A trio of ABC journalists have captured the awkward moment they attempted a viral TikTok fashion trend that’s sweeping social media.
Reporter Amal Wehbe appeared on a panel alongside fellow news reporters Dan Bourchier and Johanna Nicholson where she taught them how to do the ‘boots and a slick back bun’ trend.
The wholesome craze involves a group chanting two statement items of clothing they’re wearing with a dance.
In the ABC studio, Johanna pointed out her ‘earrings and a burgundy top’ combo, while Dan changed his last minute.
‘I did tell you a different one before. I’m gonna go: Koala pin and a dark blue suit,’ he said.
Meanwhile, Amal chanted: ‘Pink shirt and-a-red nails.’
The group of presenters then attempted the catchy tune, but appeared slightly off-beat with the original viral clip.
‘We’ve got to practice. But that’s the general gist of it,’ Johanna said.
A trio of ABC journalists have captured the moment they attempted a viral TikTok fashion trend that’s sweeping social media
‘I think we were great! I think we should all start our TikTok careers right now,’ Amal joked.
Fans didn’t mind the blunder and pointed out the wholesome nature of the video.
‘Absolutely nailed it,’ one user wrote.
‘I didn’t know how it’d go and I reckon they killed it !!!’ Amal later added in the comments.
The lighthearted video comes months after the ABC pulled down a TikTok story that portrayed consumer boycotts against Israel in a flattering light.
The social media story filed by Amal on the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) protest movement that targets goods and products seen as favouring Israel was suddenly taken off the ABC TikTok account in December.
The story has a restaurant owner suggesting the only way to hurt Israel is to ‘fight money with money’.
Amal, who previously identified herself as Palestinian on her TikTok page and has previously worked for ABC children’s current affairs show Behind the News, promised her viewers to answer the question why people were boycotting Coca-Cola.
Reporter Amal Wehbe appeared on a panel alongside fellow news reporters Dan Bourchier (left) and Johanna Nicholson (right) where she taught them how to do the ‘boots and a slick back bun’ trend
She interviewed the owner of Cedar Wrap, a Lebanese restaurant in Bankstown, western Sydney, who was identified only as ‘Oz’ and waved a microphone with a large ABC logo on it throughout his appearances.
Oz said he had been boycotting Israeli and US products for two months with the most notable example being Coca-Cola and other soft drinks from the giant US beverage maker.
Amal explained ‘the BDS site says Coca-Cola operates a factory in Adera, considered illegal under international law’.
The report, which ran just over a minute, contained no criticism of the BDS movement but instead focused on whether it was successful in punishing companies and changing their stance towards Israel.
‘Since October 7 there has been a lot more talk around BDS and organisers say it makes a difference,’ Amal said.
The report then cuts back to Oz. ‘A lot of people say boycotting doesn’t work. Boycotting is actually extremely important,’ he said.
‘The only way to fight money is with money.’
It comes months after a story featuring Amal on the consumer boycott movement targeting Israel was removed from the ABC’s TikTok page
Amal the provides her sign-off summation.
‘So, it’s hard to tell how much financial impact this movement has on a brand but organisers say the change of sentiment among customers is powerful in itself,’ she said.
Chair of the Anti-Defamation Commission Dr Dvir Abramovich said the report was ‘beyond belief’.
‘While I welcome the removal of the video, I call on the board and management to investigate this alarming matter,’ he said.
‘This report crossed so many red lines that I stopped counting.’
He claimed the TikTok was especially inflammatory ‘at a time of skyrocketing antisemitism’.
‘When Jewish students at school and universities are being attacked for who they are and for supporting Israel, this story will only fan the flames of hostility,’ Dr Abramovich said.
Cedar Wrap was contacted but declined to comment further.
The ABC had been sought for comment at the time of initial publication.
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