Dr. Miami Speaks Out After Ex-Employee Calls Him ‘Erratic,’ Claims He Encouraged Her to Get Liposuction

Influencer Santina Rizzi has recently made headlines following the release of a five-part series of videos on TikTok, where she elaborates on her sudden departure from the renowned plastic surgeon known as Dr. Miami. This series, shared on April 15 and 16, has rapidly gone viral, garnering tens of millions of views, and has sparked controversy surrounding the work culture at the celebrity surgeon’s clinic.

Rizzi, who previously worked in the social media department for Dr. Miami—whose real name is Michael Salzhauer—claims that she faced persistent denial of pay rises despite her successful efforts in significantly increasing the clinic’s online following. In her videos, she asserts, “The TikToks were popping off,” highlighting that she grew the clinic’s social media following by over two million in just one year. Yet, she expressed feeling undervalued, stating, “It’s almost demoralising… I cannot be doing a better job at this.”

The influencer went on to describe Salzhauer’s management style as “erratic.” According to her, he frequently suggested that she should undergo liposuction on her arms, a comment which she alleges was made consistently to the point where it became an unhealthy preoccupation for her. “When I first started working there, he looked at me and said, ‘You need arm lipo,’” she claimed. This commentary, she noted, pushed her to take drastic measures, including attending the gym to try to address her perceived shortcomings.

Rizzi further alleged that Salzhauer would periodically measure her arms at work and ridicule her lack of progress, which eventually led to her deciding to have the surgery. However, her experience following the procedure was troubling. She recalled being in “so much pain” just days after her surgery and claimed Salzhauer insisted that she attend a work trip, disregarding her physical state. “You don’t see me as a human being capable of experiencing physical pain,” she lamented, sharing her distress over this interaction.

In response to these serious claims, Dr. Miami issued a statement to PEOPLE, asserting that Rizzi’s narrative omitted “necessary background and context.” He refrained from directly addressing her specific allegations but emphasized that allegations of a toxic work environment do not reflect the experiences of his entire team. “The wonderful people that make up my team are happy, well paid, and I know that truth,” he stated. Salzhauer also expressed sadness regarding Rizzi’s perspective, pointing out that she and his family had a close relationship during her tenure at the clinic.

A spokesperson for Rizzi later communicated her pride in the work she accomplished while at Dr. Miami’s clinic, emphasising her success in creating impactful viral content. The spokesperson added that Rizzi is now focused on expanding her brand and pursuing projects that align with her creative vision.

The ongoing situation has generated considerable attention online, prompting Salzhauer to respond sporadically on his TikTok platform. He has posted light-hearted videos in which he appears to joke about the drama, including one where an employee parodies being woken up by Rizzi’s viral content. Additionally, he replied to a comment regarding the pay rate she had mentioned, showcasing a seemingly flippant attitude towards the situation with a humorous response of laughter.

As the fallout from this case continues, both Rizzi and Salzhauer remain at the forefront of a discussion about workplace culture, mental health, and the complexities of personal relationships within professional settings. This incident raises broader questions about the responsibilities of employers in the beauty industry and the pressures faced by employees in high-profile roles.

While both parties appear to have moved forward, the reverberations of Rizzi’s remarks and Salzhauer’s responses may leave a lasting impact on their respective careers and contribute to an ongoing dialogue about the treatment of staff in the competitive arena of social media and celebrity culture. Rizzi’s prominence as an influencer and the critical attention on Dr. Miami’s practice ensures this story remains in the public consciousness.