Why is Inde Navarrette being labelled a 'pick-me' online? Obsession star draws Sydney Sweeney comparisons after viral Hot Ones clip

Inde Navarrette, the 25-year-old actress who's been absolutely everywhere lately, has found herself at the center of a chaotic social media storm following her appearance on the September 8 episode of Hot Ones Versus. The Obsession star, who was recently announced as Rogue in Marvel's upcoming X-Men reboot, joined her co-star Michael Johnston for the popular interview show where guests eat increasingly spicy chicken wings while answering questions.


However, her appearance sparked intense debate on X, with a particular 11-second clip going viral and amassing over 27 million views. The internet, as it does, has turned a silly moment into a full-blown discourse about who gets to be quirky without catching heat.

The viral clip in question shows Navarrette sticking a spoon to her tongue while eating something from a jar. That's the moment that broke the internet. Users on X ran with it, dissecting her behavior and slapping her with the "pick-me" label, a term that's become the internet's favorite way to criticise women whose actions are perceived as seeking male approval at the expense of female solidarity.

The "pick-me" accusation is rooted in the idea that the woman in question is performing a quirky or "not like other girls" persona to appeal to men. In Navarrette's case, users on X argue that her playful behavior on Hot Ones fits this pattern.


The backlash on X has been intense, with users sharing their unfiltered (and honestly, pretty dramatic) opinions. One user wrote, "She has the energy of a girl who only hangs out with boys at school," which is certainly a vibe assessment.

Another user commented, "Little by little, this girl is becoming the new Sydney Sweeney for me," drawing a comparison to the Euphoria actress who has faced similar accusations. The comparison appeared repeatedly, with another user stating, "As if one Sydney Sweeney wasn't enough for us, a second one showed up."

Some reactions went full melodrama, with one user writing, "It hurts, it hurts to see such a beautiful girl play the pick-me role just to win over the guys." Another added, "Building his entire persona around a dumb guy's idea of a cool girlfriend sad."

However, Navarrette's supporters have argued that the backlash is rooted in misogyny and jealousy. One fan wrote, "Women can't even laugh in peace because if a man does that they'd say it's funny but if a woman does it they sexualize her, call her a pick me and hate her," highlighting what many see as a glaring double standard.

Another pointed that the success Navarrette has achieved at a young age, suggesting that the criticism stems from envy. "It's so funny how women dropped her and started to call her a pick me the moment men started to show interest in her," one user observed.


Some fans also noted that the behavior being criticized was simply Navarrette being playful and having fun on a show designed to be entertaining.

This is not the first time Navarrette has found herself at the center of controversy. The actress has previously faced scrutiny for her alleged public support of Johnny Depp. Screenshots circulated on X and Reddit allegedly showing Navarrette liking multiple Johnny Depp Instagram posts, both recent uploads and posts dating back several years, leading many to conclude she was a supporter .

This drew criticism from many who viewed Depp unfavorably in light of the domestic abuse allegations that emerged during his highly publicized trial with Amber Heard.

For some, Navarrette’s alleged support for Depp added to the perception that she sides with controversial figures. The old controversy resurfaced when she was cast as Rogue in X-Men, with some critics pointing to it as a reason to oppose her casting.

The viral Hot Ones moment and the backlash show how quickly celebrity controversies can turn into debates online. As the actress continues to build her Hollywood career, it remains to be seen whether the criticism will follow like Sydney Sweeney or eventually die down.