Aussie mum defends 13-year-old daughter’s outfit amid backlash

A Gold Coast mum has clapped back at critics who argue her teenage daughter is “too young” to wear a crop top and skirt.

Kat Clark is sadly no stranger to criticism.

Since rising to social media fame for her striking likeness to her then 18-year-old daughter Latisha, the Queensland mum-of-two has been critiqued over the way she dresses, her approach to parenting and even the fact that she was a teen mum.

But most recently, Clark has been copping backlash for the “inappropriate” outfit her 13-year-old daughter Deja wore to the 2024 TikTok Creator of the Year Awards in Sydney last week.

“A lot of people have their opinions on how I parent my children and I understand there are different parenting styles, but to have an onslaught of strangers sharing their opinion on my daughter’s outfit just blows my mind,” she told news.com.au.

“I was brought up in a strict household where I had a lot of rules around everything, including what I wore and that did not lead me down a positive path and I always felt like I had to lie.

“I want my kids to have an honest relationship with me so I tend to just block out everyone’s comments.”

Many of the unsolicited thoughts on Deja’s outfit – a pale lemon crop top and a matching skirt adorned with ruffles – slammed Clark’s parenting, claiming the skirt was “too short” and suggesting she was “too young” to be wearing it.

“I think it’s crazy she’s 13 dressing like that for award shows,” one wrote on TikTok.

“(13) year old’s shouldn’t be dressing like that,” another remarked.

Clark said the main criticism was that the outfit was modelled on something similar worn by Deja’s favourite artist, South African singer Tyla.

“The main issue people had with Deja’s outfit was that the original design was worn by an adult and Deja is only a teenager.” she said.

“I actually had the original design altered into a skort and we also added more frills at the back to give her more coverage. Teenagers wear shorts and crop tops all the time, especially on the Gold Coast.

“Parents know what’s best for their kids and I just have to keep reminding myself that, but it doesn’t feel good to read the comments and I try to block it out.”

Kat Clark attended the 2024 TikTok Creator of the Year Awards alongside her daughter’s, Deja and Latisha as well as her husband Jonathan. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Deja’s outfit was modelled to look similar to this number worn by singer Tyla. Picture: Instagram/Tyla

But some labelled it ‘inappropriate’ and slammed Clark’s decision to let her 13-year-old wear it. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Many defended Clark’s decision, calling out those who labelled the soon-to-be 14-year-old’s outfit as “inappropriate”.

“Anyone that has a problem with what Deja is wearing, is the problem. It’s your problem you have some underlying issues sexualising a literal child,” one raged.

“LEAVE THE GIRL ALONE,” another said.

As one argued: “Deja is not 5, she can literally choose what she wants to wear.”

Many more said the “nasty” comments were shared out of “jealousy”, noting that Clark and her family have all grown substantial followings in the last year, with millions of followers between them.

Because of this, Clark has taken measures to ensure Deja’s expose to the criticism is limited – including sharing an account with her teenage daughter until she’s old enough to be online without parental guidance.

Clark said she wants her daughters to feel confident and able to express themselves. Picture: Instagram/KatClark

And she had a parting message for critics: ‘Get over it.’ Picture: Instagram/KatClark

“Deja is doing great. Deja is a happy girl, we have a great relationship and we always talk about how she might be feeling,” Clark added.

“She wants to be a model one day and she understands not everyone will always like her outfit choices.”

Deja also wanted to respond to those who disliked the outfit, sharing the touching reason why she was inspired to wear it.

“I love Tyla, she inspires me to be myself, she’s South African like me, we have the same skin colour, she always shows her natural hair and I wanted to do the same,” she told news.com.au.

“I saw her wear this outfit and I just wanted to wear it to feel confident in myself too. And I did.”

For now, Clark is focusing on the future, with the skincare brand Kalade – a blend of the names Kat, Latisha and Deja – she shares with both her daughter’s set to open a pop-up in Sydney on November 4.

“To the people who are still upset about what Deja wore to the awards, seriously, get over it,” she shared.