Journalist Alena Zhigalova posted a video on her Telegram channel showing affection toward a guinea pig, stroking it and cradling it in her arms, even kissing it a few times. She described the animal as a beloved family member, calling the child of the family an attractive and cherished presence. The clip sparked interaction with fans, who suggested names for the pet in the comments and playfully urged Zhigalova not to treat a pet as food.
During an episode of the program Agent Show, aired on August 17, Zhigalova was shown eating boiled guinea pig meat. She followed through with the on-air challenge, but she also refused to share Ivleeva’s phone number. After the broadcast, a notable portion of viewers accused the blogger of a lack of authenticity and called for the program to be taken off the air. Ivleeva issued an apology the following day and removed her own involvement from the episode. The show subsequently aired a version without the guinea pig scene.
Earlier, Natalya Bochkareva commented on whether Zhigalova sees herself bound to the image associated with Dasha Bukina, suggesting there is a perception that the journalist is tethered to a public persona rather than independent expression. The exchange highlighted ongoing conversations about accountability, personal branding, and the consequences of provocative stunts in the realm of online media.