Outrage at TV show's cruel hoax on teen girl
It could have been a dream come true for a 13-year-old girl who showed up on television expecting to meet her mother.
Instead it turned into a cruel joke.
Autumn Allen last saw her mother when she was six-years-old before she moved to Cambodia with her father.
She has since become a singer who has appeared on Cambodian television and on Mother’s Day she was invited to the show Penh Chet Ort (Like It Or Not) with a promise of finally being re-united with her mum.
Autumn told the show her only memories of her mother came from just before she left the US.
“She held me and kissed me and told me that she would always love me,” she said.
Instead of meeting her mother, the tearful teenager was instead confronted by comedian Chuop Rolin dressed in drag.
The brave young singer somehow managed to take the hoax in stride as a handful of awkward laughs came from the audience.
“What are you thinking, did you think it was real?” the presenters asked.
“I don’t know,” the brave 13-year-old replied.
If Autumn took it well, the rest of the world did not.
The prank has been condemned from within Cambodia and without as stupid, cruel and ill-conceived.
Everyone from viewers to the nation’s political commentators have weighed in to condemn the show.
Penh Chet Ort ‘s producers have since acknowledged the segment was a mistake and have promised to feature Autumn again to showcase her singing ability. They have also written to the young girl to apologise.
Autumn told the Phnom Penh Post she had enjoyed her appearance despite the cruel joke.
“On that day I was very excited because I thought [my mother] was actually coming,” she said.
“At the moment I was sad that I could not see my real mother, but I had fun doing the show.
“Initially I was disappointed, but Rolin made me laugh so I had fun on the show.
“My dad was very proud of how I handled myself in the situation. He took me to a nice restaurant afterward.”
There may be a silver-lining though. With the worldwide coverage of the hoax, some are now hopeful Autumn’s mother may notice. The girl said she believes her mother lives in Scotsdale, Arizona in the United States.
Morning news break – May 13
