Perth-based influencer Isabella Procida has recounted a harrowing Uber experience in Marseille, France, where the driver allegedly attempted to divert her and fellow influencer Kairo Calvitto to his residence. The incident, which left both women shaken, has garnered widespread attention after Procida shared a TikTok video detailing the events.
How the Ride Turned Sour
Procida, who boasts over 1.3 million followers across social media platforms, posted a TikTok on Tuesday capturing the unsettling moments. The pair had booked an Uber expecting to be taken to a beach, but Procida said the situation “got dark really fast.” In the video, the driver is heard asking what they were doing for the day, to which Calvitto replied, “Just going to the beach.” The driver then repeatedly urged them to come back to his house, saying he needed to shower. Despite their refusals, he persisted with “No, no, listen to me.”
Procida described feeling increasingly alarmed as the driver began deviating from the route. “He started driving away from where we were going; before this, he was hot boxing the car and the music was up so loud we couldn’t hear each other talk and rapping,” she said. The windows were locked, but at a red light, the two women managed to “jump out the doors and ran.”
Uber Responds to Incident
The video has been viewed over 3.2 million times, prompting a response from Uber. The rideshare company commented on the TikTok, stating, “Hi Isabella, this situation is unacceptable, and we sincerely hope you’re okay. We’ve escalated your report to our safety team, who will contact you for an immediate investigation. Don’t hesitate to DM us if you need anything else.” Procida replied, “Hi thank you! We are okay; we were just really shook up by the experience and the driver.”
Procida later explained that they waited to leave the city before reporting the incident, fearing the driver might retaliate. “We waited to leave the city to report it, because we were scared he would come back or find us idk,” she said. When questioned about their handling of the situation, she added, “if you make people think you’re vibing then you can escape easier.”
Support and Reactions
TikTok users flooded the comments with support, expressing relief that the women escaped safely and urging others to remain vigilant. The incident has reignited discussions about rideshare safety, particularly for solo travelers and women. Procida, who is of Italian and Dutch descent and founder of bag brand Belo Classics, has not commented further. Uber has been contacted for additional details.
