A Glasgow TikTok food influencer has sparked widespread fury after filming herself reviewing a meal at a homeless shelter whilst bragging she “didn’t even have to f***ing pay for it”.
Tracy Cahill, who has amassed 45,000 followers by rating meals across Glasgow with her trademark declarations of “10/10 banging” or “10/10 stinking”, posted the controversial video at Glasgow Homeless Project before swiftly deleting it following intense backlash.
In the contentious clip, the Govan resident was reportedly seen “laughing and sniggering” whilst holding up a container of food from the charity shelter, declaring the “scran” was “10/10 banging” as she ate with a plastic fork.
The video prompted a scathing response from bosses at Glasgow Homeless Project, who condemned the influencer’s actions as “deeply disappointing” and “exploitative” of vulnerable people.
“Our services exist to provide dignity, warmth, and a hot meal to those in genuine need – often people who have gone days without food or shelter,” a spokesperson for the charity told The Daily Record.
“Every meal served at our shelter is prepared by volunteers and funded entirely by donations from the public. These meals are intended for individuals experiencing real hardship. Using them for self-promotion not only disrespects the people we serve, but undermines the purpose of our work.”
The charity emphasised that homeless shelters are not meant to be “used as backdrops for online content or personal publicity”, adding: “We find it deeply disappointing when anyone treats the reality of homelessness as entertainment.”
“Homelessness is not a trend, it is a serious crisis that demands compassion, not exploitation,” the spokesperson concluded.
Fellow TikTokers quickly condemned Cahill’s actions, with one user commenting: “She has walked into a soup kitchen and thought she was funny taking food from people who haven’t had a hot meal in days. I don’t know how you can take a meal from someone in need.”
Another social media user wrote: “You have gone into a space for vulnerable people that is supposed to be safe. This is food being given to folk with nothing and you are treating like content.”
Facing mounting criticism, Cahill posted a rebuttal video attempting to justify her actions, claiming she had actually donated money to the shelter despite her earlier boast about eating for free.
“I went with my sister who is homeless and stays in a homeless centre. I sat with her and had food but I donated money because I am a TikToker and people know me,” she explained in the response video.
Cahill revealed she had experienced homelessness herself for five years and argued that critics were only attacking her because she’s a “big TikToker”.
“Take some time out of your lives from criticising people,” she said. “All because I’m a big TikToker you are criticising me.”
She defended her content creation, explaining: “I have had to do a lot of homeless stuff. That’s why I started TikTok – to make a wee bit of money and make a better life for me. So, me sitting and having some food with the homeless in a shelter is not disgusting and I’m not mocking them.”
However, many viewers felt her response missed the mark entirely, with one commenter pointing out: “Point is the food you had could have been given to an actual homeless person.”
Another added: “It was in poor taste. And fyi I do volunteer at a soup kitchen and I do talk to everyone there, they are amazing people.”
A third critic questioned: “It’s nothing to do with the fact that you were with homeless people Tracy. It’s about the fact you done a food review! If you’ve not done anything wrong where is the review you posted?”
Others challenged whether she had genuinely volunteered or donated, with one asking: “Did you volunteer there? Did you give up your time to genuinely help people who are going through homelessness or just eat food?”
The controversy highlights ongoing debates about social media influencers using vulnerable communities for content creation. Critics argue that filming in such sensitive environments exploits those experiencing hardship, whilst defenders claim raising awareness can sometimes benefit charitable causes.
Glasgow Homeless Project operates entirely through volunteer efforts and public donations, providing essential services to those experiencing homelessness in Scotland’s largest city. The charity’s work has become increasingly vital as homelessness rates continue to rise across the UK.
The incident serves as a reminder of the ethical considerations content creators must navigate when filming in spaces designed to support society’s most vulnerable members.
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