Casey Anthony is facing widespread backlash after announcing her new venture as a women’s and LGBTQ law advocate, 16 years after her daughter, Caylee Anthony, was found dead. Anthony, whose infamous 2008 murder trial captured national attention, has stirred controversy once again following a now removed TikTok video in which she attempted to reintroduce herself and her professional aspirations.

On March 1, Casey Anthony posted a video on TikTok, revealing that she was embarking on a new “series” as a legal advocate. In her video, she claimed to have been involved in the legal field since 2011 and expressed a desire to advocate for herself and her late daughter. Anthony’s announcement has been met with immediate criticism, with many questioning her motives and the timing of her rebranding efforts.

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“I am a legal advocate,” Anthony stated in the video. “I am a researcher. I’ve been in the legal field since 2011, and in this capacity, I feel that it’s necessary if I’m going to continue to operate appropriately as a legal advocate that I start to advocate for myself — and also advocate for my daughter.”

Anthony also explained that her new series would not focus on her daughter’s death or her estranged relationship with her parents, clarifying that the initiative was not in response to any recent actions from them. Instead, she emphasized that the goal was to “reintroduce” herself, both personally and professionally. “The whole point of this is for me to begin to reintroduce myself,” she said. “Moving forward, the majority of what you will see will be me speaking in a professional capacity.”

In addition to her new advocacy role, Anthony referred to herself as a “proponent for the LGBTQ community.” She expressed her belief that the platform she had been given over the years, which began with the highly publicized trial over the death of her daughter, was a “blessing” rather than a “curse.” Anthony concluded her announcement by telling followers that while she would continue to share her journey, she would keep her privacy intact.

While Anthony’s announcement aimed to reframe her image, it sparked immediate outrage online. Critics flooded social media, condemning her for attempting to shift the focus away from her past and the unresolved questions surrounding her daughter’s death. Many social media users took to Instagram and Twitter to voice their disapproval, with some suggesting that Anthony should focus on seeking justice for her daughter rather than positioning herself as an advocate for marginalized communities.

“This is the ‘you really should be ashamed of yourself’ button,” one Instagram user wrote, reacting to Anthony’s video. Another social media user asked, “What about advocating for what really happened to your daughter?” referencing the ongoing public skepticism surrounding her involvement in Caylee’s death.

Others pointed out the irony of Anthony’s claim to have been working in the legal field since 2011, when that year marked her highly publicized trial for the murder of her daughter. In 2011, Casey Anthony was acquitted of the first-degree murder charge, though the verdict has remained controversial. Despite the acquittal, many people continue to believe she was responsible for Caylee’s death, and the trial has been a source of lasting public intrigue and animosity toward her.

“What do you mean by being in the ‘legal field’ since 2011?” one user questioned. “Is that when you were investigated and charged for your daughter’s murder?” Others felt that Anthony’s attempt at a professional rebranding was insensitive and inappropriate given the tragic circumstances surrounding Caylee’s death.

Some critics expressed confusion over why Casey Anthony, who was at the center of one of the most sensational criminal trials in U.S. history, would now claim to be advocating for women’s and LGBTQ rights. “Why is she still even allowed to breathe?” one user lamented, emphasizing the ongoing animosity many hold toward Anthony due to her past. The backlash underscored the public’s lingering resentment, particularly for those who still harbor doubts about her innocence in the death of her young daughter.

While some criticized Anthony’s new advocacy efforts, others questioned whether she was genuinely interested in the issues she was speaking about, or if this was simply an attempt to regain public attention and reshape her narrative. The timing of the announcement, 16 years after her daughter’s death, seemed particularly off-putting to many who felt that Casey Anthony should focus on addressing the unresolved questions surrounding her past, rather than attempting to re-enter the public spotlight with a new identity.

In her video, Anthony did acknowledge the attention her past had brought her, and she seemed to suggest that she could now view it as a “blessing,” rather than a “curse.” However, many critics feel that her decision to publicly rebrand herself as a legal advocate and LGBTQ supporter is a calculated attempt to shift the focus away from her controversial history.

The backlash to Casey Anthony’s announcement highlights the complex relationship the public has with high-profile criminal figures and the desire for accountability. For many, the wounds from her past actions remain too fresh to forgive or forget, making her latest rebranding attempt feel tone-deaf and opportunistic.

As Casey Anthony seeks to reinvent herself professionally, it remains to be seen whether the public will allow her to move beyond her past or if the shadow of her involvement in Caylee’s tragic death will forever cloud her future.