Social media personality Mandi Vakili has apologised after receiving widespread backlash over comments she made about breastfeeding in public. The content creator said she is taking accountability for her remarks while revealing she has been subjected to severe online abuse since the clip went viral. The comments were originally made on the Sisters in the City podcast, which Mandi hosts alongside her sister, former Love Island star Anna Vakili.

During the episode, Mandi sparked debate after admitting that she feels uncomfortable when she sees women breastfeeding in public.

In the now-deleted clip, Mandi said: "I'm gonna say it. I'm going to be the first one to say it. I don't like it when I see women breastfeeding in public. Makes me uncomfortable. I just get a bit uncomfortable I don't really know what to do and sometimes [my] dad is there and I get uncomfortable around my dad. And does my dad feel awkward? My dad gets awkward. We all get awkward."

The comments quickly drew criticism online, with many social media users accusing her of stigmatising breastfeeding. Following the backlash, Mandi also faced criticism for responding to some viewers by suggesting they were "soft" and "need to toughen up."

Addressing the controversy in a follow-up video, Mandi issued an apology and clarified her position.

She said: "Please direct your anger towards me and not my co-host, my sister Anna, she didn't say anything. She's just suffering because of my comments. I just want to make it clear that I never said and I don't even think that a woman shouldn't be able to breastfeed wherever she wants, whenever she wants, and however she wants. I said when a woman breastfeeds without a cover with her breast exposed and I'm there in a public space, I get a little uncomfortable."

She continued: "But seeing how many people are genuinely affected and upset by my comments, I am really sorry. I need to educate myself and do better. Even though it was wrong and I can take accountability, I don't think it was justified, the amount of abuse I have received over the past few days. I've been told to kill myself and have been threatened to be killed. Even people who know me say they are going to attack me."

The debate has continued across social media, with opinions divided over both Mandi's original comments and the backlash she received.

Among the responses shared in The Shade Borough's Instagram comments section, one Resident wrote: "I just wish we didn’t live in a world where you have to apologize for your opinions. She said she don’t wanna see a whole titty out at dinner. That’s FAIR. She didn’t talk about whether it should be allowed or nothing. I don’t like cigarette smoke, so when I’m around it, I’m uncomfortable but I appreciate people should be allowed and are entitled to do it. Same thing here; she just expressed her discomfort which is a personal experience. Ppl are lucky I don’t have a platform cus I’ll acc tell you to sym."

Another Resident disagreed, writing: "Maybe think before speaking on a topic you clearly know nothing about and have no idea how women and mothers have to battle everyday."

Others took a more balanced view, with one person commenting: "I breastfed all 3 of my kids n it’s not that deep. I always preferred to cover because I felt weird not to. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, it’s not that serious."

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