Leave Indy Clinton alone.

The ugly side of social media has been on full display this week, after a popular TikToker unveiled her new nose to her millions of followers.

Indy Clinton, who was crowned TikTok creator of the Year in 2023, is known for sharing the raw and chaotic side of motherhood.

But when she made the decision to undergo a rhinoplasty to resolve an injury she sustained in a surfing accident, she was nervous to share the news out of fear of judgement.

The 27-year-old was visibly shaking when she made the announcement to her followers, admitting she even considered pre-recording content to hide the fact she had surgery.

Indy explained, "I'm in a really hard position… I would rather just do this and hide it because I don't want to sound like I'm promoting this because I'm doing this for myself.

"I'm in a position where I have millions and millions of followers, so I'm not trying to lie and hide something, but I'm not trying to talk about it to monetise and promote it."

Watch: When Mamamia spoke to Indy at the 2024 TikTok Awards. Post continues after video.

Indy made the decision not to vlog the procedure or to provide too many details about the recovery.

Already there was a rumbling of dissatisfied followers, who felt they were entitled to front row seats to the TikToker's recovery.

Indy responded to her critics, sharing a video of her wearing her cast and writing, "Just because I'm transparent, doesn't mean I need to show myself with bruised eyes, a swollen face, blood crusted stitches and my greasy hair. I made a choice not to show my recovery for many reasons."

@indyclinton Replying to @Sally-James ♬ Bad Bih 4 Ya - GloRilla

Once Indy's bandages were removed and she was two weeks post-op, she shared a much-anticipated 'nose reveal,' where she danced around the room as her son filmed her.

Indy was mindful to preface in her following videos that her nose was still very swollen from surgery and it would take several months to settle.

This didn't stop the barrage of judgement and hate, with followers saying the nose job had 'ruined her face'.

One user wrote, "It's one of the worst jobs I've ever seen. Half her nostrils are cut off." Whilst another said, "She's ruined herself. She was naturally beautiful. She didn't need surgery."

Not long after, a video comparing Indy's face before and after the surgery started going viral on TikTok, with users casting their predictions on possible other work she'd had done.

What wasn't pointed out in this video, was that Indy was pregnant in the 'before photo', and two years postpartum in the 'after photo.'

Indy explained that in the two years since she gave birth to her third child, she has lost a significant amount of weight, which has changed the structure of her face. "Everyone is saying, Oh my god, look how much surgery she's had. No, I haven't. I was pregnant in the photos you're comparing me to, and I've dropped 25kg and naturally your face becomes gaunter. I had big cheeks naturally, but god forbid…"

The online bullying has become so intense that Indy has been forced to shield her nose behind a face mask when she appears online.

Indy said, "I am going to be wearing a mask for the foreseeable future because unfortunately the dense people of this world, not all of you, but some of you are unable to understand that after you have your bone shaved down right, they cut a slit and lifted my skin and shaved down the bone and then realigned some cartilage, they expect the nose to look perfect two weeks post surgery…. It's been two weeks, dude."

@indyclinton

bethany, watch until the end

♬ original sound - indyclinton

The disturbing reality of this onslaught of abuse is that these aren't comments made by faceless trolls, but rather, everyday women who feel they're entitled to have their say on what another woman chooses to do to her face, simply because she is a public figure.

The reality is, Indy is only a few weeks post-op. Her bandages have only just been removed and the world is expecting perfection, when a rhinoplasty typically takes up to a year to fully heal and for the final results to be seen.

You can't help but feel the vitriol and faux concern is driven by an underlying case of tall-poppy syndrome. Something we Aussies are quite often guilty of.

Whilst Indy tries to present herself as a bit of a dag in her vlogs, getting around in oversized track suit pants and a t-shirt, underneath it all, she's a former model with an incredibly enviable figure and lifestyle.

There's an undeniable sense of glee being taken by some women, who think it's their right to cast their judgement whilst Indy is at her most vulnerable.

Whilst we've seen the worst humankind has to offer, we've also seen the best, with many young creators standing behind Indy.

Adelaide TikToker, Matilda Norton said, "Okay guys, I'm getting really, really mad. You guys need to leave Indy Clinton the frick alone. What does it affect you that she got a nose job? It doesn't. So why the heck are you guys commenting the most horrible things on her videos?"

Whilst UK TikToker Sorcha Farnan said, "This video is for Indy Clinton, her new nose and the people commenting on it. This woman has been bullied to the point she's scared to come online, and when she does, she's wearing a face mask. This woman is like two or three weeks post-op first of all. Not that it's any of your business what she looks like or what her choices are."

Fashion designer Nadia Bartel also called out the abhorrent behaviour, questioning the constant need to drag other women down.

Nadia said, "She has decided to do something to her own body and she was very public with that, which I think is very brave... we can all connect with that because it's nice to see someone being so real. I can't believe this is mums and sisters and daughters out there, writing things about her appearance. Please just have a bit of empathy and just really think before you write something like that online."

As the wolves continue to circle Indy Clinton online, we need to remind ourselves that what a woman chooses to do to her face or body should never be up for public debate.

Simply showing up and existing online doesn't give anyone the green light to comment on the way you look.

Feature image: TikTok/@indyclinton