Ex-Apple exec Tony Blevins fired over vulgar TikTok is angry with company

A longtime senior Apple executive fired this fall after joking in a viral TikTok that he “fondles big-breasted women” said he felt “humiliated” by the company’s abrupt decision.

Tony Blevins worked at Apple for 22 years until he was ousted last September in response to the viral TikTok video. In the Sept. 5 video, TikToker @ItsDanielMac filmed Blevins exiting his Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren with his wife at a car show and asked him what he did for a living.

“I race cars, play golf and fondle big-breasted women. But I take weekends and major holidays off,” Blevins replied. “Also, if you’re interested, I’ve got a hell of a dental plan.”

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Blevins said he was sorry to anyone offended by his quote — but felt that Apple had erred by firing him.

“It was 22 years dissolved in about 25 seconds,” Blevins said. “It utterly shocked me. My whole life has been Apple. I tried to be the most loyal person.”

“They humiliated me and damaged my reputation,” Blevins added.

Apple declined the Wall Street Journal’s request for comment on Blevins’ remarks.


Tony Blevins
Tony Blevins said he tried to have the TikTok taken down.
itsdanielmac

Blevins noted that his off-color remark in the TikTok was actually a reference to a quote from the character Dudley Moore in the 1981 comedy movie “Arthur.” The video was filmed weeks earlier in August.

The ousted employee also detailed the company’s initial reaction to learning about the video — including a phone call he received from another executive in the middle of the night demanding that he find a way to have the post taken down.

“‘This is really bad, some people have complained,’” the unnamed Apple executive said, according to Blevins.


Tony Blevins
Tony Blevins made an off-color remark in a viral TikTok.
itsdanielmac

Blevins scrambled to make contact with TikTok and asked for the video to be removed, but was unsuccessful in his attempts. He said that he declined Apple’s request for his resignation and was eventually fired without receiving severance.

Blevins held a key role at Apple prior to his dismissal. As vice president of procurement, he was responsible for maintaining smooth operations in Apple’s critical supply chain — including handling negotiations with key suppliers.

A well-known figure at the tech giant, Blevins was known internally as “The Blevinator” and renowned for his negotiating skills.


Apple
Apple reportedly declined to comment on Blevins’ remarks.
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Rather than filling Blevins’ role with a new hire, Apple reportedly reassigned the employees who reported to him throughout the company’s operations division.

The Journal said Blevins’ firing drew a mixed response from his former Apple employees, with some saying they had never witnessed him engage in unprofessional behavior and others asserting his remark had crossed a line and warranted dismissal.

Bloomberg reported in September that Blevins was fired after an internal investigation into his remarks. According to the outlet, he had led a team that included “half a dozen direct reports and several hundred employees.”


Apple
Apple fired Tony Blevins in September.
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Blevins also issued an apology when his dismissal first became public knowledge in September.

 “I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely apologize to anyone who was offended by my mistaken attempt at humor,” he said.