A tense confrontation at a Wisconsin Cinnabon has ignited a firestorm online, resulting in a former employee’s swift dismissal and a surge of public support. The incident, captured on video, depicts a heated exchange between Crystal Wilsey, a Cinnabon worker, and a Somali couple who were filming her.
The circumstances leading up to the recorded argument remain contested. Rumors suggest the couple initiated the conflict with harassing behavior before beginning to record, but the full sequence of events prior to the video’s start is unclear. The recording begins with a man accusing Wilsey of “sexualizing” herself.
Wilsey, visibly agitated, questioned if she was being recorded, and the woman confirmed she was. The situation rapidly escalated, culminating in Wilsey uttering a racial slur and a derogatory statement. The couple responded with their own barrage of insults and profanity, accusing her of ruining her life.
The video quickly spread across social media platforms, prompting an immediate response from Cinnabon. The company announced Wilsey’s termination, stating her actions were not representative of their values or the experience they aim to provide customers.
Despite the company’s condemnation, Wilsey has become the focus of significant online support. A fundraising campaign launched on an independent platform has amassed over $80,000, demonstrating a strong wave of sympathy for her situation.
Meanwhile, a separate fundraising effort initiated on behalf of the Somali couple has garnered considerably less support, raising less than $2,000. The couple’s account details an initial request for additional caramel on a cinnamon roll that allegedly devolved into a personal attack regarding the woman’s hijab.
This incident echoes a similar case involving Shiloh Hendrix, a woman who faced legal repercussions and online harassment after using a racial slur during a confrontation that was also widely circulated online. Hendrix, too, received substantial financial support through online fundraising after her personal information was exposed.
Both cases highlight the complexities of public confrontations in the age of social media, where recordings can quickly go viral and lead to immediate consequences, both professional and personal, and a polarized public response.
