Cameroon’s social media landscape has been abuzz for over 48 hours, following a heated public fallout between two prominent personalities, Darling Lyonga and Floxy Florentos. The dispute, marked by allegations of unfulfilled promises and ethical questions, has led to widespread debates about trust, accountability, and the responsibilities of influencers.
Promising Start Turns Sour
The controversy traces back to October 2024, when Floxy Florentos appeared as a guest on Darling Lyonga’s TV show. Floxy, then a struggling content creator, shared a heart-wrenching account of losing her business inventory to sea damage. She hoped Lyonga’s influential platform would mobilise public support to aid her recovery.
Floxy alleges that Lyonga made several commitments during and after the show, promising essential items such as a gas plate and cooking pots, as well as plans to launch a GoFundMe campaign for broader financial support. Her hopes were bolstered by Lyonga’s public declarations of intent to help.
However, tensions mounted when these promises allegedly went unfulfilled. Floxy accused Lyonga of exploiting her plight for content without delivering meaningful aid.
“She promised to help me, but she never showed up,” Floxy revealed. “I reached out when I was critically sick, asking for even a small amount to go to the hospital. Instead, she shared my private message on her WhatsApp status without my consent.”
Lyonga Defends Her Actions
In response, Darling Lyonga presented a contrasting narrative. Through a detailed rebuttal, she outlined her efforts to assist Floxy, stating that financial contributions totaling 63,500 CFAF were raised on Floxy’s behalf—far below the amount required to address her challenges.
“I was unable to raise a significant amount, so I decided to personally assist. I even bought plates and planned to rent her a better house using my YouTube monetization earnings,” Lyonga explained.
She accused Floxy of impatience and entitlement, adding, “People have problems. I have issues too. I don’t owe you anything. Content creation takes time, and I work hard for my money.”
The feud has polarized public opinion. Some Cameroonians sympathize with Floxy, criticizing Lyonga for mishandling the situation, while others applaud Lyonga’s transparency and her attempts to assist despite limited resources. A broader conversation has emerged, raising questions about whether informal promises of aid come with an obligation to deliver—and where personal accountability intersects with public responsibility in the age of influencer platforms.
Voices of Support and Criticism
Amid the controversy, other voices have stepped in. Notably, Montana Peters shared advice for Floxy, urging patience and perseverance:
“Floxy, I want to share some words of wisdom with you. As someone who’s been in the industry for a while, I’ve learned that patience is key. Social media can be deceiving, and it’s easy to get caught up in the hype. But trust me, it’s not always as glamorous as it seems.
Take a deep breath and calm down. Keep doing what you’re doing, and your time will come. I’m living proof of that. It took me 10 long years to get to where I am today, but it was worth the wait. Don’t compare your journey to others. Focus on your own path, and celebrate your small wins along the way. You got this!”
However, not everyone has taken a conciliatory tone. Commenting on Lyonga’s Facebook post, Fabris Kehdinga criticized her handling of the situation:
“Just the caption of this your fake story is fake. Thank God Cameroonians did not contribute for you to buy your wig. It is sad that you of all could do this. Your explanations are so fake and you are now shifting the blame on Cameroonians. It is mature to claim full responsibility for your actions rather than defending your wrongs. I will advise you to stop these explanations and engage in behind-the-scenes settlement. You have an integrity to protect but you can’t protect your own and damage others. Courage to you in this tough time.”
Over One Million CFAF Raised for Floxy
Another prominent blogger, Fuchor, stepped in to the fracas and launched an independent fundraiser for Floxy. Within just six hours, the initiative raised nearly 1 million XAF, including a generous 250,000 XAF donation from diaspora supporter Mukoh Elvis to cover Floxy’s house rent for an entire year.
In total, well-wishers contributed 966,482 XAF to the campaign. Fuchor emphasized the need for sustainable solutions, recommending that Floxy rent an affordable, modern room with indoor amenities like a toilet and kitchen. “We need one good modern room, toilet, and kitchen indoors. 250,000 XAF is what has been provided for her,” he explained, expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support.
The success of Fuchor’s fundraiser has only deepened the divide in public sentiment, with critics contrasting it against Lyonga’s earlier efforts. As the debate rages on, the situation serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities of online fundraising, influencer promises, and the fine line between content creation and accountability.
