In the world of social media and influencers, there are plenty out there who think their large or medium-sized followings entitle them to free stuff and special treatment.
But that obviously can’t (and shouldn’t) be an excuse to treat people poorly. One Spanish YouTuber learned this lesson the hard way, and now has to deal with a terminated YouTube channel.
Borja Escalona boasted a YouTube channel with over 35,000 followers.
On August 9th, the Spanish self-proclaimed influencer went live on his now-deleted YouTube channel to show his audience the free food he could get in Vigo, Spain , because of his social media following, Gizmodo reports.
He ended up going to a local bar called A Tapa do Barril.
While at the bar, he ordered empanadillas, which are a type of empanada typically served cold with simple toppings. The cost for this empanadilla was €2.30, which is roughly $2.30 USD.
During the stream, he refuses to pay for the food.
He talks to the server, whom he refers to as Lucía (her actual name is Rebeca, for reference). Escalona tells her (in Spanish), “Well then, now we have a problem. Then I have to charge you for this promotion that I’ve just made for you.”
“It’s going to be a bit more expensive.”
Escalona reiterates the fact that he “only eats free things” because he feels that his following entitles him to do so. Rebeca tells him he simply can’t not pay, and tells him to take it up with her manager.
Eventually, Escalona reluctantly decides to pay.
He then says, “Here’s what’s going to happen. You all are going to get an invoice for the promotion that I just did, which will be €2.500. My company will send the invoice, don’t worry.”
This clearly had an effect on the server, who felt threatened.
Rebeca told Escalona that she felt he was threatening her job over the equivalent of around $2,500. Escalona, meanwhile, was laughing about the ordeal the whole time.
Though this exchange was available on his YouTube channel, the video (along with his account) is no longer available.
YouTube released a statement confirming that they terminated Escalona’s channel, citing a violation of their terms and service.
Escalona had previously been suspended by YouTube in 2021, and created a new channel to circumvent the suspension.
Escalona’s behavior was condemned by the Spanish public.
Multiple Spanish news outlets reported the exchange that happened during the livestream. Social media users also took to their platforms to condemn the entitlement displayed by Escalona during his livestream.
The bar also released a statement confirming that they never entered an agreement with the YouTuber.
A Tapa do Barril took to Instagram to talk about the ordeal. They also wrote that they’d been receiving negative reviews from Escalona’s followers, none of which had actually gone to the bar.
The bar is also planning legal action against Escalona.
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Now, Escalona must face the fallout for his actions.
In another now-deleted livestream, Escalona appeared in tears, stating that he and his wife have had to deal with public disgrace as a result of his behavior. He asked the Spanish public for forgiveness.
This is not the first time Escalona has gotten himself in trouble.
Escalona was arrested in 2021 after assaulting a woman with an electric razor in Madrid. He threw the razor at the woman, causing injury to her face that required medical attention.
