Highlights
- Lawson Spolansky’s emotional video about leaving his family and therapeutic boarding school goes viral.
- Speculation arises about the authenticity of his claims and it has been proved to be a promotional tactic for his debut film “Me Without Myself.”
- Public backlash ensues, with many calling the marketing strategy insensitive.
TikToker and actor Lawson Spolansky has recently been trending on social media due to a personal story involving his parents.
The Viral TikTok That Sparked Controversy
One week ago, he posted a video on TikTok with the text “Leaving my family,” which quickly went viral.
In the video, Spolansky claimed he would no longer have a family and was dropping out of high school.
@lawsonspolansky This is important #therapy #fyp #lawsonspolansky #anxiety #treatment #family #drama #storytime ♬ original sound – Lawson Spolansky
He detailed his experiences in therapeutic programs, stating he had been to 14 different programs over seven years.
Lawson said he was currently at a therapeutic boarding school in Connecticut for emotionally challenged kids, which he entered on January 6th, 2023.
The TikToker described strict surveillance measures at the school, including being watched every 30 minutes at night and not being allowed to be alone for more than an hour.
He expressed frustration at his parent’s decision to keep him at the school despite his progress, quoting his mother as saying,
“Not a chance, sweetie, you’re thriving. It’s just easier if you stay there, okay?”
As Spolansky continued to post updates about his “journey,” the TikTok community became increasingly invested in his story.
@lawsonspolansky I will not be able to have my technology for at least a week. Looking for advice on what i should do next week. #therapeuticboardingschool #fyp #lawsonspolansky #freedom #family #parents #school #mentalhealth #therapy #storytime #groveschool ♬ original sound – Lawson Spolansky
However, doubts began to surface. On Reddit, users shared mixed reactions:
“I feel bad for him but he’s clearly dealing with some severe mental illness,” one user wrote.
Another commented, “Wait I’m on this side of TT too and deeply confused. Is it real or no??”
The Truth Revealed: A Movie Promotion
The mystery has now been solved.
Lawson Spolansky’s emotional TikTok series was, in fact, a promotional campaign for his debut film, “Me Without Myself.”
On Instagram, Spolansky revealed, “My debut film, Me Without Myself, follows the story of 16-year-old Lyle as he runs away from home and finds himself in therapeutic boarding school. There, he forms a bond with a staff member who helps him realize he’s been in denial his entire life.”
This revelation led to significant backlash, with many accusing Spolansky of exploiting sensitive topics for marketing purposes.
Comments on his social media posts reflected disappointment and anger from followers who had believed his story.
“Do you realize that this marketing on TikTok is extremely insensitive,” one person commented.
Another expressed personal hurt: “I saw you on TikTok and I saw myself in you going through the same struggles I am and then seeing that this is some marketing tactic. Wow.”
Interestingly, this isn’t Lawson’s first controversial promotional tactic.
A few months prior, he told his TikTok followers that his childhood best friend was paid to be friends with him, another claim that was fabricated for attention.
The Spolansky Family’s TV History
The Spolansky family has a history with television. In 2004, Lawson’s parents appeared on the ABC reality series “Wife Swap.”
Jodi and Steven Spolansky were portrayed as a chic, stylish multimillionaire couple.
@lawsonspolansky Replying to @Frequensee please ugh #spolanskyfamily #fyp #realitytv #expensive #family #replytocomments #lawsonspolansky ♬ original sound – Lawson Spolansky
The episode introduced Steven as a rude character, while the family received criticism for their parenting style and apparent disregard for their children’s care.
Jodi Spolansky, Lawson’s mother, is a television personality, producer, and actress.
Following her notorious appearance on “Wife Swap,” she has maintained a low profile, seemingly dedicated to living a more subdued life away from the media spotlight.
Jodi has five children and appears to have no prominent social media presence.
Steven Spolansky, Lawson’s father, also appeared in the “Wife Swap” episode.
While less information is available about his current activities, it’s worth noting that he and Jodi are now divorced.
Just So You Know
- Lawson Spolansky has been working as a content creator in Chaotical Media since December 2023.
- He has over 207.4K followers and 12.4M likes on TikTok.
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