Sondos Alqattan, a prominent Kuwaiti beauty blogger and social media influencer, gained international attention after posting a controversial video criticizing the Kuwaiti government’s efforts to improve the rights and working conditions of migrant domestic workers. With a substantial following of around 2.4 million on Instagram, Alqattan was a well-known figure in the Arab world, frequently collaborating with beauty brands to promote their products. However, the video sparked a significant backlash, leading to a wave of criticism and causing several brands to sever ties with her. Despite the controversy, her popularity eventually rebounded, and she continues to maintain a growing audience, although comments on her social media accounts remain disabled.
The controversy began when Alqattan posted a video in Arabic on July 10, 2018, where she harshly criticized new regulations designed to protect domestic workers in Kuwait. These regulations, which were part of an agreement between the Kuwaiti and Philippine governments, granted workers a weekly day off, the right to keep their passports, and the ability to transfer their visas to a new employer. Alqattan expressed her discontent with these measures, particularly the idea of allowing workers to keep their passports. She questioned the rationale behind these protections, stating, “How can you have a servant at home who gets to keep their passport with them? If they ran away and went back to their country, who’ll refund me? I don’t want a Filipino maid anymore.”
The new regulations were implemented following a high-profile case involving a Filipina maid, Joanna Demafelis, who was murdered in Kuwait, with her body being hidden in a freezer for a year. The crime led to the conviction and death sentence of her Lebanese employer in April 2018. The incident triggered a diplomatic crisis between Kuwait and the Philippines, prompting Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to demand the return of Filipino workers from Kuwait and impose a ban on sending new workers to the country. Kuwait is home to approximately 250,000 Filipino workers, many of whom serve as domestic helpers.
Alqattan’s comments quickly drew widespread condemnation from around the globe. Her remarks were seen as dismissive of the rights and dignity of domestic workers, sparking outrage on social media and leading to extensive coverage in international news outlets. Despite the growing criticism, Alqattan remained unapologetic. In a statement posted on Instagram, she dismissed the backlash as unjustified and refused to apologize, claiming that the negative response was part of a “foreign media campaign” against her, which she linked to an attack on Islam, the Hijab, and Kuwait.
As a result of the controversy, several major beauty brands, including Max Factor, Shiseido, Phyto, MAC Cosmetics, M. Micallef, and Chelsea Beautique, publicly distanced themselves from Alqattan and announced they would no longer work with her. Despite this, Alqattan appears to have retained her influence within the Middle Eastern online media sphere. Although there were rumors of an association with Christian Dior, the luxury brand clarified that they did not have a business relationship with her and that her attendance at their fashion show was in a private capacity.
Alqattan’s story highlights the complex dynamics of social media influence, public opinion, and corporate responsibility in the digital age. Despite the significant backlash and loss of brand partnerships, her continued presence and influence suggest that she remains a formidable figure in the Middle Eastern beauty and fashion industry.
