Social Media Sounds Off On Savannah James' First Class Debate

During the Sept. 28 episode, Howard asked the longtime friends and business partners how money factors into their friendship. McDaniel acknowledged that while their lifestyles may look very different, the two have found a way to make it work – especially when they travel together.

“We talk about this a lot because there’s two different lifestyles that exist. Like we’re not delusional to that. And I think Savannah has accommodated where I’m at,” McDaniel, who owns the buzzing creative agency Crown + Conquer, shared around the four-minute mark of the episode.

McDaniel explained that if James wants to plan a trip, they make sure she has enough time to prepare financially.

“We’re planning out. Like, we don’t just show up at Fashion Week week-of. We don’t move like that even though people think we do,” she continued. “If we’re going on the same trip, I don’t feel the need to be in first [class] because that’s not in my budget,” McDaniel added.

But apparently, some Everybody’s Crazy viewers had plenty to say about their travel arrangements. When the topic came up on their show, McDaniel recalled people being “critical” of James flying first class while she traveled business class — though she joked that she occasionally makes her way into James’ seat to hang out and watch movies.

“They were like offended and I was like why? I can’t afford first,” she said looking baffled.

As for whether James ever feels obligated to pay for a first-class ticket for her best friend, the answer was a firm no.

“My friends are very respectful of my situation. Okay. All of them. Like I’ve never had a instance like that one time. If we’re going somewhere, they already understand what it is. There’s no expectation of like taking care of something or, you know, just having me be responsible for them. It has never ever been that.”

McDaniel also believes social media has seriously distorted people’s perception of what normal spending looks like.

“I think that is a very real thing. And also just life expectations. Like does everybody fly first? That’s ridiculous to me. Like someone said to me the other day like, ‘Oh, you’re going to New York. You’re going commercial.’ I said, ‘Are you okay? Are you okay?’ I was like, ‘Commercial? Yes. I got two kids. I’ve been making them fly in coach, like that’s not my vibe.”

April McDaniel, whose agency has produced a number of curated events for Heineken and LeBron James and Maverick Carter’s SpringHill Company, added:

”I just think it’s so many misconceptions with social media around money and what things cost — and that’s not reality. And I think people have gotten so accustomed to fast money, and when you have to earn it, I feel like you do treat it differently. And I think it’s really important for people to realize it’s OK to be normal.”