Australian influencer told to ‘cover up’ bikinis after sparking outrage in Muslim Cocos Islands

An Australian influencer has fallen afoul of residents in the Cocos Islands after her very revealing wardrobe clashed with local customs. 

In a clip posted to TikTok on Monday, Mikaela Testa, 22, who boasts 1.6 million followers on the video platform, explained that her Airbnb host had instructed her to cover up. 

‘I landed in Cocos yesterday, and the lady that owns the Airbnb that we are staying in received some from calls from some locals, saying that I should be wearing something more culturally appropriate, because this island is predominantly Muslim’, she said. 

‘So today I am covering up to show some respect, and I a respect their wishes one hundred percent,’ Mikaela added. 

The accompanying footage shows the Melbourne-based beauty covering her hair with a scarf while travelling to the beach.

There, she strips down to a revealing bikini, but explains she and her male companion are the only people there. 

Cover up: In a clip posted to TikTok on Monday, Mikaela, 22, who boasts 1.6 million followers on the video platform, explained that her Airbnb host had instructed her to cover up

‘I landed in Cocos yesterday, and the lady that owns the Airbnb that we are staying in received some from calls from some locals, saying that I should be wearing something more culturally appropriate, because this island is predominantly Muslim,’ she said

‘So today I am covering up to show some respect, and I a respect their wishes one hundred percent,’ Mikaela added

On her way: The accompanying footage shows the Melbourne-based beauty covering her hair with a scarf while travelling to the beach

On her Instagram, the influencer has extensively documented her holiday, posing in an array of risqué micro-bikinis. 

The Territory of Cocos Islands, also known as the Keeling Islands, is Australian external territory in the Indian Ocean, where 75 percent of the population is Muslim. 

Mikaela had both supporters and detractors in the comments section of her TikTok video. 

Barely there: On her Instagram, the influencer has extensively documented her holiday, posing in an array of risqué micro-bikinis

Customs: The Territory of Cocos Islands, also known as the Keeling Islands, is Australian external territory in the Indian Ocean, where 75 percent of the population is Muslim

Some pointed out she should have researched the region before her arrival there, while others praised her for making an effort. 

‘Kinda wild that you wouldn’t learn that about the place you are travelling to, and make the decision yourself to be respectful to their culture,’ one person wrote. 

Another pointed out that her wardrobe had not changed much, commenting: ‘What are you talking about you didn’t cover nothing she wasn’t talking about your hair’. 

Taking sides: Mikaela had both supporters and detractors in the comments section of her TikTok video

‘Y’all Americans are always the most disrespectful tourists. Just do a little research on places and be respectful it’s not that hard,’ one person, who mistook the Australian social media star for American, wrote. 

”I’m covering up to show respect’ also Mikaela: wears skin tight. girl just stop, lowkey not being respectful,’ another commented. 

Mikaela replied to that comment herself, writing: ‘All I brought with me was maxi dresses, they don’t mind about tourists wearing skin tight as long as nothing inappropriate was showing.’ 

‘Kinda wild that you wouldn’t learn that about the place you are travelling to, and make the decision yourself to be respectful to their culture,’ one person wrote

Another pointed out that her wardrobe had not changed much, commenting: ‘What are you talking about you didn’t cover nothing she wasn’t talking about your hair’

One fan argued: ‘At least she’s trying to show respect. She clearly isn’t fully aware of everything in the culture but she’s making an effort to respect locals.’

Another added: ‘I’m literally Muslim and the fact she even went out of her way to cover up is absolutely admirable! So thank you for that!’ 

Someone else agreed: ‘I respect her so highly for covering up when in a Muslim community’. 

One fan argued: ‘At least she’s trying to show respect. She clearly isn’t fully aware of everything in the culture but she’s making an effort to respect locals’