18.05.2026 10:00
A TikTok video taken by Umut Akyürek's daughter, Melek Bal, at her grandfather's funeral has sparked backlash. Breaking his silence, Akyürek called his daughter's behavior "mindlessness" and harshly criticized TikTok, pop culture, and certain celebrities.
A TikTok video taken by Melek Bal, daughter of artist Umut Akyürek, at her grandfather's funeral sparked major backlash on social media. Following the criticism, Akyürek issued a statement describing her daughter's behavior as "thoughtlessness" while harshly targeting TikTok and pop culture.
VIDEO TAKEN AT FUNERAL MAKES HEADLINES
The video Umut Akyürek's daughter Melek Bal took at her grandfather's funeral quickly became a trending topic on social media. As reactions intensified against Bal for her behavior in the video, her mother Umut Akyürek broke her silence.
“IN NO CULTURE IS GRIEF SHARED THIS WAY”
Akyürek, stating that their grief is very fresh, said she did not find her daughter's behavior appropriate. The famous artist used the following words in her statement: “Our pain is very raw; we lost my father. Unfortunately, at our funeral, my daughter shot a completely thoughtless video that can never be approved. In no culture is grief shared this way. I do not condone this either.”
HARSH CRITICISM OF TIKTOK
In her statement, Akyürek also harshly criticized the TikTok platform. “This cesspool called TikTok continues to poison young people. Society is being ruined for clicks and financial gain. Why isn’t it shut down?” said the artist, drawing attention to the impact of social media platforms on youth.
ALSO TARGETED HADISE AND GÜLŞEN
In a later statement, Umut Akyürek criticized figures like Hadise and Gülşen. Akyürek said, “I will criticize Hadise and similar pop culture figures until I die. Because of those who go on stage in underwear, people like Gülşen, because of those who moan in the arms of five men under the guise of art, this is the state we are in... This has gone off the rails and will continue to do so.”
“I WOULD EVEN CHANGE MY SURNAME IF NECESSARY”
Addressing the issues with her daughter, Akyürek added, “I am not defending my child. Fights and quarrels are constant in my home. I have reached the point of disowning my child; know that and relax. Are you trying to hit me through my child? Go ahead. I would even change my surname if necessary. I will not back down from speaking the truth.”