Emily Lane Went Viral for Her Take on Hotel Towels – But She's So Much More

You may not recognize her name, but chances are you’ve come across Emily Lane. This mid-twenties middle school teacher from Hawaii recently gained significant attention on TikTok for her witty critique of hotel towels. A video featuring her and her sister humorously questioning the absurdly small towel provided for drying their bodies has garnered millions of views. If you missed her on TikTok, you might have seen her featured on Buzzfeed or even here on our blog! Emily’s presence has become quite the sensation.

Her videos radiate positivity and charm, and her infectious laugh draws you in. It’s clear from her content that she is not only kind and uplifting but also incredibly intelligent. When I had the opportunity to chat with her, I anticipated a light and fun discussion about traveling as a plus-size person. I figured we would share some gripes, have a few laughs, and I’d create a quick, engaging piece that included other travelers’ experiences. Simple enough, right?

I called Emily on a Friday morning, expecting a brief ten to fifteen-minute conversation about her newfound TikTok fame and her experiences while traveling as a larger-bodied individual. However, our half-hour chat turned into a much deeper discussion than I had anticipated. Emily spoke about herself and the experiences of others with such kindness and insight that I momentarily forgot I was conducting an interview. She felt like a friend, someone I could comfortably discuss our shared journeys as plus-size women for hours. By the end of our call, it was clear that I needed to take a more meaningful approach in my writing. A light-hearted piece wouldn’t do justice to Emily’s commitment to body positivity and her mission.

From TikTok Viewer to Content Creator

Emily Lane didn’t set out to be a content creator. “I initially created my TikTok account just to watch videos. I had no plans of producing content,” she shared. “But in March, during a session with my therapist, we discussed my body dysmorphia and the negative self-talk I experience. As a larger-bodied person, the harsh criticisms I direct at myself often echo what I’ve heard from others, making them feel valid. I’ve been working on changing that narrative, and my therapist suggested, ‘Why not film yourself dancing every day?’ I love dancing, even if I’m not a pro, and let me tell you, I can really get into it with some classic Abba,” she chuckles.

“I started by filming myself in my outfits before school to kick off the day with positivity. Then my therapist encouraged me to record affirmations I wanted to believe. That’s how my ‘Hey Chickadee’ talks came to life,” Emily explained. Her first video on this topic received 1.5 million views, skyrocketing her follower count from 200 to 50,000 in just three days. “I began embracing my role as an advocate for body positivity and plus-size representation,” she added.

The Reality of Plus-Size Travel

While Emily’s travel-related videos went viral, they were actually just two quick, humorous clips filmed during a family vacation. Her TikTok isn’t specifically focused on traveling as a larger person; in fact, she doesn’t travel frequently. “I tend to be a nervous traveler, which is amplified by being a plus-size individual,” Emily confessed. “Before the pandemic, my last trip was to Disneyland, where I spent hours researching ride sizes and hotel accommodations specific to larger bodies. I can’t just go with the flow; I need to plan everything.”

Emily travels with her family, avoiding solo trips due to concerns about how strangers will perceive her. “It’s a valid fear, especially when airline seats feel like sardine cans. I know that for comfort, I’d need to book first class,” she said. To ensure she could sit next to her sister, she even bought a seatbelt extender to sidestep any discomfort. “Fortunately, I didn’t need it, as Hawaiian Airlines has very accommodating seat belt sizes,” she noted.

Upon arriving at their boutique hotel, Emily quickly realized the bathroom situation was less than ideal, with barely any space around the toilet. Several contractors even reached out to inform her that such layouts would typically breach building codes. “Like many larger-bodied individuals, I’ve learned to cope with uncomfortable situations through humor. If I can laugh at myself, it eases the embarrassment and frustration,” she explained.

Emily noted that her sister is her safe space, which is evident in their videos. “When we encountered the absurd bathroom layout, we spontaneously filmed a video, but TikTok initially removed it for allegedly promoting bullying. I reuploaded it because you can’t silence me! That video ended up going viral,” she laughed.

While her videos are humorous, Emily’s intent goes beyond mere comedy. “I filmed as a coping mechanism. I was staying in the hotel for four days, and having my sister there allowed me to express my humorous side while tackling some serious issues. Many people don’t have the comfort to express their frustrations,” Emily lamented.

She added that the restaurant they visited didn’t have suitable seating for her, leading them to order dinner in their room, only to find that the patio furniture was also designed for smaller bodies. In her view, the entire travel experience is riddled with minor issues that could be easily addressed if companies prioritized accommodating larger individuals.

“It saddens me to see comments like, ‘I just bring my own towel.’ This reflects a broader issue. As larger-bodied individuals, we’re expected to simply accept that we don’t fit societal standards. We’re often labeled as lazy or making excuses,” Emily sighed. “It’s not as if hotels didn’t know larger people travel. It’s just that now, people are holding them accountable. They have the resources to accommodate larger bodies.”

Emily emphasized that smaller individuals could use items designed for larger bodies, but the reverse is not true. Providing accommodations for larger people should be standard practice, and even asking about specific needs at the time of booking could prevent many issues.

“There’s a sad reality to this. Everyone deserves to travel and feel emotionally safe. Unfortunately, that’s not the case for many larger individuals,” she said, her tone growing stronger with each word.

Challenging the Status Quo

Her sister asked why Emily was choosing to highlight these issues now when they’ve existed her entire life. “I’ve finally come to grips with the fact that it’s absurd to simply accept these conditions. When I pay for a hotel room, I should be able to use the toilet comfortably,” Emily asserted.

And she’s absolutely right. Fat individuals have always existed, will always exist, and their money is just as valuable. Travel companies would be wise to make accommodations for this demographic, despite their past decisions.

Emily Lane refuses to quietly accept a world that excludes larger individuals. Through her humor, dance, motivational videos, and her choice to support inclusive spaces, she aims to create a world where plus-size individuals can thrive with confidence. We need more people like Emily – she truly shines a light on these important issues.

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In summary, Emily Lane’s rise to fame highlights the importance of addressing body positivity and the need for inclusive accommodations in travel. Her humor and advocacy work to challenge societal norms, aiming to create a more welcoming world for individuals of all sizes.