A swimwear model has faced backlash after being labeled ‘tone deaf’ for her comments following a tragic event in Bondi where 15 people lost their lives.
Raylee Cherry, the Australian promoter for the swimwear brand OMRAY, caused public outrage with her remarks in the wake of the Sunday attacks.
In now-deleted Instagram posts, Cherry made comments about the ethnicity of a local hero from Bondi and criticized Australians for not showing the same bravery as Ahmed al Ahmed, who reportedly disarmed an assailant.
Cherry, who recently launched a store at Bondi Junction Westfield, also stated that everyone’s ‘time would come,’ suggesting it is an inevitable aspect of life.
She reassured her followers in a post, saying, ‘I am safe everyone and left the markets a while ago thank you so much for all the love and messages!’
Cherry went on to describe her experience, saying, ‘I was riding my scooter to a friend’s place when it happened, complaining about the police blocking the roads. May God protect us all; when your time comes, it comes. That’s just part of life… Trust your destiny.’
Cherry, who models her own line, also posted about the ethnicity of al Ahmed, the 43-year-old Syrian-born father-of-two who was hailed as a hero after he tackled and disarmed alleged terrorist Sajid Akram, likely saving dozens of lives.
‘I knew the HERO was lebbo [Lebanese] as NO AUSTRALIAN can have the balls to do what he did especially considering his cute big belly he reminded me of my dad. Anyway love you Ahmed,’ she wrote.
The Australian promoter of swimwear fashion label OMRAY, known online as ‘Raylee Cherry’ (pictured), sparked outrage in the aftermath of the horrific Bondi attacks
Cherry’s Instagram post sparked outrage after she said ‘when your time will come it will come’
The OMRAY promoter also posted about the ethnicity of Bondi hero Ahmed al-Ahmed
A social media user lashed the swimwear entrepreneur’s social media posts after the massacre
The business owner doubled down when several people took issue with her posts amid reports a 10-year-old girl was among those who had died in the attack.
‘I’ve received so many hate messages in the past 24 hours, guess what, I will keep sharing whatever I want to share if you not happy LEAVE!!!’ she wrote.
‘If you think considering every life as equal makes me extremist maybe you are no different than the terrorists!
‘I repeat multiple lives were taken during this attack, this includes Europeans, Latinos, Jewish, Muslim, Christians, to me you are just a HUMAN… I do not GIVE A DAMN F*** ABOUT YOUR RELIGION.’
Others criticised Cherry for promoting her brand in the wake of the tragedy.
‘This owner of a Bondi swimwear company… recently had a store in Bondi Junction Westfield has posted… after the devastating [alleged] t******t a****k,’ one wrote.
‘It really doesn’t sit right with me and comes across tone deaf. I feel it is extremely inappropriate to post this after a m*** [alleged] m***** when your time will come it will come and that’s part of life”.
‘A 10-year-old girl passed away I can guarantee that was not her destiny. “Trust your destiny”.
Raylee fired back at her critics, saying those who weren’t ‘happy’ with her posts to ‘leave’
Ahmed al-Ahmed, the 43-year-old Syrian-born father-of-two was hailed as a hero after he tackled and disarmed deceased gunman Sajid Akram on Sunday evening
‘The next posts I don’t even know what to say… I think as a Bondi store owner I expected a better response than this. What are everyone’s thoughts?’
Some called on Aussies to boycott the swimwear brand while another asked ‘who is this flop’.
‘These people are so god damn tone deaf it’s not even funny,’ another wrote.
‘The amount of TikTok’s I saw with ‘thoughts and prayers’ while they are stroking their hair and looking sideways makes me sick. Anything for content or engagement.’
‘She’s honestly making me feel confused… she says she thinks we are all equal but knew the hero was leb because he couldn’t possibly be Australian?,’ another posted.
‘That man is Australian – we are a multicultural society and he has lived here for years??? Still an absolute HERO!’
The horrendous Bondi attack occurred just before 7pm on Sunday, when Naveed Akram, 24, and his father Sajid, 50, allegedly opened fire during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, killing 15 and injuring 40.
On Wednesday, alleged gunman Naveed Akram was charged with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder and 40 counts of attempted murder.
Raylee copped a social media pile after she posted a series of Instagram Stories
Akram was charged after spending two days in a coma following a police shooting.
The charges include committing a terrorist act, discharging a firearm in public, displaying a prohibited terrorist symbol, placing an explosive near a building with intent to harm, and 40 counts of wounding with intent to murder.
‘Police will allege in court the man engaged in conduct that caused death, serious injury and endangered life to advance a religious cause and cause fear in the community,’ NSW Police said.
‘Early indications point to a terrorist attack inspired by ISIS, a listed terrorist organisation in Australia.’
His father, Sajid, was fatally shot by police during the nine-minute attack.
Daily Mail has contacted Raylee Cherry for comment.
