When Crumbl co-founder and chief brand officer Sawyer Hemsley saw a stranger online describe him as his boyfriend’s “old botoxed rich daddy,” he didn’t spiral, issue a stiff PR statement, or disappear from social media.
Instead, he laughed, reposted the comment, and casually reclaimed the insult with the kind of unbothered confidence that only seems to come from someone very secure in both his life and his relationship.
The comment, which circulated on social media and was later highlighted by Queerty, went after both Hemsley and his partner Antonio Bruno, questioning Bruno’s career in real estate and framing their relationship in the laziest possible internet trope.
Hemsley responded by acknowledging that the remark was cruel and unnecessary, but also by pointing out how absurd it was, joking that the nickname was honestly too funny not to share.
In a follow-up message, he added that while he found humor in the situation, it was still disappointing to see how comfortable some people are tearing down strangers online simply for existing openly.
For longtime followers, the moment felt very on-brand for Hemsley, who has increasingly used his platform to be candid about identity, visibility, and the strange side effects of success.
Earlier this year, Hemsley publicly came out as gay after months of online speculation, choosing honesty over silence and making it clear that he wasn’t interested in living defensively.
Not long after, he began sharing glimpses of his relationship with Bruno, a Los Angeles-based realtor, posting affectionate photos that leaned more sweet than flashy.
That openness has been met with overwhelming support, but also the predictable backlash that often follows queer men who are both visible and successful.
The “rich daddy” trope, in particular, is one that circulates frequently around gay couples with any perceived age gap or financial imbalance, regardless of reality.
By reclaiming the insult instead of dignifying it with outrage, Hemsley quietly flipped the power dynamic, turning someone else’s cruelty into his own punchline.
It’s also a reminder that public figures don’t owe the internet access to their insecurities, explanations of their relationships, or proof of their partners’ worth.
Hemsley’s response didn’t deny his success, didn’t downplay his relationship, and didn’t attempt to sanitize the comment into something polite.
He simply made it clear that neither he nor Bruno are interested in living under the weight of strangers’ projections.
For many LGBTQ+ readers, the moment resonated because it reflected a familiar experience of being reduced to stereotypes that have nothing to do with real connection.
It also showed a version of resilience that doesn’t require constant activism, only self-assurance and a refusal to internalize someone else’s bitterness.
In an online culture that often rewards outrage, Hemsley’s reaction stood out precisely because it wasn’t performative.
There was no viral call-out, no pile-on, and no attempt to present himself as flawless or untouchable.
Just a man who knows who he loves, knows who he is, and isn’t about to let a comment section dictate either.
And if “Old Botoxed Rich Daddy Boyfriend™” becomes the internet’s newest accidental nickname, Hemsley seems perfectly content letting it say more about the troll who wrote it than the couple it tried to mock.
📷 IG: @ sawyerhemsley
