Cyan Boujee Loses TikTok Account With 1.8 Million Followers After Advertising Russian Program
- Cyan Boujee, Seemah and other influencers had their TikTok accounts banned after advertising a work-study opportunity in Russia
- TikTok banned the accounts after South Africans reported them for human exploitation
- While some netizens praised a social media user for leading the initiative, others pleaded on behalf of Cyan Boujee, Seemah and others
Source: Instagram
Cyan Boujee, Seemah and other influencers have lost their TikTok accounts after promoting a controversial work-study opportunity targeting young South African women.
After the government confirmed that it was investigating Cyan Boujee, Seemah and others for advertising the Start Program in Russia, South Africans took matters into their own hands. Cyan Boujee, Seemah and other influencers have lost TikTok accounts they spent years building after South Africans took action.
Cyan Boujee and Seemah lose TikTok accounts with millions of followers
On Wednesday, 27 August 2025, social media user @Paballo_maseko_ took to X and announced that TikTok had banned the accounts of Cyan Boujee, Seemah and other influencers. Despite Cyan Boujee and Seemah apologising for promoting the Russian program, netizens went ahead and reported their accounts for human exploitation. The post read:
PAY ATTENTION: stay informed and follow us on Google News!
“After we reported the influencers' accounts under ‘human exploitation’ for promoting the Start Program in Russia. TikTok banned their accounts 🤭”
Seemah lost a TikTok account with a staggering 2.8 million followers, while Cyan Boujee’s account with 1.8 million followers was also suspended.
See the post below:
In subsequent posts, the social media user urged others to report the other influencers
“Let’s report the others. Sibongile Kajane got banned, too. Aya Langa and a few still remain, but we need to get them.”
In another post, the social media user shared that TikTok had banned Aya Langa’s 1.7 million-follower account.
How netizens reacted after TikTok banned Cyan Boujee and Seemah's accounts
It is unclear if this is a permanent or temporary ban. At the time of writing, none of the affected influencers had issued a statement, although they are expected to request a review from TikTok.
In the comment section, several netizens applauded TikTok for banning Cyan Boujee, Seemah and other influencers. Some also applauded the social media user for leading the charge against the influencers. Others defended the influencers and asked for mercy.
Here are some of the comments:
@DSaprais58500 pleaded:
“Y'all are going for their bag with this high unemployment. I think they learned their lesson, forgive them.”
@Zamayirh gushed:
“You are the girl you think you are, and I am a big fan of your work.”
@HLATSEMBU suggested:
“I’ve reported their Instagram accounts as well. We should also do that.”
@ruxadewoolfe remarked:
“First, I was a fan of your work. NOW I'M A WHOLE AIRCON. HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE!!! 👏👏”
@Ihearyou_26 argued:
“The fact that some people take this lightly worries me. They think they’ll never fall prey to it, forgetting they have nieces and sisters who might. Kodwa bayanyuba, making excuses for them. Human trafficking is a real thing, and it's not the same as selling yourself at clubs.”
@IamLadyeeElle remarked:
“Proud of your work, Paballo. You deserve the Order of Baobab!”
Source: Instagram
Netizens pressure retail brand to end partnership with influencer
Meanwhile, Briefly News reported that netizens also pressured a popular retail brand to cut ties with an influencer who promoted the Start Program in Russia.
Social media user @Paballo_maseko_ took to X and urged the retail brand to end its business relationship with Siyamthanda Anita. The social media user also urged other South Africans to pressure the major retail brand to drop Siyamthanda.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!
Source: Briefly News
