In an period the place a single double-tap can ignite a worldwide information cycle, the curious case of German influencer Lizlaz and Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli has taken a darkish, systemic flip. What started as a viral like on Instagram has blossomed right into a startling revelation concerning the lengths to some media entities will go to fabricate controversy for clicks. Lizlaz not too long ago revealed that following a social media interplay with Kohli, she was approached with profitable, paid affords to disparage the cricketer’s character, an invite she claims to have rejected with zero hesitation.
The saga traces again to earlier this yr when followers observed the previous Indian captain and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) icon had appreciated a reel posted by the German mannequin. For an athlete with over 273 million followers, such interactions are by no means ‘only a like’; they’re handled as headline information. Nevertheless, the aftermath of this digital breadcrumb path exposes a predatory facet of superstar journalism, the place the road between reporting and character assassination is commonly blurred by monetary incentives.
Lizlaz alleges she was provided money to publish damaging feedback about Virat Kohli
In accordance with Lizlaz, the surge in her notification tray wasn’t simply stuffed with followers, however with aggressive inquiries from numerous magazines and shops. Talking to Dainik Bhaskar, she detailed the stress she confronted to manufacture a story in opposition to Kohli.
“Some journalists even provided me cash to say unhealthy issues about him and make allegations he by no means made,” she disclosed. For a rising influencer, the temptation of a giant payout may be vital, but Lizlaz emphasised that her admiration for the cricketer outweighed any monetary acquire.
The mannequin’s refusal highlights a rising pattern of manufactured scandals within the sports activities world. By coming ahead, she has pulled again the curtain on how hit items are sometimes orchestrated. Lizlaz expressed that the expertise was bittersweet; whereas she was emotional and completely happy to be observed by her favourite cricketer, the next makes an attempt to bribe her into mendacity have been a jarring introduction to the aggressive nature of worldwide media cycles.
She maintained a agency stance, stating, “Why would I say unhealthy issues about him for cash? I’m not that sort of particular person.”
Additionally READ: Who’s LizLaz? The German-South African creator making headlines after Virat Kohli’s Instagram like
The fact of ghost likes and the RCB connection
Whereas the influencer has leaned into the thrill, not too long ago posing in an RCB jersey forward of their high-stakes match in opposition to Mumbai Indians, there stays a layer of digital nuance to the story. Kohli has addressed related incidents up to now, noting that his social media exercise, together with likes, can generally be the results of technical glitches or administration dealing with moderately than private intent. This ghost liking phenomenon is frequent amongst top-tier celebrities whose accounts are managed by giant digital groups.
No matter whether or not the like was a deliberate nod or a digital slip, the core subject stays the weaponization of social media interactions. Lizlaz’s revelation serves as a cautionary story concerning the integrity of digital journalism in 2026. As she continues to help the RCB franchise by her content material, the dialog has shifted from a easy Instagram interplay to a broader debate on the ethics of the eye economic system and the resilience of public figures like Kohli in opposition to orchestrated smear campaigns.
Additionally READ: IPL 2026: RCB star penalised for obscene gesture after dramatic win over MI
