An Iowa mother who threw her 5-year-old son’s birthday party at a Hooters is speaking out against the backlash she has received online, saying the criticism is unwarranted.
Zander received a special birthday serenade by the waitresses wearing the restaurant chain’s signature uniform, which consists of low-cut tops and orange short shorts. The waitresses dressed Zander in the Hooters owl logo, and gave him wings. This moment was captured on film.
The little boy’s mother, Darby, posted the video on TikTok, where she was lambasted for having his celebration at such a place.
“Who brings a child to Hooters?”One person made a comment.
“Seems more like dad’s birthday than the kid’s!”Another writer.
“So much for protect the children!”Read a third, more angry reaction.
Darby however stated that Zander’s visit to the restaurant was not a cause for such resentful behavior.
“It’s not a big deal really. We took our son there and we had lunch,”She tells Inside Edition.
The Hooters birthday video has now been viewed over seven million times. Not everyone is mad.
“That smile on his face is priceless,”One commenter wrote.
“Bro living the dream!”Another said.
Darby had a message of encouragement for those who hate Darby: “If that’s something you wouldn’t do with your child, that’s great but he’s my child and I thought it was OK!”