Sean Baker’s Oscar Win Sparks Backlash Over ‘IDF Babes’ and Libs of TikTok Controversy

Sean Baker’s film Anora was the unexpected star of the 97th Academy Awards, sweeping five major categories, including Best Picture and Best Director. Baker, an independent filmmaker known for his work centering on marginalized communities, used his acceptance speech to express gratitude to the sex worker community, whom he has often depicted in his films.

However, shortly after his historic win, the internet turned on the celebrated director as social media users unearthed controversial details about his online activity. A post on X (formerly Twitter) by a user named Dani shared screenshots revealing that Baker follows accounts such as “IDF Babes” and “Libs of TikTok.” The caption simply read: “best director”—a seemingly sarcastic remark that quickly sparked outrage.

"best director" https://t.co/ZVgdq0bMxt pic.twitter.com/U2ihKr9quO

— dani (@elDani1400) March 3, 2025

Social Media Reacts: Accusations of Hypocrisy and Fetishization

The revelations ignited an immediate backlash, with many users questioning the sincerity of Baker’s advocacy for sex workers. Critics accused him of being politically inconsistent and even exploitative in his portrayal of women in his films. One viral post summed up the sentiment:

“Just frustrating to see Sean Baker get up there and talk about how much he owes to the sex worker community when he’s a pro-Israel freak who follows Libs of TikTok and multiple AI Instagram models, called Mikey Madison a sexy teenager, didn’t hire an intimacy coordinator, and… it just seems fetishy. His politics aren’t ‘I truly care about sex workers and want a world where people don’t have to resort to that,’ but more like ‘I care about sex workers because I love that they have the freedom to do that.’”

Another user echoed similar frustrations, stating:

“I liked it before, but it’s not the same since I found out that Sean Baker is a Zionist and follows an IDF Babes account (???). All his talk about independent cinema and sex workers went down the drain.”

The discourse expanded beyond his alleged political stance, with accusations ranging from his social media habits to past remarks about actors and the absence of an intimacy coordinator on set. Some users pointed to his liking of certain photos as evidence of questionable behavior.

Claims of Political Misalignment and Ethical Concerns

A significant portion of the backlash stemmed from Baker’s alleged support for accounts associated with right-wing and pro-Israel rhetoric. “Libs of TikTok,” a controversial conservative account, has been accused of targeting LGBTQ+ individuals, while “IDF Babes” appears to glorify female Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers.

One user wrote:

“Sean Baker is a fing Zionist who does not care about women. He follows female IDF soldiers on here. The Russian actors support genocide in my country, Tony, they still work for Russia. This movie did not deserve to make it to the Oscars. I just hope you fing bootlegged this.”

Others took a broader stance, condemning him outright:

“Sean Baker is an awful human being and doesn’t deserve any awards.”

The Debate Over Baker’s Authenticity

Baker has long been celebrated for his dedication to independent cinema and his ability to tell raw, human stories about underrepresented groups. However, some now argue that his interest in these communities may be less about advocacy and more about personal fascination.

The debate over whether Baker’s portrayals of sex workers and marginalized communities are empowering or exploitative has been ongoing. While some praise him for giving visibility to these individuals, others now view his work through a more critical lens, questioning whether he romanticizes struggle rather than addressing systemic issues.

No Response from Baker—Yet

As the controversy continues to spread, Baker has not publicly addressed the accusations. His silence has only fueled further speculation, with some demanding an explanation and others outright dismissing his work.

It remains to be seen whether this backlash will have any lasting impact on his career. In an era where social media can turn admiration into outrage overnight, the director finds himself at the center of a debate that goes beyond filmmaking, touching on ethics, politics, and personal integrity.