TikTok 'prankster' Mizzy reveals details of Andrew Tate advice: 'That's why I can respect him'
Self-styled misogynist Tate reached out to TikTok star Mizzy, 18, to give him life advice
TikTok "prankster" Mizzy has said he respects self-styled online influencer and misogynist Andrew Tate.
The teenager, whose real name is Bacari-Bronze O’Garro, revealed last week he had received advice from Tate and his brother, Tristan.
The Tates are currently under house arrest in Romania facing accusations of rape, human trafficking and exploitation of women. Both deny the charges.
Mizzy has become the focus of scathing online commentary since posting a video of himself entering a family’s home without consent and posting it on TikTok. He was subsequently placed under a criminal behaviour order and fined, but was back in court within days accused of breaching the order.
On Monday, he told Yahoo News how the Tates had contacted him, saying the brothers helped him when he needed it the most.
"Tristan made a comment on my viral TikTok video - the walking into houses one (he wasn’t happy with it). I responded to him with another video basically ‘calling’ him out saying I will come to his house," Mizzy told Yahoo News.
Read more: Who is Andrew Tate and why is he so divisive?
"He then private messaged me and told me to send my number, which led to me being added to a group chat with Tristan and Andrew. They taught me to be more calmer with my approach, stick to my values and sound less ‘Hood’.
"Andrew Tate told me to start respecting my parents more and really focusing on the goal I’m trying to achieve. They emphasised on me helping others and told me to stop making bad choices even if they have good intentions.
"They helped me when I needed it the most and that’s why I can respect the Tates," he added.
Mizzy has quickly gained notoriety for his online 'pranks'. On Saturday, TalkTV presenter Andrew Walker screamed at him and accused him of threatening a fellow guest on his show, Reem Ibrahim, by staring at her.
Mizzy himself has hit out at the BBC for giving Andrew Tate a platform by interviewing him about the allegations that led to his arrest, as well as concerns over Tate's toxic indoctrination of boys and young men.
Read more: BBC under fire for 'giving platform' to TikTok prankster Mizzy on Newsnight
Speaking to BBC's Newsnight last week, Mizzy, 18, was asked about profiting from social media and told the BBC: "You guys give [Tate] a platform.
"You give me the platform everything I do is bad apparently what you are saying but I’m on BBC News right now blud, come on now."
The teenager also told Newsnight there were more important things to worry about than Tate, like "world hunger".
"I’m just an 18-year-old boy, I have a child, I’m from the hood I’m just living my life at the end of the day," he said.
Tate's videos, which promote misogyny, largely target teenage boys and young men in what has been described by domestic abuse charities as dangerous indoctrination.
"These videos are a clear example of rape culture, where rape and sexual violence are minimised and survivors are blamed for crimes committed against them. Sexual violence does not exist in a vacuum, it is very much rooted in the sexist belief that women and girls are less valuable than men and boys," Rape Crisis policy lead for England and Wales Amelia Handy told MailOnline.
"It is therefore deeply concerning that young people have access to content that teaches just this and makes sexual abuse seem normal."
As well as posting misogynistic videos, Tate also encouraged young followers to sign up to his "Hustler's University", where fans can take advice from Tate including on how to make money.
"What you ideally want is a mix of 60-70% fans and 40-30% haters. You want arguments, you want war," the university tells youngsters.
Read more: What my teenage sons really think of Andrew Tate’s toxic masculinity
In an interview with the BBC last week, Tate denied all charges relating to rape and human trafficking, also suggesting the broadcaster had "made up" women who complained about him.
While Mizzy said he had "said the right thing" in calling the BBC out for giving Tate a platform, the teen's views on the social media personality were mixed.
"I don’t condone what Andrew says on the internet but you guys don’t know him personally, innocent until proven guilty and I’m not going to just listen to mainstream media," he said, adding: "At the end of the day it’s all social media persona. Controversy sells."
The BBC has defended its decision to interview Tate after criticism from Conservative MPs.