The Elle Darby and White Moose Café controversy began in 2018 when the UK-based influencer emailed the Dublin hotel requesting a free five-night stay in exchange for social media exposure. The café’s owner, Paul Stenson, publicly shared the email on Facebook, mocking the request and sparking a massive debate about the perceived entitlement of influencers. The incident escalated into a viral sensation, leading to the hotel jokingly banning all influencers and Darby filming a tearful reaction video. Today, this controversy remains a legendary internet moment, frequently referenced in memes to highlight the often-clashing worlds of digital content creation and traditional business operations.