From Buffy to Backlash: Sarah Michelle Gellar Slammed for Gifting Daughter a “Ridiculously Expensive” Car on Her 16th Birthday — Fans Call It “Tone-Deaf” and “Disappointing”
It was supposed to be the ultimate sweet sixteen surprise — but instead, Sarah Michelle Gellar is facing an avalanche of criticism. The Buffy the Vampire Slayer icon recently gifted her daughter a luxury car for her 16th birthday, sparking outrage online over what many fans are calling a “tone-deaf” and “ridiculously extravagant” choice.
The Birthday Surprise
Gellar, 48, celebrated her daughter Charlotte’s milestone birthday with a lavish bash attended by friends, family, and a few celebrity faces. The highlight of the evening came when Gellar and husband Freddie Prinze Jr. unveiled the gift: a sleek, high-end car with a price tag rumored to be well into six figures.
While partygoers cheered and Charlotte appeared overjoyed, the moment quickly ignited a storm online once images and videos of the reveal went viral.
Backlash from Fans
The outrage was swift. Critics flooded social media, calling the extravagant present an example of celebrity excess at its worst. “Most kids are lucky to get a used car, if anything. This is just ridiculous,” one commenter wrote. Another added: “Disappointing. I thought Sarah was more grounded than this.”
The criticism wasn’t just about the price tag. Some fans argued the gesture sent the wrong message about privilege and responsibility, especially given the financial struggles many families are facing globally. “It’s tone-deaf,” one critic said bluntly. “You don’t need to hand a 16-year-old a six-figure car.”
Defenders Speak Out
Not everyone agreed with the backlash. Some of Gellar’s loyal fans defended her right to spoil her daughter. “She earned her money, she can spend it how she wants,” one supporter argued. Others pointed out that celebrity children live vastly different lives from ordinary teens, and such gifts are hardly unusual in Hollywood circles.
“Let’s be honest — rich kids have always gotten lavish presents,” one commenter noted. “It’s not shocking. It’s just more visible now.”
The Pressure of Celebrity Parenting
This isn’t the first time celebrity parents have been criticized for lavish gifts. Stars from Kim Kardashian to Diddy have faced scrutiny for spoiling their children with over-the-top luxuries. Experts say the public often projects expectations onto famous families, holding them to higher standards of modesty and relatability.
“Fans want their favorite stars to feel ‘real,’” a cultural analyst explained. “When they flaunt wealth in ways that feel excessive, it creates backlash because people see it as out of touch.”
Gellar’s Silence
So far, Sarah Michelle Gellar has not publicly addressed the criticism. Insiders close to the actress say she’s focused on her daughter’s happiness and doesn’t intend to let online outrage overshadow the milestone celebration.
Whether fans view the gesture as a mother’s love or a tone-deaf indulgence, one thing is certain: the conversation around wealth, privilege, and celebrity parenting isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
