for you," she concluded.
