New York City influencer Elena Taber, 29, recently faced backlash after a misguided attempt to gauge public opinions on her life and relationship backfired spectacularly. Seeking feedback on Reddit’s ‘NYC Influencer Snark’ forum under a pseudonym, she shared a TikTok link discussing the challenges of dating a celebrity. The link inadvertently traced back to her personal account, revealing her identity and sparking widespread scrutiny.
The Embarrassing Reddit Revelation
Taber’s anonymous post praised her own travels in the third person, positioning herself as a ‘pseudo-intellectual’ with ‘more substance’ than typical ‘NYC consumerism-final-boss influencers.’ She probed for updates on her romance with British actor Jamie Campbell Bower, 37, known for portraying Vecna in Netflix’s Stranger Things. ‘This relationship isn’t new news but I need someone to talk about this with lol,’ she wrote. ‘I keep seeing her pop up with Jamie Campbell Bower and it’s so crazy to me??’
The post questioned if she had gone more private due to the relationship and lamented the ‘unhinged hate’ she receives for dating someone famous. Sources close to the influencer community describe the incident as highlighting her insecurity and attention-seeking tendencies. The linked TikTok, implying celebrity dating is ‘hell on earth,’ fueled speculation about tensions in the couple’s dynamic.
Past Controversies Resurface
Users quickly scoured Taber’s Reddit history, uncovering disparaging comments about peers like Coco Schiffer, Kit Keenan, Danielle Carolan, Brooke Miccio, Danielle Water, and Emma Leger. She accused Schiffer, 31, of buying followers through a PR agency, copying content, and securing undeserved brand deals and front-row fashion seats despite low engagement.
Older scandals also reemerged, notably a 2024 video where Taber filmed a ‘fashion’ outfit check at New York City’s 9/11 Memorial. Online reactions condemned the move as highly insensitive. ‘This is one of the worst “influencer” actions in a long time,’ one commenter stated. ‘She should feel ashamed.’
Relationship Timeline and Public Appearances
Rumors suggest Taber and Campbell Bower began dating in April 2025, going Instagram-official in June following the Download Festival. They have shared occasional couple photos, attended red carpets like the Stranger Things 5: The Finale screening in November, and exchanged Valentine’s Day tributes. Campbell Bower posted a beach selfie with the caption: ‘Happy Valentine’s Day angel. Here’s to more world tours, more love, more knowing.’
Despite a low-profile romance, Taber’s follower count on Instagram surged from under 300,000 to 348,000, coinciding with high-profile travels like Mount Kilimanjaro and partnerships with brands including Away, Ferragamo, J Crew, Maison Margiela, and Summer Fridays. Some observers question the growth, suggesting possible bot activity amid recent backlash.
Peers React to the Drama
Content creator Katy, who exposed the Reddit slip via TikTok, noted quick support from Coco Schiffer. ‘I have secondhand embarrassment thinking about how somebody is talking about themselves in the third person,’ Katy said. She questioned the relationship’s future: ‘I can’t imagine it’s going to be awesome that your girlfriend goes and gets caught doing something like this.’
On the Gals on the Go podcast, Danielle Carolan and Brooke Miccio addressed the saga without naming Taber. ‘It was just the most shocking thing,’ Carolan remarked. ‘I’ve seen this person many times and they’re always so kind to me… that’s terrifying.’ Miccio called it ’embarrassing’ and the culprit a ‘loser,’ revealing personal interactions and a direct message confrontation: ‘I was like you’re a loser for doing that… I had receipts.’
Background and Response
Born in Paris on November 13, 1996, and raised in Foothill Ranch, California, Taber comes from a family focused on evangelical ministry. Her brother Quinn, 32, appeared on Forbes’ 2023 30 Under 30 Education list, while sister Sage, 24, pursues content creation. A Point Loma Nazarene University marketing graduate, Taber launched her YouTube channel in 2015, chronicling travel, fashion, and NYC life.
A representative for Taber confirms no separation from Campbell Bower, who prepares new music and potential Stranger Things projects. Amid criticism, Taber has paused new Instagram posts, recycling TikTok content to dodge comments. Observers recommend an apology, account privatization, or deletion to mitigate damage to her reputation.
