Creator regrets (some of) "Star Wars" machine stunt
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This replacement vending machine sits in Mt. Washington while the original is out for repairs. Photo: Chrissy Suttles/Axios
Content creator Braeden Days tells Axios he regrets how he communicated his influencer stunt with Pittsburgh's beloved "Star Wars" vending machine.
The big picture: In August, Days swapped out Mt. Washington's 1999 "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace" Pepsi machine with an artistic rendition.
- He posted online that he was repairing the original, made several stunt videos about how he was "stealing" it, then took the machine to Los Angeles to share with fans outside of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art.
What he's saying: "I feel sorry that I genuinely freaked people out," he tells Axios. "I don't want the city of Pittsburgh to hate me."
Context: Days says he received permission from the fire station to film his Instagram video series and fix the machine.
- When he posted his first video, dozens of Pittsburghers criticized the move: some thinking he actually stole the machine, and others upset he was ruining the spirit of a landmark beloved for its nostalgia.
- He deleted the first video, posted an explanation and restarted the series.
Pittsburgh's public safety department didn't respond to a request for comment.
Zoom in: Days, who says he's from Pittsburgh but now lives in Los Angeles, tells Axios he should have been more transparent with locals about the "heist" and told them upfront it was all in jest.
- "I have never had backlash to a video series like this," he says.
Yes, but: He says he has received kind words from locals and nonlocals alike about the series, including texts from Pittsburgh firefighters who enjoyed seeing the machine travel across the U.S.
- He understands some people didn't like it, but notes that others did and "a lot of those loudest voices are people that are just really, really upset, and they're just comment bombing."
The other side: Local radio host Mikey Dougherty has criticized Days for the stunt, arguing it was more about Days wanting to monetize the machine for his large following and less about preserving the machine.
- "Your 'prank' didn't go your way and now you want to try to save face," wrote Dougherty last month on Instagram.
What's next: The machine should be returned by the middle of October, said Days.
- It was repaired last week in Southern California, according to Vending Dawg's Instagram page.
- Days said he'll provide an exact return date once he knows for sure.