Influencer sparks debate walking out of ‘Wicked’ movie with kids

A social media mom walked out of ‘Wicked: For Good’ with her kids, igniting a heated online debate

Sara Burnett, a social media influencer and self-proclaimed “anchor in Christ,” caused a stir this week after walking out of a screening of Wicked: For Good with her children. Burnett posted her experience on Instagram, explaining she could not sit through scenes where men were depicted removing women’s clothing, or music referencing sexual activity. Her five-year-old, she said, felt uncomfortable alongside her.

“This is about respecting our convictions and protecting the children we care for,” Burnett wrote. “Our gut told us it was time to walk out.” Many online applauded her decision, praising the moment as a lesson in setting boundaries and standing firm in personal faith. Others, however, criticised her for overreacting to content rated PG for “action/violence, some suggestive material, and thematic material” by the Motion Picture Association.

The social media backlash was immediate. Followers flooded comment sections with divided reactions. Some moms expressed solidarity, saying, “I would have done the same,” while others argued, “It’s theatre, it’s fantasy, your kids will be fine.” Posts comparing the scene to similar moments in past family films went viral, turning Burnett’s choice into a heated cultural debate about parental control, morality, and exposure to adult themes in mainstream media.

Despite the controversy, Wicked: For Good smashed the box office, pulling in $150 million domestically during its opening weekend, making it one of the year’s biggest films. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, the movie’s stars, have not publicly commented on Burnett’s exit, but fans across platforms quickly created memes, threads, and TikTok videos reacting to the walkout. The incident became trending news on X, Instagram, and Threads, as hashtags like #WickedWalkout and #MomGutMove surged.

For Burnett, the walkout was about more than just a film. She framed it as a lesson for her children about courage and conviction, writing, “Even if it’s not what the crowd is doing, even if people think you’re silly, it’s okay.” Her post continues to be widely shared, and debate rages across social media, highlighting the ongoing tension between entertainment, family values, and personal beliefs in 2025.