'She is wonderful': Internet praises girl with Tourette’s Syndrome after her interview goes viral
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: A TikToker living with Tourette's syndrome has won the hearts of the internet. Her sincere interview with Chris Cuomo has spread like wildfire online, garnering a wave of support and commendation.
During a jovial interview, Cuomo couldn't help but laugh as Baylen Dupree, a first-year student at West Virginia University and a TikTok influencer, repeatedly told him to "f**k off" and playfully imitated a British accent.
Despite the unexpected language, Dupree shared her journey dealing with Tourette's, a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by rapid and repetitive tics and sounds, providing insight into her daily life.
The digital community has united in their support for her, resoundingly declaring, "This girl is wonderful."
Baylen Dupree's interview with Chris Cuomo goes viral
Chris Cuomo interviews girl with Tourette’s syndrome and it goes about as well as expected pic.twitter.com/nONhxW2uJD
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) December 13, 2023
In the interview broadcasted on NewsNation on Tuesday, December 13, Dupree repeatedly told Cuomo to "f**k off" and made a gesture of defiance towards the 53-year-old news anchor by raising her middle finger.
A few minutes into their conversation, Dupree humorously mimicked a British accent and said, "Go f*** yourself, Chris a** bunny, old biscuit fat a**" which elicited smiles and laughter from Cuomo.
Despite the tics, Dupree carried on with the conversation, sharing, "I also receive hate from people who have told me that my parents deserve to die in a car accident."
Dupree, a first-year college student and a popular social media influencer with a staggering 9 million followers on TikTok, gained widespread attention when she shared her journey living with Tourette's Syndrome.
This neurological disorder typically emerges during childhood and is marked by involuntary movements and vocalizations.
It is estimated that approximately 1.4 million Americans, including the renowned Billie Eilish, are affected by Tourette's, per Daily Mail.
Among the vocal tics associated with this condition are humming or spontaneously blurting out specific phrases.
During her interview with Cuomo, Dupree unintentionally exhibited these tics by repeatedly uttering the phrases, "F**k off, f**k that b**ch."
"I want people to learn that Tourette's is … a neurological involuntary motor and vocal disorder," Dupree said on CUOMO.
"There's a lot of things that people don't understand, like people think that cursing is (typical) with everyone who has Tourette's syndrome, but it's only in ten percent of people with Tourette's."
"I get thousands of DMs from parents, from teachers, from girls that have been diagnosed with Tourette's and they've had to be kicked out of school for attention seeking because they rip up their homework or do things like that," she stated.
During the interview, Dupree struggled to complete her sentence, stating, "I also get very evil people that would come and say..."
Chris Cuomo controls laughter
View this post on Instagram
Trying to contain his laughter, Cuomo covered his face with his hands and shook his head. Despite Dupree's swearing tics, the interview proceeded.
"People have told me that my parents deserve to die in a car accident. I have had police at my house because people gave out of my location and said they are gonna come to torch my house, like it's crazy," said the TikToker.
Cuomo took a moment to uplift the influencer, stating: "Here's the thing. Clinically, people suck, and they are stupid and they are mean. They try to make themselves feel better by going after others, and your are the antidote, my young friend."
"Because you have my kids…" Cuomo momentarily paused and chuckled once more as the influencer humorously gestured a middle finger toward him during their video call.
"You have my kids repeating you lines, so that it's almost because cool," he went on. "Because you are real and you are living your truth. They love the bravery about it, and so do I."
From living with Tourette's to aspiring physical therapist
View this post on Instagram
During the interview, Dupree expressed her aspiration to become a physical therapist or a personal trainer, attributing this career choice to the positive impact exercise has had on her life.
She mentioned that she goes to the gym five days a week and attends workout classes, spreading them out throughout the week. However, while blinking, she seemed to be in pain.
For her, going to the gym is a way to release stress. She emphasized that she wears headphones, which plays a significant role in her gym routine.
But then, she abruptly expressed frustration, using strong language towards someone named Collin and another person.
Cuomo complimented her boyfriend's appearance in a video and praised the strong bond they share. He also expressed admiration for her family and the story they are sharing with others.
In response, Dupree defiantly raised her middle finger towards the camera, signaling that she was finished with the conversation.
Cuomo laughed and acknowledged her decision, mentioning that he needed to attend to phone calls flooded with support for her.
However, Dupree interrupted him, saying, "Blow up that wiener."
Internet praises TikToker with Tourette's syndrome
View this post on Instagram
The interview has elicited a flood of responses from users across social media platforms.
A user tweeted "This girl is wonderful. My wife and I watch her all of the time. Better keep her on a 5 second delay as she lets the curse words fly."
"That girl lowkey cute," stated another.
"giggle worthy despite her having a terrible disease," said another.
"Her channel ROCKS she’s so awesome," mentioned another user.
"I could sit and talk to this girl all day long," noted another.
This girl is wonderful. My wife and I watch her all of the time.
— Planet Of Memes (@PlanetOfMemes) December 13, 2023
Better keep her on a 5 second delay as she lets the curse words fly.
giggle worthy despite her having a terrible disease.
— Mike Leigh Torres (@MikeLeighTorres) December 13, 2023
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.