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TikToker Larray Threw a Massive Birthday Party Despite the Pandemic

July 23, 2020

Larri Merritt and James Charles

Yesterday was Hype House TikToker Larray’s 22nd birthday. Despite the global pandemic, he decided to throw a massive 70-guest birthday party the night before. The influencer invited many of his celebrity friends to his birthday dinner at BOA Steakhouse in West Hollywood. Paparazzi spotted his fellow influencers Tana Mongeau, James Charles, Charli and Dixie D’Amelio, Nikita Dragun, Emma Chamberlain, and more attending the party. While some influencers wore masks when they arrived at the party, others had no face coverings. In the next couple of hours, the influencers ate, drank, and partied in a small, closed environment. 

One Twitter user later reposted influencers’ Instagram stories, featuring a sneak peek of the thrilling party. In the videos, the influencers had fun hanging out, dancing, and drinking with each other. Due to the crowded nature of the party, there was no social distancing, and since the influencers were drinking, they had no face coverings on. 

Hype House members attended Larray’s birthday party with Tana Mongeau and Nikita Dragun pic.twitter.com/YpJg0AvBzq

— Def Noodles (@defnoodles) July 22, 2020

According to Hype House’s cofounder Thomas Petrou, 67 people attended the party inside the steakhouse. Meanwhile, “hundreds of people” were waiting to get in. On the California government’s website, the state public health “prohibit[s] professional, social and community gatherings.” The website explained the definition of gatherings as “meetings or other events that bring together persons from multiple households at the same time for a shared or group experience in a single room.” However, starting on May 25, the state government allowed the exception for “faith-based services and cultural ceremonies as well as protests,” as long as “they do not exceed 100 attendees or 25% of the capacity of the space in which the gathering is held.”

Many Hype House fans celebrated Larray’s birthday and shared his enjoyment online. The influencer later said he had “never felt this much love in [his] entire life. He thanked his fans and friends for all the love and support. 

I’m going to literally fucking cry. I’ve never felt this much love in my entire life. Thank you all so much caring about me y’all don’t realize how much it means to me. Without y’all I would probably be dead. thank you

— larri (@larray) July 22, 2020

However, YouTuber Tyler Oakley called out these influencers, asking them to be cautious. He mentioned the names of the influencers and tweeted “please consider social distancing, mask wearing, and using your huge platforms to encourage responsibility during a worldwide pandemic.” To that, Larray responded “I understand 100% where you are coming from and it was a dumb thing to do. I will do better and will actually take this seriously.” 

hi @jamescharles @NikitaDragun @tanamongeau @larrayxo @charlidamelio @dixiedamelio & any others who have been partying in large groups – please consider social distancing, mask wearing, & using your huge platforms to encourage responsibility during a worldwide pandemic. https://t.co/G3CeWfk3uZ

— tyler oakley subathon sunday (@tyleroakley) July 22, 2020

i understand 100% where ur coming from & it was a dumb thing to do. I will do better & will actually take this shit seriously. appreciate you tyler much love

— larri (@larray) July 22, 2020

Larray’s fans claimed that it wasn’t the influencer’s fault and he just wanted to celebrate his birthday. 

On the other hand, people expressed their concerns for the influencers and some are upset at the TikToker’s decision making. 

for an “influencer” with a primarily younger audience, amidst a WORLD PANDEMIC, and california going on lockdown again, how are you setting a good example by going to that HUGE party? no masks, no social distancing, and you preach wearing one. it’s always who you least expect. pic.twitter.com/oqz3dBdtun

— cyrus (@applejoos_) July 22, 2020

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